The Magic of Writing!
GUESS WHO?
The magician extends an arm, a flash streaks from splayed fingertips and, behold! A wondrous creation!
Who is this magician, capable of manifesting what was only before just imagined?
Why, it's you! You are that magician.
MAGIC OR COINCIDENCE?
As a writer you hold at your fingertips the power and privilege of creation--of not just some fictional land but of real wonders within our own world. Unbelievable? Consider this:
Ed Stewart, author of numerous published fiction and nonfiction books, recently explained an experience he had after writing his suspense book, Millennium's Eve.
When I wrote the book in 1992, the hospital which I named King's House in the story was indeed a run-down, abandoned hospital in a tough section of L.A. The description and history about Queen of Angels [hospital] in the book is all true. But at the time of the story, it was a mess. About two years after the book came out, I learned that Queen of Angels had been purchased by a mega-church in Phoenix (the Assembly of God church pastored by Tommy Barnett) and renovated into Los Angeles International Church, or what they commonly call the Dream Center. Today the Dream Center ministers to L.A.'s inner city homeless, drug culture, former prisoners, etcetera--just as King's House does in the book.
The head of the ministry, Matthew Barnett, Tommy's son, didn't know about my book until the Dream Center was up and running. He called me one day after reading the book, ecstatic that his team was doing almost exactly what I had described to be the ministry of King's House. They read sections of my book during their staff meetings, marvelling at the similarities. I was also thrilled that my 'vision' for that hospital had been realized quite apart from anything I could do to make it happen.
POWERFUL POTION
Ed Stewart may not be directly responsible for the development of the Dream Center through his creation of King's House in his book. Yet his positive vision of a special place to care for the needy of Los Angeles was a strong dose of the energy in our world that does bring manifestations into being. Words are a powerful potion.
Any creative expression--books, music, movies, art--that conveys a specific idea encourages the manifestation of that same idea in reality. It may not be a conscious act on the audience's part to mimic what was heard or read. In fact, the influence may not even be recognized directly by any one individual. Yet the energy of that idea does infiltrate our consciousness as a society.
As a writer, never underestimate the power of your words. You don't need to write a Pulitzer-winning social commentary that reaches the masses to add a positive influence to the pool of energy we call reality. Each written word, both published and unpublished, is a manifestation of what can be and adds to the pool of similar energy.
BUT I WANT FICTION THAT SELLS!
Are we talking goody-two-shoes fiction? Not at all. A story that can demonstrate society's rough edges and can catch a reader's breath with its suspense and drama and emotions can also provide a positive message. Read any of Ed Stewart's three books in his suspense/mystery series (Millennium's Eve, Millennium's Dawn or Doomsday Flight) to see what I mean. Dramatic, exciting fiction that rivets readers will sell. Fiction that also provides a sense of purpose and an uplifting message will sell and leave readers wanting more of the same.
BIG WHALLOPS IN SMALL PACKAGES
1. A TALL ORDER
You don't need to write a full book to attract—and satisfy—readers while magically increasing the energy toward a better world. Read Lyn Peterson's short story Nora's Ark, a First Honors winner in our 1999 Winter Writing Competition. She wrote it to satisfy her own specific criteria. She says, "I think that stories can have tension and suspense without there having to be a 'bad guy'. I also believe that families can be portrayed in a positive manner, and that happy endings can be quite satisfactory." Read the story; see how she accomplished this feat successfully, winning an award in the process!
2. A CHILD CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
When Mike Lipstock entered Requiem for an 8-year-old to our last competition, he sent more than a tightly plotted, well-described short story. He sent a small miracle wrapped in one little boy's good deed.
His story details the emotions of a young boy who faces, for the first time, the harsh specter of death when a young classmate dies. The boy's fears and anticipations, his choices of action and decision are demonstrated through the often lighthearted, wondrous eyes of a child. It is a humorous story at times, just as life can be. And, in the end, cultures and races, prejudices and misunderstandings are all transcended by one small good deed.
Has Mike Lipstock created a better world? Yes. He has added positive energy to the world's resources that can, in reality, bring about positive changes.
HELP WANTED: IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR MAGICIANS
If we can't conceive of a better world even in our fiction, how can we hope for it in our real world? As writers, we have the opportunity to make a better world. Write to make it so. It only takes a few words to make a difference.
Just one small, good deed.
Copyright, Sandra E. Haven, Editor at Bristol Editing Services
Courtesy of www.bristolservicesintl.com
