by Allen Arnold, @TheStoryofWith
How would you describe the state of your art?
Is it thriving? Do you know its rhythm? Does it have an eternal spark?
Now, how would you describe the state of your heart?
Is it thriving? Do you know its rhythm? Does it have an eternal spark?
The two questions are related because your heart and your art are inextricably connected.
Yet we tend to know far more about our art than our hearts. With laser-like intensity, we pour ourselves into our stories. We go to conferences to master the craft, count words written each day, even ask others for constructive feedback. But it’s rare to put that same level of focus on our hearts. When was the last time the care of your heart came before writing deadlines and social media demands?
And I get it. From a productivity standpoint, this doesn’t feel wise or practical. After all, it takes more time to write a novel than tend to your heart right? And most of the time, no one asks about the state of your heart. So how important could it be?
Let’s see what the greatest Creator of all time – the One who created time – has to say about your heart. He created it, so His council is worth our undivided attention. He says: Above all else, nurture your heart for it is the wellspring of life.(Proverbs 4:23).
Above. All. Else.This isn’t from a warm and fuzzy daydreamer who never got around to creating anything. These words come from the One who created everything from oceans to oranges to orangutans. And He reminds us that our heart care above whatever else we set our hearts on to create.
Ultimately, what you create is simply an outer expression of your inner journey. The inner journey is always one navigated by the heart. And when the internal journey of discovery stops, the creative process withers. No great art was ever created without great heart.
So spend more time – yes, literally more time – being a student of your heart rather than your art. This may feel both counter intuitive and inefficient, yet there is no other way. If you want to infuse your stories with more life, you have to start with your life. Live more before trying to write more. Your heart – above all else – will determine your creative abilities and limitations.
Pursue your heart with a wasteful extravagance. Listen to it. Ask God to reveal its hopes and to heal its hurts. And rest in the assurance that life will come from that investment.
As your heart awakens, your stories will deepen.
There’s no better barometer on the state of your art than the state of your heart.
The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, & Create
“Unique and powerful, The Story of With will take readers deep into the discovery of their own identity. “Bravo! This fascinating blend of storytelling and teaching will shift the thinking of all who take this journey.” New York Times Bestselling Author, TED DEKKER
“Through allegory and invitation, Allen Arnold ushers us into a journey of imagination, insight, wonder, and wisdom…Read The Story of With!” New York Times Bestselling Co-Author of Captivating, STASI ELDREDGE
“This is your invitation into deeper identity, intimacy, and imagination with God. Like finding the place you’ve always longed to be. The moment you finish this book, you’ll race to grab one for a friend. Highest Recommendation!” Bestselling Author of The Long Journey to Jake Palmer, JAMES L. RUBART
“Allen has written a roadmap for dreaming with God. The Story of With is a beautiful, revelatory parable, filled with wonder, mystery, and adventure.” Author of Prone to Love & Untamed, JASON CLARK
– From the Foreword –
“You are not alone. Whether you’re a free spirit, an office exec, a writer, musician, college student, or tired parent—your soul, like mine, knows life is meant to go beyond rat races and rare applause. This book speaks to that belief. And if you’re not careful, you may find tears warming your eyes as you read because finally someone is naming your weariness, your striving, your questions of why you just can’t quite make it, or the emptiness that hit because maybe you did. It is into those places The Story of With reaches—fusing allegory with application—to offer fresh perspective, restored hope, and a rebirth of creativity.”
—From the Foreword by Mary Weber, Christy & Carol Award-Winning, Scholastic Pick Author of the Storm Siren Trilogy.
Allen Arnold is the author of The Story of With, an allegory that reveals a better way to live and create through the doorway of identity, imagination, and intimacy. His mission is to help people actively pursue and transform their talent by discovering how to pursue it with God. As the founding Fiction Publisher for one of the world’s largest Christian publishing houses, Allen oversaw the development of more than five hundred novels. He knows first-hand how common it is for creators to become disheartened, overwhelmed or burnt-out–as well as what it takes to help the dreams of writers become reality. In his current role at Ransomed Heart, he oversees content from the mountains of Colorado for the ministry. Before becoming a Board Member for ACFW, he was awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for his substantial contributions to the world of Christian Fiction.