by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch
What does it mean to dream with God? As writers, we are innately dreamers and creators, proof that we are created in the image of a Master Creator. I love that one way I connect with God is by practicing the gift He has given me. Doesn’t it make sense then that His number one adversary would like nothing more than to distract and destroy your writing?
I believe this adversary accomplishes this sabotage by instilling insecurity, stirring rejection, cultivating isolation, and finally we stop writing. And we forget that dreaming with God is part of the process of writing.
One of my favorite quotes from C. S. Lewis regarding his process of writing The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe says, “But then suddenly Aslan came bounding into it…once He was there He pulled the whole story together.”
Our secret ingredient in writing is dreaming with God. I also think it is weapon against the number one villain in this story. But what does this look like? I believe it can be different for everyone and I think it can look different in every stage of writing.
In pre-writing, I grab my notebook with an inspiring quote on the front and a handful of colorful pens and I write down all my ideas for my story. I don’t consider the issues. I just create. I let it be messy. I let it be colorful. I let it be fun. I fall in love with the story.
In plotting and writing, I give myself the freedom to follow the plot but also veer off if I see a good detour that would make the story better. I print pictures of my characters, tack plot notes on my cork boards, close my devices, shut down email (and social media), and just write.
In editing, I cut off my ability to actually edit and send my story to my kindle to read…just like a normal reader. I have learned that it is easier for me to see the plot holes, the weak writing, and the overall character challenges if I can’t touch anything on my screen as I go. I just read and dream with God about how it can be even better by the time it gets into the hands of a real reader. Then I move back to my computer and begin the process of refining.
In business planning, my dreaming has involved one key prayer: Lord, would you surprise me? I’m praying this for publishing. I’m praying this for how I invest in readers—that God would use me to encourage and bless readers and that how He chooses to use this crazy dreaming would surprise me and help me trust Him more.
I’m praying that for you, too, my fellow writer friend. I’m praying that you would dream with God before, during, and after you finish your beautiful book. I’m praying that He would surprise you with how He answers prayer. I’m praying that fear wouldn’t hold us back and that we would remember to dream BIG because we represent a BIG Creator God.
What does dreaming look like in your writing process? Drop a comment below, and let’s learn from one another.
She’s ready to leave it all behind.
Recent college graduate Kaylan Richards has spent her entire life following a plan. Go to school. Get good grades. Do what you love. Love what you do. Only what Kaylan loves requires a sought after internship. She doesn’t want to wait. She wants to help people now. And on the eve of her decision to leave her life-long plans behind, the man she wants to forget walks back into her life.
He’s ready to win her heart.
Navy SEAL Nick Carmichael never dreamed he would love a woman more than he loves serving his country. Now he’s finally ready to win her heart, but this time she’s the one who wants to leave for the most poverty-stricken country in the western hemisphere. And it’s his turn to watch her go.
Something deadly is about to strike.
It’s the worst earthquake Haiti has ever seen. Kaylan is trapped in the aftermath, and Nick is a world away on a mission to catch a terrorist. As they find their way back to one another, Kaylan and Nick must learn that love grown in the midst of tragedy can truly conquer all. But only if they have the courage to fight for it.
Kariss Lynch is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves writing romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. In her free time, Kariss goes on adventures with her own personal handsome hero, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.