Pride vs. Vanity

This is an issue that I as a Christian writer have been struggling with. As Christians we are called to be humble, that pride can be dangerous. As a writer, I am often called upon to promote my own work. I often find myself putting my ideas or work down, saying that “it’s not that great” or “not to be full of myself or anything, but….”. I have wrestled with the idea of taking pride in my work, but not bragging or taking more credit than I should.

In thinking about the difference between pride and vanity, I can’t help but remember a passage in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, where Elizabeth’s sister Mary gives her opinion of the two. “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us” (Pride and Prejudice, page 27).

It raises a good point. Pride focuses more on the things a person does, while vanity is more about the person. Pride says “Look what I’ve done” while vanity says “Look at me”. Still, it can be hard to justify pride as a good thing. 

To a certain extent, people in general need to take pride in their work and talents. This can contradict the teachings of many churches. Not that I think that humility is bad; I simply think it can be overstressed, especially when ignoring the positive aspects of pride. As a teacher recently pointed out to me, we are all gifted by God and we are responsible for honing and using that gift. To downplay those talents and skills is disrespectful.

It still isn’t easy as a writer to pitch an idea to someone. You are essentially saying “Here is my story. You should pick it over everyone else’s because mine is better.” That is very hard for me to do. I want to downplay the things I think are well done, but at the same time, I want to point them out and say “Look at that! Look what I did!”

Part of the solution is realizing that my talent is God-given. He gives me the words to put on paper and I can’t take full responsibility for them. However, I can take credit for practicing, honing my skill. I take the time to develop my craft and I am proud of the progress I have made. Talent can only take a person so far; you have to be committed to developing that talent and using it well.

I know that this doesn’t provide an easy answer. It’s not something I can do, and I doubt I’ll every fully figure it out. But for now, I’ll work on my attitude about my work. I’ll try to be proud without being vain. And I will do my best to keep my work at a level that deserves that pride.

Comment below with something that you are proud of doing or accomplishing. I won’t be posting this weekend, as I’m going on a retreat.

Until next time fellow wonderers!

The Myth of Strong Female Characters

I recently read an interesting article (http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/08/i-hate-strong-female-characters) about the double standard set for female characters in literature and media. I find it rather disturbing that we have to characterize female roles as ‘strong’, as if it weren’t inherently implied like with men. I won’t use this blog as a soapbox for a feminist rant; I simply want to raise awareness for the way that female characters tend to fall into one of two categories: the damsel in distress, or the token team member who can keep up with the boys, yet plays no major part in the story. In some cases, the women who are supposed to be ‘strong’ are so violent, they could be considered abusive. All for the sake of establishing that they can ‘keep up with the boys’, that they don’t need to be rescued.

I hate this type of character the same way I hate the stereotypical goofy sidekick or the sensitive male hero. Like the article says, you can’t fit any character into a simple box and expect them to fit comfortably.

One of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale, often tweets about the growing trend of male protagonists. Men, especially young boys, are less likely to read a book with a female main character, while girls have no preference. But there is no rule that says books about girls are for girls only, simply society saying so. Instead, we should encourage boys to read books about girls to better understand the people who make up half of the world.

I tried not to make this a rant, but it’s something that truly bothers me. Instead of making our female characters strong, we writers need to focus on making them real. Human beings are complex creatures and the characters we write should reflect that.

Until next time fellow wonderers!

Update on Me

Hi all! As you may know, I am now back at school! I thought you might like a quick look at what classes I’m taking and such. So here’s a quick overview of what my life will look life for the next three months. I’m taking five classes, most of them writing.
I’m taking a Freelance Writing class that I’m really excited about. We’re going to be spending a lot of time writing and editing pieces we’ve worked on. One of our assignments is to write at least 750 words daily. It doesn’t matter what we write, as long as we do. I’ve been trying to get into the habit of writing daily, so this is really quite perfect. We’re going to work in all types of writing, from blog to fiction, short stories to devotionals. I’m really looking forward to widening my area of experience.
I’m also taking a class called Writing Online, but my professor said it’s more like a literary citizenship class. We’re essentially going to be building our platforms, or our online presence. We’ll be working with our social media sites and blogs, so expect to see some changes here in the next few months!
Most writers choose other literature classes, but I’m taking Performing Literature. In that class, we are focusing on analyzing text and presenting it orally, using both voice and body to convey the meaning. I think this will be invaluable to me as a writer, to look at how words are conveyed and interpreted.
One of the classes I’m not quite so excited about is Layout and Design. It focuses on a computer program called InDesign. We will be designed various things throughout the semester, starting with our own resumes. While incredibly useful, I have a tendency to struggle with things related to technology, so we’ll see how well this class goes.
I’m taking another computer class as well, a computer science course. I haven’t actually had the class yet, so I don’t know exactly what to expect. It’s a general education course, so I imagine it won’t be too overwhelming.
That about sums up my classes. Other than that, I have a job that keeps me occupied, as well as extracurricular activities with my wing and the other people in my major. I think I’m going to enjoy the next few months.
Until next time, fellow wonderers!

Daily Habits

Whenever I make a daily To-Do list, there is always one item I include. Regardless of the day of the week, the homework load, or how tired I am, I remind myself I need to get it done. And it is never done. I put in on my list day after day, check it off, and put it on again the next time I make a list. 

Writing.

Well, duh, you’re probably thinking. You’re a writer. Today I want to emphasize a piece of advice I have heard from almost every author I’ve heard give advice. 

Write. Every day. Even if you don’t want to. Even if you don’t know what to write about.

Now, I won’t get into the debate of whether writer’s block really exists, but I will repeat what I’ve heard countless times. Writers improve their craft by practicing it. The only way to improve is to write consistently. It doesn’t have to be the next great novel, or even something you plan to publish. Simply getting into the habit of writing often will help you produce more, publishable material.

It is so hard to commit to writing every day. I struggle with it. But I’m working hard to make it a habit. I journal, I write stories, I work on my book, I write devotionals, I blog, and I free-write. Variety helps new ideas flow. 

So for you aspiring writers out there, keep going. Get your thoughts on paper; don’t wait for them to ‘fully form’. That won’t ever really happen unless you start writing. So get to it!

Until next time, fellow wonderers!

Growing Up is Hard

This is a belated weekend post. I was busy all weekend, which actually inspired today’s topic. On Saturday I attended a wedding of two friends from high school. Sunday I helped someone move from home. This week I’m packing up to go back to college. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about growing up. And I’ve come to a conclusion.

Growing up isn’t the nice, slow process people lead you to believe. It sneaks up on you and then beats you over the head with responsibility. 

I know that sounds bitter. But watching people I’ve known for most or all of my life go out and get married or move away made me realize that I am an adult. I’m nearly 21, which is considered an adult by most standards. But I don’t feel like an adult. I like being at home, where my parents take care of me. I like being at school, where I just need to attend classes and do school work, not worry about bills (aside from tuition) or other adult things. Thinking about the future is just weird. 

I don’t know when people begin to feel like adults, or if they really ever feel comfortable with so much responsibility. But it’s something that everyone seems to struggle with at some point or other. 

I know this is kind of depressing, but it’s what’s on my mind. What’s your best advice for ‘growing up’?

Until next time fellow wonderers!

The Importance of Being Published

As I read the title I just wrote, I realize how pretentious it sounds, but it’s true! Just bear with me while I explain. 

As you may know, I was at a writer’s conference earlier this summer. One of the most important things I learned was that editors and agents won’t consider working with authors who have never been published before.

Before you start saying, “But that doesn’t make sense! How can you be published for the first time then?”, let me clarify. Anything you write and have published counts, not just books. That’s why it’s so important to expand your writing beyond the next great novel you’re working on. Start with simple things, like devotionals or book reviews. Those are great ways to hone your writing, as you must convey a lot of information with few words. 

Another way to get bylines is to enter short stories or other pieces to contests. I have yet to do this myself, but I am working on a short story to send in to a competition. I know it’s hard to put something out there to be compared to others and judged, but it’s well worth the effort. 

I encourage you to branch out and try writing in different areas than you are comfortable in. Write a news article, or a poem, or in a different genre. It can be fun and you might even find a niche even more suited to you as a writer.

Until next time, fellow wonderers!

An Urgent Need for Prayer

I have a request for you readers. I don’t usually get political, mostly because I don’t know much about it, but there’s something in the news recently that has been rubbing me the wrong way. A lot of people have been talking about the Americans infected with Ebola and there’s even been some controversy about their return to the country. What bothers me about this whole thing is that I almost never hear anything about the country being affected by this terrible disease.

Liberia-one of the poorest countries in the world. The location of the biggest outbreak of Ebola in the history of the virus. The country I spent time in just over a year ago. 

I’ll admit it. If I didn’t have such a personal connection to Liberia, I’d likely not care, or even notice, the lack of coverage. But I do. The following is an email sent out this weekend from the missionary couple I visited. They are currently in the States, but hope to return.

“Greetings To All

We are begging you all to please, please lift up our friends in Liberia in deep, earnest and the Spirit of intercession, prayer.  

First we still know of people who are trying to return to the USA, please pray that they may travel in safety.
Second, we received news of another friend who has lost a family member from Ebola, please pray for protection for the rest of the family.
As we shared with many of you yesterday, our fears of the consequences of the Liberian government making the choice to close the borders in a country who imports 90% of their food, and this is the rainy season, is unfortunately a reality. What food is available has gone sky high in price. Businesses are closed and thus employment has ceased.  The mission has a few staff members who are unaccounted for, we pray that they are safe.
We understand that God knows what is happening and what is at stake.  As much as our hearts ache for the fact that we left Liberia just over one week ago with a ticket that was purchased last year with this date, we are confused and torn.  We are resigned to the potential that when we are allowed to return to Liberia (tentative September 9th) we may be going back to nothing.  We pray we have a team left there and our dogs protect them from any violence.
Please, please call out to our Father on behalf of a country that is very fragile in the best of times and this is now the worst.  Pray for peace, for calm, for food to reach those in need and pray for protection.
In the arms of Jesus –
Trav and Gina”
This country has been ravaged by war, and now disease. All I ask is that you spare a minute or two to lift up these people and their country in prayer. This is quickly turning into a crisis. You can easily find more information by searching for “Ebola in Liberia”.
Please share this with as many people as possible. The more who know, the more can pray. 
Until next time, fellow prayer warriors.

Tattoos and Ponderings

I was recently talking to a close friend about a tattoo she’s thinking about getting when she asked me if I had ever thought about getting a tattoo. I said no, but it made me think. If I did get a tattoo, what would it be? What words or phrases mean enough to me that I would consider getting them permanently etched into my skin? And before you ask, Mom, this is all hypothetical. I’m not actually thinking about getting a tattoo.

I actually have a few friends with tattoos. One of my favorites is my old roommate, who had the words Leva Livet tattooed on her wrist. It’s Swedish for Live the Life. The friend who is getting a tattoo is probably going to get her life verse. So I started thinking about what words are the most meaningful to me and I kept landing on two.

Proclaim: I am a writer and I want to always remember that my job is first and foremost to proclaim God’s goodness. That extends beyond writing to every aspect of my life. I am meant to be a living, breathing billboard for God every day of my life. 

Wonder: I love reading. Discovering new worlds, exploring complex plots. Sometimes, I think of myself as Lucy discovering Narnia for the first time. I love that sense of awe you get when a good book, or any incredible experience, draws you in completely. And I never want to lose that child-like sense of wonder. I think it’s one of the greatest gifts we humans have; the ability to discover and experience.

That’s why I’ve finally settled on a way to close out my blog posts. Because I want to encourage all of you to keep on looking for new experiences, new adventures. Also, it’s less permanent than a tattoo. Well, less permanent on me. 

Until next time, fellow wonderers!