Issue: April, 2005

Better Writers Refuse to Dance

Writers tend to dance around in different ways, none of which have anything
to do with music. Better writers resist this tendency.

1. They come to the point.

Some years ago a well-known comedian wrote a book entitled something
like: My Point-and I Do Have One. Some writers make you wonder. If they have
a point, they surely take their time getting to it.

One reason writers perform this dance is simply that they have a bad
habit and don't know any better. Did you ever watch a dog prepare to lie
down? Often he will turn around several times to achieve just the right
position, though it's difficult to tell how his actions have made any
difference, much less improved anything.

Why does he do it? Because it is his ritual. God evidently made him
that way and he wouldn't be comfortable lying there if he didn't. Writers
dance as a ritual, too, and can't help it. The solution: start the way you
need to start, but don't keep the dance steps. Recognize them for what they
are and delete them at rewrite.

Usually, you will recognize your dances if you consciously look for
them. At least you can learn to recognize them; some input from a critique
group might help. Learn to ask yourself: Can I get into my subject more
quickly? Are these first lines necessary, crisp, clear, and compelling?

I can't tell you how often I have improved a piece of writing, my
own or others', by simply omitting the first paragraph or two. Sometimes, if
it's a book, one may need to omit the first chapter or two.

Sometimes writers dance, not as a ritual but because they hope to
string along the reader. I told one author he seemed to be teasing the
reader in his early chapters, promising good stuff but not getting to it. He
sheepishly admitted that he didn't want to tip his hand too soon. If he
did, what would he have left to say in the rest of the book?

Manipulative behavior such as that has no place in the work of
better writers. If you don't have enough cogent material to warrant a book,
don't write one. Write an article instead or do more research and thinking
until you do need a book to tell your story.

2. Better writers don't dance around obvious questions raised by their
writing.

Conspiracy theorists come to mind. They often put forth their cases
in intricate detail. They offer all kinds of evidence to buttress their
claims. But they never address the basic absurdities of their position.

For one, how can an entire coterie of conspirators hide a secret
enterprise of such dimensions? A secret shared by even two people is hard to
keep. Remember Bill and Monica? As Jesus said, what you whisper in the ear
will be shouted from the housetops.

Like conspiracy theorists, advocates of esoteric doctrines and
religious theories ignore the elephant of absurdity in the room. The Da
Vinci Code comes to mind. The Early Church supposedly lied about Jesus, whom
they knew to be an ordinary married man with children. Really! Such a
charade would be some rock on which to build a church now, wouldn't it? The
whole implausible story is destroyed by the fact of the Resurrection. In
addition, as Paul said, the truths of the Gospel were not based on things
"done in a corner." They were widely known and well attested (see Acts 26).

However, we Christian believers also need to face squarely the
difficulties raised by our own doctrinal positions, rather than dancing
around them. It's not wrong to hold a view that presents difficulties. We
aren't God and there's lot we don't know. What's wrong, though, is to
pretend these difficulties don't exist, or that we have the answers.

It is beyond the scope of this article to detail examples of
doctrines we sometimes dance around. Many of them, such as the suffering in
creation that occurs under the administration of an all-powerful and loving
God, are such potent issues that to get into them here would be a
distraction from my point. Suffice it to say that easy answers to hard
questions such as this are really no answers at all. They do not answer the
question but at best only comment on it.

A bit of fancy footwork on our part can "solve" any difficulty that
arises in Christian faith. But that's just what it is, fancy footwork, an
intricate dance, not a real solution. Let's face the fact that we don't have
answers to some questions. And after admitting that, let's not resume the
dance. There's no music.

2. OUR BROTHERS MARTYRED IN PAKISTAN
(Note: the following report is reproduced exactly as received)
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005, 8:19 PM (to Syd Brestel)
Subject: A Big lost of two believers...

Dear Saints,
Greetings in Jesus Christ!
This is an update of last prayer request. Pastor Babar and his Elder
Daniel killed by kidnappers. The killed on same day of their kidnapping but
kidnappers were not disclosing and finally after three days. Police found
their dead bodies in far area of Peshawar.

They kidnappers chained them in one chain and they beaten them with
rods. They used sharp knifes because they had cut of the nose of Babar and
also they cut abdomen of Daniel and they shout with them about 50 bolts.
Then they thrown in a muddy drain. Both brothers were extremely in bad
conduction.

Today more then 1500 people and all churches leadership took
participation in their funeral service. I also had privilege to preach in
graveyard to proclaim the promises of Jesus Christ about Christian faith.

Each brother has three children. Wives and their children plus their
family members are in deep grieve, it is huge lost for the church in
Peshawar because both brothers were very bold and committed for the great
commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We do not know the actual fact and reasons of their kidnapping and
killing. Today many newspapers gave different news. But one thing I know
very well that we lost two men of God in Peshawar.

Please pray for their wives, children and other relatives.
Please pray for the special protection of the believers in Peshawar
& Pakistan.
Thanks you for keep praying

God bless you

In Christ
Rev. A.R. Hashmat

3. REPORT FROM MUSLIM MINDANAO
by Joyce Tomanek, ICW Prayer Fellowship Coordinator
I believe your hearts will be touched by this email I received today.
This is from one of the members of our ICW Prayer Fellowship, Pastor Arnie
Gamilong who lives and serves on the Muslim island of Mindanao in the
Philippines. You will note, he calls me Grandma, just as I told him he
could. I love that! He is a Grandson-in-the-LORD.
When I read of the faithfulness, the determination, the dedication of these
Christians, it puts me to shame. How many of us would make such an effort
to worship with other believers? It is humbling. Please be in prayer for
them.
God bless you.
Dearly Beloved in the Lord:
Grandma Joyce:
Loving greetings from Gen. Santos city, Mindanao.
I thank the Lord for this opportunity that I can write to you again. I was
away for sometime to the mountains, because one of my Pastor friends
requested me to visit them and see their ministry there. And I have went
back and forth there for several times already from January.
I was so blessed by their ministry to the people there, even despite of
their very poor situation. The transportation is only by foot, or sometimes
by horse. And the church people walk almost half-day in going to church,
that's why they usually start walking early Saturday so that they can rest
in the afternoon and prepare for Sunday worship. But still, when they arrive
in the church, they cannot rest because they have a fellowship time with the
other Christians who also came from afar.
Sunday, they start the Sunday school very early, and the worship will end
until lunch time. After lunch, they will again have fellowship, and start
walking home early morning on Monday. Some of them bring torches in the way
and singing Christian songs very loudly while walking. The way going home is
not very easy because they need to pass by some mud road, and cross a river
several times along the way.

What a blessing and a challenge to see their desire to go to church and hear
God's Word, and fellowship with other believers. My heart is so touched with
joy and love for these people. Please pray that the Lord will make a way for
me to go there once a month as my friend requested! I am so willing to go,
even I have to travel half-day as well from home going there, although by
passenger jeepney. I went there several times already this more than two
months, and I pray to go there regularly once a month. Please help me pray
for this ministry Grandma.

So far, in Gen. Santos, we are faithfully doing our ministry. The jeep still
needs some repairs, and the papers are still untouched, but thank the Lord
because we don't have any obligations anymore. We are now preparing for our
Vacation Bible School, and we plan to have four places to hold the classes.
Please pray that more children will come to Jesus Christ through this week
of Bible study to the children.

Please also pray for our peace and order situation as the terrorists once
again threat our peacefulness. Last February 14, a mall was bombed here in
Gen. Santos city that killed several people and injured so many.
Grandma, I am also praying for you and your health. I read every prayer
requests you sent about the Orphans, and the ministry in Japan; and I
immediately offered to the Lord an earnest prayer for them. This is the best
way we can partake and help other servants of God as they do their service
to Him.

I hope and pray that this letter will reach you safely, and you are in good
health and in God's blessings as you read this.
Always remember that you are always in our hearts and mind, and we
constantly pray for you.
May God take good care of you always.
In Christ's love;
Grandson Arnie

4. LIN JOHNSON TO TEACH IN KENYA
(by Simon Kahoko Mureu, ICW Member, Kikuyu, Kenya)
Once in a year, UZIMA Publishing house holds a writers training workshop,
which has produced very good writers. It's to do the same come September
2005. This time among the facilitators will be a renowned author from
Chicago, America: Ms. Lin Johnson.
Ms. Johnson, who is a current "Adjunct" at Taylor University-Fort Wayne
Indiana, is known both in America and internationally as a strong-minded
writer trainer. An author of more than 70 titles, Lin holds several degrees
and also owns and directs the Write-to-Publish conference in Chicago.
It's believed Lin, who is also the managing editor of "Christian
Communicator" and of "Advanced Christian Writer," would be able to embrace
the peace-loving Kenyans. In the month of September, the climate is hot
although a cupful of coffee would do no harm.
No wonder, Ms. Lin Johnson will be able to supervise the intended 25
trainees during this "Produce a Book" workshop to be held on September 18 to
24, 2005 at Resurrection Gardens-Karen, a few miles outside Nairobi.

5. BEHIND THE SCENES-GETTING OUT THE REPORT
Jane Foard Thompson, ICW Communications Coordinator writes:
I'm preparing the report to go out - hopefully today. (If Jack doesn't have
too many patients. Sometimes he doesn't have an extra minute in the day.)
I really appreciate what you wrote about excellence in Christian writing.
Too many people have the wrong attitude in the church. I cringe when we are
working on a song and someone is ready to move on to the next one when we
are just beginning to get it right.
I've been giving some thought to POD, for an historical novel set in the
Caribbean, where I can market it myself. Although already aware of the need
for thorough editing, your words may be the guidance I was seeking.
Since I'm on that side of the hill myself, and caring for my aging mother,
your new book, A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Old Age, sounds like a
godsend! I must have one! I'll go to the website and order.
God bless you for continuing to share your experience and skills.

Until next time,
Keep writing.
Stanley Baldwin, Director

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