Hello everyone,

One thing that I have found very benefical thoughout my writing is to define a purpose before I write my stories. Is the purpose to show Christ as our hope, to present the Gospel, to give a Christian worldview, to give an example of Christ, or whatever Christian principle. It helps me put a finger on why I'm writing this story and weed out anything that is just added for fun.

I think that's wonderful! I agree that every book should have some sort of purpose; if it doesn't, I don't hardly find it worth writing. So far, the purpose of most of my fantasy work is to combat the secular fantasy by offering reading material with a Christian worldview.

Elestar - that's awesome! Showing a Christian worldview is the first step to combatting secularism that is so prevalent in our society.

I disagree with you just a little, Liagiba. While I definitely think it's important to glorify God in whatever we do, I don't think a book should, or has to have a purpose to be good.

Some of my best stories started as dreams I had, or were something I wrote because I need to express my emotional highs (or lows.).

I think that a book should have the purpose of glorifying God.

Well, yes. 2 Corinthians 10:31 says "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

But, I don't think that our books really need a PURPOSE. I mean, when I sit down to read a book, there are times where I just want a good read. I'm not looking for it to dramatically change my life.

I understand what you're saying. Perhaps it's just a personal preference, I've found that if I don't find a God-glorifying purpose it will turn into a selfish story based on my personal fancies.

I think that all books have some purpose. Even secular books were written with the purpose of entertaining their readers!
I try to always write to glorify God, even if my story isn't exactly "Christian". As long as it doesn't portray things that are wrong as right, I believe my writing is bringing glory to God because I'm using a talent that He gave me!

Good point about secular books.

Ok. Maybe I'm digging for too specific a purpose then. By that argument all books DO have a purpose.

Right. I try to define a purpose in my stories, whether to present a Biblical worldview or to present the Gospel. Vague, but they help me keep focused nonetheless.

Sometimes we won't know the message or moral or theme completely when we're writing a story, and only when we finish the story we can see it all better. Sometimes even then though, a reader might point out to you something you never noticed about your story.

A good story doesn't always have a clear "moral" or "theme" to it, but you know you've learned something from reading it, or see things differently than you did before, even if you can't put your finger on it till you look closer for it.

Sometimes a good story comes when there's a mystery you want to figure out. If there's a question in real life that you don't know the answer to, you could explore that question by writing a story and finding out what happens. And there doesn't even have to be a clear answer. Sometimes just making a reader realize this question existed in the first place is a good thing.
It is never bad to let the world remember there is so much more we don't yet understand. And us, the writers, don't have to know all the answers to write a good story about questions.

When I write, I write for the sake of the story (theme is a part of story, as is character development and setting and the voice, and perspective too), and even though I know there will be truth in the story, I don't want to try to force the truth to be visible. Forget about making the book merely medicine for the soul. See where the story takes you, and don't let yourself try to force the characters to do or say something they would not say. Subtlety is a good thing, though sometimes hard to detect.

I do have a purpose for my story though. To look at what is admirable and beautiful and true, and expose lies. (Philippians 4:8) Right now though, my story is soley for my own benefit, and sort of a way how I worship God; using the gift he has given me to bring glory to Him. And if other people benefit from the story too once it's finished, I thank God for using me.

I agree with Willow. I think that even when I'm grooming a dog I can be glorifying God through what I do. It's creativity, and whilst I am not necessarily trying to glorify God at the time that I'm working quietly by myself, surely that as Christians, showing beauty through our craft does just that?

I don't think a book has to have a specific Christian aim to be glorifying to God. I'm not saying having that aim is a bad thing at all - and yes glorifying to God as well!

I just think both are glorifying to God in their own way.

Agreed. One can do anything in life (that isn't sin) for the glory of God. (: