Writers tend to be creatures of habit and sticklers for staying on track. Schedules are important. Meeting deadlines is critical. As any writer will tell you, the actual writing of the story happens after days (weeks/months) of research, building the setting, developing the characters–and for some of us–writing a detailed synopsis. Add to that the normal activities connected to family and friends and church, holidays, unexpected home or auto repairs, and social events we don’t really have time for but are too much fun to pass up. Some writers also have day jobs that shorten the amount of time that can be spent writing.
But what happens when an unwelcomed and uninvited intruder barges into your life and there is nothing you can do about it? That happened at our house three months ago. This unwanted guest arrived without warning and expected us to simply accept him into the family. The intruder is still here, freeloading on our time and stealing our energy. We tried pushing him out the door, but he keeps getting back in.
Yes, the intruder has a name: Cancer.
While we didn’t have an inkling cancer was about to pay us a visit, Someone else did. Nothing cancer can do goes unnoticed by God. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in March, had surgery in April, and began chemotherapy in May. Were we prepared? That’s a hard question to answer. My first inclination is to say, “No way!” But I am beginning to see God’s fingerprints on mile markers along this journey, and I suspect He was preparing us without our knowledge.
So why wouldn’t God tell us this was going to happen? It’s not like we could run away from it. A cancer diagnosis isn’t like a hurricane warning–you don’t secure the shutters and stock up on batteries and drinking water. But I believe God knows we will lean on Him and trust Him more deeply if we aren’t forewarned. Psalm 34 says, The righteous (believers) cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. (v.17-18)
God not only has heard us, but He’s walked with us, and never left us alone. A staggering number of people have prayed for us, and our church family has come alongside us in ways we didn’t expect. Some stepped up to help with areas of service to which I had already committed, and one sweet young couple is even mowing our grass. In addition, God has given us opportunities to share His love with those we’ve encountered along the way–folks we might not have met had it not been for the cancer.
God has done something else, too. When I was completely overwhelmed trying to find time to get everything done, my husband’s appointments and treatment schedule, plus find time to write. . . He did it. He sent gracious people to give me a hand doing other things so I could care for my husband. And when I feared I might not make my writing deadline for the first time in my life, He gave me increased stamina, and stretched me as a writer, putting characters and scenes and plot lines together that actually made sense even though I was exhausted.
Nobody likes intrusions, especially when they arrive in the form of a life-threatening disease. But I’m clinging to the One who knows the end from the beginning, the One who carries me when I have no more strength to put one foot in front of another, the One who is closer than my own breath.
What is in this character’s past he/she hopes will never be made public?
Our pastor made an observation that, I must admit, took me by surprise when he first said it. We’ve enjoyed singing Christmas carols, and a favorite of many people is O Come All Ye Faithful. The chorus repeats three times: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him.
So Pastor Chris encouraged: O come, let us EXPLORE Him. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “explore” is this: to investigate, study, or analyze; To look into; to become familiar with by testing; to examine deeply or minutely for diagnostic purpose; to make or conduct a systematic search. I wish I could say I study God’s word deeply and minutely, or search its pages systematically. But exploring who Jesus Christ is requires becoming familiar with His voice and His heart as reflected in His word. I can only do that by saturating myself in the love letter He wrote to us.
New:
Old (well, sort of):
Ever get unexpected news that makes you want to dance like happy Snoopy? I did. I recently learned that a trilogy I wrote a few years ago is being re-packaged into a three-in-one volume that will be entitled, 
When you’re a writer, research is part of the job. But here is the thing: some writers would rather have root canal surgery than endure what they consider the drudgery of research. I, on the other hand, am one of those writers who forgets what time it is when I digging into historical journals or pursuing history.org websites. I love research. I love discovering fascinating details they never taught us in school, and then working those gold nuggets into my story. 
When writers brainstorm a story, their focus is usually on the main characters—who are they, what are their goals and motivations, what makes them tick, where are they going, and how are they going to get there? But more often than not, there are minor characters who fill important roles as well. Without them, the story would lack pizzazz and punch. 
geographical regions for my stories. The main reason I do this is so I can give the town a regional flavor and a touch of real Americana, and use actual landmarks like a particular mountain range or a river. Mentioning actual historical events that occurred in that general area give the setting authenticity. But the town itself is up to me and my imagination, and I can set buildings and street corners any way I choose. I know I’ve done my job when a reader says, “I’d love to visit this place. Is it a real town?”