On Writing: You Become Like What You Behold

Many years ago (okay, maybe several years ago... I'm not that old.) I heard a teaching at a Christian conference about the book of Revelations and John beholding the beauty of God. The speaker talked about how as Christians, we behold Jesus and as we do that, we become like him-- not as in equal, but as in taking on the attributes of Christ: peace, joy, humility, love, etc.

Anyway. As I've been thinking about writing, I believe the same concept applies. That as writers we become like what we behold--

This strikes me in two ways.

1. Jesus was a storyteller. People asked him questions. "How many times should I forgive someone?" And he answered with a story. "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants..." (Matthew 18:21,23 NIV) So I think there's something to be said for Christian writers to watch and learn how he did it.


2. What you read impacts how you write. I find that I read one kind of book for pleasure (I love me a good fantasy!) and another kind for purpose (YA! YA! YA!). But even past the genre, there are certain books that make me sit back in wonder and say "Wow. I want to write like that."

So here's my challenge. If you're a writer, think of your genre. Think of the top five books that made you go "wow!" when you read them. The most influential books you've read from a craft perspective. I will list my picks on Wednesday's post!