To Every Thing a Purpose

I never quite know what to expect when I begin writing a story.  Sure, I do a lot of prewriting.  I outline the basic story, create character biographies, and further outlining a few of the scenes that are already so clear in my mind.  Somehow, in the process of working out the details, a different story emerges.

If I had written just the original concept, To Every Thing a Purpose would have, at best, been only half as long.  Many of the issues explored in the narrative might never have been touched on.  At least two of the main characters would not exist.  The simple gospel of Jesus Christ would never have been presented.  Two real-life people would never have been saved as an indirect result of reading the second draft.

Oddly enough, I had been wanting to write a story in which the gospel was integral to the plot, anyway.  I had a premise, a few characters, a start, and a good idea where I wanted to end up.  Unfortunately, the story itself had very little substance.  Still, I was determined to write a novel that could affect others for Christ, so I decided to write what I had planned until a better idea came along.

I am still amazed at how the idea for TETaP came to me, and even more amazed at what followed.  Imagine one of the rainiest days and being emotionally down with a lot of spare time to do little else but think.  Now imagine being in that situation as a guy who couldn't get a date to save his life.  What would you think about?  Somewhere in all my thinking that day, the thought came to me:  'It would only happen to me.  I would finally find someone who would be willing to marry me, she'd leave me the next day.'

In that kind of mood on that kind of day, thoughts like that tend to churn over and over.  I began to ponder what I would do if that really did happen to me.  How long would I hide at home, ashamed and afraid to face the friends who had just rejoiced in the happiness I had searched for for so long?  Would they miss me if I didn't show up for a long time?  Would they check up on me?  Would I lose my faith in God?

Then another thought came to me.  There was a very good story here.  From that point, I began poring over these thoughts with the purpose of working this concept into an actual plot.  The pre-writing for TETaP began.

As I began working the motivation for the bride's sudden departure, the story began to take on a whole new dimension.  In working out when in the book to reveal this motivation, I devised a plot twist to throw off any readers who might guess too early what was going on.  Consequently, two new characters were created, which provided the perfect opportunity to incorporate the gospel as a natural part of the story.  Before I knew it, a story that was originally supposed to be just about me was a story about a large group of people, and how God uses tragedy to draw lost sinners to Himself, and His children even closer.  All of a sudden, where those thoughts had come from was no longer a mystery.

Now all I had to do was write the story.  The biggest obstacle I faced was time.  I work full-time, and had previously done most of my writing during lunch breaks at work.  At this pace, a novel would take a very long time to write.  What a "coincidence" that we were due to bid on new schedules at work.  A position had come open, one that entailed only a handful of responsibilities and a lot of downtime.  It was in that downtime that the first draft of TETaP came into existence.  And wouldn't you know it?  Within two weeks after finishing the draft, we had to bid again, and not only did I have to bid out of that position, it was eliminated from the schedule altogether.  Another coincidence?  Yeah, right.

To Every Thing a Purpose is a special story to me.  In many ways, it is a story that only I could tell.  It is undoubtedly a story I had to tell.  It bears the imprint of my heart almost as much is it attempts to show God's.  Already, someone who I never expected to ask to read the story has, along with her husband, accepted Jesus Christ as her savior within a week of reading it.  I can't wait to see what God has yet to do through it.  Whatever that may be, the Word contained within will not return void, but will accomplish something pleasing to God, and prosper in doing so.