You’d think by this time it would be easy, just sit down, type something out and put it in the air and on the wires. Ixna on that.
I’m heading out of town today going back to Illinois to see my folks, my kids and my grandchildren. Actually, I will only get to see my grandson Obi but I will be in the presence of my granddaughter Guinevere (She will be 30 before I learn how to spell her name). I’ll get to see her sometime in February. I’m looking forward to it.
I’m starting to learn to enjoy going back to Illinois as I get older. When I was younger, well, I didn’t care if I ever went back there. It has a strange effect on me still but it gives me plenty of fodder to put in my novels. What is it Flannery O’Connor once wrote? Ah yes: “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.”
Thankfully I don’t remember all that much of my younger days so I am free to embellish as I write. I probably learn as much about myself through the process of creating a book as anyone. I’m glad writing is a lot cheaper than therapy (although with my massive sales figures the jury may still be out on that one).
If all goes well it looks like I’ll be picking up the artwork for the 5th book on this trip. My son in law Kent has graciously created the covers for all my books so far. I love his style. And I’m always pleasantly surprised with what he comes up with. I must say I’m somewhat nervous this time around. This new book, called ‘Just Business,’ is a difficult book. Some of my avid proof readers haven’t made it past the first few chapters. It’s a difficult subject – modern day sex trade slavery. The original idea wasn’t mine. It came from my friend Joel about three years ago.
While it is a difficult topic, it is a topic that needs to be acknowledged: there is more slavery on this planet in our day and age than there ever has been before. Why shouldn’t there be; there is less godliness than there ever has been (Lots of religion very little godliness). Survival of the fittest dictates that the un-fittest be trampled to meet the needs of cream that’s rising to the top. So I guess the 1% really only need the 99% to be their stepping stones to the next level.
We are on the threshold of experiencing the consequences of our ideas like never before. From a biblical perspective as opposed to Darwin’s, no stone will be unturned in the advance of the kingdom of God but it may not be in my life time (sorry Obi, Gwen, Tommy, Abbey, Anna, John Michael and Elan but it may be in yours, my dear grandchildren).
I think there are a lot of church people who would just as soon turn a blind eye to the world in which we live and take up residence at Disney World where the endings are always happy and the truth is never told. But the scripture says that one of our tasks is to expose unfruitful deeds of darkness. It is the truth that sets us free. I find it rather ironically convenient that post-modernism denies that we can even know truth. If that’s the case then there is nothing to expose, there is only money to be made through the exploitation of children.
I try to deal openly, honestly and tactfully about this one area of darkness in our world in this new book. As my absentee proof readers have evidence it may not be tactfully enough. Some things are just difficult.
Changing subjects, I started putting together the sixth book a couple of weeks ago from bits and pieces of things I’ve written and ideas I’ve jotted down over the last couple of years. This one will be much lighter (not sure how it could get much darker or heavier). When I find the time to write it seems to be going rather smoothly. The working title is Sonny Lane. It’s a mixture of old characters and new and focuses back on Corpus Christi, TN (the fifth takes place mostly in Illinois, Thailand, Montana and Minneapolis) and will include some interesting twists and turns (most of which I haven’t thought of yet but I do believe Whitehead may try his hand at standup comedy). I’m thinking this one should be done by 2525.
As the one hit wonders Zager and Evans sang in 1969: In the year 2525 If man is still alive If woman can survive They may find…they Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies Everything you think, do or say is in the pill you took today…
Or they may find the truth staring them in the face like a high watt searchlight. Yes, I’m a little more optimistic than Zager and Evans. In 2525 the Kingdom of God will have grown exponentially. Who knows what nation this spot I’m writing from will be in. Who knows what will be remembered of this dark time in the history of the planet. But if the promises of God are true; it will be lighter. The mountain will be filling the earth with each passing day. And the saints from every age will be rejoicing as they cry out Reign on King Jesus.
May you lay a foundation stone in the Kingdom of God today,
Brad
No comments:
Post a Comment