Mary DeMuth II: On Writing

This is the second installment in a two-part interview with Mary DeMuth, author of Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Name some writers who have influenced you and how.C. S. Lewis—I love that he wrote both nonfiction and fiction and did it well. I’m writing both, so he inspires me.Randy Alcorn—he does the same thing! And his words about having an eternal perspective have changed my life.Leif Enger—he wrote Peace Like a River, my new favorite novel. I want to write fiction like that: innovative use of language, strong story, suspense, with a literary element.What are you reading at the moment?Loving Søren by Caroline O’Neill. She’s a friend who lives in New York. She fictionalized Søren Kirkegaard’s relationship with Regine.Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. What a terrific voice Donald Miller has. The only other time I have laughed out loud like this is when I’ve read Anne Lamott. And his points about raw spirituality are well-stated and compelling.Postmodern Children’s Ministry by Ivy Beckwith. I’m writing a book about postmodernity and parenting, so this book is part of my research.Describe a typical day for you as a full-time writer.I wake up early (ha!) and take a run. Then I connect with Jesus outside on the patio and eat breakfast. I shower, get fully ready, and then I commute up thirty-two steps to my bedroom/office. I write for 3—6 hours depending on the day. Last month I had a 10,000-word-a-week goal, but in the summer when my kids are home, I reduce it to 5,000. Once the word count is done, I stop. The rest of the day is for errands (they take a lot of time in France), bills, cooking, cleaning, all that non-romantic mom stuff.Describe the process of writing for you. Do you plot it all out in advance or just start writing?I get it down. I hate outlining. Right now I’m in the middle of a non-plotted-out novel and I’m having the time of my life. Every day I get to discover what will happen in the plot. It’s such a thrill! When I write non-fiction, I do outline, though. I believe I am a better writer when I am actually writing. The more the better. My words come faster; my mind thinks quicker. After I write, I send the text to my critique group “Life Sentence.” We meet via phone every Wednesday to critique each other’s work and pray and cry and catch up on life.What are some spiritual pitfalls writers face?Pride. We can begin to feel like we are God’s gift to the writerly world. To overcome, just read Steinbeck. Or Faulkner. Or Sue Monk Kidd. Or any other amazing genius.Isolation. I’m stuck in my “writing turret” all day, and sometimes that prevents me from interacting with real live humans. There must be a balance. I find when I divide my time better between humans and writing about humans, my characters come more alive. And I’m happier when I’m in community.Marketing frenzy over a belief in sovereignty. While I will do what I can to market my books (and I am at a bit of a disadvantage living in France, so I have to work even harder to convince publishers I’m sellable), I do not want to run the marketing treadmill where all I’m doing is obsessing about sales. God is in control. He is sovereign. Ultimately, if a book is to take off or die, it’s in His hands.Talk about the spiritual life of the writer...what should every Christian writer know/do?Praise God no matter where your career is.Be willing to write in obscurity and be willing to take the lowest seat.Lay down writing for a time if it becomes an idol.Welcome criticism even if it’s unwarranted. Learn to say, “Thank you” first and then lick your wounds later.Develop a prayer team for your writing ministry. This has been such a blessing to me. I really believe God is using the books I write because of the prayers of these dear people.If fame comes, use it as an opportunity to serve others, not to boast or lord it over other “lesser” writers.Give back to the writing community that first nourished you.What is in your heart spills out onto the page. Best to keep your heart tender before Jesus before you endeavor to move others with your words.Maintain an eternal perspective. Realize that some of our unpublished words will be used in surprising ways.Write for the Audience of One.Tell the truth: “The secret of good writing,” writes Gordon Lish, “is telling the truth.” Anne Lamott adds, “Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it. If you’re a writer, you have a moral obligation to do this. And it is a very revolutionary act—truth is always subversive.” Many of us gloss over truth, but the best writing I’ve read (Donald Miller, Anne Lamott, Lauren Winner) bleeds reality and authenticity.When making an illustration, highlight other people’s victories and tell your foibles. It keeps you humble.Excerpt from Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God: Ordinary Mom/ksFor more about the book: Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary GodMary DeMuth's web site: http://www.relevantprose.com/Mary DeMuth's blog: http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com/