How do I write? (June 2010)

Basically, my writing style is classified as “reflective writing”.  I started to follow this method as I wrote the article, “Be God’s witnesses through reflective writing” (Sidlak, Jan – March 2007).

The present feelings (sensations, emotions and thoughts) are linked to the past experiences relating them to desires for the future.  Dr. M. Scott Peck (1997) in his book, “Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety”, points out that “talking about the present and future without mentioning the past means that there is at least one un-integrated, unresolved and important issue in life or childhood that must be brought to light for full healing.  If one speaks only of his childhood and future means he has a major difficulty dealing with the here and now – often connected with difficulty in intimacy and risk.  Never mentioning his future means he has a problem with fantasy and hope.”  As a psychiatrist, he claims that “during the course of psychotherapy, healthy patients talk of their past, present and future in a well-integrated fashion”.

Fortunately, this is all about “anamnesis” or “remembrance”.  “A personal memory forms part of one’s being, a dynamic factor that influences not only one’s present circumstances but also one’s interpretation of the past and one’s plan for the future.” 

“The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Cristi) focuses on “anamnesis” or “remembrance” in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which may also refer as thanksgiving, sacrifice and communion” (365 Days with the Lord. Liturgical Biblical Diary. St. Paul’s. June 6, 2010).

This simply means that as we narrate the story of the Lord in our lives, we start with the present feelings, remember past events that connect or has relevance to those past feelings and how we can possibly nurture them if pleasant and resolve or renew when they require resolution.

To proceed to expound on a present feeling by writing, I always refer to the Word of God in the Bible.  The Bible indeed is what I need including the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” as my basic references.  Included are inspirational books authored by Christian writers.

Being exposed to technical writing, I usually cite or quote previous write-ups dealing with similar subject or topic I am presently arranging.  “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching.” Please take note, preaching is absolutely not part of the game. Similarly, “all originality without quoting of other sources makes for dull reading.”

The following is thought-provoking, “we Christian authors must confess to having bored plenty of people.  If Christian writing is not only to maintain interest in the forgiving Christian audience, but also to arouse interest in the skeptical world beyond the Christian subculture, then it must grow up.”  Our personal account of encounters or experiences with the Lord maybe boring to people who are strangers but exciting to those who are close to us.  “C.S. Lewis once likened his role as a Christian writer to an adjective humbly striving to point others to the Noun of Truth.  For people to believe that Noun, we Christian writers must improve our adjectives” (Yancey, P. “Pitfalls of Christian Writing”).

I maybe far from being classified as a Christian author but I believe that I am one of the many “5^th gospel writers”.

Because our ultimate objective in reflective writing is to glorify, give thanks and make amends in the way we live, our vital guide is what Jesus said to the doubting Thomas, “I AM the way, the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).

Absolutely, Jesus guides us as to the “way” we write. He provides all the “truth” because He gives “life” to our composition or literary work inspired by the Holy Spirit. nmg