How Faith Affects My Writing

In today's society, the Catholic Faith is very controversial and mocked by Hollywood, celebrities, and even friends and family. As an author I can honestly say, writing can often feel like navigating uncharted waters, a journey filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. However, faith serves as a powerful anchor in my life. I am a Catholic, and I believe in the life and death of Jesus Christ and that he rose again and is present in the Blessed Sacrament. I believe that I have been blessed with this passion for writing and I intend to honour Him in my work. In this blog post, we will explore how faith shapes my writing, influences creativity, and impacts the messages conveyed through the words I write.

Let's dive into this topic:

The Power of The Written Word

At the heart of writing lies belief—the belief that words have power, that stories can change lives, and that even one small match can light up a dark room. Words hold more power than they are given credit for. This is why I have my faith influence what I write, I don't preach to my readers but I let the words make them think, how I give thanks to my Heavenly Father in the Acknowledgements of my books. I want the words to draw readers in and (I pray) to the Catholic Faith. I do not want to push my views on others, knowing that I may scare off potential converts. A quote to live by in this instance is "You attract more flies with honey rather than vinegar." I desire to show people the beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith, rather than making them feel guilty for their former lives.

Example.

Let's take a look at one of the best-selling authors in history; J.R.R Tolkien.

Tolkien was a Roman Catholic and his trilogy The Lord of the Rings has sold over 150 copies to date. And in the series there is a lot of Christian symbolism; "The Lord of the Rings" illustrates the struggle between good and evil, the importance of sacrifice, and the power of hope and redemption. Despite the religious themes both the religious and not love this adventurous tale.

The Role of Faith in Inspiration

Inspiration can be fleeting and elusive in the writing process. Many writers (myself included) experience moments of Divine inspiration. A thought of how to weave my faith into my stories, or a tale so wholesome and pure it'll captivate the hearts of readers Christian or not. I have come to learn that I can't take any credit for my writing, it is a gift from God and so I pay him homage in all of my tales.

The Impact of Faith on Message and Theme

Oh the much dreaded theme, every writer wracks their brain trying to find one for their novel. As a Catholic, I can choose one from the Christian principles. The theme of my Debut Novella is "You are blessed." Despite all that happens God is constantly wanting to bless us but we have to have the humility to receive the Graces.

Overcoming Doubts Through Faith

Doubt is an inevitable part of the writing journey. Every writer faces moments of insecurity, questioning the validity of their ideas and whether their voice is worth sharing. Faith acts as an antidote to these doubts, helping authors sustain their courage to keep writing.

Whenever I face doubts I know that they are the lies of the enemy trying to get me to abandon my God-given gift, but I know I am being used for a greater purpose and we never know who we may be impacting in our day-to-day lives.

Connection with Readers

A writer’s faith can cultivate a unique connection with readers. When authors write from a place of belief—whether in their messages, characters, or stories—their authenticity shines through. Readers often respond to this vulnerability, finding comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles or triumphs.

Especially in today's day and age it's comforting for Catholics to see that they aren't alone in their beliefs and that others are trying to share the Gospel in all different ways. (Social media posts, blogs, books, movies, music) It is important for all Christians to be lights in this dark world and to shine to draw others to the Faith.

As artists, our faith can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to explore the faith and bringing (by the Grace of God) others to the faith.

Final Thoughts

By embracing our Faith in various forms as listed previously, we can unleash our full potential as Disciples of Christ, crafting narratives that inspire, uplift, and transform lives. Ultimately, faith not only enriches my writing process but also transforms writing into a sacred exchange that reflects the complexities of human experience.

Embracing the Catholic Faith allows me writers to courageously tell my stories, and I invite all of you to help me on this mission. You don't have to do anything enormous but to be knowledgeable and ready to explain and defend our Faith can inspire and touch others. If you are not Catholic, I implore you to open your heart and be willing (through Grace and humility) to receive the wonders Our Lord has to offer.

Thank you for reading Please don't hesitate to email me for prayers, or for a topic to touch on!

Praying for you all, God bless!

-Maya