Author Journal: Living Outside the Box

Giant raptors, shadowy wraiths, an evil Contender, the Cavern of Death — what makes a nice gal like me write about such things? Perhaps my parents, who taught me to love books in many genres, should accept partial responsibility. My young daughter who begged for a story to alleviate boredom during a car trip shares the blame. If not for her request, DawnSinger, book one of my fantasy trilogy, Tales of Faeraven, would probably not exist.

That’s a strange thought, especially since DawnSinger has dominated my life for so many years. At first it was no more than a spark I tried to extinguish, but the story glowed within the depths of my heart. I even turned away from writing, but I simply could not get this story out of my head. Its characters hid in the nether reaches of my mind, and there waited — perhaps even plotted for all I know — for release.

It took the rededication of my life to Jesus, the Lord of my soul, for me to polish off my tarnished dreams and let the world of Elderland live in the pages of DawnSinger. Make no mistake. It requires courage to write for publication in today’s marketplace and an extra dose of guts to write Christian allegorical fantasy.

Armed with a kind of holy bull-headedness, I pressed forward, but not toward acceptance by man — my mistake before. No, I put my writing on an inner altar. If the Lord desired it as a burnt offering, I would surrender it. But the Lord returned my offering to me —  Isaac restored to Abraham. if you will. DawnSinger found a publisher and is scheduled for a tentative release date of Fall 2011 by Port Yonder Press. For a first peek at an excerpt from “DawnSinger,” click here.

Winged horses, Guardians, the Gate of Life, and the DawnKing himself — how could I refuse the cost of bringing them to life?

And you? What will you pay? Is there a dream that will not leave you, even though it takes you into a discomfort zone of your own? Surrender it and you may receive it back again, whole and well.

Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt Invitation

15 thoughts on “Author Journal: Living Outside the Box”

  1. I am truly excited about reading 'Dawnsinger' when it comes out, Janalyn. I am a bonafide fantasy/Sc-fi nut and it sounds like just the kind of read I'd like to get my hands on! I also have felt (and still feel) the way you described when you said you just had to write the story that had been simmering inside for so long.May God lbess your writing and this book when it comes out!

  2. Enjoyed your excerpt, Janalyn. You story sounds exciting.

    I wonder how many of us were prompted to write by a story inside us? Characters crying for us to breathe life into a story all their own? But one that glorifies the Great Creator of all things, that gave us our creativity, as we are a reflection of Him.

    Mine was a recurring dream that came to life as a series to write for my kids also.

    Without their prompting, I never would have finished this series.

  3. I'm excited for you about Dawnsinger, Janalyn. We are all blessed that God didn't desire a burnt offering from you!

  4. Congratulations on the impending release of Dawnsinger. It sounds cool. This blog chain is really highlighting for me how many members at ChristianWriters.com have written interesting books.

    Isn't it funny how a story can just take hold of you, and then take on a life of its own. Sometimes a story demands to be written. I like how you placed your story in God's hands as an offering to Him.

  5. Excellent article, Janalyn. That's how I got started with the Ebbs family and Dreamland, too: a story inside me hankering to get out. Sure, it's cheesy and lacks substance now, but I had to start somewhere. Keep writing!

    ~ VT

  6. Great post. I liked your analogy to Abraham and Isaac. Wishing you the best on WaySinger's release.
    Peace and Blessings

  7. See? And you thought you couldn't write this! I knew you could do it! Great article! And so happy your "Isaac" will soon arise. Congratulations!

  8. Thanks for stopping by and reading my post, everyone. I appreciate your encouragement. You're a great bunch.

  9. Good analogy to Isaac. Enjoyed reading the excerpt. Congrats on finishing your book and getting it published!

  10. I love reading Fantasy, and have devoured the Shannara Series, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the Wheel of Time Series, etc.

    Now I have the Tales of Faeraven to look forward to! It sounds very good, Janalyn, and judging from your writing style, just my style!

    God bless you as you continue in your sacrifice to the Lord Who is our inspiration. The inner altar… I love it!

  11. A special thanks to those who read my excerpt. I see you're a bunch of encouragers. It warms my heart.

  12. My children contributed to my writing as well, Janalyn…although indirectly. I created stories to occupy myself while I sat at baseball and soccer practices and violin and piano lessons. And when my daughter began to show an interest in NASCAR, that entered my stories as well. How different we would be without the influence of our children!

  13. Excellent post, Janalyn. I can't wait to read DawnSinger when it comes out. I enjoy allegorical fantasy with a strong Christian worldview. I think we need more of it in the marketplace. Thanks for hanging in there and getting it to publication.

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