Any more these days, it is so hard to find reading material that will fulfill our drive for entertainment, inspire our passion for romance, yet feed us in a way which is wholesome. Whatever we put into our minds will consume our hearts. And whatever abundance is in our hearts, will flow from our lips.
Truly, whatever we set our eyes to, whether that is YouTube or Amazon – it will affect us the rest of the day. I mean, did you see that halftime show? I’m sure most of the United States has by now. Anyone who knows Shakira, expects an impressive display from both her voice and her hips – but what a display it was! At least the children were fully clothed. Now . . . was it entertaining? Absolutely. Did it leave me in shock? It really did. My eyes were wide until I clicked it off my screen. I have to give her props – she is an amazing performer and I love and respect her for that – but I choose to live my life a little differently. But it really is a daily struggle. We all have choices . . . and this is mine.
As a writer, I do what I can to put my heart on the page. And it is the abundance of my heart that flows right out through my fingertips. It can be a real struggle to portray true romance – the desires, and sensations, and drive my characters feel – and keep it from tasting like that halftime show.
I truly believe God gave us certain desires of the body and the mind – but He wants us to reserve them for the right time and the right person. He wants us to experience pleasure with this person – He wants us to to be attracted to them – He even wants us to enjoy their spirit and their body. How would this be possible, if not for the physical reactions we all naturally experience when we think of that loved one? When we see them? Or even when we touch them? Our very nature – our core – is designed for this romance. We are born with an innate need to protect and seek protection, to love and give love, and while ‘love is not jealous’ in the sense that we wouldn’t envy what our loved-one possesses, we are certainly possessive over that relationship.
I write what I love to read: Romantic Fantasy has always captivated me. What a relief it is to retreat from the pressures of our world, and fall into a land totally separate from where I am, yet, has characters I can relate to. I feel like I know them personally. Ian and Minaya feel like old friends. I’m writing my current book now and the new characters Talon and River are so fun to explore. I dive into the recesses of their minds and expel it all over the page. Am I living in a land of make-believe? For a couple hours each day, I certainly am. And I love that I can take my readers there with me as well.
Not only do I write what I love to read – but I write what I feel. When I’m cozied up with my computer and I’m putting my thoughts to the page, I become that character. I know them inside and out – I feel what they feel. And I can tell you, they feel quite a lot. I could easily write down each emotion, thought, and expression as it comes to me – but I pause. I reflect back on the choices I have made. No one is perfect – and we all have our daily struggles – and this one is mine.
My filter.
I strive to be cautious of what I expose myself to: I have thousands of options on Netflix, and even more books to choose from on my Kindle. Whatever I feed my mind, stores up in my heart. Sometimes I watch too much; my interest is peaked and I convince myself that a few extra minutes won’t do any harm. But it does. And then I climb back out of that well I’ve dug myself into – and how thankful I am that we can start anew each day. Each hour. Each minute.
And I do this with my writing as well. I’ll go back and read and think . . . my goodness, what have I written?! I’ve got some delectable paragraphs that are just as saucy as the bestselling romances . . . and then I erase them. I had an abundance of that in my heart that day – and I don’t want to spread it. I put the cap right back on my own personal poison.
It’s not only for my readers – but for myself as well. When I’m finished reading my own writing, I want to come away feeling fulfilled, inspired . . . and free. ‘For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
LebreyaBooks 