Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Writing What You Know (With a giveaway!)


by Lisa Harris

I was always taught when it came to writing, that you needed to write what you know. My very first manuscript was a story about a couple dealing with a miscarriage and infertility. It was something I knew and understood all to well. That story was never published, but in the end, I was surprised at how it turned out to be an unexpected source of healing for me.

Research

But as I continued writing, I found myself drawn to suspense plots with high stakes, real world situations, and characters who experienced things I often knew nothing about. The research was intense, but that didn’t stop me. I spent hours studying topics like human trafficking, refugee camps, and life in Rhodesia in the 1920. I talked to friends and family who had experience with airplanes, medical issues, and weapons.

Why?

Because I love suspense. I love writing about the fight for justice and the assurance that the good guys will win. I love watching men and women take risks to make a difference in the lives of people. I’ve had people ask me if I’ve ever experienced some of the things I write about in my books and my answer is always ‘Are you kidding me?’ While a lot of people love an adrenalin rush from extreme sports, amusement parks, and even high-stress jobs, I don’t. At all. But I do love sitting at my computer and putting my characters through extremely difficult, life and death situations. (Sometimes I actually feel guilty about it.)

And yet recently, everything changed on how I feel about writing suspense.

Last month, three armed men walked into our house. To make a long story short, they tied us up—gave me two black eyes and a mild concussion in the process—and robbed us, including my wedding ring off my finger. While the black eyes are gone, I’m still dealing with the effects of the trauma we faced. Like the first time I sat down to write again. I completely froze. Did I really want to jump back into the middle of writing a hostage situation?

This is why, over the past few weeks, I’ve had to go back and remind myself why I write what I write. I’ve shared my reasons before in various interviews and blogs in the past. About God calling ordinary people and using them to make a difference in the world. About our response to that call. And about how He, then, is the one who will give us the strength to do extraordinary things for Him.

I want my readers to never forget that the God who created the universe loves us and wants to be our strength no matter what is happening in the world around us. Jesus came to heal the empty and broken hearted, and those searching for freedom and hope. Psalm 91 says that He is our refuge and fortress. He will cover us with his feathers and under His wings where we will find refuge.

So write what you know?

Maybe.

But I’ll tell you this. While what I went through isn’t the kind of research I would recommend to anyone. I will be using everything I experienced in my writing, and never look at the trauma I put my poor characters through the same. And in the end, though, I know that writing about this experience has already brought me healing.

So for now, I’m going to keep writing stories of justice and hope.

And in celebration of my next romantic suspense (Missing) leave a comment below by Saturday, April 16th, at midnight PST, and tell me why you love reading suspense! I’ll pick one random winner. You can choose book one in my Nikki Boyd series if you haven’t read it, Vendetta, or book two that will release in July. E-book version only, and only to countries who have it available on Amazon.


Happy reading!

Lisa

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 LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent eleven years living as missionaries in Africa. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. 



Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.






25 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing, Lisa. What a horrific experience. I agree, though, that what we go through, especially hard things, makes our writing and our message stronger. I've been told I do a great job at writing about birthing...

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    1. Yes, I think it really does make your message stronger. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!

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  2. I can only imagine what a traumatizing experience that was for you, and I'm thankful God protected you throughout it. Please don't enter me for a copy of your book. I'm not a suspense reader... and, thank God, I'm not a suspense experiencer either!

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    1. Suspense definitely isn't for everyone, Valerie! I've had to really rethink what I'm doing, but do love the ability to show God's hand in a situation, as you mentioned, even when you can't always see it in the moment.

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  3. Lisa, thank you for sharing such a terrifying experience with us and how it's effect on your writing. Praise God that He protected you all through such a horrific ordeal. And may He continue to add His salve to the wounds it created.

    I can't wait for Missing as I so enjoyed Vendetta.

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging words, Ian. And I'm so glad you enjoyed Vendetta. I'm excited about the countdown now for Missing!

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  4. So sorry you went through that, Lisa! That's so scary! I like reading suspense because it's a safe way of dealing those sort of scary situations.

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    1. Definitely a better way than living through it!

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  5. Oh my goodness, Lisa, I am so sorry you had to go through this experience. Thank you for sharing and also for you testimony of God's love and care. I do read and enjoy suspense, but I like to alternate it with more easy reads. And I only read Christian suspense, because I want to see some redeeming factors. I can't read anything that puts me in the mind (POV) of evil people. That goes against what I want to put into my mind. I do want to see justice served, though I don't expect to see all the good guys come out unscathed.

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    1. I agree, Kay, those redeeming factors are very important to me along with having justice served!

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  6. Great post, Lisa! Sticking with "write what you know" would have resulted in a very short short story for me. My theory is that once I've researched something then I *do* know it. I think the best advice is "Write from your passion"--which obviously you do.

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    1. Love that, Donna. . .Write from your passion. You hit it right on!

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  7. Lisa, it's been "awful" and "good" keeping up to date with your very own suspense story. Praise God for His protection. And praise Him that you can use the experience in the life of your characters.

    I loved Vendetta, and can't wait to read Missing! I enjoy suspense as it makes me aware of what a dangerous world we live in and yet what a powerful God that watches over us. BUT - I will only read Christian suspense - because then I know the good guys will be safe in the long run, and that justice will be served!

    Escapism? Yeah, I guess it is. But hey, why not?

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    1. I'm with you, Shirl. I love seeing how God works even when everything is falling apart, and the redemptive part of the story as well! So glad you loved Vendetta. Yeah!

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  8. So glad you are safe and sane enough to tell the tale. Keep well.

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  9. Yes, very glad you're okay, Lisa. Praying the healing continues. I do love reading suspense - I guess it's just that edge of the seat feeling that keeps you reading. :)

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    1. Thanks for your prayers, Marcia. I love that edge of your seat reading as well! (Just not in real life!)

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  10. Lisa, I'm so sorry you received first hand research experience in such a terrifying and traumatic way. I'm glad you're all safe and I'm praying. Take care xox

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    1. Appreciate greatly the prayers, Narelle! Not something I would recommend when it comes to research. :-)

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  11. Oh, wow, Lisa. What a harrowing experience for you and your family. Thank God you're okay. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to dive back into writing suspense after something like that.

    I love suspense (reading, not writing!) and loved Vendetta so would love to be in the draw for Missing!

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    1. So thrilled you enjoyed Vendetta, Kara! I'm looking forward to your new book as well!

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  12. So sorry you and your family had to through that. Praying for you and your family💗! I love your writing and loved vendetta and love too be in the drawing for missing!

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, Shell!!! So thrilled you loved Vendetta.

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  13. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented! Congratulations Marcia! You've won a copy of either Vendetta or Missing. I'll be emailing you soon!

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