Dipping the Quill Deeper & Diving into the Unknown

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Did you know that George MacDonald (1824 – 1902), a man with errant hair, a wild beard, and piercing eyes, mentored Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)? That he was a pioneer in the field of “fantasy fiction”—that piece of literature set in other worlds? Places where a writer’s imagination runs free and a reader’s is set to flight? Did you know he influenced writers such as Lewis, Tolkien, L’Engle, and (most likely) Twain, who disliked him at first blush.

But did you also know that in addition to being a fantasy writer, MacDonald—whose spiritual life was influenced by the Congregational Church, Calvinism, Catholicism, Presbyterianism, the Free Church, and the Episcopalian Church—was, himself, a controversial preacher? A writer of apologetics? That he penned some of the most lyrical words to God our modern eyes should chance to read?

Allow yourself just a few moments to read his poem from Diary of An Old Soul:

All things are shadows of the shining true:

Sun, sea, and air—close, potent, hurtless fire—

Flowers from their mother’s prison—dove, and dew—

Every thing holds a slender guiding clue

Back to the mighty oneness: hearts of faith

Know thee than light, than heat, endlessly nigher,

Our life’s life, carpenter of Nazareth.

What do you think MacDonald is trying to say, O writer without quill? What do you think he’s alluding to? 

Too often, I think, we writers of today pen only what is illuminated on the surface. In turn, readers do the same. We feel we cannot go too deep, because deep—true deep—no longer exists. Everything for today’s reader must keep them interested … must keep them turning pages … must keep them on the surface of whatever it is we are trying to say because, God forbid, they should have to stop their messaging and tweeting and posting to think. To ponder. 

And in thinking and pondering to know God more intimately. To hear His voice stirring our own. To hear His words beckoning us to something beyond ourselves … deeper than ourselves … that deep calling to deep.

So, go back now … read the words carefully. What are they saying … to you? Grab your journal and take a chance. Dive into the unknown. Dip your quill deeper so you can write longer. 

And share below if you are so brave … 

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Dipping the Quill Deeper & Diving into the Unknown - @EvaMarieEverson on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't write only on the surface, take a chance and go deep - @EvaMarieEverson on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Eva Marie Everson is the multiple award-winning and bestselling author of over 35 books, both fiction and nonfiction. She is the president of Word Weavers International and the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference and North Georgia Christian Writers Conference. Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they enjoy a lake view, their children, and grandchildren. They are owned by a very small dog.