Pantser Writer Tackles Taboo Subject: by Jo Wanmer

 

MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME  there are some topics that good Christians don’t discuss after church or even over coffee. These topics don’t tend to turn books into Christian best sellers. But they can become literature that pulls important ideas into the open and challenges readers to consider a different point of view. It can also put God in the middle of the mess, not seated high above controversy, unwillling to view the unclean parts of real life.

Francine Rivers wrote about abortion in ‘The Atonement Child'. I appreciate that book because it acknowledges that rape is real. It looks at the cost of not having an abortion, facing the fact that we may be opposed to abortion until it is the only way to save the family’s reputation. Challenging stuff and a great read.

 I began to write books because I wanted to tell of the amazing things God has done in our life. That story, Though the Bud be Bruised, included sexual abuse, christian witchcraft and religious superiority, as well as God’s incredible grace and mercy. What I didn’t know was that a series of books would follow, with the same theme, showing a wonderful personal God.

(Pic showing the books where my writing is published)

 A few years ago, as I asked God what He wanted me to write next, I felt He asked me to write about pornography. I was unimpressed and suggested He give me a different topic. But there weren’t any other ideas in the heavens! I summoned my courage.  After all there was no harm writing it. Publishing would be the challenge and that was unlikely to happen. I mean who wants to read a book on a taboo subject?

It was NaNoWriMo time. I started. This discipline leaves no time to question anything. Just 50,000 words on the screen in the month. And so began another pantser adventure. I asked the Spirit to write with me and looked forward to the journey. When I finished, I loved the story, the adventure, and the God-revealed truth. And yes, it exposes pornography and brings hope.

Time has passed. Since then, I’ve published El Shaddai and El Roi thanks to Anne Hamilton, of Armour Books. In the back of mymind I knew the next book is the one about porn. I was excited because it’s a great book, but nervous because it could upset many and may negatively affect my reputation. However obedience is my highest value.

All nervousness pushed aside, it is now in the final phrase of editing. I sweat over many passages. Is it too graphic? Is it not shown well enough? Why don’t I write books that are fun and comfortable, and not controversial? As God has said in other circumstances, He chose a different path for me. By definition His path is a good path… the best one for me to follow. So, it seems I write about taboo subjects.

How do I know God is in this? Simple things like writing revelation that I’d never thought of before. And when I re-read, I see things at the beginning of the story that become important in the end… not that I knew!

In checking the structure of the book, it is close to right…as If someone (not me) knew what they were doing. This book has two stories running parallel.  They need to be the same length so I checked. The book has about 240 pages. The stories have only two pages difference. Not plotted. Not planned. Just Holy Spirit keeping balance!

The story has a new name in keeping with other books of the series. It’s called El Gibbor, which means Mighty God… the One who does the impossible. It’s this character of God that brings these protagonists to the fulness of restoration.

 I have one more book waiting in the wings and then it will time to write a new one. I wonder what adventures God has in store for me next.

Tell me… 

• How do you pick your topics? 
• Are you dealing with other taboo topics? 
• Would you read El Gibbor, knowing it deals with pornography?

Jo Wanmer is a story teller, that has learnt how to turn those stories into acceptable prose. She writes with the help of the Holy Spirit. Without His inspiration, there would be no books. Though the Bud be Bruised was published thirteen years ago. Late in 2024 El Shaddai was released and its prequel, El Roi, was released late last year. She lives, with her husband of  fifty-five years, just north of Brisbane. Family, God and writing are her three passions. Eleven great-grandchildren now fill their home with love and chaos.