A woman I know fled the country of her birth during the second world war, and later worked together with a writer to tell her story. When I mentioned I was also writing a story, she asked if it was my mother’s or my father’s story. I told her it was a combination; it was fiction. “You’re writing something that’s not true?” she asked, incredulous. 

I had no ready answer at the time, I was so taken aback. I did not plan to write a lie. My stories are based on historical truths, on specific and general events, and people I’ve researched or spoken with. The content is true. These things happened at a certain time, to specific people, causing varied responses that may involve growth in faith. I merely show it in the lives of contrived characters who can best express the process.

Since we know that fiction is important and based on true life, we also know that our stories can reach into the hearts and minds of readers, offering them peace and hope. They are able to discover nuggets of truth that become more precious because they have unearthed them.

There are many reasons people read—and write—fiction: to escape, to fill time, to find perspective, to share new experiences, to be entertained, to learn, to identify. The list goes on.

People who eschew fiction, and I’ve met a few, believe it to be all imagination, unimportant, unrealistic, and a waste of time. Unfortunately, we can’t change their opinions unless they read some fiction…with an open mind. However, we can reach out to those who do read our books.

As we write fiction, our thoughts, feelings and values seep into the lives of our characters, and we can “show” the truth instead of just telling it. Seeing someone, in this case a character, deal with an important issue can leave a visual impression, a reminder that obstacles can be overcome, that tough times build character, that the outcome is worth the journey. 

As fiction writers, we need to remember that our writing is a ministry. As we pray and create and imagine, God instills gems into our work, and knows exactly how these precious words will influence readers.