~Creating Claudius

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Claudius Rivers. The unkempt, classical music loving, rather rebellious, young cynic. Where did I find him in my imagination?

The truth is, I have no idea. Claudius Rivers didn’t even start out as Claudius Rivers. He originally went by Brent Crutch, the brother of Claudette Crutch. Until I tried writing about him. I never got farther than a sentence of actual manuscript. The moment I started writing about “Brent,” I knew that this character was certainly not Brent. He didn’t answer to that name, his parents weren’t the type to name him that, and it didn’t match his personality. I further knew that he was not even a Crutch. Instead of being Claudette’s brother by birth, he was her step-brother.

So, I stopped writing and went back to the naming board.

Since all the characters in Journeys of Four were named based on the meaning behind the name, (i.e. Christine means “Christ Follower,) that, coupled with my plans to make this character a minor antagonist, greatly limited my options. I had about two choices for naming this young man, and Claudius just fit, despite my misgivings that some people might think that no modern character should ever bear the name of an ancient Roman.

Then came the surname, for which I can’t take any credit. I couldn’t think of anything whatsoever. I thought of surnames, only to reject them. So, I sent a (probably begging) e-mail and a good friend of mine suggested Rivers. I knew the minute I heard it in my head, that it sounded perfect. When I put it to paper, it was even better.

Actually, it was his name that made me want to use Claudius a little bit more. Originally, just a ploy to give Claudette a little more depth of character, I had planned to introduce him in one chapter. Then, I think he was supposed to run away or refuse to go places with his family or something. Never to be seen again. I liked his name though and it seemed a waste to confine it to one paragraph or even chapter. Before I knew it, Claudius Rivers had become, possibly, the most complicated character in my book, threatening to take over half of my manuscript. As I kept writing, his story kept spreading and growing – and I learned to love it.

In the end, Claudius became one of four main characters in my book. For awhile, I was afraid he would crowd everyone else out, but he didn’t. Christine has her part, Claudette hers, and Peter his. The more minor characters have their roles as well. And that’s just how it ought to be.

To the KING be all the glory!

~Distracted…

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“I want to know Thee better,”
The Christian said to his King.
“I promise I’ll start tomorrow,
I’ll begin the very first thing!”

Morning came with the sunrise,
And the Christian awoke in his bed.
“Three hundred and eight things to do…
I’ll begin tomorrow, LORD, instead!”

Tomorrow arrived in all swiftness,
And spotted the Christian asleep,
It was late in the morning when they
Opened their eyes for just a wee peep.

“I’m sick today, LORD, and tired,
I just can’t focus on knowing Thee.
Heal me quickly, so I can get up,
Talk to Thee, and Thy Word study.”

The illness passed like a mist,
Standing the Christian back on his feet.
“Ah! ‘tis so good to feel alive again!
Good health in the body is so sweet!

I want to spend more time with Thee,
Getting to know Thee better, LORD,
But first, I must catch up on my work,
Before time on Thy Word is poured.”

So, it went on, day after day,
The Christian was so busy, indeed!
There was always so much work to do,
There was always some new need.

Day and night, they passed away,
Until one dark, stormy night,
The aged Christian himself passed away,
Never knowing HIM as he might.

“LORD, I was always just so busy!”
The Christian’s last excuse did plea.
But tell me, oh, hectic Christian,
What greater occupation could there be?

To the KING be all the glory!

What’s in a Title – Journeys of Four

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Front Cover - 4 - Journeys of FourJourneys of Four.

I think it’s a good title, but what does it mean? Where did it come from?

Everyone knows what a journey is. It’s a trip, a time of movement, an adventure. Bilbo Baggins went on a journey with the dwarves, Nicholas Nickleby went on a journey to earn his fortune (not that it worked,) even Paul the Apostle went on (many) journeys to spread the gospel. Perhaps, most of the time then, the word refers to an actual physical trip, from one place to another.

Other times, however, it can refer to something far less physical; it can refer to journeys of a mental, character, and/or spiritual nature. Our growth towards the things of the LORD or our death in the opposite direction.

We all experience this type of journey in one way and one direction or another. We tread the pathways of our spiritual lives, sometimes with steps slow and halting, as we strain to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes, leaping and swift, singing at the top of our lungs. Or anywhere in-between.

This is the type of journey that my title refers to. Journeys of life.

As for the second half of the title, it refers to the four main characters whose journeys are chronicled. Four characters, so different in many ways, but all on similar journeys. The shy and miserable Christine, the bitter and loudmouthed Claudette, the indifferent and sullen Claudius, and the angry and escapist Peter.

Each, through their different paths, come face to face with the revelation of true Christianity – and when they do, they either face repentance, receiving redemption, or they turn their backs, rejecting Christ altogether. This is their story. The Journeys of Four.

To the KING be all the glory!

~Wednesday’s Bookshelf

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I have been trying to read a little more lately. One might never guess how little time a writer might find to sit and read. That, however, can be a different post.

I have commenced an attempt to finish up the list of books that I’ve started in the last nine months to a year, than put aside. More from getting busy with life and other things, and consequently more than half-forgetting about the books, than anything else. In this endeavor, I have so far succeeded three times in the last week.

First, I finished Elisabeth Elliot’s Loneliness. A very good book, that our pastor’s wife suggested to me. I confess that I was tempted to hate it a bit in the beginning, but it was a very convicting, yet almost comforting book to read.

Second, I finished E. B. White’s Stuart Little. I know many people love this book, but I am afraid I just couldn’t discover why. The story felt random, and lacking in a real and satisfying ending, beside being a bit creepy in that a mouse was born to a human. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened. Stuart too, had an attitude that I didn’t care much for either. One of those, I’ve got more sense and am better than pretty much any other creature on the planet, type of attitudes, or so it seemed to me. Overall, I was disappointed, for once rating the movie, with all its silliness and issues, rather higher than the book.

Third was C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy. Probably my least favorite of the Narnia books I have read thus far, but still a fun read. Besides, there’s just something about being in a wood of talking animals that just excites my imagination. Possibly, because I’ve imagined that animals could talk, ever since I could remember.

Currently? I’m working to finish L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, and I’ve still got a ways to go…

To the KING be all the glory!

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