Fiction Has Purpose

I’m currently writing several novels. Besides those in progress, i’ve got tons of other ideas rolling around in my head, dying to be let out.

I’ve got ideas for a fantasy series (6+ books), an apocalyptic duology, my testimony trilogy, a historical fiction series (10+ books), and two standalone novels: A romance novel and a thriller.

This post will discuss the last one.

I am 75,446 words into this novel. I am very proud of it. It is called Switched, and it deals with the question, “What if the people who raised me aren’t the ones who gave birth to me at the hospital?”

It is told from several different perspectives, but the one who kicks it off is a high-schooler named Nick. He is dead-certain that parents are a government conspiracy set in place to promote society’s disintegration, and hospitals play a role in this by giving the wrong kids to the wrong parents. He uses this to explain why he and his dad are constantly butting heads.

I started writing it for NaNoWriMo 2019, but due to meeting my wife that month, i’ve made next-to-no progress on the story since December of 2019. However, even if it takes me the rest of the year to knock out a completed rough draft, it’ll still be the second-quickest rough draft i’ve ever produced.

I had a dream Sunday night that i can’t get out of my head. My childhood best friend–who i haven’t seen or even hardly heard from in almost eight years–was back, fully reconciled with his family. When i mentioned it to my wife on our drive to work yesterday morning, she encouraged me, “Don’t give up hope. It could happen.”

For this reason, i have decided to make finishing the rough draft of Switched my top fiction project. Additionally, i am planning on dedicating it to my childhood best friend.

Granted, this post’s title might be slightly misleading, but it’s like i’ve argued here and here: All stories point to a much greater story. As such, i don’t write a novel unless it has a larger purpose than entertainment (though entertainment is good on its own). There is a theme to this novel that can be applied both interpersonally and in relating to God.

I’ll be bringing more updates as i have them.

In this with you.

Soli Deo Gloria
Pro Ecclesia

Thanks for reading.

If you’re interested in an excerpt, let me know, and i’ll post one soon!