Dragons

“Here be dragons,” were the familiar words written by the early cartographers who knew not what lay beyond the lines they’d drawn on the map. It was the unknown, a place probably full of dangers of one kind or another. The words were a warning, I suppose, or at least a way to name the fear.

Although the world is well-drawn these days, fear of the unknown still abounds. The dangers are no longer geographical so much as professional, relational, emotional, or psychological. Just like years ago, most people prefer dwelling in the familiar, in the safe. Who needs dragons, they ask, and cease from adventures of any kind.

I began an adventure several years ago, and there have been moments when I’ve wanted to quit, return to the world I’ve known, but I didn’t. I continued, one step at a time, sometimes out of stubbornness as much as courage. I set out to write a book, something countless people think about doing. I had no idea where the adventure would lead, and I’ve encountered more dragons than I knew existed. “This is no good. Who are you to think you could write anything someone else would want to read?” they roared. The flames of comparison and judging my work were as hot as any from a mythological beast.

And yet . . .

On Friday, I held in my hands the advanced copy of my novel, Burning Faith. Holding it was like holding a child. I thought the moment would push all dragons aside, but they returned in force. My work was about to leave the safety of my arms and venture beyond my well-drawn world. I cannot protect it from what lies beyond my arms. There will be people who like it, hate it, and not care a thing about it. Some will think I have talent, others, none at all. Such is the price for writing a book, or doing anything that’s uncertain. If it were not so, everyone would write a book . . . take a new job, try out for a play, have an art show.

There are dragons everywhere. I suppose, the point is to recognize them as signs you’re on an adventure and celebrate the courage it took to go beyond the lines on the map.

(Burning Faith is a story about a church that burns on Christmas and how people find their faith without a building. It will be available through Amazon on December 1.)