“Getting the Big Picture”
Dear writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and took some time to rest and to celebrate what the Lord is doing in your writing journey! This week, we’re going to shift gears and move into the editing phase. To do that, we’re going look at the substantive edit—a big picture look to assess the framework of your story.
A substantive edit reviews things like plot and character development, points of confusion, and discrepancies in your story to ensure there are no holes in your story and no characters or scenes that fall flat. Because here’s the thing…
While it can be tempting to start at page one and tackle everything at once, taking the time to get a big picture view of your story and its strengths and weaknesses can save you from editing things that won’t make your final draft. But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some whose effort to get a big picture view of their work catalyzed their lives and impact…
“Big Picture” in History
Abraham Lincoln is an example of a man who took time to look at the big picture before moving forward. When elected President of the United States, Lincoln appointed his major political rivals to his cabinet and patiently listened to each as he deliberated on matters of state. His calm, even-handed approach helped him guide the nation through the tumultuous Civil War and set an example for the reconciliation that was to follow.
It’s a lot like that with us, writer. As we begin the editing process, it’s important both to take time to see the larger picture of your story and to come at that picture as even-handedly as possible, objectively noting both its strengths and weaknesses, its beauty and its flaws.
“Big Picture” in the Bible
Moses is another great example of a man who paused to see the big picture. When the Israelites sinned in the desert and brought down God’s wrath, Moses not only disciplined the people, but he sought God’s forgiveness on their behalf. As God expressed His anger at Israel’s abandonment of His love and covenant, Moses willingness to stand in the gap and remember God own heart for His people, His larger purposes for them on the earth, and His promises to Abraham rescued the multitude of Israel from destruction.
Here’s the thing, writer. As we begin to take a big picture look at our story, it is also a critical time to remember the Lord’s original intention in giving us that story and His larger purposes for it. So that we can see how our story expresses that heart and identify how to guard and grow those purposes as we move into the editing process.
“Big Picture” in Life
I took a big picture view when the ministry I worked for hired a middle manager who didn’t have the organization’s interests at heart. When faced with the reality that opposing his bad decisions would get me fired, I felt the Lord presenting me with a choice: to get fired or to learn to submit when an authority figure was wrong and to trust Him to take care of what I couldn’t.
As I prayerfully reviewed the situation, it was clear that God had been working with me for some time to grow in proper submission to authority. It was also clear that, continued opposition would lead to a firing that would end likely not just my job but my relationship with the ministry. All things considered, by the grace of God, I submitted.
To my surprise, when I apologized to the manager, God opened amazing doors of favor with him. Later God moved him out of the ministry in His own way, while preserving my relationship with the ministry. A relationship that proved to be critical when God called me to teach their staff for a semester in Uganda.
“Big Picture” in Your Life
You see, writer, here’s the thing. When we take time to look at the big picture of our story and God’s purposes for it, it prepares us to make tough calls as we move forward in our writing journey. Let me show you…
- The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. – Proverbs 14:15
- For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? – Luke 14:28
- The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5
- Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3
You see, writer, getting a big picture perspective on our story is about taking the opportunity to understand where and how God is refining and growing our message so that we can fully partner with Him. And stopping to do a substantive, big picture edit is also a place of humility, where—as we humbly examine our shortcomings—we can strategically learn and grow in preparation for the next phase of our writing journey.
Just like Lincoln grew from the formation of his diverse cabinet. Just like Moses’s heart for God’s people grew as he held fast to God’s word, even when it seemed like God would not. Just like I grew in usefulness to God and others by learning all authority is set up by Him.
Where to Start with the “Big Picture”
So are you ready to consider taking a “big picture” look at your rough draft? Here are a few things to consider…
- Do a Read-Through. Take time to read through your story as a story. Resist the urge to edit grammar, punctuation, or phrasing. Make notes as you go along of plot holes, lack of clarity, inconsistencies in characters, names, places. You see, your readers will enjoy your story as a story. So, before you can clean up grammar, punctuation or phrasing, you’ll need to make sure the framework of your story is strong. After all, you can’t build a mansion on a cracked foundation.
- Note Themes. Note the themes have bubbled up in your story. Are there unexpected lessons your characters learned? Often we have an idea of our message when we begin writing, but often a significant secondary theme will arise. Sometimes a larger theme will eclipse our original thought. Whatever you discover, make a note of it. This will help you…
- Learn and Adjust. As you note your story’s themes, note how those themes affect your potential audience and readers. Sometimes while we work on our original thoughts, God is busy multi-tasking. So often the ideas He works through us end up being bigger than our own. Doing a “big picture” edit is a great time to recognize the special threads He may be weaving through your work.
- Get Some Help. At this stage, consider getting an outside opinion from close friend, family member, or writing partner. This feedback isn’t meant to be exhaustive but to help you identify further issues of clarity and points of confusion or inconsistency. Because here’s the real deal…
Walking through the process of a big picture edit is partially learning about your story and partially learning about yourself. It’s about recognizing your blind spots and—as you more fully see what God is doing in your story—being willing to stretch and to grow to fill those gaps.
Just like Lincoln embraced his rivals in order to assure the preservation of the Union. Just like Moses’ love for Israel grew to hold God’s heart for His people as he battled to see God’s promises fulfilled in their lives. Just like I grew in leadership as I stretched my trust in God to handle what I could not. And here’s the beautiful thing…
As we allow ourselves to humbly asses and grow by examining the big picture of our story, God’ grace and glory can grow in and through us, too.
So I encourage you, writer, when the time is right, to take a step back and examine the big picture of your story or your life. As you allow God to use that space to stretch and grow you, He’ll be faithful to take your humble trust and fit you for the good work He’s called you to. And then to fit your work to equip others, too.
#humility #BigPicture #stretch #growth #EveryWriterWriting
