Recently, a former student of mine found a typo in a book. Normally this would thrill me. I love seeing my students apply what they’ve learned–especially post-graduation. This time was different, however. This time the book was mine.

“I found a typo in your book.”

Her comment sparked an inner war.

Obviously, I make no mistakes; therefore, she must be wrong. But she can’t be wrong. She’s my student. She knows her stuff. To doubt her is to doubt the quality of her English education, which I can’t do. I was her English education. Besides, I want to be proud of her. In a small way, she’s an outflow of me. But so is my book.

Moments like these underscore two basic truths. First, we desire perfection. Because we’re made in the image of a perfect God, we keenly feel the tension between that desire and the reality of our lives. We are completely incapable of the perfection we require. Every day, in incalculable ways, we fall short.

I’m not just talking here about sin, although that’s also true. I’m talking more about faulty memories, missed turns, slips of the tongue, and yes–even typos.

What do we do when we’re forced to confront our own inadequacy?

We thank God that once, there was a Person who held it together. Though he suffered the same human frailty we battle every day, he surpassed expectations, ushered in a new reality, and is our source of hope.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16

Without the hope of mercy and grace found in Jesus, the frustration and shame of our own inadequacy would crush us.

Fortunately, because Christ was perfect, we don’t have to be. He freed us from the frustration of trying to meet an impossible standard.

Our hearts can rest in him.

~  ~  ~

For more information on my books, see here. To read along and check for typos, see here.

What’s the best/worst typo that you’ve ever found in a book or–perish the thought!–caught in your own work? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Happy Monday, everybody!

Recently I stumbled across a list I’d scribbled in one of my writing notebooks while editing my first trilogy. At the top of one page, in giant loopy (and–let’s face it–slightly manic) handwriting are two words: CONTINUITY ISSUES!

In crafting fiction, continuity issues crop up for a number of reasons. The most common reasons include late-date tweaks to a plot or a character that are inevitable and yet frustrating because they nearly always require total book (or, in my case, total series) checks to ensure that the story still hangs together as a unified whole. This is a time-consuming process, but a relatively simple one. Once I root through my manuscripts and make the necessary changes, no one is the wiser–except perhaps my editor, who either approved the changes or suggested them in the first place.

Though I occasionally offer justification or pushback against editorial changes, I know deep down that there’s no way I can be objective about my writing. I’ve spent too much time with my nose buried in the page to see the big picture clearly, and my insane emotional attachment to the time I’ve invested in certain sections unduly influences me to champion them even when they add little overall value. That’s why as a writer, I’ve learned to trust my editors. Although the process is sometimes painful, each edit is a kindness.

In life, I also have an Editor. He’s constantly reworking the narrative, adjusting my story goals, adding and subtracting characters, and tweaking the timeline. When I recognize this happening, I have two options: I can try to superimpose my will over His, or I can learn to trust his firm editorial hand.

A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)