It is Written

“Destiny or fate is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the cosmos.”—Wikipedia.com

“A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control.”-- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/destiny

As far back as humans can remember, there has always been the notion of destiny—the idea that our actions and their results have nothing to do with our own motivations or achievements. First it was the lightning and the Sun that determined if we ate that year, then the Great Goddess announced how many children we would have and then other Gods apparently wanted religious leaders to implement taxes. Now there are even comic book super heroes who determine how celebrities should spend their money. It’s all about destiny and fate and how much we like living in little boxes like lab mice. Why?

“…we perceive ourselves as passive victims of powers beyond our control, for which we take no personal responsibility. Accepting responsibility for those problems for which we are accountable is prerequisite to changing one's life. It is a matter of personal power: If we deny our power to engender destructive consequences, refusing responsibility for having, often unconsciously, done so, where will the power to creatively transform one's life and relationships come from? We are, for instance, clearly not responsible for our genes, nor the myriad physical and mental predispositions to which they render us vulnerable. Genetics are part of fate. But we are responsible for how we deal with our inherited biological and genetic makeup, and for doing what we can to cultivate our strengths and manage our vulnerabilities rather than exacerbating them through self-destructive lifestyles.”—Dr. Stephen Diamonds, Secrets of Psychotherapy (Part 6) : Fate, Destiny and Responsibility, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/200807/secrets-psychotherapy-part-6-fate-destiny-and-responsibility

So people just don’t like taking responsibility for things that happen around them? But how can we, when so much just happens, without us elbowing Fate in the stomach.

Writing a novel is a lot like playing around with destiny. The author decides the fate of his or her (or its) characters. The flow from Chapter One: The Apple Tree Blossomed till Chapter Thousand: He died…The End has all been predestined and John, Gina and Mr. Louis never really had a choice. A writer’s Plot has to concentrate on laying the foundation and the subsequent steps needed for Harald the Alien to realize the significance of the novel and his importance in cutting the right-coloured wire one second before his side wins. The plot + the events + character choices + some funny stuff = fulfilling literary Destiny.

However, once in awhile, something magical happens and authors have to rethink a pre-chosen course because their characters simply turn around and say, “I don’t think so.” (Insert head wiggle, Attitude and Z shaped, three point finger snaps here). This has happened to me in the past and I have to say I was thrilled. It’s nice to know that even in a world of your own making you can’t always control everything (and you still make Susan say LOL although you know she loathes it).

I believe in God so I pretty much hope that He’s got it all planned out up there. It might be either the incompetence to accept full responsibility or just sheer laziness but I like the idea of Him leading me toward fulfilling something—the reason why He put me here in the first place. I find it easier to accept many things if I know that nothing happens by chance. If I’m called a well-trained house pet just because I trust and believe in someOne greater, so be it. As long as I’m well fed and have pedigree hair, I’ll just lie in the sun and get my belly rubbed if you don’t mind.