Book Review Tracking: Gilead at About.com

Tracking my book review submission of Gilead. I submitted it last Monday and it was accepted and posted last Tuesday. You can check out the review at Women Writers at About.com

Note: The book review blurb at About.com I didn't write. And I don't agree with. And my name is mispelled.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Deep POV: Confessions of a Christian Writer: Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Great discussion at Confessions Christian Writer about the future of christian fiction. Check it out and Christianity Today's 2005 Book Awards.

Deep POV: Confessions of a Christian Writer: Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Mama, Clap

So I'm taking a break from my novel and hopping around the blogosphere. The more I hop the more people I meet and I waste a good lunch break and a chance to plot Angel's quest.

I find some nice places to rest:

Ragamuffin always wows me with her words.

Flogging the Quill has some MS Word tips for writers, using the BookMark feature.

J.Mark has a requiem over at The Master Artist.

Church of the Masses and Video Game Writing. Hmmmmm.....

And then I notice, I realize my daughter, Selah is singing with her karaoke machine behind me. She's singing a song she made up off the top of her head. I hear her make this long pitiful sound. I listen closer. She's saying Amen. But it takes her two minutes to sing it.

So I giggle.

And she stops.

She says, "Excuse me."

"What?" I ask.

She puts her hands where her hips will one day be. "Mama, Clap."

"Oh. Okay."

So I clapped for her little ditty. And I clap for all the thoughtful bloggers today.

Also, if anyone has any great Memorial Day recipes, hook a sister up at vidae@writing.com.

Now back to Angel.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Writing Opportunity: God Allows U-Turns

SEND YOUR TRUE SHORT STORY BY JULY 30, 2005
TWO NEW VOLUMES IN GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS ORIGINAL BOOK SERIES

Please forward this to your online writers groups.

We are excited to announce a new partnership between Bethany House
Publishers and God Allows U-Turns to bring you additional volumes in
the acclaimed God Allows U-Turns original anthology series. Growing
in popularity with every new volume, this is a Christian
inspirational book series. Each book in the compilation series will
contain from fifty to seventy-five uplifting, encouraging and
inspirational true short stories written by contributors from all
over the world. The series, entitled God Allows U-Turns - The
Choices We Make, will launch in Spring 2006 with the simultaneous
release of two books:

God Allows U-Turns - Volume #5 The Choices Women Make

God Allows U-Turns - Volume #6 The Choices Teens Make

With true short stories written by contributing authors from around
the world, God Allows U-Turns - The Choices We Make series will
contain powerful and poignant stories of changed lives and
miraculous new direction as a result of making a choice to follow
God. "We publish stories from first-time authors as well as from
authors we've come to know and love," Allison says. Future
titles will feature seniors, couples, medical miracles, and more.
Visit the web site today for complete Writer's Guidelines, recent
Press Releases, and to find out more about the God Allows U-Turns
outreach. Visit our Storefront to purchase books and logo
merchandise. All 17 books for adults, children and youth, under the
God Allows U-Turns umbrella brand are available at bookstores
nationwide.

COMPLETE WRITER'S GUIDELINES AVAILABLE ONLINE
www.godallowsuturns.com

So Much Stuff I Can't Recall: New Christian Fiction Celebration IV

So Much Stuff I Can't Recall: New Christian Fiction Celebration IV

The Hunt for Fantastic Summer Faith Fiction

Terri McMillan and Penquin Group, Inc. have launched a summer reading project. My public library has launched a summer reading project. I think Oprah is thinking about launching one. Well...I want to launch one.

But mine will be different. It's genre focus will be Christian Fiction or close to it. I'm asking you guys to give me three books to nominate for Dee's Christian Fiction Summer Reading Fest. I will read a passage from the book at Third Thursdays this summer. And we can discuss the book throughout the summer here at my message board or doing a monthly online chat.

Please forward me your nominations to vidae@writing.com by June 1, 2005. I will pick the most requested book. You can purchase the book or pick it up at your public library. Or we can get the book at a discount through my favorite Christian Book Store, The Potter's House.

I welcome any and all support to get this thing going.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

May Book of the Month #2: Crossing Jhordan's River

Crossing Jhordan's River Cover 

Synopsis:
Since childhood, native Trinidadian, Jhordan Adams has gotten little else than heartache from the women he's loved. After witnessing his mother's selfish act of suicide, Jhordan is left to grow up struggling with issues of love. After his first wife abandons him and their young daughter for what looks like a better life, he's left to battle with issues of trust. Now, his new wife, Kelli is forced to pay the price for the misdeeds of other women she's never even met.

Would like your comments on this book here or on the message boards.

Dee

A Monster of a Good Read

So this weekend I'm reading Peretti's Monster. Needless to say it is a page turning good time. I got so caught up in the book I missed the last five minutes of Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones. (Gearing up for Return of the Sith. Click here for an interesting Christian POV of the Movie.)
Anyway, I'm a bit scared to find out what this thing is. Although I read Peretti's interview at the end of the book speaking on what this Monster could be, I'm a wee bit scared.
But what I like most about this book: Is that I haven't felt like I was reading religious propaganda(it's in there hidden I know it,) but it is a really fast-paced, what's-going-to-happen-next, type of book.
The main characters come to this wilderness retreat to simplify their lives, so that they can get closer to God. They need something more in their lives at this present time. And boy are they going to get that something more!
I urge you christian fiction fans, who are stuck in reading only African American authors, to step out of your shell and read this book. It has cultural diverstity in it.
I urge you christian fiction fans, who are stuck in reading only chick lit and romance, to step our of your shell and read this book. It has romance.
I urge you christian fiction fans, who are stuck on the prairie or a school house in the eighteenth century, to step out of your shell and try a new genre. The wilderness is in it.
I urge you non-christian fiction fans, who are stuck in everything else, to step out of your shell and read this book. There's no bible versed conversion scene in it.
And anyone else, just read the book.

Reading to see what the end' gon' be,
Dee

Angel*on*the*Back*Pew: Finding Fun in Writing Fiction

Angel*on*the*Back*Pew: Finding Fun in Writing Fiction

My Confessions at Spirit Led Writer

This spring I'm coming out of my shell and making confessions. If you thought about becoming a freelance magazine writer, then check out my confessions at SpiritLedWriter before you make that leap.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

About Christian Fiction Blog

I've gotten a few emails with questions about this blog, so I will answer a few now.

No. I will not call myself Dee Dee. I have a good friend with that moniker.
Yes. I have an article coming out in June in Spirit Led Writer. Not sure about one for Precious Times this summer.
No. I haven't forgotten. I have a second book to promote for this month. Hint. You have to cross a river to get to it.
Yes. I am behind with my interviews. I'll catch up directly(for the southerners.)
What else...Please sign in to my tagboard. I'd like to know who stopped by.
Yes. I would love any discussion ideas for the blog.
Yes. Please sign up to my mailing list. I have some treats in store for those who already have.
Yes. I dropped Blogsnob. I got too much x-rated content on there. update: I think I will come back. I have to send them a copy of my screen to see what I mean.
Yes. I plan to change my news board to something I am creating on my own.
No. I do want you to comment even if you don't agree with me.
Yes. I'm still writing...

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Christian Fiction Back In Full Effect

Don't know why I had a white angel taking over my blog, but God sent her home. You can view ChristianFiction again.

See what I mean about spiritual warfare. :)

Dee

f a i t h * i n * f i c t i o n: Day 7 of Gilead - Beautiful. And a Call to CBA Retailing

f a i t h * i n * f i c t i o n: Day 7 of Gilead - Beautiful. And a Call to CBA Retailing

Me and Judge Glenda Hatchett

Judge Glenda Hatchett 

Shameless plugging of my interview with Judge Glenda Hatchett.

Let me warn you I uploaded it to my yahoo geocities spot, so beware of the ads on the right hand side. Just close them.

Good vs. Good, Politics and Peretti's Monster

Ok. This weekend I had to do some recovery. Just got back onto solid foods mainly potato soup. Thanks to the old man that sells redskinned potatoes, vidalia onions, and the largest, sweetest tomatoes I have ever smelled. (He keeps me healthy.)
Anyway...

So I had a huge chunk of time, while laying in bed and squeezing all the rubber out of my trashcan to ponder this question:

Can Christian Fiction be plot driven and have a deep enough structure to deal with our faith in a real and timely manner?

Yea. I know. Frank Peretti's Monster.

But I'm not talking a couple running from an evil in the woods. I'm talking about characters finding themselves in situations that they are partly responsible for, situations that both parties have good reasons to be in and thus, lies the main conflict (i.e. a pro life senator alienates a daughter suffering complications from having a secret abortion, who was raped by his brother, or church member being alienated from his church congregation for being a democrat)

Are these type of books too boring, too deep, or too political to write about? Or do we want to just know what happens next on the surface?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Christian Fiction Authors & Seven Figure Contracts

Check out Chris Well's snippet over at CCM Magazine about two christian fiction authors with incredibly large book deals. He's thinking about changing his name to Jerry Kingsbury. :)

Wow...

May Book of the Month #1: Grown Folks Business

Grown Folks Business Early Release 

For May I have two books of the month and this is why...

Victoria Christopher Murray contacted me today to let me know that her book, Grown Folks Business,which was slated to be my June book of the month has had an early release.

Hello again:

I realize just a few weeks ago I contacted you to tell you about my new novel, Grown Folks Business, coming out in June. Well, Grown Folks Business is in stores now. The early release took me by surprise, but it's a good thing...

Many blessings,
Victoria

I hadn't read the book, yet, because my shipper had a communication challenge. However, my good friend, Tee C. Royal, president of RAWSISTAZ book club--one of the largest and coolest clubs I might add--gave me a top notch review.

This version has been shortened for blogging purposes:

Happily in love with her husband, Quentin, Sheridan Heart is caught off guard when one morning after breakfast, Quentin tells her he's in love with someone else...a man. Her world stops as she tries to grasp the fact that her church-going, loving, and sensitive husband isn't quite who she thought he was. She must temper her two children, adjust to the attitudes of her parents, and learn when to ignore those of her church and community.

GROWN FOLKS BUSINESS is to be lauded for its relevance to our changing world... Victoria Christopher Murray is one of my favorite authors, not just in the Christian Fiction genre, but she is known across genres for her ability to help the reader connect with the characters, offer compassion, and open one's eyes to all facets of a situation. Because of its subject matter, it should be read by everyone, not just by those merely looking for entertainment as it offers so much more.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Don't worry. Next week I will share with you the second book of the month.

To read an excerpt of Grown Folks Business click the title.

First lines...

"There's no other way to stay this, Sheridian, I'm in loving with someone else."

Time Warner Highlights me and Suite 101

Cheri, thanks for passing this info on to me.

Today I found that Time Warner Bookmark E-letter is highlighting my Suite101 interview of Cheri Paris Edwards for this month's HardFiction edition. I'm stoked!

So maybe now some other authors that have been giving me the okie doke will reply to my emails from now on...or not.

Anway, this is a blessing. So of course, I'm going to update that page and plug Third Thursday. Hee Hee

Writing to see what the end' gon' be,

Dee

Check out my novel writing process at Angel on the Back Pew

Keeping the Weaker Sistah in Mind

Over in Faith*in*Fiction Dave Long started a discussion about the problems with non-CBA fiction. He gave eight reasons, but I will focus on one--#2--the weaker brother/sistah.

I’m hoping to summarize the critique that non-CBA Christian fiction has often received from folks within CBA. Remember this isn’t me speaking. It’s my coalescing of the overall prevailing criticism that I’ve seen or heard over the years.

If I’ve missed some, feel free to add them. (I added one Wednesday morning...2. We’re ignoring the Bible’s command to watch out for the weaker brother. When our fictional characters act inappropriately, it may serve as a stumbling block to others.
-Dave Long

J. Mark Bertrand started a thread on the discussion board on this notion of writing for the weaker brother. And it is incredibly good. If you haven't hung out at Dave's Excellent Coffee House, then you need to click on the title and hop on board.

But first let me share my response to this topic. And then you can comment either here or on my tagboard whether you thought I was either way off tangent or on point.

I have read all posts and you all have brought up some very thoughtful points. But my take on this--to me--may be different than everyones. :)

Weaker brothers...at this point I am weak. I've been in the faith since I was eleven, but I have straddled the fence, backslid and everything in between, sideways and in the closet(not a homosexual reference.)

But at the same point I have grown strong and tall in my faith. I feel God moving in me.

I began writing on what I thought was my death bed to my daughter, who was a newborn at the time. Eventually, my writing moved to christian reporting and last year I did 40 days of purpose and believed God wanted me to write parables/fiction and relate what I know to the common man--the weaker sistah also.

When the Lord and I talk about my novel in the mornings we don't talk about how my writing will be so universal that my stories will transcend all ethnicities, denominations, philosophies. Or will I offend a single christian mother struggling with her faith and her urge to bed any man who would have her just to appease those who haven't experienced that kind of desperation, who don't know that God satiates. But, I about what I know for sure--that weak sistah, that weak daughter, that weak saint.

Just like Nehemiah wrote about how to pray and repent to God. He didn't try to tackle all of God in his work, but what he knew for sure. After all he was the king's cupbearer.
When Solomon wrote Song of Solomon, Ecclesiates, and Proverbs he didn't try to tackle everything in Heaven, but wisdom and love...things he knew for sure.

So unless I'm really missing the point here. Are we trying to tackle all of Christiandom when we speak about weaker sistahs instead of what we know for sure, the thing that we struggle with when no one's around, the thing that causes us to lay down our faith, the one thing that the Lord wants us to tear down so that we can truly live his creed?

Because if it is, then would our writing parallel violence with the tone and the theme of the novel as it relates to God's wrath? Because if it is, then would our writing parallel sex with Esther's yearlong bathing ritual or Vashti's refusal to parade around naked for everyone to see? Or are you saying that writing sugary sweet, small towns without ethnicity (except for that one hard working black man that creeps up in just about every faith fiction book I've read lately,) violence(as if Average Deacon Joe's aren't living secret lives as serial killers,) or sex, whereby Bishops are bedding every woman that steps two feet toward the altar, helping the weaker sistah?

As you can see I'm confused. Because what I got from Roman's is that we need to write in a way that doesn't offend each other not write in a way that doesn't keep us from delivering the message God created for us to give.
I grew up in a small southern town on a hog farm, so I'm not as jaded as I sound.

It's just on a daily basis I receive blood curdling news that ministers, politicians and such want me to flip and fluff around as not to disturb Atlanta's Christian world. Yet, people are walking around wondering where is our faith? Have you seen the news this year?

What say you?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Check out my novel writing process at Angel on the Back Pew

What I hope to accomplish in my fiction

Mother's Day is every day and oh boy, service this morning spoke to me. And then I got home and watched Raising Helen. Brought up some old fears about leaving my daughter orphaned and I became numb for a while. But with five years of heart failure down thanks to God my ability to spring back to my sprite self has gotten much better and I thank him for it. And when I got back in rare form I thought about the letter I sent to Chucky P last year and the package and letter he sent back. I have goals. I have a mission and this year end I have to write him back and tell him how I fared. So...to be more accountable to myself I am exposing my self. What do I hope to accomplish in my fiction? Why will I do what I will do?

I want to write stories that question our faith. Why do we believe what we believe? Do we really believe what we say we believe? What is the one thing that we won't surrender to our faith? And what will it take to make that decision?

Those are the questions that haunt me. The real reason why I cry over "Raising Helen."
What say you?

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee


Dee Stewart

Book Review Tracking

I submitted a book review for the Reader Pick column in Today's Christian Woman magazine. I'll let you know in six to eight weeks whether I have the juice or not.

Writing Black, Writing Christian: Spiritual Warfare

So this morning, I was wandering around the blogosphere and stopped at Brandilyn Collins' Forensics and Faith blog. This week she's been discussing spiritual warfare and how it affects God-given writers into doing nothing.

Sounds like me and maybe some other writers out there, who don't think their writing is strong enough, their message is Godly enough. People who suffer from migraines, job stress, family obligations, financial woes, physical challenges, kindergarteners:) and what ever else that for some reason creaped up the moment they felt their writer's mission rise up out of their bones.

I pray for our deliverance. I pray that God sends his angel of Courage to lift us up. I pray that we put on the whole armor of God and get over ourselves.

My character, Angelina Crawford, is a strong woman with too many skeletons in her closet to locate her spiritual gift. And now she needs it or she'll lose her daughter to the evil she's been running away from all her life.

Don't we run from our calling until we have no choice to do what we were meant to do? Our life will stop, if we don't. I've interviewed many ministers, musicians, holy hip hoppers who share my sentiment. So I know I have an Amen out there somewhere.

What does that mean for you?

My great grandma was an Easter Star and sat on our church's Mother Board. And every third Sunday she would sing this song before our devotion service: I'm gonna run on to see what the end' gon be.

This song meant a great deal to my tiny family church in Lake Park, Georgia. See. Our churches. Our people-Black Seminoles--had lived in those swamp patches for years before the town was established. Hiding out. Living free. So running on to see what the end gon' be was their motivation, their reason for running from Jones plantation up in Hahira and St. John's river down in Jacksonville. They knew that if they kept on running, they would find freedom. A new life. A better life. So my great grandmother sang that sung and the church would vibrate despite her petite frame. Can you feel the pews vibrate under your seat? The floorboards clank against your feet? And the altar scuffle a bit to the left? And the moaning? The angels holding that little old church together? She'd belt out all our history and our longing and a promise God gave to us all. And her voice vibrated until souls felt at peace, souls felt like they could make it one more day, souls could keep on with their tedious journey. Because...

We were and are free.

Whatever holds us down. It won't matter. We are free, people.

Whatever story sits in the middle of your chest, aching to be told. It is free.

Whatever publishing disappointment, rejection letter, writer's block that toils with your spirit. Let it break free. It has no choice.

So I'm gonna write on to see what the end gon' be.

You feel me.

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee

Angel*on*the*Back*Pew

Angel*on*the*Back*Pew

Faith Fiction Function set for Detroit

Faith Fiction Funtion Set for Detroit 

The Walk Worthy Press™ presents: Fiction Function

Borders Detroit will host a discussion and book-signing with best-selling authors:

* Denise Michelle Harris author of Sweet Bye Bye
* Derek Jackson author of A Man Inspired
* Cheri Paris Edwards author of Plenty Good Room
* Tiffany Warren author of What A Sista Should Do

Please join us at Eastlake Baptist Church in Detroit (directions) to meet these talented and acclaimed authors—up close!

Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Noon

Eastlake Baptist Church
12400 East Jefferson Ave. (Near Conner St.)
Detroit, MI 48215
313-821-9348

Click Title for more info.

Deep POV: Confessions of a Christian Writer: Celebration of New Christian Fiction III

Deep POV: Confessions of a Christian Writer: Celebration of New Christian Fiction III

Angel on the Back Pew

Ok. I have created a writing hygiene. One that required me to make a decision and choose one of my many story ideas. Then commit to it. And two...I write my novel building process online for my family,friends, prayer partners and all the authors I have given mediocre reviews to and anyone who thinks I might have a chance at this novel writing thing to see me sweat and pray this thing to fruition.

Counting on your prayers. Hit the title and it will direct you to the link.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Open Horizons: Promoting your books to a worldwide audience

Open Horizons: Promoting your books to a worldwide audience

Randall Ingermason Wants You

I'm about to have my Monday lunch, but before I do I need to do a little justice.
Randall Ingermason, Christy Award and Mount Vernon Christian Writer's Conference winner shares a kaboodle bag worth of great writing and selling tips. Subscribe to his e-zine and tell him that Dee at ChristianFiction sent you.

In Randall's words:

I encourage you to email this E-zine to any writer friends of yours who
might benefit from it. I only ask that you email the
whole thing, not bits and pieces. That way, they'll
know where to go to get their own free subscription, if
they want one.

At the moment, there are two such places to subscribe:
My personal web site: http://www.RSIngermanson.com
My new web site: http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com

I will beat the Army this morning.

The US Army claims it does more things in the morning than us regular Josettes. So this week I plan to make them eat my dust.

So what have I done?

1.I submitted a story for Heart of the Father, Volume 2, a Bethany House anthology.
2.I submitted a review to Today's Christian Woman.
3.I built my cast of characters for my novel.
4.I washed clothes. (Thought I'd throw that in there.)
5.Took my daughter to school. (Mom's beat the Army every day.)
6.Sent a writer's call for my Third Sundays event. (You do know what Third Sundays are?)
7.Worked on a christian devotional project for single moms.

OK. I need to take a chow break and rewrite a short I plan to submit. Thanks, Claudia for the critique.

Writing to see what the end' gon' be,
Dee