Am I Doomed from BestSellerDom?

 

Well, according to the guys at Freakonomics I could be..

 

 Three of the current top non-fiction books in the U.S. are written by men who were born and/or raised in the Twin Cities.

 

Before I began novel writing I've been working on a guide for single christian parents. But maybe I should leave that, too under my bed. The fact that I'm a woman and I live in the South disqualifies me from the list. But I am a twin. Does that count?

 

Dee

 

 

Powered By Qumana

Lori Copeland's Long Cat Nap

Tomorrow is the first day of the Halo's Eve Project. So as I'm perusing my Monday morning blog feeds, I notice Lori Copeland is talking about creating a writing hygiene between a very long cat nap over at Charis Connection.

 

An excerpt...

 So what's my point?

I guess it's this; if you want to be a writer, you have to be disciplined. I’m not. So maybe you don’t have to be so disciplined, just factor in days that you actually work.

 

Why is that important here? Well, for the next month many writers will participate in NaNoWriMo. They will sit down and try to churn out a novel in a month. At Halo's Eve we will sit down and try to polish our novels in a month. Whatever the case, we will be working toward a novel writing goal. And this takes discipline. But as Lori points out, you don't have to be a robot. You can have a life and still make time--through God's grace--to create a novel. So as we do this journey together, please remember not to get upset when you couldn't write today, because your daughter caught a virus in Kindergarten and has to stay home for two days. Or your job decides to launch a new project that requires more overtime hours from you. We do all things through Christ. He will give you the time you need. The only discipline you need to concern yourself with is--keeping God first and treating others as you would have them treat you. Everything else will line up after that. And if your cat nap turns into a post-supper snooze, then dream about your novel.

 

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

Dee

 

Powered By Qumana

One Day to Halo's Eve

The last two weeks have been a doozy for Christian Fiction Blog. Great faith-based companies have contacted me about writing for their publications, partnering with their services and advertising their products here at CF. God is good. Selah's Santa Stocking is empty and I want to take her to see Narnia.

 

If you look back on past posts, I was contemplating shutting down the blog. But things have picked up and I even have a list of guest bloggers who will pop in from time to time.

 

On Tuesday, the Halo's Eve Project will kick off. I will pray, study and fast from cheese tomorrow to make sure that this project edifies Christ before all else. If you want to do this with me, I appreciate it. I will be doing my spritual growth story from a great radio blog, Sister 2 Sister Moments. (You don't have to be a woman to listen to this blog.) In fact, I'm listening to it as I write.  I will be listening to it tomorrow as well.  Latara, the site owner also has a great new magazine, Hope for Women. So check that out as well. You may find an article from me in the near future in there. Of course I will let you know.

 

As a reminder, if you are writing a novel, have something that looks like a novel hiding under your bed, or have thoughts of writing a novel, but don't know where to begin, sign into the discussion board and join CF here Tuesday morning.

 

Do you listen to radio blogs? What are your favorites? Christian Fiction would love to do this in the future, but we're not sure what you would like to listen to. Let us. No.

 

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

Dee

Powered By Qumana

Secrets in Connor's Grove

 

Since Halloween is tomorrow and Selah's not trick or treating. I think the church is trunk and treating tomorrow. But she may play golf at Publix. Either way, I'm reading something creapy tonight. And I have a great teaser of a story to get you going. Linda Gilmore has a little mystery going on that she's sharing for this month's Celebration of Christian Fiction. Check out Secrets in Connor's Grove and tell me what you think.

Powered By Qumana

Christian Fiction Call: Revelant Books

Relevant Books different in that we are speaking to a niche group that has been overlooked by the publishing world and especially the Church. We are a staff of twentysomethings creating products for twentysomethings in the areas our tagline states: God, Life and Progressive Culture. We’re currently looking for books that explore the crossroads of faith and culture and everyday life for the twentysomething audience.

We’re looking for books that can break through on a mass-market level and be so life changing, people tell their friends about it. What is that message to you? What matters most spiritually to our generation? What is God saying to our generation? What message does our generation connect with?

We are now accepting proposals for fiction that deals with stories of life in your 20s, the transitions, the relationships, the career path, the spiritual journey (think Chick Lit but with more depth and appeal to a gender-neutral audience).

We are also on the lookout for books that speak specifically to issues women in their 20s and early 30s face—issues of identity, purpose, relationships, significance and practical everyday solutions.

For information about submitting to Relevant Books, click here.

Powered By Qumana

4 days to Halo's Eve/ Prayer Cell

Next month I will host the Halo's Eve Project. I'm excited to say that someone(s) has been googling this project, which makes us a little excited. If you haven't this week check out the Shades of Romance Online Conference. I've missed most of it, preparing for Selah's fairy angel slumber party tonight. But I plan to show up today.

 

Yesterday, I had to go to my cardiologist to have an EKG Halter attached to my chest. I have to where it for another 24 hours. Selah's party is at 6 and I have a lunch date. The timing is perfect.  But I need to where it. Been having heart flurries. Maybe it's anticipating Halo's Eve or popping too much Midol. Anyway, pray for my healing. Postpartum cardiomyopathy is trying to slow a sister down this weekend.

 

Also I will be looking for guest bloggers for December. I want to do a Christmas Celebration thing. Hoping Claudia stops by and gives us some devotionals to get us into the holy day spirit. If you would like to guest blog hit me up.

 

Do you want to guest blog, but don't know how? Leave me a comment.

If you've attended SORMAG's online conference, did you learn anything?

Can you believe Chisox won the world series?

Is the Bush Administration in need of intercessory prayer?

Do you have a prayer request?

 

Dee

 

 

Powered By Qumana

Death Stroke: Book Review

DeathStroke frontman and rockstar legend, Everett Lester almost waited to late to remove the demons out of his life. But his old ultraegotistical boozing ways lands him him a murder one arrest warrant when his psychic, Madam Endora Crystal is murdered. The only person who believes that he's not capable of killing is a fan of his soul, Karen Bayliss, a woman that brought him to Christ through a fan letter.

Kansas christian, Karen Bayliss's soul want let her give up on the ugliest soul she's ever encountered, alternative rockband, Deathstroke's lead singer, Everett Lester. Little does she kow that his psychic, Endora wants his soul, too. But it is up to Everett to decided who he wants to believe in.

Creston Mapes weaves this tale from past to present without making the reader gag from all the flashbacks. In fact, the flashback is more than just backstory, it is The Story, our story, a redemption story. How does a God hating unbeliever, find and adore God? How does someone full of excess find that he is just as destitute as his poorest fan? And how one person--Karen Bayliss--can save a man's life.

This novel is more than a mystery/court room novel. Mapes threw in a kidnapping, demonization, a suicide attempt, a romance and two Rolling Stone interviews to keep it interesting.

I've talked about this book before, in regards to how Mapes uses nonfiction techniques to connect with his readers. Everett's thoughts about how could God exist, and why many don't believe in God anymore--add more realism and incite to this series. Although I thought the dialogue at times didn't push the story along, I understood why it was necessary for readers to see Everett's transformation and his band members and the media's struggle with believeing that Everett's Jesus talk wasn't just "foxhole religion."

Moreover, this book is a testament to the power of intercessory prayer. Every Second Saturday one of my girl friend's, holds an intercessory prayer meeting at our other galpal's church. I have told myself that I was too busy to go until I read the book. Now I think there are some souls in and around my house that need extra praying over. Don't you? So I'll be there Saturday.

Also check out chapter one of Creston's sequel, Full Tilt in this month's Celebration of Christian Fiction.

Dee

Stapp's The Great Divide

So I'm working through my second draft of my WIP, preparing for the Halo's Eve Project(six days and counting.) And I'm watching VH1. And I've stopped. Creed's former front man, Scott Stapp is rocking out his new cut, "The Great Divide." I'm loving it.

 

Want to see the video? Click Here.

 

OT: Dee wants ColdPlay's X & Y in her Christmas stocking.

 

Powered By Qumana

We're Still Celebrating

We're still celebrating over here.

 

Where? October's Celebration of Christian Fiction.

Powered By Qumana

the Paraclete Fiction Award

Announcing the Paraclete Fiction Award for new and/or little-known voices in the world of literary fiction with Christian or interfaith themes. Contest Judge, Alice McDermott, will announce winner at the Calvin Festival of Faith & Writing. Reward, publication and $2000(advance royalties). Deadline: January 25, 2006. Fee: $25. Guidelines Here.

 

Powered By Qumana

OT: Kashmir Quake Update

From Cadmus...

 

 It's been a little over two weeks since the earthquake in Kashmir and the official death toll is 53,000 with 75,000 believed to be injured. The death toll out of the provinces gets closer to 79,000. The situation is terrible and relief is difficult. This should be getting a lot more coverage in the media than it is.

 

 

Powered By Qumana

Anne Rice Comments

Thank you Cadmus for commenting on my blog entry yesterday. Cadmus of Cadmusings blog gave me a link to his anne rice entry that includes comments from the author herself. Christian Fiction Blog really appreciates this link, as we can learn more about what she personally has to say about her book and Christianity.

 

An excerpt from the comment thread. Anne Rice...

 

 My novel is a complex attempt to make the Jesus of the canonical gospels real for those who never thought about jesus; but behind it is love, the driving force that keeps the universe working.

 

Ms. Rice, you can always stop by here. :)

 

Dee

 

Powered By Qumana

7 Days to Halo's Eve

 

Christian Fiction is a week away from the Halo's Eve Project. Parallel to NANOWRIMO, we will be writing for thirty days,  not on a new novel project. But on your current project,  second or third drafts, hair pulling, hidden-under-the-bed novels. Pull them off. Dust them off. Your novel's time has come. And you will raise the stakes and submit the thing by month's end, as an early Christmas gift to yourself.

 

Week One. Raising the Stakes in Your Novel.

 

Are you ready? Have you told me what your book is about? Have you logged into the discussion board? Do you have a NANOWRIMO profile? Mine is in the board.

 

Dee

 

 

Powered By Qumana

Rosa Parks Rests Eternal

 

CNN: Rosa Parks, whose act of civil disobedience in 1955 inspired the modern civil rights movement, died Monday in Detroit, Michigan. She was 92.

 

On the Bus with Rosa Parks

by Rita Dove

 

 How she sat there, the time right inside a place so wrong it was ready.

 

Time Magazine online has a great Rosa Parks Timeline.

 

Powered By Qumana

Prayer Request: Anne Rice

An excerpt from Newsweek's David Gate's article, "The Gospel According to Anne..."

In two weeks, Anne Rice, the chronicler of vampires, witches and—under the pseudonym A. N. Roquelaure—of soft-core S&M encounters, will publish "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," a novel about the 7-year-old Jesus, narrated by Christ himself. "I promised," she says, "that from now on I would write only for the Lord." It's the most startling public turnaround since Bob Dylan's "Slow Train Coming" announced that he'd been born again.

Christian Fiction has buzzed about this book earlier in the year. Hoped we could have read a snippet of it before it comes out in two weeks, but my book table and floor is stacked, Marina's planning the Romantic Times convention and Bonnie's deciding if she wants to join the crew. So we'll have to hear from you about this one. However, Anne Rice is a great writer. And when she is passionate about a theme. She pretty much nails it. What I would like to see in this novel is the Lord working through her to create a piece that brings her fans and unbelievers and Rice naysayers to Christ. That is all any christian should want from a christian fiction novel. So let's pray for her success as we do our other sisters and brothers.

Thanks, Julana for the headsup. Newsweek online has an audio recording of the first chapter of the book. There is also a review of the book at CANOE Network and Here.

What say you? Will you buy the book?

Dee

The Lion, The Witch & The Sold Out

Check out Chris Well's Sightings at CCM Magazine. According to USA Today News, C.S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe books are selling like Turkish delight.

I think that's a good thing. My daughter has a few Harry Potter books, gifts from her father, that I haven't read to her, yet. But I know and love The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, so I definitely will have this under the Christmas tree for her.

What do you think? Are you excited about Narnia?

Hallmark Editor Vacancy Announcement

The Hallmark Cards Publisher/Editor is responsible for the editorial development of approximately 20 titles per year. The Publisher/Editor will work to acquire or develop internal titles from concept through to published book.

The Publisher/Editor must demonstrate strong copywriting and editing skills and the ability to achieve marketing objectives while connecting with consumers’ emotional needs. He or she must possess strong organizational skills, excellent proofreading/editing skills, and work well under tight deadlines.

Ideal candidates would have a fantastic background in the book editorial/publishing world and an enthusiastic appreciation for gift books.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Advertising, English or related field is preferred. Completion and acceptance of the Hallmark writing and editing exercises (sets 1& 2) are required. The first of two sets of exercises is available at Hallmark.com. Please follow this path to Hallmark.com/About Hallmark/Enriching Careers/Editor Writer Copywriter.

Hallmark Cards offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefits, including profit sharing. Hallmark is the world's largest producer of greeting cards and social expression products. The position is located at our worldwide headquarters in Kansas City, MO.

Permanent authorization to work in the US without company sponsorship is required.

Hallmark is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Questions and submissions may be directed Here(subject: ae/bk/CL-Atlanta).

8 Days to Halo's Eve: Spit-Polishing WIP

8 More Days to the beginning of Christian Fiction's Halo's Eve Project. Just to refresh your memory of what this is...Next month is National Novel Writing Month. Some writers will attempt to write a novel in 30 days while others like myself will spit polish our WIPS. And others will try to complete the works we have hid under our beds.
Whatever your purpose is, stop by here.
Every day Christian Fiction's Angel Kiss will blow you a writing tip to help you reach your goal.
Will you take your novel to to next level next month?
Are you registered at Nanowrimo? I am. Here's my profile?
Can you show me yours?

Dee

Deanne Forgives Chris Well

Deanne Gist has facilitated a book chat discussion of Chris Well's Forgiving Solomon Long.

"For the rest of the week we will be discussing the Christian suspense thriller, Forgiving Solomon Long, written by Chris Well. This is how it will work:

We will discuss 3 questions today, 3 tomorrow, and then on Friday the author has graciously agreed to stop by for a brief interview. Then, he will open it up to a Q&A session within our comments area."-Deanne

Who's participating? Have you read Forgiving Solomon Long?

Shepherd Booksigning Stalking

Who stalked bookstore shoppers during Donna Shepherd's Book Store signing?

Wounded Healer captivates Tang

Camy Tang reviews Donna Fleischman's Wounded Healer at Camy's Loft.

Sweet Charity & Janice Thompson

Today, Gina Holmes has an interview with author Janice Thompson, who has a nonfiction title release about weight management, I Must Decrease with Barbour and Sweet Charity, A Heartsong Presents novella.

About sweet Charity in Thompson's words..
It’s centered around a toddler named Charity who is anything BUT sweet.

Dee

JSB, Tozer & Hollywood

What's your true motive for writing? Is it for recognition? For the world's idea of success? To prove your brother, who told you you'd never amount to anything, wrong? Or is it because you want to honor God with your gifts?-A. W. Tozer.

James Scott Bell discusses a christian writer's motives, A.W. Tozer, and Hollywood at Charis Connection.

Cutest Book for Christian Children

Cutest book I've seen that incorporates self-esteem, love and Christ. Jordan's Hair written by Ed and Sonya Spruill and Illustrated by Stephen Mercer Peringer is too cute for words.

Little Jordan believes God made a mistake on him because his skin color and hair texture are different from his friends at school.

My daughter, Selah shares the same sad fascination with her hair and color. Been praying for a better way to reach her and I believe this book is it. If you pre-order the book before November 15 you will get free shipping! It's a done deal. What say you? I hope to chat with the Spruill's before Christmas about this book and to shoot them my Christmas story idea(yea right.)

Are you seeking cute Christian Christmas books for children this year?

Terri McFaddin debut Novelist?

Michelle McKinney Hammond has a debut novel. Now minister, songbird, motivator, Terri McFaddin has penned a debut novel--Children of the Flame. Stay tuned to Christian Fiction to learn more about both novels in the next coming months.

Dee

October's Celebration of Christian Fiction

Welcome to this month's Celebration of New Christian Fiction. Since we are celebrating Christian Fiction, we have a nice buffet laid out for you! Twenty-eight Christian Fiction writers from all over the world participated and cooked up some great conversion stories ala Dave Long's Faith*in*Fiction Contest, published short stories from various e-zines and literary journals, snippets of novels in progress, and excerpts from published novels by some of this year's rising debut Christian Fiction authors, and fan fenoms for you. With 28 entries that should keep you busy through Thanksgiving
1.Christian journalist, syndicated columnist and author Stacy Hawkins Adams’ submits chapter one of her novel,Speak to My Heart.

2.Elleann Bennett’s BlogFish hails us all the way from a small town called Fish Hoek, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. She submits her conversion story entry- Mirry for our viewing pleasure.

3. Acclaimed bestselling novelist, Angela Benson contributes her prologue from The Amen Sisters.

4. J. Mark Bertrand states before he places his story on the dinner table. “I suppose I should submit the link to 'Midafternoon Apocalypse, 'since that one was dubbed part of the 'new Christian fiction' by the editor who accepted it.”

5. Heaven Sent author, Montre Bible submits an excerpt of Chapter One. Heaven Sent is a story about a teenaged boy, who is the descendant of a fallen half-angel and now possesses supernatural powers that are dangerously beyond his understanding.

6.Ragamuffin Diva and soon to be christian mystery fenom, Claudia Hawthorne Burney presents Come On In an entry for the conversion story contest. “Here's my entry dear reader, meet Carmen, Christine, and the evil DuShawn. Most of all, enjoy.”

7. Bonnie Calhoun submits her commentary Christian vs. Secular Publishing to talk over at the dinner table.

8.Noted author, Mary E. DeMuth of RelevantBlog presents The Stand Castle. "I pray it encourages you when your sand castles tumble over in life's surf, or are kicked in by bullies." This is a short story Mary DeMuth wrote five years ago. It's for those of us who are discouraged when life's surf or angry bullies topple our sand castles.

9. North Carolina native, now Berlin German resident, author, Melanie Dobson submits the prologue of her upcoming novel Together for Good (working title) that will be published this March (Kregel Publications).

10. Plenty Good Room, christian fiction author, Cheri Paris Edwards’ speaks about her debut year as a novelist on her Courting Confusion Blog.

11. Although Rejection King, Chris Fischer shares “The Fellowship of the Golden Emerod,” his conversion story entry on his blog, I wanted to showcase his commentary Of Conversions and Confessions. “It seems to me the real problem is that many Christian writers approach conversion scenes not only through a lens of evangelism theory, but with a clear intent to evangelize.” See what else he has to say, and then stay a little longer and read his short story.

12. Seoul, South Korean resident Mark W. Freeman prepared an excerpt from his novel in progress at his Light Up The Pen Blog(love that name.)

13. Linda Gilmore presents a snippet of her novel in progress,Secrets of Connors Grove. The story is about how a woman's murder in a small Kansas town sets in motion a chain of events that exposes the hidden areas of several people's lives.

14. Sandra Glahn graciously submits her first Installment of: The Orchard of Women. She has one of the best blogs out there. I might add.

15. Celebrated author and speaker, Vanessa Davis Griggs places an excerpt from one of her fan favorite novels, Promises Beyond Jordan. “The first excerpt I'm posting here is the one I generally read from Promises Beyond Jordan when I am asked to read something from my book. It's short, but gives you an overall feel for part of what's going on in the story.”

16. Marilyn Griffith gives us a taste of “Serious Fun Fiction” with the first chapter of her debut(buzz buzz) novel, Made of Honor.

I'm trying not to get too excited about all this food on the table, but can you feel your spiritual waist expanding? :)

17. Canada's Marcia Laylock at Writer-Lee gives us a taste of her contemporary novel in progress.

18. Creator and founder of the Celebration of Christian Fiction, Pat Loomis leaves an excerpt of her novel "Unseen" at her Deep POV Blog.

19. Debut fiction author, but veteran writer, Creston Mapes delights us with a snippet from his Confessions of a Rock Star trilogy, Full Tilt. Thanks, Creston, for coming out and reading Dark Star this summer.

20. D'Ann Mateer of One More Writer Blog submits her short story, “Issues of the Heart” for desert.

21. Paula Moldenhauer dropped off an edible sample of her mom-lit novel in progress over at her Grace Reign Blog. for a late appetizer to the late comers.

22. Writer and one of the funniest men I have e-met, Chris Mikesell flies in his conversion story entry, "Loco" Komoko" from the faith*in*fiction contest.

23. Another Canadian party-comer and published poet, Violet Nesdoly brings us "From Slut to Savior," a flash-fiction retelling of the story of Rahab from the Bible.

24. Michelle Pendegrass of Just a Minute Blog submits her faith*in*fiction conversion story contest entry, “Fogbound” to add to the desert table.

25. Angie Poole, a writer who shares my list of favorite movies, presents her short story entry, “Execution Day” to the bread table.

26. Virginia Roark wants you to go “To the Ends of The Earth” in her conversion short story submission or at least to the other side of bread table.

27. Mick "The Milk" Silva's "Pitch Perfect" as printed in The Rose and The Thorn Ezine is-- and if you frequent his Your Writer's Group Blog, you know--his story is meaty and divine to savor.

28. And last, but definitely not least, I--Dee Stewart, this month’s host, presents my conversion story entry, “Exodus” as a take home danish to have in the morning

I hope you all enjoy these offerings. Break bread with us and let's celebrate Christ through Literature.

Thanks all of you who participated in this month's celebration. Please get in touch with Pat Loomis, if you would like to host or become a participant for next month. God Bless You and Keep You.

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

Reminder

Reminder: This month's Celebration of Christian Fiction begins tomorrow. If you plan to participate, please submit your entries today. I will provide the links for you to include on your own blog and site tomorrow. Thanks for participating.

If you would like to participate, hit me up.

Who's participating? Have you ever celebrated with us? Why? Why not?

OT: Atlanta Falcons soars over the New Orlean Saints.

Dee

14 Days to Halo's Eve Project

Fourteen days from now Christian Fiction will begin the Halo's Eve Project in conjunction with NaNoWriMo. This project is for those of us who have a novel we need to complete or questions about a project that we can't seem to complete.

What do you need to do to get ready for Halo's Eve?

1. Sign up at NaNoWriMo.
2. Sign in at the Christian Fiction discussion board
3. Dust off that manuscript
4. The first week we will discuss premise. What is a premise? And what is the formula for a breakout premise? So what you need to also do, is write down your premise. What is your story about in three sentences. Give me your main character, their conflict, and the hook. And if you don't know what those are, leave me a comment. Are you ready for Halo's Eve? Why or why not?

Dee

Christmas Plays

Today for some odd reason(I think because I have completed my first draft) I want to write a christmas play for children. Haven't written a play in ten years. But I do want to do it. Are there any christian playwright's out there? Any good christian plays you would like to recommend?

Dee

If Christ were Woman...

My friend, publisher Jassai Madden of Lorraine and James Lit-journal introduced me to a writer whose newly published short story, "Blood of the Lamb," challenges our notion of what is faith fiction or Christian fiction. It goes beyond biblical literature, but steps outside of it and around it into something deeper--what is our relationship with God? More importantly, does our view of him evolve or change?


Note: This story is fiction. The purpose of this interview is to celebrate Christ through literature not to challenge or change his divinity.

An excerpt from "Blood of the Lamb"...

 

"So a woman comes into the world and feeds the multitude. What's so unusual about that? Women turn stones into bread every day! Women already heal the sick, and they do better than raise the dead--they bring forth new life! Women? They save the world every day! If the Messiah comes as a woman..." he[Ab] shakes his head. "What ridiculous redundancy!"

 

Dee: How did you come up with the idea for Blood of the Lamb from a Christmas sweatshirt?

 

Jess: Blood of the Lamb did have a bit of a bizarre inception.  I was browsing through a Christmas catalogue several years ago when I noticed an ad for a sweatshirt.  On the front of it was the outline of a stable and a manger flanked by Mary and Joseph.  Overhead a star beamed brightly and wise men approached from the distance.  The typical Christmas motif.  But underneath was written this surprising caption - “It’s a girl!”  And voila, the idea for a story was born.

 

Dee: Why did you choose its tone?

 

Jess:Ah yes, the tone of this piece is very dark, no doubt about that, and I think it stems from the anger - no, that’s too mild a word - the rage I’d carried with me for years.  I came from a religious tradition in which women were not (and are not) permitted to serve as clergy in part because “they do not bear a natural resemblance to Christ in his maleness,” and I think that’s pretty close to a direct quote.  When I first heard that, I felt as though someone had kicked me in the stomach.  Only men can image Christ? Seriously?

I could not understand, (and still can’t), how anyone could hold to that notion in light of the gospels. 

 

Was Christ’s table not open to all?  Did he not include women among his closest followers and friends?...And besides, was Christ not more than just his “maleness?”  Was he not also the epitome of compassion and forgiveness and self-sacrificing love?And can’t women be compassionate, forgiving and self-sacrificing? 

 

Of course they can and are!  But in my church, it wasn’t enough.  The very fact that women were women made them incapable of imaging Christ, a man.  That’s when I started to think, well OK, so what if Christ had come as a woman?

 

Dee: Give us a brief snippet of the story’s plot.

 

Jess: The premise of the story is that Mary of Nazareth was not God’s first choice to be mother of the Saviour.  Rather, God’s choice had fallen on a woman named Ahabah (Hebrew for “Beloved”).  Ahabah manages to convince the Almighty that the Messiah should be female.  Tension mounts when Ahabah’s father learns she is pregnant with the Daughter of God.

 

Dee: What are the themes in this story?
 
Certainly the systemic devaluation of women as images and conduits of the Divine, especially in the Judeo-Christian faith, is an important theme in the story.  But I also endeavoured to throw a spotlight on the traditional conceptualizations of God.  Is God a “He?”  How does our idea of God influence how we interpret the incarnation story?  Just how literally should we take it?

 

Further, I wanted to explore the heartbreaking reality of how God’s love is invariably greeted by human violence.

 

Dee:   How do you feel about the notion of ‘womanly mischief’ in religion?  What does it represent in Blood of the Lamb?

 

A delightful question! Womanly mischief is found throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments.  There’s Deborah marshalling her general Barak, Ruth and her mother-in-law conspiring together to ensnare Boaz, the Canaanite woman who ‘dogs’ the steps of Jesus and challenges him to expand his ministry to include the gentiles, and Mary of Bethany’s prophetic anointing of Jesus as the Christ, to name a few.  Women of the Bible were always stirring things up, tweaking the system, and giving men a well-aimed elbow in the ribs when necessary, and although a concerted effort was made to suppress it, their womanly mischief runs like a bright ribbon throughout Sacred Scripture and historical tradition.

 

Em and Ahabah tease each other back and forth while Em knits a baby blanket and Ahabah tells the fantastic story of how she stood up to God to become pregnant with the female Messiah.  I loved the images of knitting and storytelling, and how they speak to the strength of both these characters and their joint mischief-making - Ahabah as the crafty manipulator of God’s plan and Em as her loyal supporter and cheerleader.

 

Dee: What if Christ was a woman?  Do you think the world would be different?

 

Jess: Oh my!  If Christ had come as a woman, the world would be a very dark place indeed.  I believe the inspirited message of God’s love, and the grace-filled hope and peace it imparts would never have been heard or recorded had it come from the lips of a woman.  The self-sacrificing death of the female Christ would have been accounted as of no value; her resurrection dismissed as pure fantasy.  Though I am probably the most rabid feminist you’re ever likely to encounter, I believe Christ had to come as a man if men (and by that I mean the male sex) were to have any hope at all of being saved.

 

Dee: Your writing is so beautiful and feminine.  Outside of British lit, were there any other writers influencing your style?

 

Well thank you for the lovely compliment!  I think there have been several writers who have influenced me.  Gail Anderson-Dargatz is a Canadian writer whose work I greatly admire as well as Jane Urquhart and Margaret Laurence.  Sue Monk Kidd and Rita Mae Brown continue to inspire and delight me.  And lest you think I read only women, I can say with absolute certainty that the works of Elie Wiesel have profoundly affected my writing and changed my life.

 

Dee:   Do you think that there should be a genre called ‘Christian fiction’ or ‘faith fiction?  And if so, what defines it?

 

Jess:   Hm.  I think labelling a particular genre ‘faith fiction’ can be a bit problematic.  Readers who don’t consider themselves particularly religious might well steer away from ‘faith fiction.’  Whereas if they encountered those same stories in a more mainline press, they might be greatly enriched by them.  At least they would have the opportunity to be exposed to them.

 

On the other side of that coin, I cannot imagine Blood of the Lamb appearing in the pages of any explicitly religious journal.  It’s far too controversial for that particular venue.  But Lorraine and James(http://lorraineandjames.com)  took a chance and courageously published and promoted it, and now here I am chatting with a Christian writer and reviewer!  Amazing how things work out, don’t you agree?

 

Dee:   Did you have to do research to create this story?

 

Jess:  Heavens yes!  A ton of it!  And as well I was able to draw on my past theological studies and found that an invaluable resource.  It was my privilege to have been taught by world-class Scripture professors who opened my mind to the treasure that is the Bible when I was reading it as though I were half asleep!  They showed me how it is a living thing, taught me an appreciation for its time and context, and urged me to grapple with the ideas contained therein.  I will always be grateful for what they did for me and for the unflagging encouragement they gave me to write.

 

Dee:    Why didn’t an angel come back to tell Ahabah that she will not bear the Christ?

 

Jess:  I didn’t think it was necessary for the angel to return to tell Ahabah she would not bear the Christ.  Em makes it clear in her final conversation with her that God will choose another more compliant candidate for that job.

 

Dee:   Do you think God changes his mind?

 

Jess:  Oh goodness!  What a loaded question!  Like theologians haven’t been debating that one for centuries!

 

First of all, my story notwithstanding, I have a difficult time imaging God as a “He.”  And I strive in as far as possible to remind myself that God is not a human being either.  In other words, I’m not sure God has a mind to change!  And if I sound like I’m ducking the question, well, I suppose I am, but hey, didn’t God say “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”?  I’ll let wiser scholars than me wrestle with this one.

 

Dee:  What are you working on now and how can loyal readers find you?

 

Jess:  Loyal readers?!  Oh bless you for assuming I have some!

 

 I am currently working on a collection of poetry - traditional nursery rhymes updated and retold for adults - as well as a full-length novel that is unfortunately still more idea and sketch notes than anything else right now.  But if either of these projects ever see the light of day, how about I let you know and you can get the word out.  Deal?

 

            Jess Stuart

 

To read Jess' provocative short story, "Blood of the Lamb" visit Lorraine and James Global Urban Literature Journal at http://lorraineandjames.com or its blog at http://lorraineandjames.blogspot.com.

 

Thanks, Jess.

 

Dee

 

Powered By Qumana

Creston Mapes Live Chat Tonight!

Join us for a live chat with author Creston Mapes tonight,
October 14th, 9 p.m. Eastern/ 6 p.m. Pacific. Creston is the author of thrillers FULL TILT, and DARK STAR. To learn more about Creston, please visit his interview here.
Participants at the live event will be entered into a drawing to win
an autographed copy of a DARK STAR.

To join Friday's chat, go to Dancing Word. Those wanting to use IRC or mIRC will need to go to
download the
free software. The regular IRC or mIRC will not work in the new chat
room. To enter the chat room with the new software type: /join
#dancingword. If you have difficulties with the chat room, please
contact Annie .

Blessings!

The Dancing Word Writers Network Forum Team.

End of the Horror: Day 4

If you haven't been participating in the End of the Horror On-line Analysis this week, you still have time.

Christian Fiction Blog hopes to keep you informed about current trends and news in christian fiction, craft and book publishing. This analysis with Dave and J.Mark has been one of the most enlightening discussions I have observed in the world of Christian Fiction period. Dave has such a grace-awing book and as J.Mark dissects its parts more and more, you will see what an enormous undertaking Ezekiel's Shadow took. We speak with many Christian Fiction authors. They explain their craft and calling over the novel that they write, but Ezekiel's Shadow is one of the few books that strive to infuse God in the theme, the plot, the everthing.

Dave took the themes of conversion and resurrection and builds upon it with symbols of bones, baptism, art, horror in such a way that the reader will see beyond the story. But will wonder who is this God that can make these things happen?

Don't we want out works to cry out and praise God like that?

Sometimes, many of us, have a huge vision for our stories. And between plotting and rewriting we fall short. If you have been participating in the analysis, you will read both Dave and J.Mark's sides of how this novel fell short. That fact is why this project is so worthwhile for the christian writer to read and follow.

If you are struggling with your novel--I mean struggling with pulling out all the stops that God has haunted your fingertips and your soul with putting on paper, into your story, check End of the Horror. Participate in the discussion board.

We are counting down the days to our Halo's Eve Project here. If you haven't stopped by the discussion board(I know you haven't,) get plugged in, and let's ring in Thanksgiving praising the Lord through our novels.

In my grandmother's church, the mother board loves to sing a song, "No Rocks." The ladies would chant, "I don't want no rocks crying out for me."

Well, I don't want no other authors, crying out for me. I praise the Lord in my own way, in a way that makes him happy, a way he created for me to do. Through my songs, my dancing, shouting-Hallelujah-and my writing. And he did the same for you. Are you a writer? Are you God's writer?

What say you?

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

Little Einsteins on Video Ipod?

From the AppleInsider...

True to previous AppleInsider reports and expectations, Apple yesterday officially introduced a new iPod, featuring a 2.5-inch color screen which can display album artwork and photos, and play video including music videos, video Podcasts, home movies and television shows.

Apple Insider/Video IPOD

 

To top that off, you can subscribe to popular ABC and Disney Shows on the ipod.

ABC Shows to be available on new Video iPod.

That's all fine and dandy, but instead of Desperate Housewives and Lost what about Chronicles of Narnia, The Proud Family and the Little Einsteins?

Now that I will pay for that.

Question: If you had a video ipod, what shows and movies would you like to see on there? How do you think this affects the power of books in the future? How do you think that will impact our mission as Christian writers?

 

 

Powered By Qumana

Benson & Sanders Sign & Dine

MEET AUTHORS ANGELA BENSON (THE AMEN SISTERS) AND YOLANDA SANDERS (SOUL MATTERS) TONIGHT(OCTOBER 13TH) IN ATLANTA, GA. - 7PM

Angela & Yolanda are both Christian Fiction Authors & their books are receiving rave reviews!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Shunda Leigh
BOOKING MATTERS
Celebrating 3 Years of Literary Excellence!

770.808.2177

Holding Heaven Radio

From Christian Retailing...

Jerry B. Jenkins' novella Holding Heaven will be made into a holiday radio special on Christian stations nationwide in November. The book was released this month by Integrity Publishers.

The audio presentation is two 24-minute programs hosted and narrated by Jenkins featuring the voices of professional actors. In Act One, Joseph walks the infant Jesus on a moonlit Egyptian night, recounting the circumstances of the baby's divine birth. Act Two takes place nearly 30 years later when Joseph, on his deathbed, questions Jesus about the upcoming events of His life and death.

To learn more about the radio broadcast visit Integrity here.

Why Fiction Matters: Smurfs

Have you seen this UNICEF ad? The Smurf Village is destroyed. It's sad. I want Papa Smurf back. Why? See. You created an enduring character--and I know some don't like the blue guys--but you create something, then decades later it becomes a cult icon, a symbol...When you write does God stand out more than anything else?

Dee

OT:Kirk Franklin Blogging & Chatting

Chat with Kirk Franklin live on Gospelcity.com Thursday. Check out Kirk's blog.

Dee's Devotional:10.10.05

Bible verse for thought: 1 Samuel 3: 3-10. Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

Who in their right mind wishes to write christian fiction? The past four days I have watched the screenplay adaption of Nicholas Sparks' "A Walk to Remember." I like it better than the book, which is odd. It's usually the reverse. What I liked most about it was how the story spoke on faith. Jamie's faith in God. Her faith in Landon. Landon's mother faith in his father. Jamie's father's faith tested. Faith in friendship. Everything. And this faith has been eating at me pretty bad.
My life like most isn't storybook. I feel like little Peter in "Finding Neverland" right about now. Who gives a flying flip about make believe?
Today I did my first official business as a Daisy Scout Leader and I failed at it. I'm so embarrassed by the blunder, I want to drop out and save face. That's also how I feel about writing creatively.
I don't want my first novel to suck rocks. I don't want to miss the point God wanted to make. Many times I feel like I'm not worthy enough to write anything worthy or good. My life isn't storybook.
Sixteen years ago--half of my life ago--I remember wondering and making plans regarding how my life would be at 32. I accomplished none of those goals: to be an architect, have a phd, marry, have kids. Well...I did have The Kid--Selah. She surpasses my expectations everyday. Which makes me feel even worse, because I just made a blunder with her Daisy Troop. This self-loathing is a demon. I should be reworking through my second draft, reading a novel, something inspiring. But I'm here berating myself for being lackluster and trying to talk myself out of something only a freak like me could do for free--that is tell stories.
This month in church we are looking at recognizing God's voice. I came forward during altar call, bent down at the chancel rail and begged God to open my ears. As I type, I hear him talking to me. Be silent. Be patient. Believe. Be. Believe...This faith thing is hard.
If you haven't done so, stop by faith*in*fiction blog this week. I've posted about it today already. When I'm not being silent with God, pushing myself to clean up this novel or trying to back out of this Girl Scout committment, I will be there renewing my faith not only in my purpose as a Christian, but as a writer.

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

The End of the Horror: Day One

J.Mark Bertrand and Dave Long get down and godly with Ezekiel's Shadow. Have you checked it out, yet? Have you read the book?

Dee

Lost and Forgotten? Or, Forgotten and Lost?

© Marina Woods, www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

 

Lately, God has been dealing with me about some things.

As a Christian book promoter and publishing and marketing consultant, I have noticed some things.

 

There seems to be a lot, and I do mean a lot of books published and marketed to and for women (and a lot for men, too) in the Christian and inspirational market and mainstream market, but not as many for teens. In particular teens of color. As a marketer, I do know that women make 79% of book buying decisions and many contact GGBC for book recommendations for their children.

 

As I was sharing my idea for a teen storyline with my friend who owns a publishing company, she was ecstatic, commenting that not only is it needed but teens have a larger disposable income than adults.

 

One of the things that make me say, hmmm.

 

Then, one day, a teenager joined the young adult GOOD GIRL group and when she mentioned the list of authors she enjoyed and books she has read, guess what?

 

They were all adult books.

 

My Mom works in a large public library.  And guess what? She says that 99.9% of the books that teen girls check out are by novelists such as Zane, Eric Jerome Dickey and a couple of other “popular” authors whose names escape her. The point is, teens are reading adult books—so why isn’t something being done to address them, reach them, market to them, speak to their needs… maybe…hopefully… prayerfully even plant a seed?

 

I wanted to agree with someone who wrote me wanting to start a teen GOOD GIRL book club chapter. “There are good books out there for teens that are not Christian marketed,” she admonished.

 

Okay. Name them.

 

This is not to say there aren’t any. But who is reading them, buying them and writing them? This I want to know if you know. This way, we can offer more edifying yet interesting, entertaining books for teens and also monitor what they are reading and buying. After all, what goes in, comes out in life, right?

 

 © Marina Woods, www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

 

 

 

 

New Spirit soon to be Steeple Hill

TORONTO, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ - Harlequin Enterprises Limited announced the purchase of the assets of BET BOOKS, the publishing arm of Black Entertainment Television. The new ownership deal is expected to close November 30, 2005. BET Books is the leading publisher of African American women's fiction, including its inspirational book line- New Spirit. This merger is expect to enhance the position of Harlequin within a strong growth segment in the US book market.

Critical Analysis of Christian Fiction

Starting next Monday Bethany House Publishers AE and faith*in*fiction creator, Dave Long and The Master Artist's J. Mark Bertrand will host a critical analysis of Dave Long's Christy Award winning debut novel, Ezekiel's Shadow. If you haven't read it yet, there is time. It's raining in Georgia(great reading time.) Go to the library and pick it up. Hope to see you there.

Quick Question: What are you reading? It doesn't have to be a christian title.

Dee

Countingdown Halo's Eve

I'm cranking out the final scenes of my first draft, so I will not multupost at blog today. Check out TL Hines, Bethany House's rising thriller-ovelist. He's sharing his walk down debut author road in a very candid and christian manner.

Also sign in to the discussion board and let us know about your WIP or why you haven't completed your novel. Sign up for NaNoWriMo. Get prepared for the Halo's Eve Project.

And read. This week I'm reading David Long's Ezekiel's Shadow, Paul Anderson's Hunger's Brides, And Issue Thirteen of Arts & Letters Journal of Contemporary Culture: Immortality edition.

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

Why Fiction Matters: Post Secret

Writers question me often about their storylines. Is it predictable, or relevant, or publishable? My answer is that's between you and God. But I ran across an interesting blog today-PostSecrets. PostSecrets is a travelling art exhibition whereby people take postcards and makes collages out of them with the content of the college being a secret that they have been hiding and want to be released. It is a popular blog. A huge undertaking and a powerful must see.
Warning: PostSecrets isn't for every one. No children. Some things will disturb you. But it is a sorrowful indication of what people are longing for. If you look real carefully and think about the secrets you once carried before you met Christ, then you know what they need. Wouldn't it be Christian to write a story addressing similiar pangs?

Dee

SORMAG's Blog: ONLINE CONFERENCE - 10/23-29/05

Shades of Romance hosts its annual online writer's conference for 10/23-29. It is free. 50 authors and four editors will be participating.

A Christian Fiction highlight...

Day One – October 23, 2005 --Writing For The Lord

PANEL: Christian Anthologies
Dena Dyer, Mary Griffith, Sabra Robinson, Jacquelin Thomas

PANEL: Breaking Into The Christian Market
Mary Griffith, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Jacquelin Thomas, Cheri Paris Edwards

WORKSHOP: Fresh Ideas - Deartra Boone

DISCUSSION: How do we get our faith-based books to the big screen?

hopefully, Christian Fiction Blog will contribute on Christian Marketing and Media. We'll see. Hope to see you there.

Soul Food and Full Tilt

This morning I received chapter one of Creston Mapes, second novel, Full Tilt, to include in this month's Celebration of Christian Fiction. (Oct. 18) It is eery, relevant, real and Soulful.

What does that mean, Dee--a Soulful work?

Christian Fiction doesn't have a set in stone definition, but like air and God it is important to our life. It is felt in a place we cannot see or feel, but know on the inside. Soul Food.

Monday, Marina and I spoke about works that are faith based, but not soulful. Characters interact in a christian counter culture, but they move around the world like robots. They're simulated. They meet the criteria for safe reading, but they don't minister to the soul. They're not relevant, real, important to our generation, or our purposes.

Not soulful. Not Soulfood.

This week I am a few scenes short of my first draft. However, I have already prayed and received The Holy Spirits response on what direction the second draft must take--a simple approach so that Christ can shine through the pages. Soulful. But I must admit that I would like to clean it up, spunk it up and send it to a publisher I know will take it like it is right now.

American Poverty if not grounded by the Word will make someone like me go mad. I am not rich, or middle class anymore. Not single, but a parent. Not straddling the fence, but wearing the full armor of God. And it sucks rocks sometimes. Lately, most times...

Continue to pray for my longsuffering, my patience, and my faith. Creston, you put it down on Full Tilt. More blessings to ya!

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

CBA Bestsellers List: October

Ranking Title Author/Publisher
1 (7) Just Above a Whisper Lori Wick, Harvest House, p
2 (12) Fame Karen Kingsbury, Tyndale, p
3 (25) The Revelation Beverly Lewis, Bethany House, p
4 (26) One Tuesday Morning Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
5 (28) Monster Frank Peretti, WestBow (Nelson), c
6 (32) Redeeming Love Francine Rivers, Multnomah, p
7 (40) Moonlight on the Millpond Lori Wick, Harvest House, p
8 (43) Unforgotten Kristen Heitzmann, Bethany House, p
9 (47) The Ezekiel Option Joel Rosenberg, Tyndale, c
10 Breaker's Reef Terri Blackstock, Zondervan, p
11 Beyond Tuesday Morning Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
12 A Bride Most Begrudging Deeanne Gist, Bethany House, p
13 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe C. S. Lewis, Zondervan, p
14 The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis, HarperCollins/Zondervan, p
15 Redemption Gary Smalley & Karen Kingsbury, Tyndale, p
16 Reunion Karen Kingsbury & Gary Smalley, Tyndale, p
17 Oceans Apart Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
18 Remember Karen Kingsbury & Gary Smalley, Tyndale, p
19 The Atonement Child Francine Rivers, Tyndale, p
20 Return Karen Kingsbury & Gary Smalley, Tyndale, p

Numbers in ( ) denote Top 50 placement. / p designates paper; c, cloth

This list is based on actual sales in Christian retail stores in the United States and Canada during August, using STATS as the source for data collection. All rights reserved. Distribution and copyright ©2005 CBA and Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Ragamuffin Burney Breaking In

Gina Holmes has a great interview of our ragamuffin diva, Claudia Burney over at her Breaking In: The Journey of a First Novel Blog. RD talks about the journey of her debut mystery series and the release of the first title, Murder, Mayhem & a Fine Man set for a July 2006 release date.

An excerpt from the interview...

Gina: Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

Claudia: Shame stole years from me. I didn’t feel worthy to write for Jesus. I thought I had to be the perfect, white, homeschooling pastor’s wife who writes prairie romances. I was doomed from the start because I’m not white, if I wrote what I knew, or my own history, I’d have had to put slaves on the prairie, and that would have changed the flavor completely. Beyond that, I didn’t fit the profile I’d imagined a Christian writer to be. Grace liberated me. God used me being a ragamuffin diva to open up my writing for him. I ended up with my book deal in less than a year. It was amazing to watch God show off.

Dee

The Halo's Eve Project: NaNoWriMo

This month I planned to host the Halo's Eve Project for Christian fiction writers, who want to complete their novels. Today I remembered that next month is National Novel Writing Month! So the Project will begin then, to work in conjunction with this project.

What is National Novel Writing Month: NaNoWriMo

Nanowrimo's goal is for you to write one novel in one month. The project hosts a forum where you can sign up and track your WIP.

How will the Halo's Eve Project work alongside nanowrimo?

I've participated in the NANOWRIMO project the past two years. So what you can do here at Christian Fiction is:

1. Sign up for NaNoWriMo at its website, then come back here and link us to your project.
2. Use our Halo's Eve Project Message Board to the right to discuss your writing, ask questions as they relate to christian fiction
3. Meet other christian fiction authors here who are trying to do what you are doing
4. Become online critique buddies
5. Come here for 31 days to see writing techniques, author interviews, and my own take on this project. I plan to work on a don't gag(a christian Christmas romance--Quarterback Queen.)

What do I do this month?
1. Prepare your story. Think about it. Outline it. You can post your outline questions, synopsis, whatever, here at the discussion board. Start brainstorming

What say you? Please comment and let me know if you are going to do the NaNoWriMo.

Dee

Michelle McKinney Hammond's Debut Novel

Michelle McKinney Hammond has penned a novel-The Last Ten Percent, set to be released March 2006.

What is the Last Ten Percent?

The statistics are frightening. There is a man shortage. What does that mean for all the women searching for love? Will their desires ever be fulfilled? How do you handle the prospect of living life alone? Is there any hope? Four friends grapple with this issue in The Last Ten Percent.

Tracy, after a cycle of repeated wrong relationships goes on sabbatical to search her own heart for the answer to her wrong choices. Muriel, scarred by past secret pain, has locked up her heart and thrown away the key but now finds herself confronted by the man of her dreams. Will she finally choose the path to healing and the love she has always longed for? Adrian has always been the perfect little Christian wife, yet her marriage is suddenly shattered, leaving her uncertain of her future. Felicia, who finds love where she can, is awakened by the consequences of her misdirected neediness, with an unwanted pregnancy. Then there is Carla, secure in a marriage with a loving husband, yet wrestling with the question if God is punishing her for past mistakes.

Through their friendship these women bond and search for the answers to some of life's hardest questions about love and true happiness and come to some surprising conclusions.

When I learn more of this novel i will tell you. However, I am a little suspect of this attempt. Because I'm not sure if Hammond has the chops for fiction. (i.e. Jakes' Covergirl was ghost written by a novelist we know.) So I'll have a close watch on these books.

Dee

Christian Detective Series: Christian Detective Series

Before I began writing my current WIP I was working on a christian mystery series-angel on the back pew. Well, since I'm almost complete with this WIP I thought I would go back and take a peak at old Angelina and see what she was up to. Tapping her pencil on her desk waiting for me to show up, so that she can continue to tell me about this mystery she solved. I got lost on the way and found an interesting blog-christiandetectiveseries. And I introduce you now to it...

“Whodunit?” And with that the game is afoot. The sleuthing here is designed for readers trying to find Christian detective series and for librarians who might be attempting to augment their collection development in two related areas--Christian detective fiction series and materials for the study of Christian detective literature. Finding items that would aid this process is challenging. Hopefully this will provide a starting point in the process."

Dee

Focus on Fiction announces Final Edition

Click here to read the Focus on Fiction announcement. I began reviewing for the mag last month. Next month will be the last. If I owe you a book review, don't fret I will have your review and let you know where to find it.

Dee

Falcons crush the Vikings

Atlanta Falcons 30:Minnesota Vikings 10.
Vick suffered a right knee sprain in the first quarter when Vikings' lineman Erasmus James clipped him on the side of his leg. Vick's MRI will be released on Wednesday. Everyone played well. Todd Peterson, Duckett, KB, Demario Williams, Dunn. Whoah! Falcons rushed 245 yesterday. Great game. Security news: takes 2 hours to get into the Georgia Dome. Next week. Falcons vs. Superbowl champs the Patriots. Fast and pray. Fast and pray.

August Wilson Promoted to Glory

CHARLES ISHERWOOD of the New York Times reported in an article,"August Wilson, Theater's Poet of Black America, Is Dead at 60"

August Wilson, who chronicled the African-American experience in the 20th century in a series of plays that will stand as a landmark in the history of black culture, of American literature and of Broadway theater, died yesterday at a hospital in Seattle. He was 60 and lived in Seattle.

10.3.devotion.05

Yesterday evening my gal pal, buzz buzz novelist, Claudia Hawthorne Burney, called me. She is a lovely writer with an even lovelier voice. I have a very southern twang to mine. My i's sound like a's. And my a's sound like i's. Claudia writes from her heart and soul. I write from my soul and heart. There is a difference. Claudia would agree.
During our conversation we both discussed our blogs. She has now started a blog for writing, so that ragamuffin diva can retain its first focus--a devotion to God. I want to write about devotion. In fact, my lit journal that's now in its development stage's will be titled Devotion. This morning before I wake Selah(my daughter,)get her off to Kindergarten, start my busy writing day(believe me it's busy)and prepare for PTA meeting I want to spend this time for devotion. Claudie Claudie, you're rubbing off on me. :)

10.3.devotion.05

scripture lesson- Isaiah 40:31
...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

devotional hymn...
413. A Charge to Keep I Have Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

Lord, yesterday was something.
Church, Sunday School, Girl Scouts, and Selah's great big hair.
Girl Scout fees, natural gas bills, my monthly budget already in red.
How am I going to do all this?
Jenna's baptism, Haley's birthday, Selah's Halo's Eve Party...Coreg...
Lord, tomorrow I meet Dr. Patten
Thank you for Dr. Patten
One day we will be old friends and we'll reminisce about
my kidney failure, lung failure, heart failure, lupus, sleep apnea
I didn't sleep much last night wondering about Girl Scouts.
I know there is an answer for me that will not come from a windfall of money to pay for all my bills, medications, and specials. It must come from a renewing of my mind.
I will be changed somehow because of all this petty, taxxing strife I inflict upon my wallet and my heart.
Lord yesterday was something. I wonder what today will bring.
Devotion to you? Forgetting all about those little things? Living by a different creed?
Afterall you healed me from lupus, renal failure, lung failure, my heart function is at 40%. I can dance, run and walk without going faint. I think I can make it through this month without doing the same. I cling to you now. Gaspard is silent. I cling to you forever.
Selah.

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee
Photo credit. Heartlight.

The Return of Serialized Novel

Cell phones has opened another trendy door for readers-phone books. Not the yellow pages kind, but novels displayed on your cell phone. What's even cooler is that instead of you cranking out a 300+ novel and hoping to market it. You can give it chapter installments to subscribers. Wait for their feedback and write the next chapter. Better than Dickens. Faster and in the future another form of income. Question: If you could write a serialized novel for mobile phones, what kind of technology would you need to use to get that off the ground? Java based? Could syndicated blogs house it? What kind of story would you do? And would our readers go blind from the small print? Any other thoughts? Click on title to direct you to the MSNBC article.

Harlequin Romance has already jumped on the Vocel bandwagon...

Under the agreement, Vocel will develop what it dubs a "fun" platform for Harlequin, which will provide a variety of entertainment, from daily serialized novels by best-selling authors to romance-writing seminars. Subscribers can even help choose male cover models for upcoming Harlequin novels or use their cameraphones to submit pictures of their boyfriends as possible cover candidates.

Dee