Former JAG Corps Officer, Dan Brown writes a series of military thrillers that he says might not be too far off from reality, according to Wendy Lamus of Cary News.
He said he thinks terrorist infiltration of the military is a "real possibility, but it wasn't necessarily an overwhelming drive that led me to write. I do foresee that as something we need to be concerned about in the future."
What's most fascinating about her interview with Brown wais definition of Christian Fiction.
"I don't consider it to be Christian fiction in the traditional mold" — in which a religious conversion experience is often involved, he said...But I sort of have bought off the philosophy of [author] Al Gansky. How do you define Christian fiction? Put a Christian in a scenario and see how they respond. ... This is not a theological treatise by any means."
-Brown
From my evaluation of the twenty plus books I reviewed this year alone I haven't read that many new novels that does not fit that mode. In fact, very little had preachy tones and unrealistic plots. This revelation could be in part because most of the christian fiction books I reviewed this year were written by young writers and/or writes of colors, who share a similiar philosophy.
Not saying that culture and age is dividing the line between typical CBA novels and newer works. What I am saying, however, that from the many authors I have interviewed and I know personally they approach their work with a conflict, then determine how that character will get through that conflict. In most cases their faith is both a catalyst and a comforter. For instance although Victoria Christopher Murray's novels are published under a secular publisher all her characters are Christians living in a secular world instead of outside of it. Angela Benson thinks that shedding the light on problems in the church, edify the Body, so she doesn't have a problem with exposing some of Christiandom's inner conflict. Lisa Samson deals with adult child/parental responsibility shifts.All these things affect us now.
On another note, when you look at african american faith culture. It operates within its community not oustide of it or in its own counter culture. Most blacks believe they have Christian values, so they don't feel a need to seperate from others. Thus their stories tend to have characters that are not christian and characters that sin often and struggle with that thorn in the side type of sin.
Like Brown as Christians began to explore more about Christ and what he means to their lives, these explorations will carry out in fiction. Halo's Eve Tip#12: Write what haunts your soul. I received this tip courtesy of a birthday letter, Chuck Pahlaniuk sent me. Brown's concern for our national security drives his thrillers. What drives yours?
Let us know at the discussion board. And lets us know how you're doing with NaNoWriMo.
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