3 Ways to Convince your Hubby to Take You to See Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

3 Ways to Convince Your Man to Take You to See Why Did I Get Married?

1. Tell him Janet Jackson is in it.
2. Suggest a double feature: this for you and a dude flick for him.
3. Thank God that he is taking you during your dinner blessing.
4. Bonus, the one that really worked for me. Sincerely ask him that you want him to see it with you.

Any others?

Speedlinking Christian Fiction 9/27

1. The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance featured Victoria Christopher Murray's summer sizzler, The Ex Files. I'm glad Victoria considers her works Christian Fiction Novel. REad my interview with her here.

2. Brandilyn Collins has a nice debate going on regarding Flannery O'Connor's take on Christian Fiction.yibonyyy

embodies the same ignorance or rejection of God’s Word and the glorious power of Christ’s completed work and the same fascination with and promotion of mysticism, imagination, and the occult. As Dekker says, it’s entertainment. But fiction isn't just any entertainment; its power and danger lie in the fact that it can draw a reader into a worldview. It embraces the soul and the imagination. It brings to life conjecture and imagination. It teaches. And appearing as Christian, it can fool many.

-Richard and Linda Nathan reviews Dekker's Saint and two published novels of Robin Parrish's Dominion Trilogy

Faith in Fiction Retreat

The purpose of the Faith in Fiction Retreat is to allow readers to come together in a spirit of sisterhood and to get up-close-and- personal with their favorite Faith Authors!

In August 2007, the Faith and Fiction Retreat debuted in St. Simon's Island, GA. Readers enjoyed sessions, book signings and late night pj book discussions with some great Faith Fiction authors: Jacquelin Thomas, Norma L. Jarrett and conference host, Tiffany L. Warren. Also attending were Mimi Jefferson, Shelia Lipsey, Latonya Mason & Lacricia Peters.

Delegates from the following book clubs attended: Prominent Women of Color (Jacksonville, FL), Circle of Friends II (Atlanta, GA), Sip N Read Cafe (Atlanta, GA), Glory Girls (Rochester, NY), Sisters With a Purpose (Baytown,TX) & Spirit of Sisterhood (Atlanta, GA).

The 2008 retreat will take place in beautiful Destin, FL at The Palms of Destin Resort and Conference Center . Slated authors: Victoria Christopher Murray, Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Michele Andrea Bowen.

Author Panelists - There are limited number of author slots available. Send an email.

REGISTRATION:

• $249 for individuals
• $225 for book clubs (four or more members attending)
• $189 for Saturday only
• $119 for Sessions only (no meals)

Includes sessions, specified meals and retreat materials.The registration fee does not include lodging or transportation. A $75 non-refundable deposit is needed by February 1, 2008 to guarantee your spot!
Discounted rooms at The Palms will be available. (Jr. 2 bdrm. suite - $140/night, 2 bdrm. suite - $180/night, 3 bdrm. suite - $236/night, 2 bdrm. villa - $196/night). Reservations can be made by calling The Palms at 877-373-6729. Use the discount code "Faith and Fiction Retreat"

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to Me Tonight

Tonight, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:00 pm EST / 8:00 CST tune in to The Abundant Solutions Hour. Gregory Turner and Brian J. Henderson, the hosts have invited me to be a special guest on tonight's show, to help you achieve 3 things this week:

1. Worship God with Your Talent
2. Realize that God has prepared you to achieve your dreams
3. Gain a Basic Knowledge of the Christian Book Publishing Industry
Bonus. Share your story of God's faith with others who need encouragement.

You can listen to the show here.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/asemotivation
Or you can Tune in and Talk Here:

Dial In Number (718) 508-9600

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact:
Gregory Turner, CC
President & CEO
Abundant Solutions Enterprises, Inc.
GregoryTurner@AbundantSolutionsEnterprises.com
info@mindalteringstrategies.com
www.AbundantSolutionsEnterprises.com
In order for dreams to come true, you must first wake up. - Gregory Turner

CFB Summer Read In: 3 Nuptial Novels

It's the end of summer, but not the end of CFB's great summer read-in. This week let's end the summer in wedded bliss that will surely help you jump the broom into Autumn.

Janice Thompson's second wedding caper, Gone with the Groom, is too cute for words.

Annie Peterson's daughter, Brandi is getting married as son as the groom, Scott is found. He disappeared two weeks before the wedding. But don't get it twisted. Scott's not a runaway groom. He's been kidnapped. And the only woman meddling enough to find him is Annie, her friend Sheila, and her canine cohort, Sasha!

Nicholas Sparks is back with a tear jerker about relationships and weddings and choices...Choices is the title it comes out this month.


The Potluck Club Takes the Cake(May 2007.) Six members of the Potluck Club meet once again to help Evangeline plan her wedding. Wedding plans and romantic desires abound as Summit View buzzes with rumors and revelations about the past.




I know Karen Kingsbury's Sunrise hit the NYT Besetseller's list, so I assume you all have read it. :)

Honoring the Little Rock 9

It is easy to celebrate the courage of others for what they did 50 years ago. It is another thing all together to build the world our children would like to live in 50 years from now," Clinton said told about 1,300 people at the Statehouse Convention Center.
-Former President Clinton and other dignitaries at a gala Monday night for the nine black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School a half-century ago stressed the country's continuing need for better race relations.
More:

• Vanity Fair has a nice interview of Elizabeth Eckford.
• Video of Historic Event

Question: Would you allow your children to be world changers? What have you done as a parent to include diversity at your school or church?

Kim Brook's Birthday Bash Book Release PArty

******Kim Brooks' 30th Birthday Bash and Book Release for
The Little Black Survival Book for Single Saints**********
featuring national recording artist Antwaun Stanley,
Sean Hardin, Mahogany Jones, M Styles
Friday, September 28th, 2007
Time: 8 p.m. - Midnight
at the International Institute
111 E. Kirby St.
Detroit, MI 48202

*Also featuring DJ Sos playing the latest contemporary gospel and gospel rap jamz
and there will also be ballroom lessons provided and finger food!
The Cost for all this: ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!!!
Come on out and show your love and support!

The little black book will be available for purchase at only $4.99

Also, The TITLE and RELEASE DATE to the SEQUEL to He's Fine...But is He Saved? will also be announced at the party.

Have you Written Your Soul's Story?

An excerpt from Davidae's Spiritual Discovery…

This weekend ten bright-eyed, seven and eight-year-old girls took me to see God at a North Georgia lake. I didn’t want to go, but they convinced me it would be soooo awesome if I did, actually one girl in particular.

Her name is YoYo, short for Yolanda. She’s in my daughter, Selah’s Girlscout Brownie troop. Her sweet face matches her sweet spirit. She has a twin brother that plays flag football. On most Saturday mornings she cheers for his team on the cheerleading squad. But this Saturday she decided to come cheer me on. And I’m so glad she did.

YoYo often reminds me of Selah. They look alike sometimes. Yet YoYo has an older soul. Selah is all HighSchool Musical. And like Selah, sometimes I watch YoYo to see her mind turning. She’s taking life in and trying to find her place in the world.

I could burst her bubble, and tell her that it’s never gonna happen. But I would be lying. I did find my place. I did have a home in this world. It's just, lately, I can’t find my way back to myself. Continue reading "Have You Written Your Soul's Life Story?" »

The Life of My Soul,Sept. 23, 2007

The Life of My Soul: Davidae's Spiritual Biography
For the week ending Sept. 23, 2007

This weekend ten bright-eyed, seven and eight-year-old girls took me to see God at a North Georgia lake. I didn’t want to go, but they convinced me it would be soooo awesome if I did, actually one girl in particular.

Her name is YoYo, short for Yolanda. She’s in my daughter, Selah’s Girlscout Brownie troop. Her sweet face matches her sweet spirit. She has a twin brother that plays flag football. On most Saturday mornings she cheers for his team on the cheerleading squad. But this Saturday she decided to come cheer me on. And I needed her.

YoYo often reminded me of Selah. They look alike sometimes. They care about people, yet YoYo has an older soul. Selah is all HighSchool Musical. And like Selah, sometimes I watch YoYo to see her mind turning. She’s taking life in and trying to find her place in the world. I could burst her bubble, and tell her that it’s never gonna happen. But I did find my place a few years ago. Now I’m 34 years old, and lately, I can’t find my way back to myself. So I watch YoYo, hoping that she could provide me a map back to me.

See. My home wasn't hard to find if you loved to linger on words. Juicy, selah kind of words that spoke truth, shed light, and gave peace. My home was bricked in contagious joy and amazing freedom, nothing bad in the world could move it. So it’s not lost. I’m the fool who’s lost. And to make matters worse, my own words didn’t provide any breadcrumbs home anymore either.

This past spring I lost a child. I think I also lost my kick/my inspiration for writing at the same time. I write, then I cut what I write. It doesn’t feel real enough. My stories don’t make sense. I rewrite the story. Cut. Hate it, because somewhere in the rewriting process I cut my love of storytelling out. When I sit down to tell a story it dies before the first sentence really begins. Every story has become a symbol of my loss child. I choke. I can’t find the strength to complete them.

I prayed to God about it. The Holy Spirit showed me some scriptures. My Sunday School class have all prayed with me. The church don’t bother me when I’m at the chancel rail anymore. They know I’m going through something deep. I’m sure Christ does, too, because every time I tried to back out of that camping trip, YoYo called me to thanked me for taking her again. And so did Selah, Victoria, Haley, Olivia, Morgan, Ayden, Emily, Abbey, Rachel, and Sarah, the young women of the GirlScout Troop I lead. Thank God six of my good friends, who are adult leaders in our troop had enough patience and grace to accompany us.

So I promised them I’d teach them about the stars and the constellations. YoYo promised me she would help me gather clues to get me home.

“Like a scavenger hunt?” I asked.

“Yep.” She smiled. “And I think our first clue is somewhere around that lake.” She pointed north of the campsite.

So we went.

But before I could get going I became sick. To my horror, while my GirlScout troop stood outside our campsite restroom waiting for me, I lost my lunch.

Just a little background:Last year when the girls and I went to camp I was sick with bronchitis. I spent most of the trip hacking and hovering in the tent. This year I prayed to God, I ate good foods, got eight hours of sleep, began working out so that I would not be sick this time this year again. Last week I became sick. I couldn’t talk or get out of bed until Wednesday afternoon. I was horrified.

Selah is my only child. And I felt like I had let her down so much in her young life. If she knew I was sick, I just couldn’t take it. I told the girls to go on. I would catch up. Truthfully, I didn’t know if I could. I became very sad and cried.

But YoYo didn’t leave me. She sat on the bench outside the bathroom stall and cheered me on.

“Don’t give up,” she said. “You’ll feel better once you see the lake. I promise.”

I cleaned myself up and went to catch up with the girls. Didn’t know I could do it, but I was going to try. A bible verse flowed through my ears. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.(Hebrews 12:1-3.)

YoYo took my hand and led me down the trail. I found the girls at the depot. They were buying fans to cool themseves for the hike. Every girl came to me and tried to cool me with their fans. Some gave me water. I felt baptized. Renewed.

We hiked around the lake. Kim, our Camping Queen Diva taught us about the lake and the obstacle courses our girls could take when they were older. I marveled at her insight. I also quaked in fear, because she was leaving me. Her family were moving away next month. This woman has been a rock for me and Selah for the past three years. As she talked I selfishly thought to myself, what am I going to do without her? I can’t take care of myself and especially not this troop without her?

I had had enough of losing loved ones this year, if you know what I mean...

YoYo reminded me of the other five women hiking along beside us: Cyndi, Lisa, Grace, and Marvia. They were soaking in Kim’s words. They could carry her torches. I would be alright. My nerves began to calm.

Before I knew it we had completed the hike. I felt invigorated. So invigorated I thought to myself. Shoot. I can carry a torch or two, too. Perhaps God needs Kim elsewhere, to teach more women like me. Perhaps God wanted me and the other five to take Kim’s place in our community, teach others, be saving graces to them. I began to feel better about my future until I became sick again.

So I headed back to the restroom. A nice cool shower would get my body temperature right. I could clean off this illness and just relax. The girls were preparing dinner. The rest of the evening would be a piece of cake.

But the shower didn’t help. I felt worse. This time I knew for the troop’s best interest I needed to go home. I cried again.

YoYo stood by the stall, then whispered. "Remember the clues."

"What clue?" I asked."The only thing I saw at the lake was water, some spider webs, a snake and obstacle courses."

"That's the clues," she said.

While in my stall, Selah and Ayden came to me. They wanted to know what I wanted to eat. They made me so happy and sad at the same time. I knew I needed to go home, then.But I placed my order. Maybe dinner would make me feel better. It would also give me some time to figure out these clues.

Needless to say dinner was great, dessert was even better, but then the shakes came again. I shuddered. What clues? Water, spiderwebs, snakes and obstacles...I couldn't take it anymore.

Lisa, one of the moms was leaving at nightfall. I decided to leave with her. I felt like a big let down. A loser. I still do when I let myself.

To my surprise Selah didn't cry and YoYo had gone asleep. Maybe after I had a good night's sleep I could make sense of her clues.

And I did...

the water: "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to Eternal Life." (John 4:14 RSV)Eternal. I am never old, sick or lost. I am eternal. As a child I lived as if I would lie forever. Now that I know I am, why don't I act like it?

spider web: "They weave the spider's web."--Isaiah 59:5 The answer to that question is my faith is frail. Right now it doesn't take much trouble in my life to cause me to question it. Webs are beautifully designed, but weak enough to blow anywhere the wind blows. Although my intentions are good, I do too much and have worn myself thin. I need to feel okay with having free time. Why do we swell our time with so many activities? We need time to reflect and rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

a snake: Whisperer. For the past few years I have visited and reported on many churches and pastors for various Christian periodicals. I've heard whispers and rumors and enough lies to make an atheist dance. These disappointments have begun to cloud my judgment. Like Eve at the tree of life I'm a bite away from knowing way too much for my soul to endure.(exodus 4:3) I need to step back and let the mystery of the world be enough.

obstacles: my disability, my race, my sex, my income are all obstacles that keep me from thinking i'm not worthy enough to live the dreams God has given me. moreover i need to use these obstacles to take me to a higher place in my faith.

YoYo, "I got it!"

So I am going to move forward. Tomorrow I have PTA, and unfortunately I have some hard choices to make regarding that. Fortunately for my soul, I will have more time for me to get back to me.

And if you don’t know by now…YoYo is me.

Be blessed.

Dee

Clarifying Jena 6

Did you wear black yesterday to support the Jena 6? I bet I know why. You don't have all the facts about this case. And if you only read or listen to the news like I used to do, then my friends, you have been hoodwinked. As a former news writer, I was a bit miffed at the coverage of this case all year. Yesterday's reporting of the Jena 6 rally made my skin crawl. So here are the facts about the incidents, the case, and why you may want to support the Jena 6 in the future?

The incidents:
The Jena Times Newspaper has a succinct and concise timeline of all the incidents that happened surrounding this case.Why you should read it? It includes:

• August school assembly. Principal's racism free zone policy
  
• September noose hanging under tree and white student expulsion
  
• September 2006 sit-in protest of student expulsion turnover
  
• November arson of Principal's office
• December white students assault black students at party
  
• December retaliation assault on white students,
  
• Jena 6 charged for attempt of murder, whether they were involved or not.
  

Update: noose hanging from truck in Alexandria, VA. Two teenagers arrested for DUI and possibly intent to start a riot. CNN News 10:35 pm.
Update: Jena 6 news hearing within the hour.

The case
Mychal Bell's case hearing will be today. The hearing is determined whether he should be released on bail or grant the writ of habeas corpus. Since his charge has been reduced and he has already spent nine months in jail as well as the victim in this case was well enough to go to a school dance after the December 06 assault,seem as if he should be released despite his previous criminal record.

Why does the Jena 6 matter?
The dispense of justice should be equal for all citizens. Some members of the Jena 6 had no involvement in the assault, but were charged. The students who hung the noose in September were not expelled from school or charged with issuing a terrorist attack.

But most importantly, the Jena 6 case exemplifies the politics of our mass media. This mess should not have have went on this long. Not until BBC News reported about this case did our media jump on the bandwagon. Not until people from all over the country began to mobilize did the Louisian courts decide to lesser these student charges.

If we say we're Christian, then we can't be silent. I wonder what were we teaching Robert Bailey's friends and the Jena 6 prior to December about social nonviolent change, or more or less social violent change? We should have fought for those kids before this whole thing happened. We, as adults, should learn to step in and shield our children before something like this happens again. Robert Bailey should not have assaulted Mychal Bell; Mychal should not have assaulted Robert. Where were we? Worshiping God separately?

Jesus walks...

Friday Morning Quarterbacking: Jesse Jackson

Advisory:This post is off-topic and not about Christian Fiction. I was disappointed earlier this week when Jesse Jackson made a commenting negating Barack Obama's commitment to sound-boarding human rights issues. Christ died so that we could be free from our sins. Martin Luther King, Jr. died so that we may live free in this world. We are free. We don't need a spokesperson to declare our freedom. We are freedom. It's time that we start living a free life. No black person defines our thoughts, nor motivate us to act. Injustices does that. And that should be enough.

I understand Rev. Jacksons passion for the Jena 6, but stating that a black man is "acting white" belittles the Jena 6 case and the Civil Rights Movement( I will expound more in my next post.) Yesterday's protest wasn't about systemic racism against blacks, but injustice everywhere. Moreover, that comment--to me- stinks of prejudice. African-American people are not robots. We do not look, act, or think the same. Grant it, it is horrid that we do not know or understand American Immigration History, especially as it relates to the History of African-American Slavery, Native American Seminole dissidence,Creole Concubines, Sierra Leon Migration, Sugar Plantations and Caribbean Immigration of the 20th century and African exiles post 1990s.

Did Eve love Adam?

My friend, Manchild has raised a great discussion that has Christians and non-believers engaged in a great, provocative and cordial debate. One reason I think his discussion is going so well is because he has been very open about his own questions regarding this faith. Check it out.

But what about Eve? Here’s where this epic love story gets interesting because some traditional, long-standing assumptions have been made about the first family’s divinely ordained marriage. Has anybody else out there in the blogosphere ever ponder the possibility that Eve never felt the same way about Adam?

Nowhere in the Scriptures does it ever say that Eve “loved” Adam. But don’t take my word for it, take a look for yourself and tell me what you find. Can it be that Eve just wasn’t that into Adam? Maybe Adam didn’t “fit the profile,” didn’t “measure up,” didn’t meet her expectations.

But before you go I have a question for you. As a Christian writer my characters grapple with tragedy, life disappointments with humor and a whole lot of faith. The novel series I have been writing about for a while is this character that's borderline black sheep and hell-raiser. She has damaged her relationships. She doesn't believe that she can be good enough. She's a single mom and she doesn't think that she's good at that, either. Like me. She wonders if the good ol' faith of her grandmother's generation is still around.

Question: Are we different than the writers before us? If not, then why we do have so much questions? Are we losing our faith? Or are we moving to a new destiny?

Next Wednesday please join me on the Abundant Solutions Hour Radio Show, as I talk about these changes, writing trends, and the urban inspiration movement.

Jena 6 Rally Today

Thousands of protesters gathered in Jena, Louisiana, on Thursday to show support for the "Jena 6," six black teens charged in the beating of a white classmate.
Below is a video of the rally on 9/11.


Question: Do you understand why the Jena 6 incident has so many African-Americans outraged? Share. You can be anonymous. I really want to know your thoughts.

A Nobody of Great Significance

Gritty Novel Challenges Readers to see Beyond Church Doors

Creston Mapes is one of the most authentic writers in the Christian Fiction arena today, consistently delivering psychological thrillers with powerful messages that booklovers crave from cover to cover.

Creston’s latest tale is about a mysterious, rich, murdered homeless man, Nobody (Multnomah Books, Sept. 18, 2007)

An excerpt from Nobody…

I’d seen stiffs at crime scenes before, one flat on his back in the middle of his garage with a twelve-inch meat cleaver sticking straight up out of his rib cage like a Halloween prank: self-inflicted, to boot. But this one beat all.

Creston’s realistic tone is attributed to not only his contemporary writing style, but also to tons of research.

“My publisher sent me to Las Vegas to research this new story. Not only did I tour the casinos and clubs along Las Vegas Boulevard, but I canvassed the whole city researching the area and, especially, touring the enormous homeless community. There are 10,000 homeless people in Las Vegas. I saw the encampments where they live and went into the free clinics where they're treated for everything from spider bites and chronic colds to foot ulcers and hunger,” states Mapes.

When asked why is Nobody so important to his readers and the Body of Christ?

Creston states, “Nobody is written with the underlying message that Christians can become so involved in the works of the church, and in pleasing man, that they can forget the people outside the church, who still have not found God. I pray this novel will remind us all that we have been reconciled by God and we, in turn, are called to help lead others to be reconciled with Him as well.”

To stay up to date on Creston Mapes Subscribe to christianfiction by Email.

Related topics: October's Celebration of Christian Fiction

Book Giveaway: When the Morning Comes

Today you have a chance to win an autographed copy of Cindy Woodsmall's when the Morning Comes. Click Here .

Monday News Update

Karen Kingsbury' Summer Hits NYT Bestseller's List
Karen Kingsbury's Summer(Tyndale) debuted at No. 14 on the New York Times Paperback Fiction list published Sept. 9.

Joyce Meyer's debut novel more than a Penny
Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford's novel, The Penny( FaithWord) sits No. 5 on the Hardback Bestseller's List , according to PW Religion Bookline.

Christian Fiction authors encourage reading in MississippiConversations Book Club has teamed up with two Christian fiction authors, Shelia E. Lipsey and Daphine Glenn Robinson, to showcase the importance of book with a reader series. .

ACFW Conference this week. Huge Book Signing
I went last year. Last minute tip: Wear your Brownie Smile. Click here to learn more about the massive free book signing

Pick a Book Cover

Which vocer do you prefer? Complete the survey, then run to the bookstore on New Year's Day 2008 to see if your pick made the cut. Click here to make your pick.

Preorder One More Sunrise Here.

Is Recognition Our God?

Kathy Griffin's acceptance speech at this weekend's Creative Arts Emmy Awards had Christians in an uproar.
Her words were so off color that the TV Academy and E Channel will censor her speech before its telecast this weekend.

"A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus... This award is my god now!"

-Kathy Griffin's speech after winning a creative arts Emmy for her television show, Life on the D-List.

I like Kathy's show, but I don't like her statement. I don't like what it might say about us. I have interviewed many Christian artists, ministers and authors. I have provided marketing support for a few. Lately, what I have witnessed is more of us are believe that recognition and popularity equates to a successful ministry. Although our hearts are in the right place, we are not leading our lives with out souls in mind.

Honestly, I think we are a little confused about what barometer we should use to monitor ourselves. Sure we have taken Christ's conversation with Mathew, the tax collector in the fig tree and tried to apply it to our lives. Based on that passage it is easy to believe that a Christian artist's success is measured by the fruit the art bears. But what is this fruit we're looking for if not recognition or popularity?

I would love your thought to help me compose my Sept. 24th article for The Master's Artist

Related blogs on this topic: Reverend RockStar

Jena 6 Defense & Kanye Tees

For those of you interested in contributing to the Jena 6 Defense Fund here is the mailing address.

Jena 6 Defense Fund, P.O. Box 2798, Jena, La. 71342.

You can order tee-shirts to support this fund also beginning tomorrow.

Why Did I Get Married?

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? comes to a theater near you on Oct.
12. Click here to view the trailer. I own the stage play on DVD with Cheryl Pepsi Riley. I'm exited to see that Jill Scott will be in it.

Can Christian Communicate Well?

"Communicating is one of the most difficult things that we[Christians] do. So much of the reason why books like Strobel's is necessary is because Christians haven't explained themselves well in the first place. If Christians want to be respected into the future, they are going to have to be able to start with themes like those in this book and push forward quickly, showing that their understanding is not shallow. The stakes are high."
-Anthony Horvath's Review of Lee Strobel's The Case for the Real Jesus

Question: Do you agree? Should this issue also relate to the Christian fiction author?

CF Writing Project for WikiThing

Christian Fiction Blog is completing a group writing project where we will began building A Christian Fiction wiki page for LibraryThing. Please edit, add or suggest Christian fiction books to be featured. Click here to see the page.

Thanks,
Dee Stewart

Gregory, Griggs & Blessed Trinity

My buddy, Gregory host of radio talk show "Abundant Life Solutions" is featuring author, Vanessa Davis Griggs on the show today. You can click here to hear the show. My Romantic Times Magazine book review of Vanessa's new novel, Blessed Trinity is here.

6 years later...Writing Project

6 Years later...is it still too soon to write about 9/11? If not did the events on 9/11 affect your faith? How are you different because of that day? Post your answers at your blog, then post that blog link here. If you do not have a blog, then leave your answer in the comments section.

Dee

Tradition vs Traditionalism, II

To serve the present age,

my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master's will!
- "A Charge to Keep,"
Charles Wesley Hymn 1762

Two weeks ago I introduced this discussion about tradition vs. traditionalism, and received great responses regarding tradition. Madison Richards stated, " Questioning isn't bad in and of itself. It's what moves us along the path toward our destinies." This thought of questioning our faith in order to move forward in our faith takes us into the second phase of this discussion. Is God calling us toward a new social movement? Is our destiny unchartered territory for artists? Have we made traditionalism a stumbling block for artist? I say yes for three reasons. You can discuss here whether you agree.

Continue reading "Tradition vs Traditionalism, II" »

Ipod, Sushi & Single Men Giveaway

Hip Hip Hooray Camy's Sushi Series is Here to Stay. On my desk sits my buddy, blogging diva, Camy Tang's debut novel Sushi for One, which is also book one in her Sushi series with Zondervan Publishers. In celebration of Camy's dream becoming reality she's giving away gift baskets, book and an Ipod. Deadline to enter is Halloween. But before you zip over there, let me share Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1).

"Why can't I just find a nice guy? How hard is this supposed to be?"[Lex]

Lex Sakai’s family, big, nosy, and marriage-minded, is ruled by a crafty grandmother. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the OLDEST SINGLE COUSIN in the clan, a loathed position by all single female family members. Lex hasn't dated in years. So when her grandmother demands that she bring a boyfriend to her cousin's wedding, Lex has to step out of her comfort zone. Will she allow her faith to guide her into standing up to her Matriach or will she succumb to the peer pressure? What do you do when your family collides with your faith?More importantly why are there so many single Christians now?

If you want to stay up-to-date with Camy or more Christian Chick Lit Don't forget the Ipod Contest.(Aug., Zondervan, 345pp, $12.99)

An Angel's Voice Before Flight

Opera Legend Pavarotti died yesterday. Click the pic to listen and see some of his best performances. When I heard the news of his passing this morning something inside me stirred me to get up and get moving sooner than I usually do. God forgive me for my arrogance. Today I will do what you've put me on this earth to do. Clearly Pavarotti did that. Question: Are you bursting this life wide open? Are you doing what you love and doing it well and doing it period?If not what will it take to get going? I want serious comments today. Bless y'all.

Dee

Need to stay focused on your calling.Subscribe to christianfiction by Email

Pop Pulpits, Pickles & the Press

In Atlanta and even in my hometown, Valdosta we have been slammed with press conferences, tv and radio talk show interviews and newspaper articles regarding Thomas Weeks III's assault on Juanita Bynum. You know my position on the topic, so let's not go there. But what gets me about this whole thing...what gets me about every time a popular minister is in a pickle with the press, Christianity is attacked.
Many of us are The Master's Writers. We believe that God created us to glorify and illuminate Him with parables(prose) and poems(lyrics.) Many of us believe that our stories should be shared with a mass of people. In essence, we believe that our stories are popular. Like Weeks and Bynum we want more than just our friends and family to know our names. I wonder why? Because if we are seeking a publishing contract for our book, then we will live under public scrutiny as well. Although it won't be as intense as the Bynum case, it will be what it will be.
So tell me? Have you considered the value of your Christian identity? What tips can you give to keep newbies from falling into the popularity trap?


Want to stay updated about Juanita Bynum or Christian Fiction log? Subscribe to christianfiction by Email

Are you Gifted?

Ready for a fall adventure? I am. A pretty book with an anointed heroine on the run and a knight sworn to protect her. Oh my. And it's a trilogy! Lisa Bergren's the Gifted series takes you back to 13th Constantinople, even further 8th Century's Iconoclast Movement, and even further back to Paul's lost letters to the Church of Corinth. Don't worry. You won't get lost. Bergren writes in a style that is easy, universal and reflective of the time period. And then there is the cast...Lady Daria d'Angelo, The Gifted One, Gianni de Capezzana, the knight, and Hasani, Daria's East African bodyguard. How many men does this woman need?

The Begotten, the first in the series finaled in this year's Christy's Book Awards. The Betrayed: A Novel of the Gifted (The Gifted), which drops this weekend and will be featured in Target Stores September 4th on the Breakout Books display.

This books should be a movie. I think actor, Jimmy Jean-Lous (Heroes) should be cast as Hasani.

My favorite passages in The Betrayed...

Gianni studied Daria, standing in the bow of the skiff, face to the rain as if she could smell where she was to go. They all had a fierce devotion to her now, but what was stirring within his own heart was something he had not felt for some time. It brought him up short and and he frowned in consternation. There was no time for such foolish imaginings. He had to stay alert, remain intent on keeping Daria's safe and secure in the wild, uncharted waters ahead. Romantic entanglements would only weaken him, weaken them all.

...Daria said. "It's not the crucix that heals-but who it symbolizes. Ist is only because of the risen Lord that I was able to heal that boy. Healing comes from Christ and the Holy Spirit. "

Now we know in a good book, poor Gianni can keep his little hopes to himself. He's already a goner :) Mayne this Healer will heal his heart. Think this should be our bookclub pick for the fall? Maybe w e could cast Daria and Gianni, too after we discuss this book.(Sept, Berkley, $23.95)

.

Let's Talk Book Promotion: Speedlink

Today I'm at the SORMAG Conference talking Book Promotion with: LaShaunda C. Hoffman, Dyanne Davis, Shelia Goss, Dee Stewart, Electa Rome Parks, Dara Girard, Ayn Hunt, Sylvia Hubbard, Cheryl Robinson, Andrea Jackson, L. Martin Johnson Pratt. Pam Perry and Rebeca Seitz are also hosting a discussion on publicity. Check us out here.

If you come to the conference I want to know from you. What do you do to market your book?

Angel Spotted in Atlanta

Today Nicole at Hope and Glory Blog has spotlighted one of my Angel on the Back Pew mysteries, Blessed to Kill. Check it out and tell me how you like it. Also for you writers...What do you do introduce your readers to your latest character? Some things I have seen that work:

• Having a blog for your Character
• Publishing short stories with your character
• Adding a snippet to the end of your current book

What are others?