Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Releasing the Spirit of Your Story: Part I

"There's a moment in the life of every generation when there is a spirit that has to come through..."
- Barack Obama's Wisconsin victory speech, February 19, 2008.

I am writing stories about people who believe that their spirit man guides them. This type character poses a problem for a contemporary writer, especially a romance writer like myself.

Most compelling contemporary stories don't spend a lot of time inside the head. Most romance plots aren't moving because of what someone thinks, but because of what someone feels about another person. So I have a problem.

Between my writing time I review and judge romance novels. And for some odd reason the stories published by a house that does not care for Christian orthodoxy seems to have more compelling and redemptive stories. The aesthetic value is higher. The characters are sticky and unforgettable. The plot matters. God pops on their pages. And nobody has to preach to me for me to see Him.

Don't get me wrong. Every year I read more and more works by Christian authors who deliver the big Wow. I believe more are coming. I have a few titles at my feet that I can't wait to share with you guys about. So I can't blame CBA houses for our lack of umph, I blame the writer. I blame myself.

Writing with Christ mind sometimes stilts me. How do you keep from watering down your story with too much inner talk? How do you free yourself from your own box where the spirit of your story breaks through and holds the story up? What must I do as a writer when Christ wants to do his thing?

This week we'll look at a few stories that are great examples to guide me and hopefully you. What stories have helped you? Subscribe.

Trailer Tuesday: He's Fine, But is He for Real?

Today is CFB's Trailer Park Tuesday. The book spotlight is:

Kim Brooks' He's Fine...But Is He Saved?




Book Description
It's been almost two years since Michelle Williamson's boyfriend, Pierre Dupree, walked out on her to marry a minister's daughter. Since then, Michelle's friendship with her church buddy David has deepened into something sweet and special, but learning that Pierre has called off his wedding throws her into confusion. When Pierre wants Michelle back, she's forced to make a choice—one she may regret.

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