Weekend Chatterbox: What Do You Owe Your Readers?

I'm still rewriting the end of a novel and storyboarding a possible sequel to it. One tool that helps me keep me mind focused on storytelling is listen to author interviews or movie commentaries.

Last night I listened to John and Tony Gilroy talk about creating Michael Clayton, the Movie. During their conversation they spoke about building a film based on framing, and staying consistent with the style of filmmaking they envisioned for Michael Clayton. And it got me to thinking...

Throughout the week I've been having conversations with my published author friends. Some about their current works and others their frustration with selling their works to their publisher.

My years as a reviewer has taught me that once you become a published author there is an understood obligation you have to your readership. Whether you would like to believe it or not these readers expect your next novel to give them the same return. In essence they are seeking consistency. And it got me to thinking...

I wasn't aware of how thick a cord it[moral complexity] was through my work until it came time to start talking about the film a month or so ago. You begin to figure out how you're going to talk about the movie and put it in context with whatever else you've done. And there is a common thread.
-Gilroy on his realization that his stories were about moral complexity.

What is the total vision for my stories, what is the best way to convey that and what will I sacrifice--in terms of story ideas-- in order to maintain this vision?

Since I already owe you a response to the last chatterbox question, I will answer this question today. Then open the discussion up for you, because I want to know what you're working on and what are you doing to make sure that the style of your story compliments your voice and vision.

You can discuss here or at The Christian Fiction Network. Let me just say we have Maurice Gray, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Kim Brooks, Mary Griffith, Linda Beed, Linda Hargrove, Lashaunda Hoffman and new members of our community chiming in over there everyday, so join up. Here.

Now my answer:

I build my stories around the same question that keeps me up most nights- where is my faith in my most darkest times? Pearl's Miracle speaks to that clearly. Straddling the Fence slides the theme in the back door. My WIP, Blessed to Kill weaves it throughout the mystery.

In order for me to convey my idea I write in a minimalist style laced with a bit of southern romanticism which should be an oxymoron, but if you've read any of my stories you get my meaning. My visions is that my stories fills my readers with my notion of a Beautiful Mystery. I think Christ is a beautiful myster, so... I hope that is what you experience when you read my works.

Next week I will share my styling process, more so to record the process for myself, and as a tool that may help you in your writing endeavors.

Now...what is your stories' common thread?