The Writing Life: Crossing Ts and Dotting I's

The Writing Life: Look At the Dark Side--Returns: "ccording to Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg, Time Warner Book Group has two warehouses near Indianapolis. One building is called the “happy warehouse” and another the “sad” warehouse. Trachtenberg’s article is fascinating and can be part of your ongoing education about the bookselling business.

So what can writers do about this dark side of publishing?"

Great blog entry from Terry Whalin and something to think about. As Dave had spoken earlier about raising the standard in our writing, this article adds to that on another level. Just from the little stories and articles I've freelanced to magazines, the writing game has changed the playing field. Whether we shoul devote a great deal of time thinking about it is a worthy debate for another day. But we should at least know the rules of the game.

Tonight is my first Third Thursdays event and I'm excited. And I can't believe I am not afraid, but I turned this event over to the Lord the moment the Holy Spirit whispered it in my ear. I've dotted my i's and crossed my t's. Everything is decent and in order just like God would like. We will bless him and ask him to spend a few minutes with us.

And so in reading Whalin's entry when we approach our writing we should take a leap and let the spirit move through our minds and fingertips. Then cross our t's (make sure we have a basic knowledge of the publishing industry-Terry) and dot are I's (make sure that we are conditioned to compete in the game-Dave:) ) So let's write on, good Christian soldiers.

I know you will be with us tonight in Spirit.

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

Anticipation Psalm

An ode to Gaspard on his arrival to Atlanta in two days

Anticipation Psalm
by Davidae

Egoiste, ivory soap, my peach bath salts perfumes my mind until it reaches the tip of my nose inside as i remember how his head smells when it rests atop my...selah...french creole, soft thunder and an octave raised into a hungry whisper when my names rolls off his tongue just before he leans toward my lips and...selah...hard,yet soft lean, yet mountaineous muscles lift me up toward his strong, dark gaze...je'taime, davidae...i love you, davidae i anticipate this experience with him again for the rest of our lives, amen. Selah.

Anne Rice Defends her Christ POV Novel

Remember my post regarding Anne Rice's new book-Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. Well, she replied to Chucky P's Cult Writing Workshop. Here is a snippet to wet your appetite.

Anne Rice comments:

Regarding Anne Rice and her upcoming book Christ the Lord, I was amazed that so many who had read so little of my work cared so much to say so much about it. For what it's worth, I appreciate your taking the time to focus on it, and be assured that the book is a deeply considered and deeply committed attempt to bring to life the Christ of the gospels for my regular readers and perhaps for many who've never thought about Christ before in any significant way. I'll do just about anything to get the word out. For me Christ is the ultimate supernatural hero, and the ultimate outsider, and the single most influential figure in western history. I could say more about that...

Click on the title to read what she has further to say.

Question: Have you ever wanted to tackle such a strong subject--writing a novel in Christ's point of view?

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee
PS. Next week will be a fun week for the blog. You will not believe :)

f a i t h * i n * f i c t i o n: Rejection Week

f a i t h * i n * f i c t i o n: Rejection Week:
Dave Long is hacking manuscripts over at Bethany House and he has a right to:

"No offense writers, but we[acquisition editors] need to be harder on you. YOU need to be harder on you. First drafts shouldn’t cut it. Dialogue manacled in cliche shouldn’t cut it. Inauthentic genre books plotted and detailed from Hollywood movies and not hardcore, intensive research shouldn’t cut it. Voiceless narrative without the punch of imaginative personality shouldn’t cut it."

And, unfortunately, I agree. I have read and reviewed at least ten books this year and have not yet, reviewed a five star book. Gilead came out in 2004. Just received Forgiving Solomon Long(Chris:) ) , Expiration Date and Grown Folks Business(Victoria.)

But I'm not harping and am taking full blame of my own writing. According to my writing group, I'm too hard on my writing. And you'll be the judge when I complete Angel's quest or submit the other adventure/boat trip novel that sits on the top of my coat closet.

In short...Let's remember we write for God. If we need more time to work on craft, then let's do so. God is patient. James Patterson does eight or nine drafts before he sends it to his editor.

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

Hidden Sermon Inside Little Country Church

Some of you know that I am a big-HUGE-short fiction fan. And today I ran across a whopper at Infuze Magazine. Chris Well wrote it. And it is awesome. Make sure you read the comments after the story. It's nice to see feedback from others, so that you know if you're really affecting people. I guess I better brush off my old shorts and tweek them(Claudia.) Christ has light years on me.

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

Unveiling-Summer Reading Project

Will not be able to discuss Unveiling just yet. My copy hasn't come in. Anyone else has the book?

DEe

Survey Reveals The Books and Authors That Have Most Influenced Pastors

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- - content from Barna.org - -


Image courtesy of BarnaFilms click for info

Survey Reveals The Books and Authors That Have Most Influenced Pastors

May 30, 2005

(Ventura, CA) –Books sales and book influence are two different factors. While bestseller lists identify the books that generate the greatest revenue, a new survey by The Barna Group, conducted among a nationwide, representative sample of Protestant pastors, shows that the most influential books often fail to reach the bestseller lists.