Mix of Juice & Message

In today's AJC, Arts & Books staff writer, Rosalind Bentley writes a great features article on author, Stephanie Perry Moore The article spotlights Moore's 250,000 book copies in print, her young adult line, Peyton Skky, Jr. with Dafina(Kensington) and her February adult release, Wearing My Halo Tilted, which I gave a 4 star review for in Romantic Times February issue which hits the stands in January 2008.

Moore shares her success and storybuilding focus:

We[Christian Fiction Authors] have to keep it real in these books...It can' be
something unrealistic or without struggle or problems. I've got to provide a mix
of juice and a message.

Stephanie, is a great person and very down to earth. She mentored me and other members of my critique group. I'm excited that she is getting much needed publicity. It is great for other AA writers to be encouraged by her success.

However, I wonder why Christian bookstores don't stock many AA CF authors? Do you know? Better yet, do we need them?

If you don't receive the AJC, email me and I will forward you the article in it's entirety.

Writing Prompt: More Minister Muddle

If you're searching for a writing prompt look no further than Holywood-Hotlanta, GA.

What Love Taught Weeks
Bishop Thomas Weeks, who allegedly beat his wife, televangelist Juanita Bynum, last summer in an Atlanta hotel parking lot, has written a book, "What Love Taught Me," about his wife. On Monday, December 10 Weeks appeared on the Tom Joyner show to announce the book; however, 48 hours later Weeks decided not to distribute it until "many years from now." click here to see video.
Writing prompt: a story about two ministers who've lost their way back to each other

Pastor Paulk's Paternity
Archibishop Earl Paul stood in the pulpit of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church in Lithonia, Ga last month and shares his secret shame. He had an affair with his sister-in-law and fathered D.E. Paulk, his nephew/now son/now senior pastor of Cathedral.
Writing prompt: a story about a minister struggling to rebuild his church despite his family's scandalous legacy.

Dollar's Senate Snub
Bishops Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar refuse to supply Senator Grassley with materail he requested, as he investigates the legitimacy of their nonprofit foundations.
Writing prompt: A senator's faith is questioned when he probes the largest denomination in the country.

Any other prompts I forgot to mention?

3 Christian Men for Christmas

Two weeks ago I was standing in the beauty aisle of a Super Target when two women came over to me and asked me for a favor. "Are you a Christian?" They asked. Yes. "Great. Can you pray with us, 'cause when two meet in agreement Christ answers( .)" Okay. What are we praying for? "Men for the Holidays. We're single, but not ready to marry. We just would like some male companions through the Holiday Season." Fare enough. God sent me three to you, lovely ladies of SuperTarget in Duluth, GA. You wouldn't mind I pass the love on to CFB?

1. Jay Cameron
Ladies, catch a plane to Maryland. Jay Cameron's hit gospel play, "Church Mafia" will be live this Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Life Center for the Performing Arts in Camp Springs, MD at 7:30. Click here for advance tickets. This story is about a church that operates like a small dictatorship with an entourage, secret service and drama. Sound like a couple of churches I know.


2. Tyler Perry
TP wants to bring you comfort and joy in the comfort of your own living room. Yep. Madea is back starting tonight on TP's House of Payne. (Don't forget to purchase the first 20 episodes at CFB in the sidebar.) I hope TP shows his Christmas play again on TBN or TVOne. It was cute last year. Click here for a sneak peak.
Below a bit of Madea's Christmas.



3. T.J. Hemphill
T.J.s Christmas Musical "Jesus, the Son of Joseph" at Christ Tabernacle in Southfield, MI this weekend.

ADMISSION IS FREE!To reserve your free tickets, call 248.213.4770. Featuring The Voices of Tabernacle Choir andClick here for details.

Stay tuned for Men for Christmas

My 5 Step Stress Free Process For Scene Building

If I didn’t know Jesus, I would’ve sold my soul a long time ago for a nice looking man, who made me feel pretty. Instead on Friday afternoons, I clung to the chancel rail of Sugar Hill Community Church and prayed that God would fill me up and help me forget what it felt like to be kissable. Yet every time after I stood up from that altar and walked out of that sanctuary I felt lonelier than I did when I came in, except for today. Today I felt my change coming. An excerpt from my WIP, Blessed to Kill.

In two weeks my novel completion deadline will be here, so this Gospel Diva Mama ain't misbehavin. I am writing in my car, in the bathtub, in the kitchen, anywhere I have a few minutes. But I'm not forcing myself a daily word count or stressing myself into adding filler that has no purpose. For a few minutes I am stopping to talk about a process I use to push my story along in stress free and productive way. One thing I've learned in this year is to slow down and to let the natural flow of your life take shape. Today I will share how the natural flow and form of my story is being built, scene by scene. Continue reading "5 Step Process to Building a Scene that Flows" »

Divine Intervention & a Jazzy Christmas Story

A Jazzy Christmas Story
Anike-Tene, spoken word artist will perform a jazzy rendition of The Christmas Story this Sunday,December 2, 2007, 7pm at the Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD. Go to her site here to purchase tickets. Cost: $20


A Romantic Comedy's Divine Intervention
Indie filmaker, Van Elder's faith based romantic comedy "Divine Intervention" premieres in Los Angeles tonight. The film is about three people struggling with their faith, romance and self-actualization. Pastor Clarence Matthews[James Avery] the senior pastor of a church is stepping down to allow a hip, younger minister Robert Gibbs [Wesley Jonathan] ("Roll Bounce") takeover the pulpit. Mathew's daughter, Divine falls for the unappreciative Gibbs, and there is the conflict.

Christian TV Showcase

I love the holiday seaon. I love watching the Hallmark channel anyway, but in December I love it more. Christian FIction wants to alert you to three faith based television shows that you need to set your remote for:

• NBC's Clash of the Choirs airs Dec. 17. Clash of the Choirs" is a four-night competition featuring five celebrity choir directors - Nick Lachey, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Michael Bolton and Kelly Rowland - that will begin airing at 8pm on NBC December 17th. These 5 celebrity musical artists are assembling a choir of 20 singers to compete each night.
• Oprah Winfrey Presents Mitch Albom's For One More Day airs Dec. 9.
  
• Hallmark Channel Presents Angela Hunt's "The Note". I love Angela Hunt's novel, so I am overly excited about this one.
  

Also of note. Tyler Perry's House Of Payne - Volume One, Episodes 1-20 and Jerry Jenkin's
Midnight Clear will be available December 4th.

Speedlinking: Christian Parents Refuse Guide of The Golden Compass

Christian Parents are leery about guiding their children into the movie theatres this month to see The Golden Compass. Some Christian fiction authors, media, and the Catholic League have warned parents of the movies anti-Christian/atheist theme. This week the author, Phillip Pullman calls this boycott campaign "absolute rubbish." At a London premiere of the film, he stated:

I am a story teller. If I wanted to send a message I would have written a sermon.

However New Line Cinemas removed mentions of God and the church[The books tell of a battle against the church and a fight to overthrow God] from the script last November. The Golden Compass US release date is December 7.

What do you think? Have you read the books? Read the first chapter here.The book is intended for older children. Do you think your children will be misguided by them? Are you taking your kids to the movie? If not, I have a great movie recommendation they can see on Christmas Day that shows the triumph of Christian character. Stay tuned for details next week. Subscribe to ChristianFiction to stay informed.