3 Gifts Your Writing Needs to Receive this Christmas

Have you been disappointed about your writing career--or lack thereof-- this year? Was this the year you told yourself that if you don't make forward movement toward publication this would be your last? Or are you questioning your call as a writer? If you answered no to any of those questions, then stop reading this article. Stop.

God Bless you and Have a Merry Christmas. This post isn't for you, Honey.

But if you're sick and tired of being sick and tired of rejections, broke, busted and disgusted with writer's conferences and writing organization membership fees, and need more than a smidgen of hope to keep you from falling on your sinking sand, then brother/sister child come and receive 3 gifts God knows your writing life and your soul needs now. (Luke 1:76-79)
Continue reading "3 Gifts Your Writing Needs to Receive this Christmas" »

Christian Virtues Arrest

When I went home for Thanksgiving one of my family members gave me the scoop about a issue that has affected many of my clients and friends:bootleg CDs and DVDs. To my surprise the buzz on bootlegging in Valdosta was that a Christian bookstore called Christian Virtues was the chief supplier of these items. A week later the buzz must have hit the Lowndes County Sheriff's office. Read the article here.

Now what kind of virtue is that?

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.