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?

Zora & Nicky: A Review Inspired

I love to read, but lately all I've been doing is reviewing and editing books. These tasks somehow drain my love for reading until this month. My friend, Claudia Mair Burney, who write the hot pants off me sent me three of her latest novels, all divine, but this one--Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White--it did something I rarely get, something that justifies my reasoning for writing inspired fiction...illumination.

Zora & Nicky in short is an interracial/interdenominational love story. How do people of different races build a world together? How do people of different ideas of sound doctrine live a life together? How do people love through Christ? A not so simple love story written with simple, elegant, honest, passionate prose. Best book of the year so far.

My favorite passage:

Because I have broken into a million pieces. Because I have scattered all over the sidewalk. Because I am not flesh and blood, only glass and dangerous dust that can burrow in your eyes and cause you to bleed, I try to remember that my broken soul is embodied and no one can see that only some shell of a soul is nearly all that is left.

Embodied, this shell I am makes a move toward the cab. The body of Zora has hands, and one of those brown and barely responsive hands takes hold of the handle of the back passenger side door, and somehow I enter the cab. I sit down inside. I watch Nicky give the driver what looks like more money than he should. I see them shake hands.

It is this Zora that still feels Nicky's hands at my waist while the pieces inside of me slide downward. I still feel the sensation of my stomach dropping to my knees. Oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord. Could he hear those pieces of me shifting to my toes, sounding like falling water? Like a rain stick turned upside down again and again?

I put my hand to my mouth and press my lips to my open palm. I can still feel the pressure of his lips, in turn fierce, firm, gentle. I can still taste him on my tongue, and I savor him.

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:for thy love is better than wine."

No wonder that mysterious book of songs starts that way. I understand this now.

American Idols on Doves

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 10, 2008 – American Idol® previous finalists Phil Stacey, Mandisa and Chris Sligh; Dove Award Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant with country icon Wynonna, 19 Recordings/Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks; Ricky Skaggs and The Whites and Point Of Grace with Cindy Morgan are the latest performers added to the increasingly luminous line-up for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards telecast, according to the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Gospel Music Channel (GMC). Gospel and Christian music’s biggest night of the year will take place live on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House and will be broadcast live nationwide on the Gospel Music Channel television network from 8 – 10 p.m. (ET). The Dove Awards will also be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio on XM 32 “The Message.”

Use Online Promotion for your Book Release

Today SORMAG's Lashaunda Hoffman is here to participate in our 1question author interview series.

Hi Dee,

Hope all is well with you.

What is the best way to promote a book release?

As the Princess of Online promotion, I’m going to suggest online. I’ve found you can reach all types of readers this way. Many of these ways are low cost.

Blogs - If you have friends with blogs ask them to introduce you and your book. They could even do an interview with you.

Forums - Most writers belong to one or two forums. You can be a guest on these forums, discuss a topic and of course plug your book.

Chats - People are still chatting, so schedule a few and discuss your book or chat about a subject you know well.

Websites - You can promote you book, by featuring an excerpt on your or asking your friends to feature one on theirs.

Online Radio - There are many radio shows looking for authors to interview, introduce yourself and schedule an interview.

Articles - is a great way to share your knowledge and you can promote your book in your byline.

Online you can promote on online bookstores, book clubs and never leave your home.

LaShaunda Hoffman
Editor - SORMAG

Chevrolet's 10000 Dekker Giveaway

In an effort to promote literacy throughout public and private schools in the Southeastern United States, Chevrolet will be giving away 10,000 custom-branded Chevrolet editions of New York Times best-selling author Ted Dekker's new novel for young adults, Chosen.

"I firmly believe that we must make a tremendous effort to instill in our children a life-long passion for reading," said Dekker. "We need to help kids want to turn off the tube, put down the game controllers, and pick up a book. Through this partnership with Chevrolet, I hope to ignite in these students a spark of excitement about literature and show them that reading can open new worlds to them through highly engaging and entertaining content."

Say You Want to Write For Kimani Press?

Tia McCollors passed this great opportunity to me, and I'm passing this onto you! Hi All (Especially those interested in writing for Kimani) Don't miss this event! The eharlequin.com Community are hosting a very special ASK THE EDITORS Event which will spotlight all of Kimani Press as well as introduce Kelli Martin to the writing community. Kelli replaces Mavis Allen as the editor for Kimani Romance. All three editors, Kelli, Glenda Howard and Evette Porter will drop by during the week of April 7th-11th on the Write Stuff and the Kimani Press forums to respond to any questions.

Dee Tenorio and I are co-hosting the event and you are being encouraged
to ask questions about Kimani Press' various lines and new directions.

A link to the discussion can be found on the Kimani Community Page from
today 7th April 2008.

http://community. eharlequin. com/forums/ kimani

Let Your Readers Hear Your Passion Contest!

Since its spring and people are ready to get out and mingle, this is a great time to talk and act on book promotion. Therefore, this month Christian Fiction Blog has begun its 1Question Author Interview Spring Series. The question is appropriately: What's the Best Way to Promote Your Books?

Tricia Goyer, bestselling author of Generation Next Marriage steps off her blog tour today to share her best promotion secret.

I LOVE doing radio interviews. It's fun because every interviewer is different. Also people get to HEAR my passion ... and I get to tell stories about my books. Plus, there are opportunities for huge audiences. It's a win, win, win.

Tricia

Speaking of passion. ..Tricia has a great contest for the lovers in you. Oh...and you can win a date with your spouse (whoo-hoo) Love Gen X Style!
Share your story and WIN a dinner for TWO to the restaurant of your choice! ($50 maximum) Tell us the story of how you and your spouse met. If you have photos, send those along, too! All the stories will be published on this blog. The winning story will be the one with the most comments...so tell your friends. A winning story will be chosen at the end of the blog tour and will be published in Tricia's monthly newsletter! (Just think, you'll be famous! Contest entry form for Generation NeXt Marriage blog tour! If you enter the contest and I hope you do, tell Tricia, Dee sent you. :)