Zane as Church Lesson?

So I'm perusing the Miami Herald this weekend and my jaw drops when I read an article titled:MIAMI BOOK FAIR:Explosion in erotic literature BY NICOLE WHITE.

That conflict is even playing out on the bestseller list at Essence[Magazine.] Christian fiction authors and erotica authors routinely compete for the number one spot on the list. ''It's almost a battle between saints and sinners,'' Bass said.

Nevertheless, there is some mild acknowledgement of the genre's acceptance among young Christian adults. Zane said one of her most fulfilling appearances was a book signing for a women's group at a church brunch.

Steven Caldwell, 39, the pastor for young adults at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond Heights, admitted he has penned many lessons based on material gleaned from Zane's books.

''I don't tell them not to read it,'' Caldwell said. ``I have no problem with them reading it. In fact, I've read many of her books.''

Adding a caveat, the pastor noted: 'I use the characters' flaws and weaknesses to teach a broader lesson. I believe that the power of God's word is stronger than the power of a fictional character.''

Now, The Word states to not speak against our ministers, so I won't do that. But I am disheartened that he believes that its okay for his young adults to read erotica. Soft porn is a demon in black churches. Kirk Franklin confessed his own thorns over the issue and his new mission to prevent it within the young adult community.

Lately, we've talked at the faith*in*fiction board about the availability of sex scenes in christian fiction and the notion of Christian erotica. But we've all agreed that context and content is the dividing line here, not recreating a sexual act or inciting a reader's carnal emotions. It is clear line that within any case does not allow room for the types of works that Zane produces.

I thought about speaking to Zane about doing an interview here at Christian Fiction, as she is a Christian writer, but not a christian fiction writer. We belong to the same bookclub. However, I am spiritually not prepared to open that can of worms and I'm sure neither is she. So I ask you, is their a spiritual precedence allowing soft porn in young adult christian's minds? Is it okay for them to read erotica, as a bible study accompaniment? And if so, should christian fiction writer's be the one's writing these books?

A Conscience Chick

 

Chick Lit With A Conscience

Authors craft characters who enjoy shopping and margaritas but love God even more. 

 

Jessica Hill at Columbia News Service highlights Anne Dayton, May Vanderbilt,Kristin Billerbeck, Laura Jensen Walker, and Judy Baer. The most jaw-dropping thing about the article was the letter writing campaign to ban the books from Christian bookstores back in 1999, because of bikini shopping. Now these books sit on the same shelves as the other girlie fiction books in Target and Walmart. Mission accomplished.

Now I must confess. I adore great writing. And I love a great story even more. And sometimes, especially during the holidays I want a book that makes me laugh. I hadn't checked out any of these books. But I'm about to read Mary Griffith's Pink and her Steeple Hill Cafe chicklitty- Made of Honor next month. And I'm going to see Pride & Prejudice at the movies week after next. Have any of you read any girlie christian fiction? Did you like it? Do you think these chicks have a conscience or are they chasing the bling bling?

 

Dee

 

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Conference Call: EMACW

 EAST METRO ATLANTA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

December 2 & 3, 2005

 

“Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” Habakkuk 2:2

Register today and experience a  welcome, supportive environment for all writers –beginners and seasoned.

Conference Information Registration Schedule Sessions Faculty Conference Site Home Call 404.444.7414 For Information or EMail conference@emacw.org

14 Sessions Professional training with six faculty Complimentary Refreshments Catered lunch Friday/Saturday Awards Banquet/Dinner Free 15 minute private consultations with faculty will be offered on a limited first-come, first-serve basis. You may sign up at the registration table at the beginning of the conference. Lighthouse Christian Bookstore on-site Hospitality on the historical Covington Square, with horse-carriage rides, hot apple cider and book signings Early Bird Registration

 

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Halo's Eve, Tolkien, & The Christy's

While you're surfing the net looking for news about Hurricane Gamma, veer your board to Crosswalk.com. There's an article on the Christy's and the emergence of better written christian fiction.

 

Got this tip from Tolkien via Debra Murphy at Idyllist Press.

 

There cannot be a story without a fall.

 

Isn't that a great tip? I wrote this quote down a while back. And now as I read through my entire manuscript, that sentence haunts me. Something bad must happen to Laurel or had happened to Laurel. Something bad had to happen period. It's hard to hurt your characters even when they keep you up at night. But there isn't a story without Frodo getting his throat rung a time or two. Right? How are you assaulting your main character?

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CleanFlicks vs Gibson's Passion

Altar-Net is talking about Mel Gibson's controversial lawsuit against CleanFlicks for   trying to purify The Passion of Christ despite the movie's recut version this year.  

 

 Christian creatives lately have been talking about building their works for art sake as well as for Christ. Gibson's very realistic version of flaggelation is brutal. The movie's purpose was to not only heighten empathy levels with Believers, but to also answer some question non-believers may have had about Christ's divinity. Yet, although many understand's Gibson's purpose, CleanFlicks thought that to accomodate its' viewers the movie should be sanitized in order to be stomached. Their purpose is just as valid. So who's right? Or is anyone right? And should Gibson continue the suit? Moreover, what will this suit mean for other christian artists whose works may do more harm than good to some audiences. In this case, the Passion Movie exciting teenage boys to view the movie as a snuff film, instead of a study on unconditional love and long suffering.

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No Christ at Wal-Mart

Sorry, I haven't posted this morning. I was in CPR and First Aid Training all day at the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Great class. Anyway...

So I'm driving home, thinking about getting Selah's lay-away out of Wal-Mart early to get ahead of Christmas shopping for once. And notice something different in the store. No "Merry Christmas."

That's right. According to Wallyworld's PR people and every local television station, Walmart has adopted "Happy Holidays" as its new slogan over "Merry Christmas." So that it's non-Christian customers will not be offended. Great move. I understand their position on a business standpoint. So I hope they understood mine when I closed my lay-away today. 85% of this country is Christian or at least believe in Christ, so I beg to ponder how business savvy this move is. My only hope is that more Christians put their money where Christ would be shopping for Mary and Joseph, if he lived in 2005.

 

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Anne Rice at Well

My buddy, Chris Well has posted a Conversation with Anne Rice on His Learning Curve Blog, which includes an excerpt link. Christian Fiction has spoken about her new novel all year, here's more to whet your appetite. Faith*in*Fiction's messageboard has also been buzzing about the book and Rice's decision to write this story in first person. Unlike non-Christian writers, most Christian writers have concerns about stepping over their boundaries with what is sacred and what can be imagined. Based on Rice's answer, she doesn't fall into that category.  

 

Knopf Publisher asks, "Jesus Christ narrates this book. Explain your decision to make him the narrator."

Rice: Jesus is the first-person narrator of this book because the use of first-person narrators is the way I know how to write a book with the greatest power and chance of artistic success. The intimate voice of the narrator in earlier novels worked powerfully for me.

 

Do you agree with Rice's reason? Should Christian concern themselves with what's sacred instead of art for art's sake? Is this debate philospophical or should it also be spiritual?

 

Dee

 

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