Christian Writing Ethics

For the past two weeks I have been conflicted with how to address a Christian novel that was sent to me to review. There is a sexual scene in the novel. I stopped reading at the end of that scene.

Although I am just as progressive as the next liberal Christian, my soul has a problem with this passage. What's even more disconcerting is that I know some readers and writers who do not find anything wrong with providing sex scenes in a Christian novel, especially if the couple is married(which they are in this case.) If only I could feel that okay with it. My personal opinion is that regardless of the marital status, we have to be watchful and prayerful about our diction and what we choose to tell. Soft porn has become a major problem in American Christian culture.

But I am approaching my deadline for the review next week, so I need to get off my soapbox , complete this book and write the review. So I prayed to God to help me get through this. He answered my prayers this morning. J. Mark Bertrand, I give you huge kudos for directing me to this commentary.

To read how this commentary helped me and can help you, let me direct you to my new site.

 

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Chapman-Palmer Tyndale Novel Duo

Tyndale House Publishers announced that Gary Chapman, marriage counselor and author of the best-selling The Five Love Languages (Northfield), is to team up with novelist Catherine Palmer for a four-book fiction series whose first title will release in January next year.

From Tyndale...
Set in a small community on the Lake of the Ozarks, the Chapman-Palmer series will “dramatically portray” how God can use the seven strategies Chapman outlines in his The Four Seasons of Marriage, released by Tyndale last September, to help couples work through marriage issues. “Through memorable characters and engaging plotlines, the four seasons of marriage will come vividly to life,” the publisher said. The three other titles will be released through 2008.

Question1 : Do you think self-help authors have the chops to write a novel?
Question2: Will someone anyone ever write about Christians in the city?

Read more...

ChristBuzz

Who's talking about Christian Fiction this week?

 

In this techno-thriller from [Bill Myers] the best-selling author of the Fire of Heaven Trilogy, a successful TV newscaster is hurled into a parallel world exactly like ours except for one minor detail: Christ didn't come there 2,000 years ago, but today...

An intense and thought-provoking novel, Eli strips away religious tradition to present Jesus fresh and unvarnished. With gripping immediacy, Bill Myers weaves a story whose truth will refresh your faith.

-- Jennifer Chappell, Technology Editor, (NC, US), PalmAddict

 

"Eli is highly recommended reading for all science fiction lovers, especially for skeptics who need to hear the gospel in a fresh and relevant way."--Christian Retailing
Fictionwise

Today's Girls Chat Live

"You may not know the name Terry Brown, but thousands of girls across the United States do. She's the brain power behind Todays Girls -- the series of books for teen girls that have been Christian bestsellers, the Web site that has received millions of hits, the radio show answering girls' questions that airs on radio and the Web."

-By COLLEEN STEFFENcsteffen@muncie.gannett.com

Peretti's Thriller takes the Big Screen

 

picture  and article courtesy of Toledoblade.com

 

 

 

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Friday Fiction Fun Day

Friday Fiction Fun Day

What are you reading this weekend?

 

I'm reading

 

I 'm reading Heavens to Besty. I'm in Chapter three, but what I can tell so far is that Beth Patillo is a pretty mature writer. The novel is about a woman pastor, who is single and struggling a bit with her romantic circumstance, her position as leader of a church and her own faith. It reads like a christian romantic comedy.

 

 

 

I'm also reading Walter Moseley's Cinnamon Kiss. If you know anything about me, you know I love detective novels. And I adore Easy Rawlins. In Cinnamon Kiss Easy and Mouse are up to it again. The series is a classic before it hits the shelves. What I love about Moseley's writings is the way he can describe a character pitch perfect in one sentence. What I love most is that he highlights the most beautiful features in all women, irregardless of race, size, or color. I love that!!

 

 

You know I am a fool for a great short story. I'm reading right now ,

The Smile on Happy Chang's Face by Tom Perrotta

It is also featured in 2005 edition of Best American Short Stories. Be warned this story is not Christian fiction. There is profanity in here. It is not for child or young adult audiences to read. But it is a great read for the child at heart. I love the honesty, ebbs and flow of humor, sadness, outrage and redemption in this story. Sometimes I wish I could write in this fresh way without the profanity and inappropriate imagery, of course. Click on the title to read. Thanks Jason Sanford at my favorite lit-journal-StorySouth- for featuring this story at his blog.

 

I'm also reviewing Kendra Norman-Bellamy's More than Grace for Romantic Times Magazine's April edition. This is the final installment to her Grace series. You'll have to pick up the April edition to get my review of this. But I can tell you it is about her fan favorites, Dr. Gregory and Grace Dixon.

 

So now you know what I'm reading. Now tell me. What are you reading?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ask Dee:WOM Marketing Tip

Today. We're starting a new feature here at Christian Fiction Blog(gospelfiction.com:)

Ask Dee

Answering your Email Questions

 

Every Thursday I will be answering email questions as they pertain to Christian writing or book promotion. So send me your questions, and I will do my best to answer them. Today we have a question form Monique Bruner of Loose Leaves Reviews regarding book promotion.

 

 Hi Dee,
   
I would like to know what needed to be done to get the word out about a new
African American Christian author.  I have attached some information about her
wonderful book about healing sexual abuse and deliverance.
   
I look forward to hearing from you.
    
Monique Bruner

******************************

 

Greetings, Monique,

 

Thanks for asking. I'm honored.

 

Journalists like myself are always searching for the next newspaper or magazine article to present, so we're often on the lookout for news and sources. We love sources from published authors, because they help us buttress or counter a statement made in the article.

 

Moreover, receiving press releases from authors can also spark our interest into building an article we may not have thought of. For instance, I wrote a tip-builder article for single moms who wanted to restore Christian family values into their home based on a book I received from a publicist to review last year.

 

On your friend's part, her book discusses sexual abuse and spiritual healing. If you look at some of the recent print mags, particularly Essence, Upscale or Gospel Today, many articles that share her theme are backed by sources. Imagine seeing your friend's book as a source in one of those mags. :)

 

So how do you do this, Dee?

1. If a writer is in the process of writing a book, they should begin presenting this book to media outlets six months before the book comes out. Why? Magazine content is decided at least six months in advance. Therefore, if you're trying to pitch a book that will be released in February, then you need to be pitching a magazine or me in August or September.
2. You need a marketing plan to present with your book proposal if you're submitting a book to a publisher.

Stay tuned. Marina and I are in the process right now of preparing an E-book on creating a marketing plan for Christian book promotion. I will disclose more details about that the sooner the book is complete.

Thanks, Monique for your question. You are on the right track to promoting your friend's new book. You sent it to me.:) In the future, if you want an endorsement, or review, please complete my book review request form. Her book will automatically become a source for me once I read and rate the review. Tia McCollors, Creston Mapes and Chris Well will vouch for me on that. :)

And if anyone else has a question, please submit them to me before next Thursday.

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

Dee

 

 

 

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Spoken: Christian Reader Series

"SPOKEN: In Praise, Poetry, & Spoken Word" Premiers Thursday, Feb. 2 at 9pm EST on thepraisehouse.com. Those who submitted requests to be
on the broadcast, please complete the guest registration form on the VOC website. Questions? 678-884-9518 or email us.

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Mair's Murder Mayhem & a Fine Man

Claudia's debut novel book cover is hot like fire! And so is the book, but in a Good way. :) We'll be talking about it in more depth later this year.

Dee

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