Prayer Request: Chris Play Martin

Christopher "Play" Martin, founder and CEO of HP4 Digital Works & Solution and Amen Films, a pre and post production multimedia company for Christian film, digital media, and theater, most notable as former rapper/actor Play of duo, Kid 'N Play was hospitalized yesterday in East Durham, NC after being hit by a drunk driver according to Stanley B. Chambers Jr., Staff Writer of The News & Observer.

Please send Prayers for Christopher 'Play' Martin viae email: hp4digitalworks@yahoo.com

How to Think Strategic About Your Writing

Happy New Year. Thanks for coming back. To kick off our third year I am hosting our first 1 Question Interview Winter Series. Throughout winter I will be posting some of your favorite Christian authors answers to this question:

What did you do for your spiritual life in '07 that also improved your writing?

Today Christy, Rita, Romantic Times Inspirational and Gold Pen Awards winning author , Sharon Ewell Foster responds.

You know, I always have big dreams for other people. One thing I did this past year was to commit to read Julie Cameron's The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity [10th Anniversary Edition]. The Artist's Way is a book of wisdom, prayers, and exercises. It forced me to examine my writing, my life, and to be honest about my desires and expectations for my art. The introspective look helped me to better articulate to my new agent (another positive thing I did) and my new publisher (another positive step) what I hope to accomplish and what I wanted. In the past, I haven't been very strategic in my thinking about my writing. I'm strategic about other people and wanting the best for them. But, I've minimized my own gifts, settling for less. I thought of it as art and ministry and kind of just let it happen. But the truth is, no matter what the endeavour, without a target--without focus--you won't get where you plan to go! The Artist's Way helped to remind me that God has a good plan for my art, as well as for my life! The Lord has big dreams for me; The Artist's Way helped me to acknowledge His plans for me and to embrace them. 2008 is going to be a whole new thing!

Blessings to you and Happy New Year!

Sharon

3 Lessons for The Master's Artists before the Watchnight of 2007

The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.- Psalm 121:8

I will not be at the Peach Drop or the Black Hollywood Party at the Velvet Room tonight. Honey, I'll be at Watchnight Service at St. Phillip AME Church on the corner of Candler and Memorial in Atlanta, GA, praising God and wondering how I made it over. Watchnight was once a Methodist tradition, but has transformed into an African-American Holiday, a reminder of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, and also the sixth day of Kwanzaa, Kuumba.
Kuumba means creativity. Perfect for a master's artist to reflect on the death of the year and prepare for the birth of a new one. Like the phoenix rising, young writers, we await a new dawn. We emerge. But if we won't to take flight right, we need to observe the watchnight. We need to watch and pray. Over what? Let's look back and see.Continue reading "3 Lessons for The Master's Artists before the Watchnight of 2007" »

Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor January 08

Tyler Perry's hit stage play, What's Done in the Dark hadn't had lights out for a good two minutes before the playwright who never sleeps has a new one ready to hit the American stage. “The Marriage Counselor” opened in January.

Update: "The Marriage Counselor" is about a husband and wife living with their in-laws. The husband is an accountant and the wife is a marriage counselor who offers advice to everyone. When a college friend drops in, the marriage counselor is the one who needs advice.

Tony Grant, who starred in Why Did I Get Married the stageplay will be the lead in this one. He's a great performer. Can't wait.

It comes to Atlanta April 17-20, 2008, and will show at the Fabulous Fox. I need a date. :)

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Update: I don't want a date, because I won't need one, because Taimak "The Last Dragon" Guarriello will also be starring in the play! It would be unfair for my male companion to attend this with me, since my attention will be on Tony, Taimak and Tyler and whomever is up there, unless he is my secret crush. Then you know. So...uhm...my birthday is next month (Feb. 3) if you want to donate to my Birthday gift play fund watch the sidebar Friday. Really...I really must see this now. :) Really...

Check the comments section for more cast info and tour dates.

September 08 Update: Fall tour dates in comments below.

• Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor Coming to DVD January 2009
  

• CBS Affiliate's Janet Jackson Low Blow
• House of Payne
  
• Christian Fiction News: Tyler Perry Preys to #2
• Pearl's Miracle

New Year's Writing Prompt Project Contest

A New Year Writing Prompt and Contest for you. Here are the rules:

1. Write a 250 page snippet based on this writing prompt.


2. Post a link to the snippet from your blog here or email it to post here in the comments section


3. Comeback Jan. 7, 2008 to see if you win.

The prize:

• My ebook, The Book Diva's Guide to Publicity and Reviews


• Urban inspirational artist, Darlene McCoy's maxi-single CD, "Fallen in Love."


• a free review of your plot sketch or first chapter (your choice)
  
• and a surprise. it's so hush, hush, even I don't know what it is.

Pass the contest onto your writing buddies. Enjoy,

OH!! The prompt....

If God sent an angel down just to turn your latest resolution into reality what would you change? This could be a fictional account and it doesn't have to be complete. A vignette would do. Note: if you want to win check through my blog and read what I look for in a good book or read my Halo Eve's Writing tips at the bottom of CFB face page.

Why don't you get yourself a gift? It's free. Subscribe to christianfiction by Email

Dee

Why is Atlanta #8 Most Literate City

LiveScience.com's 10 most literate cities 2007 results have come in. Minneapolis and Seattle came in #1 and #2, but Hotlanta came in a surprising #8, and scored top dibs for internet resources. What does that mean for authors, particularly Christian fiction authors? This study buttresses the strong book buying population here in Atlanta. Acclaimed resident authors like Stephanie Perry Moore, W. Dale Cramer, Creston Mapes, Pearl Cleage, Tayari ones and Cindy Woodsmall are a small share of great authors living here. This year we hosted the ICRS Convention, which put a huge spotlight on christian book buyers and authors. Successful bookstores like New Birth Baptist Church's Call to Conquer has become one of the top Christian shops for African Americans. Shunda Blocker's Booking Matters Magazine's sign and dine events keep our weekends filled with opportunities to meet our favorite authors. Gwinnett Public Library Gwinnett Reads Program and annual book festival , Rawsistaz Bookclub's annual Raw Affair and Hank Stewart's Annual Linen Party to name a few of the bigbook events that happen hear every year is amazing. Congrats, to Atlanta. We've only just begun.

In 2008 we will spotlight many of these book event, so that you can plug into them in the future.

2007 Gospel Fiction Top 10

Merry Christmas! As a gift to you I'm posting CFB's Gospel Fiction Top Ten List. We also have four notable favorites that didn't make the list, but was a great good read. My top pick this year is announced. If you haven't read any of these books, please pick them up. Check in to CFB in 2008 and subscribe. A few of these books we gave away this year, so who knows what we will give in 2008. Also, if you're an email subscriber, check into the blog at the top of each month I feature our top ten christian-fiction titles of the month. Now onto the list:

My top pick: Patricia Haley's No Regrets .

Synopsis: For eighteen years, Karen and Johnny Clark have been blessed with a perfect life: an enviable lifestyle, three bright children and a great marriage. However time has begun to unravel their relationship. So when Karen becomes ill, the holes in this perfect union stands out. Johnny turns to other women, while Karen turns toward the church for answers. As she struggles to regain her health and belief in God's abiding love, Johnny must come to grips with his weaknesses and fears--if he's to truly appreciate the love of a good woman...and discover what being a real man is all about.

The Top Ten(in random order):

1. Nicole Seitz' sThe Spirit of Sweetgrass
2. Sherri Lewis' My Soul Cries Out
3. John Aubrey Anderson's And If I Die (The Black or White Chronicles #3)
4. Linda Hargrove's The Making of Isaac Hunt
5. Marilynn Griffith's If The Shoe Fits
6. Victoria Christopher Murray's The Ex Files: A Novel About Four Women and Faith
7. Stacy Hawkins Adams' Watercolored Pearls: A Novel
8. Jacquelin Thomas' Redemption
9. DiAnn Mill's When the Nile Runs Red
10. Stephanie Perry Moore's Chasing Faith

Notables:

• Linda Hudson Smith's Time For Hope
• Reshonda Tate Billingsley's The Pastor's Wife
• Kimberly Lawson Roby's Sin No More
• Ann H. Gabhart's Orchard of Hope: A Novel

This compilation is based on rankings by Dee's Books Reviewed-reviewer service, Christian Fiction Blog mailing list nominations, Dee's Books Reviewed bookstore owner compiled books sold stats, Amazon.com readers ratings, and Romantic Times BookClub Reviews by Dee Y. Stewart. In 2007 I reviewed more than thirty books that exemplifies a Gospel fiction novel. In January I will reveal these books. Kudos to all. The numbers have grown leaps and bounds in four years.

Oops. Who do you think should have made the list and why?