Is Book Reviewing Ridiculous?

Just posting my response to a few blog entries on book reviewing Christian fiction. (Here and here)

I also agree that writing a review isn't as subjective as it seems to be among Christian authors. (I only here this rhetoric among Christian fiction authors for some odd reason...)

I am paid to review inspirational fiction for Romantic Times Magazine, paid to write literary anaylsis of African American literary titles for Mosaic Literary Journal, gospel fiction for Gospel Today Magazine and non-fiction AA titles for Spirit Led Woman magazines. And for free I am a Christys Book Awards Judge, reviewed for Romance in Color, Anointed Magazine, AALBC, You-name-it-I review it, and also on this blog.

I love reviews...reviewing

I began as an editor of my alma mater's literary journal[Agnes Scott College,] moved onto GSU Review, Carriage Review and some other literary journals. An editor friend got me hooked on doing commercial book reviews, and I have fallen in love with this penniless profession.:)

Needless to say, I have a discussion at Novel Journey on how to craft a decent Book Review. http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2005/11/book-review-format-for-you-by-davidae.html

In my experience I have learned to build my book rating on a five point criteria(for RT we use a 4.5.) Each point fits an element of great storytelling: (1) character, (2) plot, (3) theme(big voice/little voice,) (4) style/flow and the last point or .5 I reserve for voice. Voice is the cherry on top for me.

When I write my reviews, however, I don't tell my readership how the book stacks based upon my point system. What I do is craft a review that a book reader can understand, then point out the flaws in a way that the book reader understands. For example. If the character's story arc falls flat. I know a reader won't understand what I mean. Instead I say that for me I couldn't get into this character. I wanted to put the book down because I didn't care if she had a happy ending. I didn't care about her at all. The reader understands that.

Now when I write a critical analysis I break those points down in detail and then show inside the book where the challenges I found are. As well as point out the best points to the book.
I wish our Christian literary circle encouraged more critical reviews and more honest book reviews. I say honest because I've heard on more than one occasion writers saying that they read a novel and didn't write the review because they didn't want to offend or hurt the Body of Christ.

That's ridiculous to me.

As I said in my response to Chip's Andrea's post about reviewing friends books reviewing and writing a novel are two different things. Writing reviews will not get you a book contract. A headache, a little pocket change, but not a novel. The only way to become a published novelist is to write a publishable novel.

Weekend Chatterbox: NY PD Groom Killers Unacquitted

This week's Weekend Chatterbox is unrelated to Christian Fiction, but worth the chatter. Just a few minutes ago the detectives, who NY unarmed groom leaving his bachelor party were acquitted or reckless endangerment.

Sean Bell, a 23-year-old black man, was killed in a hail of gunfire outside a seedy strip club in Queens on Nov. 25, 2006 — his wedding day — as he was leaving his bachelor party with two friends. The officers, complaining that pretrial publicity had unfairly painted them as cold-blooded killers, opted to have the judge decide the case rather than a jury.
-Associated Press

Sean was shot with 50 bullets.

Question: Granted they weren't charged for manslaughter a felony charge, is their justice here for the bride and groom?

Photo courtesy of Sean, his fiance, Nicole and their daughter Sydney Morning Herald. They have two children.

Speedlink: Chip on Calvin

This is Friday's Speedlink showcasing the best blog entries of the week on Christian Fiction. Here goes:

Agent, Chip MacGregor talks about the Calvin Conference on Faith and Writing[i wanted to be there ridiculously badly,]his "The Right Way to Sharpen a Pencil" spiel, listening to Edward P. Jones, lunching with Lisa Samson, Claudia, and J. Mark, who has a 2 book deal with Bethany House. Woo Hoo.

Author, Brandilyn scares, Camy sings, and J. Mark swashbuckles.

Happy Reading

Excerpts: To my Beloved Eve

Check out this new book, blog and site. by Francis Testa. Here's an excerpt...

Justice... many millions of women in the world are made to suffer just for being
women. I cannot do much for many of them, so I wrote this book to show that I
have never believed that God ever wanted to make women suffer.-

Testa.

Tips to Keep from Burning Out Before the Black Moment

I'm on the gazzilionth draft of my WIP, because I can't sit well with my conclusion section. I'm not feeling my Black Moment- the place in the novel when it seems that my girl's goose is cooked and there's no way she can get out of her trouble. And for a few weeks I believed I burned out trying to fix it until this week. Let me share a few things that helped me get out the Black...so to speak.

1. I read about the bad moments in my life.
Keep a journal or a blog. Here on CFB and especially at The Master's Artist Blog I have shared some candid times that at the time seemed impossible to get away from. Returning to those journals gives me a reference point to infuse into my character.

2.Return to old prayer requests.
My email and my calendar is filled with personal prayer requests from friends and family members. I read their situation and notice the words they use to share their despair.

3. Watch well written movies for advice.
Michael Clayton the Movie had my head spinning. I didn't have a clue how he would fix his mess. I felt so bad for him, but then understand how he got in that position. I went back to my character and looked at her story arc. Does she deserve where she is? Is there a line of redemption for her in this horrible spot?

4. Read award winning books, who have tackled your problem very well.
Purple Hibiscus[Adichie] and Secret Life of Bees[Kidd] are the kind of books that sweep me in. These characters are so fragile when they get to their Black Moments. I fear they'll break.

5. Revisit your character's story arc.
The Black Moment should be the place she didn't want to be in the beginning. Make sure that information is clear, but subtle at the beginning. For instance in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth believed that she was the smarter more wise sister and friend. She later learns that her own pride in her self set off a chain reaction that has hurt the people she loved most. So instead of her sister almost ruining the family. She almost did.

6. Step away from it until your best writing time
I tried to write these chapters in different times of the day, although I know very late or very early is my best times to write. Save the juiciest parts of the story for writing at the quietest more thoughtful times in your day.

7. Write something else.
I took a week away from the book and began working on a short story. Plotting out that story and building a character for it cleared my mind. I found myself answering my problem while writing this new piece

8. What about You?

Cite: Rebecca's Hat Photo Courtesy of BestyJean79

Trailer Park Thursday: The Moon in the Mango Tree

This week's Trailer Park Spotlight is Pamela Ewen's The Moon in the Mango Tree.

Christianbook.com Synopsis: Set in Siam and Europe during the 1920s, the glittering decade of change, The Moon In The Mango Tree is based upon the true story of Barbara Bond, a beautiful young ex-patriot and opera singer from Philadelphia who is forced to choose between her fierce desire for independence-a desire to create something of her own to give purpose and meaning to her life-and a deep abiding love for her faithful missionary husband whose work seems to create a gap between them. But when you choose between two things you love, must one be lost forever?

Spring Book Break 08: Jane Kilpatrick Giveaway

It's time for our spring book break. This is the time when I introduce our summer reading challenge to you, guys. Between now and Memorial Day nominate one book you would like for us to read this summer. I want to setup a meetup for you who stay near each other to hang out together. I'll setup one here in conjunction with my new summer reading series. Stay tuned it's going to fabulouso! So if you're an Atlanta based Christian recording artist, poet, published author, dancer, hit me up. If you have a coffeehouse, outhouse, baby mama house you would like to host the reader series, slap me twice. We're doing it in South East Atlanta instead of North Atlanta this year. Holla.

In the meantime, while the pollen count is high, the nights are still cool and we're planning Memorial Day barbeques and movie go sees, lets take a book break. A Spring Book Break. I have a great series(three books) that could satisfy your need. And two books to giveaway to get this book break started.

CFB's Spring Book Break 08 Pick: The Change and Cherish series, a historical

I chose this series, because Jane was nice enough to do the book giveaway :), but most importantly I get to use a little German. I'm a bit a rusty, so...What I also love his the way Jane writes. Here's a taste of of A Tendering in the Storm...

That was what was missing of course: I'd stopped praising, stopped praying, and so I was hungry all the time, never satisfied. Now in my night watch I didn't feel like meditating. I only knew the shadow and not the sun.

Gorgeous writing. Her prose is clean and romantic and sweeping and spirit filled. I've learned something today.

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Summary: The Change and Cherish series follows the story of feisty Emma Giesy

A Clearing in the Wild

Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.

A Tendering in the Storm

This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.

A Mending at the Edge (newest and the giveaway book!)

This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.

To enter to win Mending at the Edge, you must nominate a book for the summer reading challenge, I will announce the winner to this day May 9, so you can receive it before Memorial Day. You will love these books. I tell you.