What is the most annoying thing about a book you don't like?
What "rule" of writing is the most unsatisfying/unnecessary for you?
What particular characteristic is present when you thoroughly enjoy a novel?
God, so much to be thankful for. So much grace. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Years ago I wrote a post about why I read Christian fiction exclusively. I covered the usual things like the overuse of cuss words and explicit sexual scenes that are commonly found in general market literature, but my reasons still include the overall sense of hopelessness and temporary solutions for life's trials, disregard or contempt for Christianity with much more respect for New Age philosophies or the religion of secular humanism. This may not be popular reasoning to those in the world, but it makes perfect sense for Christian readers. We face these issues daily at school, at work, even at play, so saturating our reading time with the same kinds of twisted dramas just isn't that appealing.
And as long as Christian authors such as J. Mark Bertrand, Athol Dickson, Chris Fabry, Sibella Giorello, Gina Holmes, Steven James, and Robert Liparulo (to name a favored few) continue to publish novels within or without the Christian publishing industry, I will continue to read primarily Christian fiction. And now that the wonderful and esteemed espionage/political thriller writer Vince Flynn has passed away, my general market options are significantly diminished. You just can't replace Mitch Rapp.
The shift for me won't be noticed by anyone but myself. I've become far more selective in my fiction options in the last year. There's a specific reason for this shift. The CBA is not producing those "fresh" voices it keeps trumpeting at conferences and on internet posts in as great a number as it used to do. Truly good authors have been abandoned, and the menu for reading material lists Amish/Historicals/SweetLittleRomances ad nauseam. The safe and staid formulaic and predictable novels are their bread and butter, and apparently they're serving fewer and fewer filet mignon entrees.
What my shift entails is simply reducing the number of novels I choose to read from the bulk of Christian publishers. I'm not settling for the average novel because I no longer think my time is worth wading through the shallow waters of a story I'll forget the instant I read the final page. Again, I applaud the efforts of every author who has completed the chain of events which led them to a publishing contract. I begrudge no one his or her success nor do I condemn anyone for their failures.
Reading is personal. We all have our certain tastes – acquired or inherent – and we own our preferences in reading and writing. So many readers are forced to squeeze their books into limited time allotments. I have a great deal of luxury in that regard, but I now demand the experience be pleasurable in a multitude of ways instead of a series of disappointments. And that, my friends, is why my position is shifting . . .
Father, help me to do right by you with the time you've given me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)
Five favorite Seahawks:
Marshawn Lynch
Russell Wilson
Richard Sherman
Cam Chancellor
Golden Tate
Thank you, Lord, for the sport of football and the giftings you distribute to athletes. May they all honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Well, I haven't gone that far, but I am over at Novel Rocket today with a sort of controversial topic. Would love for you to add your thoughts/opinions. See you there.
Father, you know the gratitude I feel for all of those who show me kindness and actually care about what I say and do. Thank you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Apparently The Lone Ranger was a bust at the box office. The film was exceedingly expensive and over budget, but according to its star Johnny Depp and its director Gore Verbinski, some of the critics panned the movie before viewing the film – much like some reviewers never read the books they insult and bash.
http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/08/06/lone-ranger-johnny-depp-critics/
I attended a local theatre to see it on opening day. You might remember – or assumed – how excited I was to see it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Laughed out loud in a couple places all alone in my seat with only a few others at that 10 AM showing. Suffice it to say the movie was entertaining with some astounding special effects, some utter nonsense reminiscent of a couple gags in Pirates of the Caribbean II, Dead Man's Chest, and it was easy to tell from those trademark stunts that Gore Verbinski directed this film.
The strengths in this very different interpretation of an old black and white TV favorite were definitely the amazing stunts, many by the incredible horses used to play Silver. The training that went into those white Thoroughbreds (a very rare occurrence which makes it slightly difficult for me to believe they were in fact Thoroughbreds) deserves tremendous praise. Those steeds were magnificent.
The disappointments, which were honestly easy to ignore, were the emphases on the "stupid white man" and the brilliant Indian. The rich corporate railroad guy of course had to be evil to the core, and he needed to be shut down. The wimpy attorney (Armie Hammer) who became the Lone Ranger finally got past his sqeamish reactions to anything violent and realized he was going to have to avenge his brother's death since he was basically resurrected by the silver spirit horse. And, naturally, he needed the Indian, who also had a vendetta to resolve with the rich white guy, to help him set things right.
My personal feelings about the lack of success for this film touch on the reactions to remakes. Few seem to entice moviegoers to take a chance on them because of the fail factor. If viewers loved the original, they certainly don't want to be disappointed by an inferior version of a favorite movie.
You can only take so many liberties with "old favorites". Some people who remember this old series with fondness don't trust contemporary Hollywood hipsters revising the approach to the story and potentially making a mockery of a TV hero. Others who have no knowledge or memory of the character might not have put a high priority on a humorous western. Only time will tell how much of the many millions spent on this extravagant spectacle will be earned back.
The professionals blamed the critics, the critics blamed the hype insisting the film didn't live up to the spectacular trailers, but who really knows why so many stayed home from this fun adventurous movie?
Father, please cause these talented individuals to look to you for the magnificence that you are, that you've given, that embodies you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Free from Revell for an honest review.
Cathleen Armstrong's debut novel Welcome to Last Chance, published by Revell (A Division of Baker Books), completes the desired objective for the CBA demographic. Whether or not you classify it as a romance or women's fiction, it will definitely fit the prescribed content for expected Christian fiction. Written cleanly with appropriate clichés used by the small town characters, this story tells of a young woman on the run who gets one more chance for respectability in the cleverly named dot on the map where she is forced to stop.
Lainie Davis barely makes it to Last Chance in the dark as her old quickly purchased Mustang limps into this tiny town and dies in the parking lot of the one and only local bar. After a brief inquiry inside, she ends up sleeping in her car. Trying to hide from a boyfriend in California and on her way to El Paso, this small town in New Mexico will have to do until she can figure a way out. Discovering an unexpected package in the lining of her backpack, she doesn't allow it out of her sight.
After throwing a fit in the bar's parking lot, she crosses the highway to the local diner known as the Dip and Dine where the sweet owner smothers her with attention and makes arrangements for her to stay with an elderly friend. It's too much for Lainie who's been on her own since she was thrown out of her home at 14. However, she really has no choice so she listens to the rules that accompany her lodging and grits her teeth over one of them.
The local bar owner (Ray) finally strikes a truce with Lainie, and they begin a tentative relationship. When Lainie starts work at the Dip and Dine, calls her friend in El Paso without revealing where she's staying, she learns her ex has made inquiries as to her whereabouts. This eliminates El Paso as a potential destination.
The well-drawn but typical small town characters begin to grow on Lainie as she attempts to decide what she must do. One of those decisions involves a talk with the local sheriff. As she begins to lower her guard just a bit, she appreciates most of the locals who accept her without reservation.
Welcome to Last Chance is the story of a lost young woman who needs something real and lasting in her life but doesn't recognize that reality until she's about to lose what she's gained. Her growth as a person surrounded by the unconditional love of those around her eventually wear her down but can't ultimately prevent her from thinking she still must run. Amidst more regretful decisions, she participates in the holiday season but plans her departure after another special event.
The brief picture of the ex-boyfriend is the only clichéd character, but he reminds me a lot of Penny's husband in Gina Holmes' Wings of Glass. Steven, Ray's brother, doesn't fit a military guy for me, not that there aren't some like him, but to make him so unlikable was disappointing. Lainie's character is prickly and punk, but over time she eases her harsh facade and relents, allowing herself to care about others instead of just her own survival.
Written precisely as one expects a CBA novel to be written, those who love these carefully constructed stories of small town life and loves will appreciate Cathleen Armstrong's Welcome to Last Chance. With faith being a primary focus of most of the Last Chance folks, there's no question where this story is going.
Father, please continue to provide the stories you have just for Cathleen to tell. Bless her for all she does in obedience to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Sometimes it's the little things that bug me as a reader. Since I'm a writer too, it's a tad easier to be bugged by discrepancies of any kind really. Writers tend to be nit-picky because they're constantly faced with criticism and rejection. So they tend to hand out a little of their own. Sometimes – possibly even most of the time – it's warranted provided they take into consideration whether or not they're reading a favorite genre. If not, sometimes there's no way to be satisfied unless our opinion of the actual writing rates approval.
And there are those things which really have nothing to do with the writing. For example, the timing of a book's release. It's the hottest day of the year in a vibrant summer, sipping icy lemonade in the sun with the company of a novel, and the new release tells a tale of chafing winds and two inches of fresh snow. Um. No. Bad timing.
Anybody else get bugged by the little things?
Father, help me not to be critical just because I can. You know better than anyone how many things I do wrong. Help me to be gracious with my opinions. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
She was . . . so kind, so lovely, so brave, so caring. She kept a home worth coming home to. She tried to understand me when it was hard to handle a hormonal teenager morphing into a rebellious young woman. She allowed me to be young for as long as I wanted. She hurt most when I hurt. She wanted to protect me but she gave me great independence because she thought I could handle it. She was a rock and I knew she loved me deeply. She saw me through brown eyes that were losing their vision from Multiple Sclerosis but not their immense love. She died young. At 62. Cancer.
Jesus took her home and it broke our hearts but not our faith. I love you so much, Mom.
Happy Birthday to you! Jesus, please hug her for me. I know she'll love that.
