Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

  • Under construction . . .

     

    Yes, the guys dug a hole, severed the telephone wires which connect me to DSL. No, I don't use cable or satellite. So. This happened in spite of all the markers to (obviously) point out land line connections to our home. The young men standing around the hole seemed to think it humorous as I walked up our driveway to the road anticipating my concerns. This of course could not be fixed until today for whatever reason. But: hurray! The internet is now functioning and thus: so am I. To a degree. You know . . .

    Father, you're so gracious to me. Thank you for the patience I sometimes accept from you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • I suppose . . .

     

    . . . some of you might expect a follow-up to yesterday's firestorm, er, post. Well. Hmm.

    How 'bout this?

    1. Some professional reviewers can be very sensitive.

    2. Professional reviews serve a purpose.

    3. Authors and/or writers often focus on different points than some readers might prefer after reading novels and writing their reviews, opinions, critiques, and . . . words.

    4. Unprofessional reviews serve a purpose.

    5. Some people prefer professional reviews.

    6. Some more people prefer "unprofessional" reviews.

    7. Everybody's entitled to their opinion. Even as to – or especially concerning – the "true" definition of the word review.

    8. If you want to write a review, go ahead. Just don't expect a professional reviewer to consider it a real review. In fact some professional reviewers would rather you didn't write them if you're not an "excellent writer".

    9. You might not want to use provocative titles when you do posts about writing reviews.

    10. Prepare for potential insults.

    11. Keep it real. Polite. Decent.

    12. It's all in a day's . . . post fun work play.

    13. It is what it is.

    Father, in the big scheme I'm very small. You're not. Ever. Thank you for the big picture. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Why writers make lousy reviewers.

     

    Well, I'd like to think we all don't make "lousy reviewers", but I'm sure most of us do. This is never more apparent to me than after blog tours where the featured novels are reviewed by mostly readers. Readers who generally read a lot of fiction. Readers who look forward to the next book like a child grins while anticipating a piece of candy. Readers that digest story and don't dig into the plot holes or potential writing mishaps.

     

    We writers are a critical lot – forced to be as we scour our work for "bad" writing errors. What ultimately happens is we see every downside of others' works right along with our own except that if they're published and we aren't, we want to tear apart the author for his/her choices in words, style, and/or message (or lack thereof). We become less and less satisfied with what we read. Sometimes a little bitter. Sometimes a little jealous. Sometimes a lot frustrated. Aw, c'mon. You know it's true.

     

    But reviewing novels maybe should be divided into two groups: the readers' reviews and the authors' reviews. I guarantee the results would be dramatically different. And even then sub-categories wouldn't be a bad idea. Because readers of literary fiction won't be satisfied with a lot of commerical fiction and vice versa.

     

    I've learned a few things from attempting to write reviews in recent times. If I choose to review a novel, I have to remember who the audience for it is. I have to remind myself someone will love it even if I don't. And I have to be reasonable if I criticize it. I'm sent various novels for review. Most of them I requested. This means – to me – an inherent fairness is required. I thought the stories would be interesting, good, satisfying – something like that. So if the books aren't any of those, reviews should say either why I didn't find them that way without crucifying the authors and their words or why a certain kind of reader will – or both.

     

    Writers tend to examine the actual writing of the story moreso than the story itself. We look at how the characters develop, all the technical aspects of putting words together, and we decide if the methodology works. Sometimes readers have no idea what we're talking about and find these factors non-essentials. And that, my friends, is why writers can make lousy reviewers – as far as readers are concerned.

     

    Father, let us be kind even if we must point out faults. Help us to look ourselves square in the mirror before making claims about others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    Just as man is destined to die once and then after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people . . .

    Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

  • ****Political Update****

     

    As you may already know, the ACLJ has been engaged in a global effort to save the life of an Iranian Christian Pastor who has been condemned to death by hanging for his Christian faith. His only crime: He embraced Christianity and, for that, has been sentenced to death by the Muslim-controlled government of Iran. The Iranian court demanded that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani recant his faith three times, to which he responded, “I cannot.”

    Working with contacts on the ground in Iran, international media, and congressional leaders, the ACLJ has been fully engaged in an aggressive strategy to put pressure on Iran to save Pastor Youcef's life. The White House spokesman has issued a statement condemning the promised execution of Pastor Youcef and is demanding his release. We are calling on Secretary of State Clinton to step forward and put the full diplomatic weight of the United States behind this international outcry to save Pastor Youcef. Our attorneys have been working directly with Pastor Youcef’s attorney in Iran, literally around the clock, in an effort to save his life and secure his release from prison.

     

    I want to share with you a video we have compiled – a brief snapshot of our media outreach on Fox News, CBN News, and the 700 Club – to share Pastor Youcef’s story and put pressure on Iran for his release. Please watch the video and share it with anyone you know who would like to support this pastor.

    As Pastor Youcef’s attorney told us yesterday, the most important thing we can be doing for Pastor Youcef is sharing his story and urging our leaders to pressure Iran to spare this man’s life and release him from prison.

    The situation in Iran is very fluid. Pastor Youcef remains under the threat of death, and we are working aggressively to save his life. And, thanks to you, we are making a difference. Since you have been sharing our blog posts, tweeting our updates, forwarding our emails, and signing our petition, we have been able to put the spotlight on this tragic ordeal, and the news coverage and statements of support from congressional leaders are keeping this important story at the forefront.

     

     

    This pressure on Iran is not going unnoticed. Our contacts in that country tell us that the judges in the case – who hold the power to execute or free Pastor Youcef – are aware of the international concern – especially in the U.S. It is crucial that we continue to keep the pressure on Iran. And we are committed to doing just that.

     

    The only reason that we have been able to engage this issue fully – in this country and in Iran – is because of your generous support. We are engaged in so many battles around the globe – some that we are not able to publicly discuss for the safety of those involved – but none of this would be possible without your generous support.

     

    Thank you for your support, and please continue to keep Pastor Youcef in your prayers and share his story with anyone you know. His life truly hangs in the balance.

     

    Jordan Sekulow
    ACLJ Executive Director

     

     

    Father, we depend on you for true justice, true mercy, and all things good. We know you love this man, and we ask that you would spare his life to continue pursuing more souls. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Accepting the . . . Dangerous Mercy

     

    The CFBA Tour for the final week in September features Dangerous Mercy by Kathy Herman. The second suspense novel in the three-book Secrets of Roux River Bayou Series, Dangerous Mercy takes place in the fictional small town of Les Barbes, Louisiana, where the Cajun food, music, and talk provide all kinds of entertainment for tourists.

    The story focuses most of its attention on the displaced wealthy 86 year old Adele Woodmore who moved to smaller accommodations in Les Barbes from her huge estate in Alexandria when aging demanded it. Choosing this little town because of her attachment to a young family that runs Zoe B's restaurant, she's the godmother to Zoe and her husband's little girl Grace who provides her with great enjoyment when she's able to watch the toddler. However, when murders start happening in Les Barbes and Adele refuses to quit using two men from Father Vince's halfway house as handyman and groundskeeper, Grace's visits come to a halt and Adele and her live-in assistant part ways.

    Not too much effort is given to hiding the murderer of the five victims although suspicion is aimed in another direction, but it takes over three-quarters of the story for any information to surface. An FBI Profiler is brought in from New Orleans while Adele hires her much-used private investigator to screen the two men to whom she gives the odd jobs. When the report comes back, in spite of all the news stories that have circulated on TV and via the talk of the townspeople, Adele, an intelligent character, brushes aside the information as not incriminating which seemed odd to me.

    This is a southern suspense novel with little inserts of character sketches and conflicts related to the men from the halfway house infused with Adele's desire to show mercy and friendship to those who've had difficult lives. A couple of times situations proved a tad too convenient to serve the plot, but for those who enjoy an easy to read, mellow suspense with a spunky but naive octogenarian as the main character, Dangerous Mercy will satisfy you. For those who like tidy endings, Dangerous Mercy will give you that. For those who like to wrestle with when and how and to whom mercy should be shown, Dangerous Mercy will give your mind plenty of exercise.

     

     

     

    Father, please continue to bless and supply Kathy with more stories to tell. May she honor you in all she does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • The romance in my soul . . .

     

    Hard-wired for it, I can't remember that thing called romance never being with me. Not in the gushy, girly-girl, over-the-top kind of way. Not that I can fault that. It is what it is. But rather so deep in my soul that it covers everything else. It rises to a three note tune and overwhelms me. The melancholy or the sensuality or the desire to immerse myself in its beauty. It's integral to who I am even when I don't know who that is.

    This romance in my soul emerges from the sad, sacred sounds of Chris Botti's trumpet. It hovers inside me bringing all the insecurity of that first date. First kiss. Lips touching.

    I sense the holiness intended -but corrupted.

    The intensity of sensation that God intended for good. The genesis of romance from God's heart to the human will. Tainted but salvaged in potential obedience.

    I can't take the sensuality away from it. Hand in hand they travel. Merging. Right or wrong.

    I capture the essence of romance in my novels. Because I must. If I do nothing else well, I write romance – total immersion. Not demanding it conform to me or anyone else but that it treasure the gift of God to humanity.

     

    Thank you, Father, for letting me feel the romance that reigns pure in your Spirit. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     

  • Gone to print!

     

    Yeah. It's so cool to read those words. A few weeks from now I'll have my third novel in print.

    Inside trivia:

    Breath of Life is actually my seventh novel.

    It was written in 2007.

    It's my first experiment with first person, and the "first person" is from a male POV.

    Any questions?

     

    Father, you bless me. You always have. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Of all things . . .

     

    I suppose the reasons for writing novels run the gamut of thought-provoking imaginations. Oh sure, most of us have mimicked the common quote, "I write because I can't not write." Ted Dekker told the crowd at the booksigning yesterday that he writes to explore. Mary DeMuth declared she writes fiction because she's "mad" at all the injustice she sees so she wants to expose it.

    Some of us write because it seems we always have. Writing has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember accompanying our childhood adventures and capturing our teen and 20's angst. If we're serious it follows us into maturity and sticks with us as we age. We grow, it grows along with us. Writing is like an appendage we use for certain types of work.

    Other writers realize the urge later in their lives but tackle it with a passion they couldn't have known until they began to put those words in their souls on the pages of story. It hooks them like a drug bringing both euphoria and desperation.

    Writers seem to crave definition. It travels with their trade and demands discovery. Why do writers write? Define it for yourself and define it for those who wonder why. What is that thing that compels you to transfer words to paper or screen and ache to make those words stronger, lovelier, more descriptive, grittier, carry more depth and gaze into the souls of both the beautiful and the horrendously ugly and perverse? Can you define it? Not sufficiently.

    It's all tangled up with callings, and talents, and ordinations. It's twisted by motives and goals and schemes and directives. It's toughened by rejections and critics and efforts which so often seem wasted.

    Stripped down, why do you write stories?

     

    Father, only you give us true definitions, the ones that satisfy the soul. Thank you for the words. May we do them justice for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Good people . . .

     

    Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a book signing for The Forbidden Tour where I met Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee in person. Tosca and I have communicated for some time via email, and meeting her gracious soul face to face proved to be a sweet experience. Ted Dekker explained his writing quest involves exploration. He wants to go where there's darkness and find how the light can be let in – if it can. Some of his characters choose to shut it out.

    Few things give me more pleasure than promoting good writers, and if you haven't read Tosca's two previous novels (Demon . . . a memoir; Havah, The Story of Eve), you need to do so. Don't put it off. Download them, buy the books, but don't deprive yourself of some of the finest writing Christian fiction has to offer. Tosca takes the hard parts of the spiritual realm and disects them within story.

    Ted and Tosca described their collaboration on the The Books of Mortals, the first of which is Forbidden with two more in the works. What makes this collaboration unique for these two artists is that they're integrating their thoughts and writing as they create these stories. Both of them are writing these books. They described the process as hard work and time consuming to go over each other's words so that they mesh completely. Much harder than writing by oneself. In spite of their whirlwind tour to promote the release of Forbidden and the fatigue of racing through cities sharing talks, smiles, pictures, and signing umpteen books, their excitement over this series played strong.

    When I finish Forbidden, I'll review it here. It's a speculative story that takes place in the future on planet earth where genetic manipulation has eliminated most emotions with the primary exception of fear. Not my favorite genre as you know, but I wouldn't miss the first effort from these two talented authors.

    Product Details

    Father, please keep Tosca and Ted safe from all harm as they travel. Continue to bless their efforts to show evil honestly and reveal your good, your love, your truth in amazing and imaginative ways. Cover them with your love and kindness as they share pieces of their lives with others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.