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

  • Intimate . . .

     

    If you ask a group of men what comes to mind when they hear this word, usually they will answer something to do with sex. If you ask a group of women the same question, they tend to refer to closeness and understanding. This was my experience when I posed it to a group.

     

    Here is a dictionary definition of the word “intimate”: 1.Marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity. 2.Pertaining to or indicative of one’s deepest nature. 3. Essential; innermost. 4.Characterized by informality and privacy. 5.Very private, personal, secret.

     

    Second definition for the verb form of the word “intimate”: 1.To communicate with a hint or other indirect sign; imply subtly.

     

    Interesting, don’t you think, that there’s no mention whatsoever of love or sex in the word’s definitions.

     

    As writers we know words "own" connotations, developed from cultural uses, slang, or clever implications used over time in order to gain association with a word. These connotations add meanings to words with good or bad results.

     

    A good writer helps a reader gain intimate knowledge of characters in a variety of ways including the chosen POV. How much is revealed about each character determines the investment in that character by both the author and the reader. How much should the reader know and when should the reader learn it? A certain intimacy between writer and reader must be incurred on the pages of a novel for the reader to attach empathy, concern, admiration, or any such emotion that makes him care what happens to the character(s).

     

    Now let me ask you this: How would you assess your intimacy with the Lord? Is your relationship with Him at an intimate level? Do you yearn to know Him more? Can you say you know Him? Does He inspire you to invest your attention and emotion in Him? I have learned it’s exceedingly difficult to attain true intimacy at any level without first being intimate with Him . . .

     

     

    God, I’m always desperate for you. You are what I need. Always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    He [Jesus] said to them: "It's not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jersalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

    Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)

  • YAY!

     

    SEA DAT

     

    WE DAT

     

    !

     

    Thank you, Lord.

     

    ** To give credit where credit is due: the very clever phrase above was seen on a sign in the crowd at the Seahawks v. Saints game. If I knew who came up with it, I would acknowledge his/her name here. Great sign.

  • Friday Five

     

    I prefer good pastry over candy. However, Godiva chocolate is the best. Love Lindt’s white chocolate too. My favorite breakfast is homemade pie. My mom made the best cherry pie ever.

     

    Went to see The Tourist for the second time. Fun again. Also viewed one of the alternate endings for Salt. Preferred the theatre version of the two. It’ll be interesting to see the third selection.

     

    Hard to believe I’ve been to both Paris and Venice. Seems like a veiled dream all these years later . . .

     

    Anyone remember The Magic Fern, a local Seattle band? Their big song was "Solar Plexis". I remember their excellent drummer’s name was Brian, and he had long blond hair. A friend and I met the other members in the U district. So many years ago.

     

    Upcoming reviews:

     

    The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue

     

    The Resurrection by Mike Duran

     

    Lord, you've given me an amazing life on a small scale. So gracious through all my junk. Thank you for your incredible love and patience. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Going to novel lengths . . .

     

    I don’t have anything against regular-sized novels if they tell the story in completion. It’s no secret I prefer long novels but not just for the sake of extra words and situations. The whole objective in writing a story is to tell it in its entirety and not to skimp on points of character, scene, action, or anything else that matters to the heart of the story.

     

    If you’re a master at flash fiction or short stories or novellas, I admire your craft. Generally speaking, I will not be one of the readers of your work because all of my life I have never enjoyed short stories.

     

    I’ve read some excellent 100,000 word novels, but I’ve also read many which felt formulaic, incomplete, rushed, and forced into an ending to fit a word count. This is done for multiple reasons, some of which are attributed to current attention spans of readers and the too-much-money excuse to produce longer books. I say “excuse” here because in certain genres with particular authors, publishers produce big novels without hesitation.

     

    It’s convenient for publishers to set word counts for their genre specs. It’s not always etched in stone, but it’s preferred. Don’t get me wrong—it’s their call. Their money.

     

    However, more and more I’m seeing “trends” in publishing rather than individuality and vision. It’s like serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to kids because they’re kids. Some kids prefer tuna fish and some like egg salad and others just want the peanut butter or the jam. Trends often demonstrate that formula matters over substance, and riding the wave of a trend ushers in a temporary fix for selling woes and can make production and projection simpler.

     

    I’m of the opinion that the current pat phrase used by professionals and many parrots of the mantra “less is more” is merely a preference for writing styles. We can pretend it’s profound and use it to demonstrate the overwriting of novices, but less is often just that: less. Not enough. Too lean. Too simple. Too . . . lacking in what is needed to give real depth and substance to what is just another story with less.

     

     

    Father, help us to do what you desire of us. Help us to listen to your voice above all others. Keep us focused on what you want and not on what we want. We’re desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Not so picky . . .

     

    I didn’t think I was a picky reader. I mean I know what I like, and I won’t veer too far away from my genres. Very occasionally I read a novel that goes back in history but only so far back. I’ve been known to take a rare venture into sci-fi but am uber-selective when I do. The definite and unconditional (thus far) no’s are fantasy and certain speculative categories, bonnet books, prairie romances, the supposedly now passé chick lits, and most general market fare.

     

    I give latitude to authors and don’t require they lure me or dazzle me with their first sentences, paragraphs, or even first chapters. Of course I have certain expectations like any reader, but I’m not demanding even though I value my time and would rather not spend it reading a book I don’t like—which I have done to fulfill reviewing obligations.

     

    When I review novels I don’t like, I’m honest and specific with my opinions but careful to mention there will undoubtedly be those who will enjoy the books. I don’t attack or critique, but I give the reasons for my displeasure.

     

    I’m more forgiving with first novels, knowing my own was an editor’s nightmare and in much need of improvement.

     

    But I am very particular about characters. And I suppose my attitude concerning them could be called picky. Variety is not a problem. But if I don’t like the protagonist, chances are I won’t like the novel. Several authors attempt the difficult task of starting with an unlikable character in a prominent role. I need to sense something redeemable in them or I might just root for their demise. Seriously.

     

    I confess I began this writing journey much less demanding than I am now. While I’m not so picky, I’m more selective and less easy to impress than in the beginning. What kind of reader—or writer—are you?

     

     

    Lord, you’re the one who matters most. Thank you for the privilege of putting words on a page. May it be pleasing to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • The Church or the church . . .

     

    The Church is that building, small or large, in need of paint or opulent, formal architecture with stained glass windows and spires or the country feel of white painted siding with some similar outbuildings that look like the old school portables.

     

    “the church” is people, small or large, in need of financial assistance, wealthy, or at any level in between, rigid in ritual or free in the Spirit. Members of the church acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, know the meaning and power of the Blood of Christ, being born again, and walking their talk.

     

    Most people have had an experience with the church. It might be a distant picture via television, newspapers, schools, even books or magazines. Somehow most people have heard of Christianity. Some base all their knowledge on their experiences with people who supposedly represent Christian faith to them: the church.

     

    Sadly, those experiences can be unpleasant, misinterpreted, and even demonstrate behaviors the opposite of who Jesus Christ truly is. Yet it comes under the guise of Christianity and pock marks the church with its ugly scars.

     

    Inside The Church all kinds of hurt can take place as self-righteous people gather to display their belief systems and pontificate on their versions of religion. The Church can also house those who seek to follow Christ: the real church—those who care about others, seek to serve all kinds of people, and want to grow in their faith and knowledge of God in all His glory.

     

    The church needs an overhaul. Don’t we? Not like a makeover. More like a retrofit. Somehow people in prestigious places decided that culture should mark the progress of The Church. That catering to “seekers” should limit the incorporation of biblical terms such as born again or references to The Blood. Instead of emphasizing truth while incorporating culture, some have decided it’s more beneficial to emphasize culture while limiting truth.

     

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t change. We do. And we do so either forwardly or backwardly. Once we know Him, moving forward can be difficult, even tedious, but it’s always rewarded. Sometimes we’re too focused on the material aspects of rewards instead of on the spiritual aspects which will truly benefit us. We live in this corrupted flesh fighting against our nature on a daily basis. It’s depleting if we don’t refresh ourselves in the Spirit. The Church is supposed to provide a location for the church to drink from the wells of God. The soul can quickly become that dry and thirsty land.

     

    I’m saddened by recent experiences in The Church with the church. I’m passionate for God and all His desires for His church, but we fall so short of His expectations . . .

     

    God in heaven, hear my heart cry. I love you, Lord. Help me to find your heart. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Hurray!

     

    Unbelievably to most, our football season is not over. We’ll take the extension any way we can get it. Since it’s been a difficult year with little hope of a victory, it’s sweet for the team, the backup quarterback, the coaches, and many disgruntled fans. Next week we could easily (and expected to) be eliminated, but today gave a nod to the season. They stepped up, they played well, and for all the ugly games that preceded today’s game, thank you for winning this one!

     

    2010 is a wrap and January barrels along with the third already upon us. Strap in and get ready to roll. Time waits for none of us.

     

    The first Monday of 2011 . . . what does it mean to you?

     

     

    God, you are so gracious to me. Thank you for all of it, Lord. Keep me straight with you. You’re all I’m livin’ for . . . In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

    "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

    Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

    Luke 2:41-52 (NIV)

  • Welcome 2011 . . .

     

    Hard to believe it's a new year. Hopes and fears–may they all be consumed by the Love of Jesus. God bless your year.