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

  • Caught in a . . . Whirlwind

    The fifth book’s title in the YA Dreamhouse King Series implies the intensity turns up another notch in this leg of the minute-by-minute journey through time portals and dangerous civilizations and circumstances. Xander and David King, literal brothers and often brothers-in-arms, continue to travel into unknown situations in hopes of finding and rescuing their captured mother.

    Each book picks up where the previous one finished so in spite of the six month intervals between them, the dire circumstances come roaring back to mind as one or all of the King family contends with the evil Taksidian and his lurching destroyer the family calls Phemus. David is stuck in a narrow chamber filled with dead people’s bones somewhere in Taksidian’s house. Xander must listen to Taksidian describe how he plans to murder the young man, and Dad plots how to rescue his sons. Toria hears faint screams and alerts Keal who was once in Special Forces but is now their aged great-great uncle’s caretaker.

    In Whirlwind David and Xander visit Uncle Jesse in the hospital, and though he is weak, his eyes come alive when he describes the meaning of visiting the historic times and places offered by the portals in their house. His connection with David gives him the ability to convey how vital their purpose is in restoring or completing history as it should be. It gives new meaning to their dubious travels and what they can accomplish if they just pay attention. Of course that’s easier said than done since most of the time they’re running or fighting for their lives.

    This particular segment of the story leads into more of an overall spiritual purpose which David begins to ponder. Xander also considers who Taksidian might be.

    I’ve said it multiple times before, and I’ll say it again: Robert is the master of pacing. These stories invite the younger crowd to zoom from one historic timeframe to another in a matter of minutes and hours all the while experiencing one startling and often hapless event after another. Robert’s marketing tactics for these books have included multiple visits to schools across the country to discuss these stories, writing and reading, a website which invites readers to contribute (and receive credit for) plot elements, enter contests for great gifts including autographed copies of all the books and other great prizes, and book signings which have turned out to be major events for fans of all ages.

    As with each book, Whirlwind ends in another crisis for the two boys and leaves readers eager for the final sixth book in the series titled Frenzy which promises more of the same. There is some discussion about continuing this series, but the six books conclude the initial run for the King family. Kids of all ages—make that readers who don’t easily scare—and who enjoy the thoughts of time travel and thrill to action rides will take great pleasure in the harrowing adventures of this ordinary family in this strange house.

    Father, you know how much I appreciate Robert for his heart, his talent, and his genuine and generous spirit. Bless him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Number Five in the Dreamhouse Kings Series: Whirlwind

    One of my favorite people and writers, I’ll have my review up of this Number Five in the Dreamhouse Kings Series soon. The book arrived too late for me to review on the CFBA Tour dates. It won’t be long, though. Until then . . .

    This week, the
    Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
    is introducing
    Whirlwind
    Thomas Nelson (December 29, 2009)
    by
    Robert Liparulo

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

    Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first novel, Comes a Horseman, released to critical acclaim. Each of his subsequent thrillers—Germ, Deadfall, and Deadlock—secured his place as one of today’s most popular and daring thriller writers.

    He is known for investing deep research and chillingly accurate predictions of near-future scenarios into his stories. In fact, his thorough, journalistic approach to research has resulted in his becoming an expert on the various topics he explores in his fiction, and he has appeared on such media outlets as CNN and ABC Radio.

    Liparulo’s visual style of writing has caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman. were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

    Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted last year with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers, released in January, and number four, Timescape, in July. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

    With the next two Dreamhouse books “in the can,” he is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects supernatural elements into his brand of gun-blazing storytelling. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on his acclaimed short story, which appeared in James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.

    Visit Robert Liparulo’s Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans

    ABOUT THE BOOK

    Which door do you go through to save the world?

    David, Xander, and Toria King never know where the mysterious portals in their house will take them: past, present, or future. They have battled gladiators and the German army, dodged soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, and jumped from the sinking Titanic. They’ve also seen the stark future that awaits if they can’t do something to change it–a destroyed city filled with mutant creatures.

    And they’ve still got to find a way to bring Mom back and keep Taksidian from getting them out of the house. The dangers are hitting them like a whirlwind . . . but the answers are becoming apparent as well.

    If you would like to read the first chapter of Whirlwind, go HERE

  • 50/50

    So. Here’s your chance to analyze, comment on, or consider whether or not you like formulaic genre writing. Many of you who visit here write. Most of you who write choose to write fiction. Almost all of you who visit here read. A lot.

    Some of you vary your genre reading, selecting novels purposefully or taking a chance here and there based on somebody’s recommendation. Some of you are precision readers and seek out particular publishers for your reading stock. Some of you read purely for enjoyment and to be entertained. For others, your reading constitutes either a learning or an examination experience.

    Sometimes I’ve failed to remember certain novels are supposed to be formulaic. Category romance, historical romance, a lot of romance novels tend to require adhering to a basic formula. Suspense and mystery can also follow a specific formula. I’m fairly sure it depends a lot upon the particular publishing house or their acquisition editors. Nevertheless, when you pick up certain kinds of books, you expect a bit of “formula”.

    Where formula goes bad for me is when I know the result in the first few chapters and I no longer care how it goes down. Know what I mean? It’s when the writing itself is safe and too orderly so that not only is the story formulaic but the writing style is, too, I rebel. And strain to finish the book. Unhappy. Blasé about how it all happens.

    How ‘bout you?

    God, I just want to do what you want me to do. It shouldn’t be that hard, but it often is. I’m sorry for that. Continue to direct my steps, Lord. You know where I need to go and how I need to get there. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • A Big Zero . . .

    Not feelin’ it, friends.

    But I finally get the argument between the literary folks vs. commercial fiction. The literary buffs tend to get incensed because the commercial fiction sells so well while for the most part the literary novels–with definite exceptions–have a distinct but narrow following and must fight and scratch for their market share. Not everybody is wired to recognize “great” writing or to appreciate severely inwardly focused fiction.

    God, why don’t we see each other as you see us? We are so often quick to criticize. Lord Jesus, help me to be more like you. I’m desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Sunday’s Offerings

    But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

    Jude 17-19 (NIV)

  • The foursome of . . . Raising Rain

    Raising Rain by Debbie Fuller Thomas and published by Moody Publisher is the special weekend feature for the CFBA Tour. Debbie Fuller Thomas, author of the novel Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon, can also be found in several non-fiction publications including Coping with Cancer of which she is a survivor.

    Four women, Bebe, Toni, Mare, and Jude, become unlikely college roommates and extended friends when they rent rooms in a rundown near-campus house they call The Victorian under the leadership of the ultra feminist in their group, “Jude” Rasmussen, during the tumultuous late 60s and early 70s. The story opens in present day circumstances with Jude fading quickly from cervical cancer and demanding a “Celebration of Life” weekend for herself with her three distant-in-many-ways old friends and her almost 39 year old daughter she named Rainbow Star back in the day. She wants a big project for a send-off, something worthy of her feminist values and lifetime devotion to “the cause” in lieu of a funeral. The cynical Jude still wields a little power over her friends and her daughter Rain who they all raised together while attending college.

    Most of us have known and experienced a friend or family member who held undue influence over us either by manipulation or sheer determination to dominate. Jude intimidates on demand, condescends with ease, and uses sarcasm as a weapon to slice and dice opposition. Although in depleted health and in the background, she still dominates this story especially in Bebe’s and Rain’s lives. Bebe is the closest to Rain of the four, and the complicated reasons for this trickle into the story via flashbacks to their time together back in college and in an apology at the end.

    The details of the four’s relationships and the lives of Bebe and her husband Neil, Jude and her “arrangement” with William, Rain and her desire for a child leading to the breakup with her live-in love Hayden, follow the back and forth of present to past in an interesting blend of emotional carry-overs from the past, some still in need of much healing in the present.

    An interesting story, Raising Rain qualifies as thoughtful commercial CBA Women’s Fiction. I’m sure the target audience will be those who either lived through that era of “free love”, “the birth of feminism”, and the Viet Nam war or were the product of those who did. Debbie snags it well, and I could identify with Bebe’s reaction to the music of those times being played by her sons. Those of us who have some bad memories ignited by that music shudder and then catch ourselves singing along.

    There were some significant copy-editing errors in the ARC I received where the incorrect character name appeared more than once. Story-wise, I think the conflict between Bebe and her older brother should have been explained more clearly earlier in the story, but I liked the resolution. Debbie aptly demonstrated how the merging lives of young students thrown together in anxious times with limited direction and lacking convictions can easily succumb to the dominance of those who insist through subtle or overt manipulation that their unbending opinions should rule over all others. Thrown into that kind of pressure cooker, some young people make decisions they regret for the rest of their lives. Raising Rain shows us how this happens and then gives us the release of forgiveness we so desperately need.

    Those of us who write evangelical fiction must decide from which vantage point we approach the gospel within the story. If we aren’t careful, we end up preaching. The general rule claims this is undesirable, but you need only read The Shack to find the exception to that “rule”. Debbie Fuller Thomas takes a low-key approach to the evangelism in Raising Rain and primarily uses Bebe to show the change rendered in a life by finding real faith in God.

    Father, please continue to instruct Debbie and bless her obedience to you. Encourage her with new stories and give her opportunities to share her talents. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Delectable or Distasteful?

    Writing can be both. How a writer approaches a subject makes the difference. If I’m writing about lovemaking, will I get graphic and force the scene into a distasteful display which leaves little to the imagination? Of course then I could label it erotica instead of pornography. Right? Seriously. What makes a scene delectable and what makes it distasteful?

    The answer to that question falls upon the eyes and mindset of the reader. Over and over again the mess of attempting to interpret subjectivity creates controversy and innuendo and arguments in the blogosphere. What is utterly offensive to one reader and/or writer is not even close to raising an eyebrow with another reader and/or writer.

    So many variables contribute to how one writes and what one reads. Honestly, I cannot tell you precisely why I like all the gory forensic shows but loathe horror films and absolutely will not watch them. Why then do I read some of Ted Dekker, Steven James, and Mike Dellosso’s novels? The violence in them and the heinous serial killers in their stories certainly qualify as horrific.

    Our environment contributes to what we like and what we shun. The language of life defines who we become once we begin to formulate our thoughts apart from those we love even if ours coincide with theirs. How we arrive at our conclusions is influenced by our ages and personalities, our goals and desires. Some of us are highly motivated and others of us must be pushed to accomplish things. The lessons we learn however we experience learning itself make imprints on our thinking, and our fears and failures sculpt how we accept difficulties and whether or not we rebound quickly or wallow in self-pity. So many factors pour into us.

    Of course the most important of all contributors is God Himself. How we perceive Him, how we accept Him, how we relate to Him. He is willing to fill us with His wisdom, but we are often unwilling to allow Him much room in our lives. We assert our independence at various levels of our growth and oftentimes we keep areas secured from His reach—or so we think.

    As writers, we are the sum of our parts, a derivative of our experiences, the object of our beliefs, the conglomeration of multiple factors, and the composites of our parental genes. We are designed to be something in particular in order to best serve our Lord. But we forget that, don’t we? Sometimes?

    This is why some of the dissection of writing and writers ends up being just so much hooey. Mind games. Analysis of details we can’t possibly truly “get”. Sometimes the simplest explanations work the best because they ring true. Some Christian authors write gore. Some write fluff. Some write clean. Some write raw. Criticizing each other gets us nowhere. So be it if we don’t understand the motivations of writing one way or another. No one holds our heads to a book and toothpicks our eyes open to the pages. We need to allow each writer to do what God designed him/her to do and keep ourselves glued to what He has for us to do.

    We can evaluate, and, yes, we can criticize what we don’t like but we should be thoughtful when we do and honest enough to admit that we’re just one opinion who perhaps is out of our preferred genre or style when reading something we don’t like. If we see a lack of skill, then our explanations should be brief and without intentional insult. We should allow for those who don’t like something to say so while accepting that the whole process is subjective.

    Delectable or distasteful? It could be both for any number of readers.

    Father, help us to be kind, to demonstrate your love for one another. We are worthless without you, unable to live, breathe, or save another. You are the Power and the Glory. It’s all about you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Pursuit of Perfection

    A lot of us claim to be perfectionists, to our own frustration, annoyance, or even pride. We pursue that perfection in either one thing or everything we do and wind up dissatisfied at the results almost every time we attempt something, knowing if only we could’ve done this or that better, the project would’ve been “just perfect”. As a result there are multiple disappointments, no matter how “mini” they are, in most things we do.

    The irony here is that this is a fallen world. Humanity is imperfect from the inside out. We start at a deficit, and we end up as dust. We are not perfect nor will we ever be. Therefore, no matter what we attempt to do it’s ultimately flawed whether in some miniscule and immeasurable way, or in a big fat failure. So am I suggesting we give half-hearted efforts to the work of our hands, minds, bodies, spirits? I am not. What I am saying is that we need to realize that our best is nothing to brag about no matter how great it might look, feel, or appear to be. Without God’s gifting in us, we would still be rolling around in the potter’s wheel with the potter slaving over fixing all the cracks.

    I’ve decided it’s arrogant to think we can produce perfection in anything—from attitude to performance. To give and do our best is a simple requirement of who we are in Christ, and it is only through obedience to His Spirit that we’re able to demonstrate any good qualities.

    This brings me to the writing gig. It’s easy for those of us who’ve spent time in either observing through much reading, learning through much teaching, and/or absorbing through all methods, to recognize “bad” writing. And, believe me, just because there are some who don’t recognize it doesn’t mean the bad stuff doesn’t exist. No argument there. However, the subjectivity factor plays a huge part in determining the good stuff.

    This seeking perfection thing is why I’m a rule-breaker. While the rules prove useful and practical, they are incomplete and assume that all readers must be alike. They give little care to variety and uniqueness—which is precisely why new writers wail and gnash their teeth when they discover each of those touted rules broken in the novels they read.

    When we read a novel by a favorite author, we’ve learned to anticipate certain things. If the author delivers on his/her previous “performances”, we most likely enjoy the new book. If we experience his style in a less than impacting story, most of us realize that, hey, this one just wasn’t one of my favorites. Monster is that book for me from Frank Peretti.

    When we select a new author in a favorite genre, we attempt to go into the story with few expectations unless of course the book comes highly recommended. Two of those books for me were Sibella Giorello’s first novel The Stones Cry Out and Tosca Lee’s Demon . . . a memoir. Admittedly with such high-falutin’ praise, I went into the stories a little shaky and a little on guard. To their credits neither book disappointed. At all. On the contrary, they excelled and were worthy of their recommendations.

    After absorbing and reading the rules of writing, it’s easy for a newer writer to point out every mistake, every perceived flaw in what they read. As if the rules determine perfection. As if any of us could follow any set of rules and produce a perfect story which everyone would love, let alone like. Not gonna happen. And no matter how skilled a writer is, someone is not going to enjoy their work. Someone is going to explain why it’s no good or describe its inferiority to some degree.

    Not everyone can know the rules and leave them behind either when they read or when they write. Some are natural editors and apply those inclinations to everyone’s work without prompting. Makes it difficult to enjoy novels.

    I think it’s important to realize the pursuit of perfection can be overrated. Being the best we can be to bring honor to the Lord is really what it’s all about. We shunned perfection by exerting our will and have regretted it ever since. Someday we will experience true perfection, and we’ll have a clearer understanding of how flawed our efforts really are.

    Father, I’m nothing without you. I’m desperate for you. And you’re all I’m living for. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • What readers want . . .

    I have a great time finding out what readers want. I often ask them as I browse the fiction rows in bookstores. If they respond with any tangible inkling or order and it happens to coincide with what I like, I immediately recommend my choices according to their preferences.

    I’ve shared with you how I evaluate “the average reader”. It’s based on my experience with several readers of all ages and discussions with many more people with either a voracious appetite for fiction or a steady pursuit of reading novels or even those who dabble at selective fiction. Readers of all kinds maintain expected various opinions, but most of them have a general desire to simply enjoy the story. Most of them will not comprehend the particular styles of writing choices from the authors they choose to read unless it’s unique and quite distinctive. For the most part it’s just not important to them.

    The exceptions include those in the publishing industry and those readers who prefer what’s been termed “literary fiction” where names like Flannery O’Connor or Madeline L’Engle pop up repeatedly. If you choose CBA fiction, you’ll likely hear the names of Tom Morrisey, Tosca Lee, or Chris Fabry mentioned as artful writers.

    There can be a real gap between what publishers want and what readers want. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of not getting a book the attention it merits which usually makes it a marketing problem. Sometimes it’s producing books which just don’t catch on for whatever reason. Sometimes books fail because they really aren’t that good.

    Don’t misunderstand my point. I’m all for publishers producing well-written fiction, but sometimes what they consider well-written and/or commercially viable simply aren’t. The process is generally reliable and definitely valuable although interminably slow, but I still maintain it often goes under-noticed and unappreciated. The average reader might recognize skillful writing, but what they will celebrate or recommend to their like-minded friends is the story. Those overrated rules which might be observed or broken will not even register on their reading radar. Some professionals insist it’s the observance of those very rules which contribute to making the reader experience pleasant and more meaningful, but when you consider a few of the bestsellers either in ABA or CBA fiction, you know it’s just not always true.

    Some writing purists and publishing professionals complain about the lack of quality in fiction and berate the absence of excellence in certain bestsellers and other novels. To what end? Books making money push the industry along and readers are the ones who spend the bucks to make the machine go. We can lament quality if we choose, but it’s all about the story for most readers.

    Lord, give us the grace to appreciate the work of those who labor to serve you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Monday Mode

    Hope your holiday was glorious and filled with thanksgiving. I hope the Lord felt close and breathed new life into your weary or anxious spirit. As you anticipate the gift giving of December, I hope your heart bursts with an undying love for Jesus, the Redeemer of your soul, the Rescuer of your spirit, the Retribution for your sins.

    I love Christmas. The origin, the celebration, the privilege of worshipping the Christ. I’m a giver, so it’s a privilege and a pleasure to be able to shop. We’ve had lean years and years of plenty. Always blessed by the Love of God.

    For any of you who have adult relatives or friends who might love horses or horse racing, I will give away five (5) copies of Hope Of Glory. Just leave a comment if you’re interested. This is a monster-size first novel, so be sure you give it to a committed reader. It’s also very much a first novel, so it’s technically imperfect. But if you know anyone who loves a saga or who isn’t afraid to read about how people really can be in their lost states, this could be a beneficial story. I will media mail the book and you should easily get it before Christmas.

    I will also give away one (1) copy of The Famous One for any interested person—also definitely an adult novel. You can read about The Famous One in different posts on this blog or on my Seattle Christian Fiction Examiner page. Think “fictional biography”. Again leave a comment if you’re interested in this novel.

    That’s it for this Monday.

    Father, I’m desperate for you as always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.