Into the Fire

My first conscious remembrance of seeing a humming bird and hearing birds sing is from a visit to Whidbey Island when I was quite young and a bunch of our family went up there to my Great Aunt and Uncle’s cabin. There were steep stairs leading down to the water. To this day when I regularly wake to the concert of birds singing, I’m reminded of waking up in a sleeping bag in that large wooden cabin and looking out on the porch to see a hummingbird at a feeder.

One of my favorite memories of eastern Washington is the smell of sagebrush in summer. And the fresh cut alfalfa. Mmmmm.

Long day. Short night.

Father, thank you for those things that stick to us, that remain captured and fresh and comforting in memories. Precious things to recall. Every good and perfect gift . . . In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Winners of the 2009 Christy Awards:

Contemporary Romance: Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
(Finding Stephanie by Susan May Warren; Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney)

Contemporary Series, Sequels, Novellas: You Had Me At Goodbye by Tracey Bateman
(Sisterchicks Go Brit by Robin Jones Gunn; Summer Snow by Nicole Baart)

Contemporary Standalone: Dogwood by Chris Fabry
(Embrace Me by Lisa Samson; Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas)

First Novel: Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake
(Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler; Safe at Home by Richard Doster)

Historical: Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
(Shadow of Colossus by T. L. Higley; Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser)

Historical Romance: From A Distance by Tamara Alexander
(Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy; The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen)

Suspense: The Rook by Steven James
(Winter Haven by Athol Dickson; By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer)

Visionary*: Vanish by Tom Pawlik *Seems to include “Speculative, Fantasy, and/or SciFi”
(The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka; Shade by John B. Olson)

Young Adult: I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke
(The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina; On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson)

I read Zora and Nicky* in the Contemporary Romance Category and thought it was an important novel. I didn’t read the winner or the third finalist in that category.

I was very pleased to see Dogwood* by Chris Fabry win this award because it was a beautifully written novel. Embrace Me by Lisa Samson is currently in my To Be Read pile, and I’ve heard good things about Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas.

This year I have read none of the First Novel nominees. Most of you know I almost never read historicals, so no familiarity with the nominees in those categories.

I did read all of the finalists’ novels in the Suspense category and am very pleased with the selection of The Rook*. Winter Haven* was an entertaining and well-written story, but I preferred the length and depth of The Rook. By Reason of Insanity* was not my favorite of Randy Singer’s wonderful collection of novels.

Visionary as noted above mostly encompasses fantasy, and I don’t read that genre. Neither do I read Young Adult unless written by Robert Liparulo.

* Indicates novels have been reviewed here.

Congratulations to all the authors who were nominated by their publishers and made it through the strict critieria to become nominees for this award.

Father, I pray for each one who’s labored over the stories you’ve given them to tell. I ask, Lord, that you would could continue to supply them with words and the desire to honor you in their writing. May they be grateful for their accomplishments and giftings, feel your pleasure, and give all the praise to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for men,
for He breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalm 107:10-16 (NIV)

Within the local mall in my city, there is a Christian bookstore outlet, a division of Tree of Life. Yes, it has cards, stationery, book markers, CDs, DVDs, knick knacks, mugs, paintings, Bibles in different styles and translations, and lots of books—fiction and non-fiction. Books make up the better part of the not-too-large space. In the center of the store are two huge cardboard boxes filled to the top with ½ price novels and non-fiction books, mostly trade paper but some hardcover, some older and some fairly recent publications from both well-known and little known authors.

These novels in the big boxes are overstock from the publishers of said books. As you enter the store on the front rectangular display table, the customer sees novels which retail from $10.99 to $14.99 now priced anywhere from $3.97 to $7.97 and sometimes even those prices are discounted at checkout. Plus the store runs sales and sends out flyers in the mail advertising the sales.

Most of the time this outlet store gets the new release novels from top selling authors like Karen Kingsbury and Ted Dekker, sometimes able to offer them at a reduced price but not always. Other new releases might take awhile to get there.

With the publishers feeling the pinch of the economy in slowed sales or the projections of slowing sales, one must wonder why they and the printers can’t or won’t swing deals for smaller, cost-effective print runs. Heck, maybe they do, but I know from my own experience that when books are printed in the larger numbers, the price to produce them is reduced substantially. In other words it’s cheaper to print 1000 books than it is 500 and on up the ladder of costs. However, if publishers end up dumping a large overstock in half-price or less bins, why not print fewer books—especially for first time authors? I know, I know, No Name Nitwit doesn’t have a print run the size of Ted Dekker’s, but still, allowing the time for marketing and word of mouth to make its mark, it seems to me first timers or smaller niche novels warrant fewer copies.

It’s also surprising to see what novels appear in hardcover right out of the box. It’s pricey to produce them and even pricier to buy them, and in this little outlet mall I’ve bought hardcover novels for under $10, novels which haven’t been around for very long.

It has been said that 60% to 80% of all published books don’t “earn out” which translated means they don’t earn enough to equal the advances paid to the author. Doesn’t mean the publisher doesn’t make any money—he just makes substantially less than planned. Also it is said that the top few authors at any house make the big bucks and so carry No Name Nitwit and his like, making it possible for the least of us to even dare to consider getting a book contract. So what’s wrong with this? Does it fail to make sense to anyone else but me? It screams to me that someone is not doing a very good job at selecting book material or else they’re doing a pitiful job of getting it before the public. Does it not?

Again, walk into any bookstore. Unless you’re a recognized author, what are the chances your novel is going to beckon a whole bunch of someones to buy the thing? Have you seen your competition? Take a good look. What indeed makes your little novel so doggone special anyway?

Are there too many books? Can there ever be too many books? And who wants to answer yes to these questions when it could mean you’d be snuffing the chance for your own work ever being published?

Professionals always talk about making their way in this e-excessive new world of publishing. Maybe by making less copies of newer books, there can be more kinds of offerings overall. And don’t discount the POD method even with royalty publishing. It’s convenient and fast and always available once all the book prep is finished. Much to think about . . .

Father, I will answer my own question: You and you alone make a novel special in my world. Thank you for the talents of many and the feast of books. May those of us who dare to write honor you first and foremost. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Not “The Gap” as in a clothing store—rather the gap between the thoughts on the purpose(s) of Christian fiction and the types of writers and the experiences with God. Few things beyond the current government boggle my mind like the opinions of writers who profess to “follow Christ”.

The dissonance and brooding opinions and assertions do occasionally remind one that politics exist in every venue. In the big picture what is it all really worth anyway?

Spiritually speaking, what is so important about writing a book? The only reason it ever matters is if it’s done in obedience to God. And that not to demonstrate the talent with which He’s endowed a writer, although that talent will be in evidence. Whatever the reason for the book, God’s purpose is far more valuable than what we perceive it to be. And that purpose isn’t always measured in sales numbers.

I wonder why we engage in absolutes where writing is concerned—or any form of artistry. The subjective forces of evaluation explode where creativity is involved. Those “in the know” insist certain qualities be in evidence and shun examples where they fail to see them.

I suppose we can judge with our scales and condemn inferiority, but we cannot judge from the eyes of the Lord nor can we always know the heart of the one who wrote the piece. Of course there are standards which contribute to making something good, meaningful, entertaining, well-written, powerful. But there is only One who can provide anointing to a mere human’s work.

And what about our God? How important is He to our writing? How deep is our relationship with Him and can we hear His voice and act accordingly? Is our knowledge of Him limited to our perceptions of how we expect Him to interact with us and with others? Have we limited His vastness to our own limitations? Is He merely a tool for salvation, and then we’re on our own within a church which strives in legalism or dozes in liberality?

Who is God to you? His Son? His Spirit? How far will you go for Him? Is He in your business? Is He in your daily grind? Is He in your bedroom? Is he in your play time? Is He invited into your stories? Is He the source of your directions?

Jesus will one day judge what we have done. How much of that will be burned like chaff? Will our novels go up in flames along with our pride?

Lord, I can do nothing apart from you. I am desperate for you. Teach me to be even more obedient, more attentive to your voice, Spirit of God. Please, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Blinded written by Travis Thrasher and published circa 2006 by Moody Publishers is a very quick 224 page read. And a valuable one.

Written uniquely and perfectly from second person POV, it effectively delivers a timeless message while depicting the temptations of a 30-something married man with two young children who finds himself alone in the heart of New York City attempting to dissolve his disappointment in a few glasses of wine after the failed sale of a company—the particulars of this business deal consuming the last six months or more of his life. When he spots a younger luscious leggy blonde making eye contact with him and finally asking if she might join him, the juices of enticement flow freely.

She calls herself Jasmine, and he gives his name as Michael. She’s a free spirit who toys with him, using her charm and sexuality to maneuver him into thinking he can almost justify what he really wants to do.

Michael plays at his religion, complaining to himself that God has quit listening to him while trying to convince himself God is no longer interested in Michael’s life or his choices, plotting the hoped for deception that he’ll be alright if he indulges himself with this hot thing just this one time.

Jasmine plies him with smiles and body language, leaving her number and inviting him to call. When he joins her at one of her favorite clubs, she taunts him, urging him to loosen up and reveal his thoughts to her. The evening which proceeds, as Michael fills himself with liquor and lust, expands into a near catastrophe but results in an odd jolt of unexpected personal triumph.

Guys, this one’s for you. Especially if your faith is waning, your relationship with Jesus is in a tepid place, and/or your marriage is marching into one of those no-man’s zones. All couples go there at some point. This story captures all the rationale of a tempted individual who has lost his ability to perceive the world in its full spiritual reality. This is a perfect presentation of the battle with the flesh.

Gals, you need to read this one, too, because understanding the battle from a man’s point of view is essential to establishing a real relationship with your guy. Males and females are not the same, and, although temptations can ply both sexes in different ways, often it’s that same lustful spirit which leads to huge failures of the flesh. Neither guy nor gal is immune to sexual temptation and many don’t have the tools to see it for what it is.

Blinded gives us a character in Michael who has a basic understanding of who God is but maintains no real relationship with Jesus. Nevertheless, it is inferred that Michael was once established in his faith but has allowed all the obstacles of life to color and dissuade his interest in following a godly lifestyle, morphing it into a resentment of the pricks to his sense of right and wrong accompanying his folly with Jasmine.

This is a gut-level look at sexual temptation written very well from the second person point of view. Well done.

Father, once again I pray you would continue to provide stories for Travis to tell. Help him to bring you glory in all that he does and bless those efforts with your grace and wisdom. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

If I recall correctly, I read some great fiction last summer. Or was it spring? Or fall or winter maybe? Anyway, it seems like a while since . . . The problem is I’ve been reading almost constantly for the month of June. Maybe I’m reading too much.

No one needs to tell me there’s nothing new under the sun. It’s all been said or thought of or written. The key is telling it so it feels new, fresh, or different somehow. No small challenge for writers. Too many books and writers, too little material.

So what separates one novel from another when they’re both addressing the same issues? Example: two novels I’ve read recently both present grieving mothers of twins although different ages of children and different causes of death. What are the odds? Neither woman was remotely empathetic for me, although I certainly agree they should’ve been. They both had similar personality traits which made them unattractive to me. Both women performed heroic acts in the end which didn’t fit their established characters. And since both characters consumed many pages of said novels, the stories contained a lot of misery for this reader. Suffice it to say no “fresh” approach . . .

Several (not all) of the recently read novels hail back to the generic writing which critics of Christian fiction pounce upon as being inferior. While I think it’s unfair to pigeonhole Christian fiction since general market fiction is full of pulp, the fact remains there are still published novels out here in CBA land which don’t exactly demonstrate the crème de la crème of writing talent. But, and this is an important but, there are some who write amazing literature, skilled to the gills, with beautiful stories, fascinating characters, not a shallow dip in their pools to be sure, and just plain good reading. And, yeah, they spoil a reading writer.

The completely audacious point of all this is it doesn’t matter. Much. To every novel I give a less than thrilled review, there are those who love them. I don’t know if those who love them amount to enough to get them into second and third printings, but at least the author gains the satisfaction and approval of some readers.

Whoever finds their way into publication should be published. To complete the obstacle course for even acquiring an agent deserves some merit in my book. Focused determination and usually a considerable donation to the multiple and varied coffers of publishing are enough of a deterrent by themselves, but the marketing aspect of book proposals puts writers like me into no-man’s land. I find myself shuddering at most of the efforts of most of the authors because the saturation/desperation factor of accolades or testimonies or MY book this or see MY interview here absolutely embarrasses me. There must be a better way. Isn’t there?

No one appreciates affirmation more than I do. No one. And, believe me, I’m tempted to put my novels “in your face” at times. Every single time I’ve put in a shameless plug on my own blog, I’ve felt uncomfortable. But, as the professionals like to admonish us, who else is going to sell my book?

But with this reading thing . . . When the plots run together, and the characters all “look” alike, a reader can feel like he’s wasting his time. And since I’m a writer, perhaps I should be writing more and reading less. But then . . . along comes a tour featuring one of my favorites and I’m so gone to sign up. And who among us readers doesn’t like to discover a new favorite?

The question still remains for me . . . am I just reading too much?

Father, you know the answers to all my questions. I’m grateful that I can turn to you and be satisfied. Thank you for those who you allow to share in my stories and who receive something from them. The books belong to you. It’s always your call. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

This week’s CFBA Tour opens with Fatal Illusions, the first novel by Adam Blumer. You can check out Adam’s writing experience besides his degree in print journalism from Bob Jones University on his blog or website. Congratulations to Kregel Publications for daring to produce a first novel which runs several pages past the normal fare offered by today’s publishing.

Having said that, this is still very much a first novel even with Adam’s versatile writing credentials. The story was speckled with clichés and the over-explaining by an author who doesn’t want to leave out anything for the reader to miss. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience.

Haydon Owens fancies himself the next Houdini. He’s studied every piece of literature written about the fascinating escape artist. Haydon practices his magic and plans his spectacular feats which he’s sure will amaze a contemporary audience if he can just secure a good gig. However, there seems to be a few interruptions which demand his interventions. One of those inconvenient and outrageous situations is a young girl by the name of Erin Walker whose testimony in court about his parents’ commission of a crime lands them both in jail. Once Haydon remedies his vengeance, he is alarmed to find Erin just won’t stay dead.

Detective Chuck Riley faces retirement without having caught the serial killer nicknamed the Magician Murderer, and the dissatisfaction follows him from Cincinnati to Florida. When he’s made aware of a signature murder in Michigan, his wife urges him to go and get the killer so he can spend his retirement days in peace.

A happily married associate pastor whose goal is to provide meaningful counsel to needy members of the large church where he’s employed learns one of the married women he’s counseling has a thing for him. She creates havoc in his and his family’s life forcing them into a temporary move to a remote location in Michigan far from the bustle of their home in Chicago.

The pastor’s wife, Gillian, is still suffering from the stillborn death of their twins, a boy and a girl. Her teenage daughter tries to console her whenever she notices her mother’s down moments. With the craziness inflicted upon their lives by the lunatic woman pursuing her husband, what little strength Gillian’s managed to hold in reserve from her grief dwindles and morphs into all out bitterness toward and distrust of her husband.

This is a “Christian” novel from start to finish which winds up preaching. A lot. Gillian drives me nuts, okay? She’s another character whose grief is displayed in obsessive conduct entwined with resentment and bitterness. I could not develop any affection for her, and a large portion of the story revolves around her state of mind and her self-revelation. She vacillates between shrew and “typical” Christian doing all the “right” things. The only real passion she possesses is conveyed through her love for her dead children. The final scenes in the novel seemed totally out of sync for her, although I realize the author intended (or I think he did) to portray that “mother bear” instinct.

As with many first novels, we writers often try to pour more in them than they can hold. I’m sure Mr. Blumer’s next novel(s) will present a tighter story with less preaching and clichés, more meaningful character depictions, and another good story. The story itself is quite good, interesting even, and if it wasn’t for the heavy insertions of explaining “Christian” conduct, thought, and principles and a less than desirable character in the forefront, Fatal Illusions would have been a better book.

Once again I must emphasize that the average reader who enjoys suspense will most likely not consider these elements as flaws.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825420989

Father, I pray you would continue to supply the stories you have for Adam to write. Help him to continue to follow the plans you have just for him. Bless his efforts to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children–
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

Psalm 103:15-18 (NIV)

Saturday is Independence Day. In spite of the current efforts to destroy this nation as we’ve known it, we are blessed to live in this wonderful country. Blessed by the freedom outlined in the documents which until now have been held sacred to our government. Often a struggle to uphold but their importance and common reason should never be questioned. The writers hoped for the best for and from mankind and wrote them accordingly.

Leadership in this country has turned from a majority who strived to do the right things to those who seek to implode every value, every moral, every worthwhile provision of our Constitution.

Those who do this are responsible for the murder of 46 million babies since Roe v. Wade became a reality 35 years ago. They defend barbaric procedures which include murdering a viable child by piercing his brain with a sharp object. Who can do such things?

Those who do this seek to pair men with men and women with women and call it justifiable marriage. We see films like Bruno which are filled with perversions wrapped in a comedic style. We see frilly men and manly women taking up their opposite roles within same sex relationships.

We see those who covet material things from anyone who has what they don’t. They “deserve” the same “things” and privileges even though they’re unwilling to work for them. They agree that those who have them should have to “pay” for their success by being taxed exorbitantly.

We see so-called scientists selling their souls to testify to fabricated climate issues when they know it’s all junk science. The “green” thing is a joke and those promoting it are in it for the money—at least those who know it’s all a step backward from today’s modern technology. They’ve learned it’s all three times more expensive to produce than to use this country’s natural resources and to incorporate nuclear energy, and they know it will never produce what they profess, lowering the standard of living in this great nation while raising the costs of all energy.

We see those who enjoy the pleasure of all this freedom but refuse to recognize that lives were and are given to preserve the freedom they seek to change. They ignore the value of fighting for what is right and true.

There are those who campaign against the One who gave His life that they might have real freedom. Every day. Jesus Christ provides freedom for all. Salvation is found in no other name, no other way. God is love. He is also just. He gave His Son to pay for true freedom, both for now and for eternity. To cover the sins of all who would seek Him. Resurrection Day is the real Independence Day, and it’s available: Free . . . for all. Price paid in full by holy Blood.

Thank God you live in a country that so far has yet to imprison those who follow Jesus, those who seek real freedom. May you celebrate your 4th of July in the embrace of the God who loves you. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He waits. For now.

Maranatha. God, bless the United States of America. Without your blessing, mercy, and grace, we will cease to be the nation created in your honor by your principles. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.