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

  • Throwback Thursday

                                            Sweet-%20releasecover

    One of my Kindle novels. 

    "Love is just a four-letter word until its true revelation hits hard in the hearts of six people who have yet to experience it in its purest form. The journey these individuals make to realize the origin and reality of genuine love is both gut-wrenching and rapturous, searching to find the sweet release to love freely. A film critic, an architectural designer, a rape victim, a computer wizard, a lonely divorcée, and a longtime bachelor pastor discover love is far more powerful than anything they’ve experienced in their pasts."

    And just $2.99 to purchase. 

     

    Father, thank you for each novel, inspired by you, written by me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Wednesday Wanderings . . .

                          Writing

    I know enough authors to realize we all exercise different writing habits, reactions to scenes, protocols for editing, styles of preparations, and when we take breaks either from a manuscript we're writing or from writing period or if we do not. 

    Here's one of my quirky tendencies I've only recently discovered – or maybe admitted to myself. When I have an important scene approaching – and I know it's coming which I don't always know because I'm a seat-of-the-pants author and sometimes words arrive without forethought – I tend to stall. I don't construct the scene in my head, but I mull over the emotional reactions of the characters involved. The more critical the particular scene is to the crux of the story, the more I tend to run away from writing it. I don't consciously acknowledge I'm doing it, but, c'mon, why not just write it? 

    When I finally stop stalling and set myself up for getting it done, it seems to work out well and satisfies me. I can always go back to it, change some things, a word here or there that makes it more effective. But that's what I have a tendency to do. 

    I'd love to hear from other authors, but they're probably writing instead of stalling. 

     

    Father, you always bring me through the journey to "The End". Apart from you, I can do nothing. That's a given. And thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Tuesday Tunes

     

    Smooth-voiced LeAnn Rimes brings it in this lovely song. 

     

    Father, so many gifts and talents to so many. May each one know from whom those wonderful assets come. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • When I was . . .

                      Latest-2705683916

    Some more free verse . . . 

    Lost 

    The darkness pretended to be light,

    and I failed to see the difference.

    Games were played, and I had to learn

    how to play in the darkness.

    Sad to say I excelled, competition fierce. 

    Then suddenly, after the final game, 

    I no longer wanted to play. 

    Empty. Lost. In the dark.

    Faintness of light in the distance,

    I followed the stumbling path, 

    seeking the power of that light.

    Arrival, knees to ground, sorrows, confessions:

    the darkness died.

    Found. 

     

    Thank you, Jesus, for always watching out for me, saving me from myself. Always desperate for you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

         After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: 

             "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!

                  She has become a home for demons

               and a haunt for every evil spirt,

                  a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.

               For all the nations have drunk

                  the maddening wine of her adulteries

               The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,

                  and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her

                     excessive luxuries." 

     

    Revelation 18:1-3 (NIV)

  • Friday’s Rant

              Warning_rant-1864388223

    I apologize for this not being a new rant. Not new. Still aggravating. To me. 

    If you choose to read secular/general market fiction, the possibility for graphic sex, violence, and/or language/profanity is almost guaranteed. Expected. The way it is most of the time.

    If you choose to read Christian Fiction, you do not expect to read about graphic sex and/or language/profanity issues. Violence is in a league all its own. Depending on whether or not you're reading a thriller, the violence level and/or graphic description of a violent act may vary, but rarely does it amount to the graphic descriptions used in the general market novels. 

    So. "It" being a given that Chrisitan Fiction isn't going to give you the graphic play-by-play of a sexual act, rarely graphic portrayals of slaying someone or something, but does give the reader the elimination of true profanity (i.e of the 4-letter variety not including hell or damn), why in this day and age should Christian Fiction need to be labeled "Clean Fiction"? Isn't the fact that it's Christian Fiction indicative of it being "clean"? 

    And if you're going to tell me that it shouldn't have this or that in the romance area, I'm probably going to demand specifics as to what makes it a romance, and why is the reader reading a novel where the real essence of romance is eliminated, "toned down", or unacceptable? What qualifies a read as "clean"? Does "clean" mean that the characters are mistake-free? That they don't ever sin in their romantic interludes or thoughts? So, a sinless relationship? In other words, perfect? No such thing in a human being.

    I need a valid explanation of "clean" for Christian Fiction? Anyone? 

     

    God, you are perfect, and we can find it nowhere else. We fail you, but in Jesus we strive to do as your Spirit directs. Thank you for forgiving us. We're always desperate for you. Jesus, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Throwback Thursday

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    Well, some things are not cooperating for this post, so I'm going to post another selection of free verse going back in time. 

     

    Young

    There were songs and themes and drums,

    laughs and stares, far-off intentions hidden in hearts.

    Concerts and movies, walks and cameras.

    Secrets, regrets, and time racing away

    leaving memories in its wake.

     

    Father, thank you for memories. Thank you for the present day. Thank you that we remember in order to advance in the days you've numbered for us. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

         

  • In time . . . .

                                                                 Download (10)

    I've been tinkering with a little free verse. I used to write a lot of it long before I wrote novels. A remembrance and request brought it on again. Hope you enjoy this one.

    Timing

    Remembering a moment in that time,

    Thoughtful, serious, dissecting meanings of words and glances.  

    Rapid, heart pulsing, touched, a dared romance.

    Desire, craving, needing 

    A closeness.

    But it never came. 

     

    Father, thank you for it all. Apart from you, I can do nothing. That much I know. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus. 

     

  • Tuesday Tunes

             

    One of the absolute best crooning and purest voices of many years ago. Love songs at their best from Johnny Mathis. 

     

    Father, only you know hearts. Please touch those to whom you've given such talent and turn their hearts to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Monday Musings . . .

                            Download (29)

    Simplified: every novel is a risk. Will readers like the protagonist and the other characters? Will the story have appeal to the audience you hope to reach? Enough conflict? Enough drama? Enough resolution? Good dialogue? Will it? 

    In my last novel, I told you it was a risk creating that hero. Because he was a heroic man. Maybe not his entire life, but he couldn't help himself when the time came for him to step up whether in love or the pursuit and defeat of evil, he did. In many ways he was near perfect – but not quite. A protagonist like that is a risk. "Too perfect", but he wasn't. He was just the right man for the part. 

    My current novel takes another risk. Mostly dialogue either spoken or internal. A love story told by the man who's experiencing it. A bestselling author no less. 

    They are all risks. Authors must take them. And hope for the desired result. 

     

    Father, you are the supplier of inspirations. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.