Messing with my new 35mm Konica camera, a birthday gift for me from my parents right before my trip of a lifetime to Great Britain and Europe which lasted almost 3 months. An incredible journey with a friend.
Father, thank you for protecting me during that trip. I didn't yet know you, and you still protected me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Obviously, there are differences between Christian Fiction and General Market (Secular) Fiction. Although certainly not in every General Market novel, many contain expletives/cursing/profanity, and some contain graphic sexual calisthenics which could qualify as literary pornography. To find either of those in Christian Fiction would be shocking to most Christian readers and is perceived by almost all Christian authors as a necessary difference between the two markets.
But let's discuss the genre differences between the two markets. First of all, as most of you know, I read mostly thrillers, mystery, and suspense. I think it's fair to say that Christian Fiction offers far less of the thriller genre even though several authors/publishers have labeled their novels as such. It might be, in some cases, the differences in thriller content and style between the two markets are subtle, but for the most part the Christian thriller novels do not presently offer an outstanding thriller-concept author for the genre. Instead, they produce some intense mysteries with some violent and/or fast-moving action scenes, but to sustain the level of thrillers, it's not consistently reached or met even in those Christian novels touted as thrillers.
There are those Christian readers who might ask how anyone can read secular literature. I know that because I was one of them for a long time. So. I will tell you why I decided to go to the general market for certain genres. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, at present there are few pronounced thriller authors in the Christian Fiction market. I do hope that isn't taken as a slam to those authors who've attached the "thriller" labels to their work. Truly, I mean no offense. However, there's a distinct quality to thrillers that doesn't always include a romantic element, a completely "stable" hero, more mystery than action, and predictable reactions to certain circumstances. Now I understand that these are somewhat vague descriptions, noting that even non-Christian thrillers can contain these factors – but in the General Market these will usually show up in one of many novels in a long series featuring a particular hero (i.e. Mitch Rapp, John Milton, Scot Harvath, etc.), not in every thriller novel.
Yes, there is a 100% chance there will be profanity in these novels, in some more than others. Do I expect it? Yes. Do I like it? No, but from the standpoint of accuracy and keeping with the established character(s) and actions, it's understandable until it becomes obsessive. Then it's particularly annoying. Rarely in genuine thrillers does graphic sexual content appear. Those are the few pages which are skipped if it shows up. The thriller authors I read are outstanding craftsmen in the genre. I'm usually always sorry when the book comes to an end.
I would like to say at one time before the great "transformation" of Christian Fiction, there were more thriller authors available. My personal favorite was Robert Liparulo who had the incredible ability to write stories at a frenzied pace that kept you tightly involved in his deep and intense stories. Truly one of the best.
So, yes, there are necessary differences in the two markets. However, if you're a lover of genuine thrillers, you'll probably have to go to the General Market to find them.
Father, thank you for the talents and gifts you give so generously. Please continue to bless those who use them to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
That silky smooth voice of the late great Nat King Cole singing this famous love song.
Father, you are Love. And only you know all the facets of perfect love. Thank you for sharing your love with us. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I believe in self-discipline. I'm just not terribly good at it. I have a tendency to learn the hard way through the mistakes I make – many of them due to being stubborn about certain things.
Writing is not something I can control or order. Yes, I know: there are those skilled authors who stake their claims on certain writing periods per day, consistently devoted to their schedules. Those authors advocate for these reserved times dedicated to their creative writing.
I'm so far removed from that I can't even imagine it. Nor do I want to. Seat-of-the-pants writer that I am, spontaneous creativity, "undisciplined" if you prefer: that's me. But don't mistake that for not being dedicated to my work. It's a simple case of being unable to force it. And practicing that kind of writing will only produce drivel, meandering gibberish.
That's my Monday confessional. So be it.
Father, I thank you for every moment you lead me to writing words. I treasure them. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
To the church in Laodicea
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich, and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Her I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 1:20 and Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV)
From my Work in Progress:
Chapter 19
I almost ran to the back door when the knock came. I swung open the door and, let me tell you, my eyes are not my best friends when it comes to women because they don't play nice by any rules. They quickly gave her the once over, the lurid traitors capturing all the "right" places. And they almost swooned in delight. I know: over the top. That's what she did to me in her black cargo shorts and white tank top with black low-cut sneakers.
She rushed in, apologizing immediately for her assumption that I wouldn't need her until later in the day and how foolish she felt for that assumption. Even asked for forgiveness and promised it would never happen again. And I felt like an ogre, a salivating ogre because her legs and the way her clothes fit her drove me crazy. I took her hand and walked her to my couch and gently pulled her down beside me, still holding her hand.
"This is all my fault, Sara. I haven't had a schedule other than getting the books in on time for many years. I can't expect you to stay chained to the house while I fiddle around with my writing and you not knowing if and when I might need your help. It's totally unfair. Listen, I want to put some order to my chaos. For me, but mostly for you. Does that sound acceptable to you?"
She nodded, and I saw she was holding back tears which only deepened my wound for how I'd caused this. I calmly let go of her hand and stood, walked around the coffee table to protect her from me wanting to pull her as close as I could get her.
"Again, Sara, my fault." I paused, gathering gumption to elaborate on what I'd said last night. "I've been more honest with you than anyone I can remember, not that there have been very many individuals in my life where I chose to be. Frankly, Seth was first, Savvy second, my mom much later in my life, Tim O'Brien, and now you. I'm not proud of the fact that I've stretched, eliminated altogether, or omitted the full truth from most people I've known. But not you.
"I'm sorry for worrying you with my call, and I'm willing to bet I sounded angry which I was not. Truth is, I sort of panicked. I don't know why. Not knowing where you were caused all sorts of stupid thoughts even as far as wondering if you'd gone, left, had decided this really wasn't for you when the guy you work for knocks on your door with who-knew-what-kind-of-intentions.
That last comment made her give me a small smile.
I shook my head in wonder. "I must've been saving up all these words over the years for a conversation I never expected to have. I truly haven't spoken this much to anyone in too long to remember."
"i'm glad you're speaking them to me," she said softly.
If I wrote erotica, it would be expressed in the thoughts which bounced through my brain. I wanted her in my arms, and I knew beyond what I could fully understand I had to maintain control of myself. Because, I grudgingly admitted, it was the right thing to do.
God, apart from you, I can do nothing. You've watched over me my entire life – even when I never had your divine protection coming. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The only place I wander nowadays is in my head. Scenes, dialogue, new characters, their names – those kinds of things. It's funny how, as a writer, I'll hear or see a name and instantly a character will own that name and the full name that follows or precedes it. At times an author really can/does check out of the present ongoings to live in the "other" world going on inside his or her head. So forgive those vacant stares into an indefinable space. We're busy!
The inspirations that come from these wanderings are like shimmering diamonds in the sunlight, radiating their rainbow facets into bright light. Latching onto snappy repartee, a perfect retort, something genuinely funny, or the opposite. Precision expression brings soulful personal rewards, and we hope what has moved us to write it will bring that emotional touch to the reader's soul.
We know the story must resonate, but for many of us we need the characters, the locations, the activities – whatever makes the story tick – to touch chords of recognition, identification, similarities, surprises, positive or negative reactions depending on the scenes. It's a process. Sometimes it moves quickly and sometimes it drags as we share both the joys of keeping up with the words required as they fall from our fingertips or we experience panic as those same fingers still on the keys while our eyes see nothing but blank picture frames in our minds.
Welcome to the world of wandering for this writer on this Wednesday . . .
Father, I've said it hundreds of times and it still applies: Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
This is the opening song for one of my most favorite movies: Benny and Joon. This song fit perfectly for what this odd couple had to go through to be together. Loved this movie.
Father, so many need you. Please find a way to reach them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
There are times when I wonder why the simplest of things must be so difficult. Why, when something is running well, looks good, does its job, and presents no problems, why must it be changed "for the better"? In so doing, everything is messed up, isn't running well, doesn't look good, and ISN'T doing its job!
At present, all of my documents are invisible to me, all of my pages and passwords have to be re-established, nothing is operating conveniently, and I'm as angry and frustrated as I can be. I doubt I'll leave this post in place, but I probably will because who knows if it will disappear too?!
I wake up to this "New and Improved!" garbage without everything I need.
Rant over. Sigh.
Father, you know. Please help. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
