The best definition of Christian fiction I’ve ever seen was provided by Francine Rivers: If you pull out the Christian thread from the plot and the story crumbles, it’s Christian fiction. There are a lot of Christians who write fiction, for both the secular and Christian markets–James Scott Bell, K.M. Weiland, Debbie Maycomber–but not all Christians write Christian fiction.

You can write about Christian characters involved in space exploration or whatever, and if you pull out all your references to Christianity and the story still stands, you’ll have a terrific Sci-Fi that’s clean enough for the Christian market, but you don’t have Christian fiction. Leaving the Christian thread in allows you to shoot for publication in the Christian market; leaving it out can make you a candidate for both markets, depending on your publisher.

It’s the same with any genre. You can’t pull out the romance thread from a Romance novel and expect the story to survive. You can’t pull the crime to be solved from the mystery novel and still expect the story to stand. Christian fiction is a genre. If you pull Christianity out of a Christian Romance, and the story stands, it’s more about the romance than it is about Christianity/God/salvation/redemption/restoration/etc.

Like I said, Francine Rivers provided the best and strictest definition of the genre, but the complication arises when we want to differentiate ourselves from the secular market as we’re promoting ourselves and our works. I adore Brandilyn Collins novels. Collins writes “seatbelt suspense” for Christians to enjoy. Her characters are Christian and engage in Christian activities, but you can pull all that out and still have a fabulous suspense novel. No sex, no language, no gore, no filth. Just an excellent adrenaline rush. But to differentiate her from Sandra Brown, for instance, her work is called Christian Suspense. In this case, the term is used to identify who her market is, who her readers are. She writes to entertain Christians who, like me, love suspense novels.

The question for some budding Christian authors is where the line is drawn between secular and Christian fiction. Virtually every subgenre is open to the Christian author, every topic, every problem facing mankind. You want to write about witches? Do it. Vampires and other undead? Go for it. Prostitution, drugs, murder? Open play. Have fun.

But in the end, who is glorified? Christian fiction as a genre uses Christian principles to draw characters away from their hell-bound path, and God always gets the glory.

As for the content–how graphic you want to be, what kind of language you choose to use–that’s a matter of personal choice. Whatever you’re comfortable signing your name to, go for it. But if you’re hoping for publication in the Christian market, do your research and learn what their limits are. You may be better off looking for a secular agent/publisher.

Don’t let the cover or the title of this book fool you–it is most definitely Christian fiction, by the strictest definition of the term. It isn’t on the level of those vampire or “living dead” books. At its base, it’s theological, philosophical. Amazing.

This novel is not only vividly, compellingly written, it’s also stunningly feasible. “Thought-provoking” doesn’t begin to cover it.

The story, at its most stripped-down, basic plot, is about a demon who takes on various human forms and appears at different times to tell his story to an editor at a publishing house. And it’s about the man to whom he tells his story.

But that’s not doing the novel justice. The story is about the creation, the fall, the history of mankind, the salvation offered through God’s only Son. It’s about the battle of principalities and powers, and hatred and love. It’s about God’s enduring, unfaltering love for us.

And, just as Lucian tells Clay the story is about him, ultimately it’s about you. You and the decision you must make concerning your eternity.

So let me say this right off: Cahn is no novelist. If you’re looking for a good story about prophecy fulfillment, keep looking. This one ain’t it. Cahn’s style drove me bonkers, and I found myself skimming to the point I’d sometimes miss important things and have to go back.

However, if you want to know some of the striking parallels between Israel’s prideful moment after their attack and our prideful moment after the 9/11 attack, you won’t find a better book.

Cahn points out something that many Americans no longer believe: The USA began as a Christian nation, based on Christian principles. The historic evidence of this fact is so overwhelming that only a redaction of history could blind people to its truth. Therefore, our history has been redacted. And the corrupt versions have been taught for so long, they’ve become “truth” to those who swallow whatever is spoon-fed them. (Rough words, perhaps, but I’m angry about the denial of our Christian roots when proving their existence is so easy.)

As a Christian nation, dedicated to God as the “New Jerusalem” at Plymouth Rock, we’ve enjoyed God’s protection for centuries. Have bad things happened to us as a nation? Yes, but you can see God’s hand in all of our victories.

However in the last several decades, His existence has been denied and He has been kicked out of all public forums. As a nation, we no longer honor His word or His ways, so we shouldn’t be too surprised that He has taken away His hedge of protection. September 11, 2001, is the first true sign that we are no longer in His favor, but only a discerning few recognize it. The same discerning few who recognize the signs of the times we’re currently in and the implications of things to come.

After the attack, two political figures used Is. 9:10 as a proclamation and promise that we will rebuild. Valiant and encouraging words spoken by representatives of a prideful nation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to rebuild, wanting to show our enemies we can’t be defeated. But the failure to turn to God during our most grievous times only ensured the removal of His hedge of protection around us. Had those two politicians read the verses before and after Is. 9:10, they may have chosen more humble words of encouragement.

All this and more can be found in Cahn’s book–and for this reason, I can recommend the book. It’s yet another call to “Wake up, America!”

I’ve been cravin’ one of these for the longest time, and now I can have one!

You heard right, my friends. I have now been released of all binding food restrictions–well, almost all–and am free to eat even Tex-Mex! Praise the Lord and pass the salsa!!!

The only restrictions I have right now, and they’re only for a year, are certain high-fiber veggies and fruits–can’t have ‘em raw, but I can have ‘em cooked–and nuts. No nuts whatsoever, but I can have peanut butter. I can live with these restrictions. Beats the tar out of a liquid diet, and even a Crohn’s diet!

Which means that I can also have this: a deep fried stuffed avocado (beginning to see a pattern here?). Nothing beats this beauty of crunch and cream, spice and sweet. And cheese, cheese, cheese!

In case you haven’t caught on yet, I’ve missed Mexican food something awful, and I can’t wait to pop something into my mouth that has a touch of cayenne, a dash of cumin, a bit of chili powder. For those who fret about me going spicy too soon, don’t worry–there’s a difference between an upset tummy (which I may or may not get, but I doubt it) and full-blown Crohn’s. I can have spice, but not high fiber foods right now. And I intend to have spice!

Yeeeee-haw! Got a tortilla?

Her family used to live across the pond from us. Her grandma is my best friend. I was there when her human mom, the youngest of the family, was born; her aunt and uncle call me “Crazy Aunt Linda.” I love it. The family moved away many years ago, but one of my joys is when we can all get together again. Stacy and Chris are already grown and gone, so I don’t get to see them often, but Sweet Sarah comes with her mom about once a year. A drunk driver left the kids without a dad and BFF without a husband in 2010. It was rough, but they’re getting along.

So why am I writing about them? Because they came to see me! Squeeee!

Sharon and Sweet Sarah came last Wednesday and stayed until Friday, when they met up with the other kids for a reunion of Sharon’s extended family, then Sunday, they came back here–all of them, including a boyfriend and a girlfriend!–for lunch and catch-up time before heading back to Central Texas. We grilled hamburgers and visited all afternoon. My stars, that was delightful. I get the warm fuzzies every time I think of the fact that the kids didn’t want to leave this area until they’d seen Uncle Billy and Crazy Aunt Linda.

While they were at their reunion Saturday, MSB and I hit the farmers market and spent a ton o’ money–fresh green beans, new potatoes, yellow squash, onions, and tomatoes, not to mention local honey, three kinds of jellies–frost grape, jalapeno, and mayhaw–and a big ol’ bottle of homemade blackberry wine (which I can’t have until I get off some of my meds. MSB says I’m missing out. Darn it.).

We ran some other errands, then went out for lunch at Cotton Patch. Of course, I couldn’t finish my entire meal in one sitting, but at least I was hungry enough to give it a try. What I accomplished Saturday was considerably more than what I was capable of just a week before, and I don’t know what the difference is, unless I actually am building up a little more strength and stamina. It’ll take time, I know, but it’ll happen.

Meanwhile, it’s just wonderful to be able to sit here and write about what would be mundane to everyone else. Visiting with friends, going shopping, doing whatever needs to be done, is normal for other people. Nothing has been normal for us in a long time. Even when we could do things others do, we always had to consider my “condition” and make accommodations. We still have to consider how quickly I tire, but I did good Saturday. And for a while, we were able to forget . . .

There’s something comforting about the mundane, about “life as normal.” Today, I feel joyfully comforted.

What an incredible gift to have–to be able to sculpt the face of someone God wants you to meet long before you do. You never know what your mission is, what you’re to do when you meet this mystery person, just that God has a job for you. In The Soul Saver, a supernatural women’s fiction novel by Dineen Miller, Lexie Baltimore has that gift, and it leads her to meet a pastor who understands her pain over losing a child and her frustration over having a husband with whom she cannot share her faith. She doesn’t know yet whether Nate Winslow is her mission, or she is his.

The widower Nate develops an attraction to her and tries to drive a wedge between her and her husband, who is becoming more and more distant from her as he pursues his career goals. Hugh also becomes more belligerent toward her religion, which makes Nate more attractive to her.

What she doesn’t know, and what Nate constantly battles, is that he owes the devil a favor for saving his daughter after she and his late-wife were in an accident. The favor is to split up Lexie and Hugh so the demon Tobias can win Hugh’s soul more easily–without Lexie’s influence. To make sure Nate remains compliant, Tobias sends his daughter to the hospital with a life-threatening condition. Consumed with guilt and feeling cut off from God, Nate is torn between tearing apart a husband and wife, or losing his only child.

So much is wrapped in this story: the need for strong prayer support, the invisible battle between principalities and powers, the pain and loneliness of a mismatched marriage. Dineen is the author of Christian novels, and The Soul Saver is the definition of what that genre is–a novel whose story would collapse if the Christian thread were removed. Many Christians write novels, but not all Christians write Christian novels. This one fills the bill. It’s scripturally sound and full of wisdom, particularly addressing the mismatched marriage. This one’s a five-star keeper.

I’m not entirely well yet, but I’m on the Humira and am definitely seeing positive results. However, after being ill for over a year and having jelly for muscles, it’s going to be quite awhile before I’m strong enough or have enough stamina to do much. Yesterday, we went to Lufkin to go to both WalMart and Sam’s, then out to lunch at Cheddar’s. Well, I managed WalMart, MSB had to Sam’s, and I was too tuckered to eat at Cheddar’s so I ordered a to-go club sandwich.

But we got to go to the church handbell concert last night. I love handbells!

Work has suffered a bit. The Cat Lady’s Secret has now been rejected by everyone we’ve submitted it to. I can think of a number of reasons, but I believe the main reason is that God knows I’m just not well enough, even now, to do what’s necessary to promote a new release. So, while He’s saying “No, for now,” I’m working on another with my writing partner Brad. He’s hoping we’ll be finished by the ACFW Conference in September. I’m hoping too—quite a bit of work left to do on The Simulacrum.

I’ve also put some thought into how easy it would be at this point to just fade out of the field, like the players fading into the cornstalks in Field of Dreams. There are several aspects of this career that I don’t like, and not having to do them holds a certain appeal. I’ve had my fifteen minutes of fame, and I can tag the phrase “award-winning author” to my resume if ever I decide to get a “real” job, so maybe it’s time to disappear from the scene.

And sometimes I argue the other way. Hang in there, keep writing, keep networking. Who knows which side of me is going to win this internal battle.

Reblogged from 777 Peppermint Place:

Anyone who's followed this blog for any length of time knows how I feel about exercise, so you'd think MSB would know too. We went for a walk the other day, me trying desperately to keep up with his stride.

"You're going too fast."

"This pace is better exercise."

"If this is exercise, I'm going home. I'm out for a stroll.

Read more… 511 more words

Reblogged from 777 Peppermint Place:

I have now read one-fourth of the way through a thousand page novel. Four hundred pages into Tom Clancy's The Bear and the Dragon. And, other than in the first chapter, the action is just now beginning. Finally.

Clancy is the quintessential example of how not to write a book, at least according to all the how-to's I've read. He has far too many settings.

Read more… 712 more words

In 2010, I read The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass and decided to read every single book he mentioned in this work to see what catches his attention and makes the grade in his opinion. Thirteen Moons is on pages 29-30 under the subheading “Greatness” in Chapter One.

Perhaps you realized the implications of the previous paragraph. Yes, after all this time, I’m still in Chapter One. I didn’t realize how many books Maass mentioned or how little time I’d have to read for pleasure. I’m still determined however, and God willing, I’ll be out of Chapter One by the end of the year.

The novel is a memoir of sorts of the ancient Will Cooper, spanning from an era before there were civilized settlements along the Mississippi River, through the Civil War, and further into a time when telephones were new contraptions and passenger trains criss-crossed America. Abandoned by his people and adopted by the Cherokee, Will becomes a businessman, lawyer, white Indian chief, Washington DC lobbyist for the Cherokee nation, and a state senator. To hear Will tell it, everything kind of happened by accident, although some may have been by design. He tells of his successes with humor and his failures with honesty, but little remorse. He is a capitalist who disdains capitalism, a rich man with no respect for money, and a life-long lover of a woman who isn’t free to love him back. His two primary influences include Featherstone, the worst the whites have to offer, and Bear, the best the Indians have to offer. His interactions with the two are part of what makes the book so compelling.

Occasional rough language and mild sex in the novel will prevent some who visit this site from reading it; the fact that it’s literary will prevent others. But if you’re game for a different type of Indian story, you should check this out.