Inspired by the 'Dark Side'

Before I get too many worried responses, no I'm not turning away from the faith! I have been inspired, however, by my current class of very talented drama students. Their upcoming show is called 'DRAMA NOIR - A Darker Side of Light'. It is a compilation of plays written and produced solely by the students, an amazing ensemble of nine females and nine males between the ages of 15 - 17. I wanted to give them as much autonomy as possible in putting a show together since they are possibly one of the most talented and self motivated groups I've ever had the pleasure to teach. They didn't disappoint me.

As it turned out, many of the pieces they wrote had a rather dark bent. Some are definitely comedic, although dark comedy would be the word, while others are quite dramatic - even poignant. The topics are certainly relevant to current teenage culture. Parental relationships, the downside of the technological revolution, materialism, sexual confusion, the occult ... not typical fare for a light-hearted evening of entertainment, but all dealt with in a very mature and thoughtful manner. (Well, except for a couple of pieces that are just down right funny in an oddly macabre way!) It makes for a nice mix, though and should be quite entertaining.

To say that I am proud is a bit of an understatement. One of the things I love most about teaching is when you know you have made a real difference in the life of a young person. I'm fortunate to have had a number of these moments, especially because of my work in Drama. Theatre Arts is one of the best ways I know to boost a person's sense of worth and accomplishment. This time, however, I can truly say that I am being inspired by these young people. 

I'll be posting photos next week once the show is over and I've had time to catch my breath. In the mean time, think of someone who has inspired you lately. Perhaps its a person that you set out to help, but they ended up helping you instead. Inspiration can come  in many forms. Even in the form of a group of teens.

WINTER - a review

Why post about 'winter' when summer is just around the corner? Because it's actually the title of a great book I read recently, and also the name of the main character. WINTER was one of three finalist in this year's 'Grace Awards' in the 'Speculative Fiction' category. As one of the judges for the category, I had the chance to read this awesome book and I'm glad I did. Here is my review:

Winter - a review 
 

The novel Winter by Keven Newsome was a treat to read. It is a paranormal thriller with a Christian message – ‘Christian horror’ if such an oxymoron can exist. Winter is a young ‘Goth’ who is off to college for the first time. She has a past riddled with hurt and trouble, but she is now a Christian, despite her continuing espousal of Goth dress. This is one aspect of the book that I especially liked. The author has set out to completely destroy stereotypes in how his heroine should dress, behave, or even think. Winter has been plagued with recurring nightmares and once at college these escalate. She also starts having waking visions and premonitions. At the same time, disturbing events start taking place at the college. Someone is terrorizing the campus, culminating in a brutal murder. The student president is framed for the deed, while other controversies start to wrack the college as well. Winter and her new college friends begin to see a correlation between her visions and events at the school. Although a reluctant recipient, she seems to have the gift of prophecy, and believes she has been sent to the school to help solve the crimes that have been taking place. A Satanic group seems to be at the center of all the conflict and so Winter and her friends are toppled headlong into a twisted plot of mystery, intrigue and danger. Skillfully woven throughout are flashbacks to Winter’s traumatic past where she learns important life lessons which she draws upon to deal with her present predicament. Although sometimes brutally descriptive, the book never reads as sensationalized or gratuitous. Read this book for a thrilling ride into the occult where good triumphs in the end.  

Buy WINTER  at Amazon. 

Are We STILL Arguing?

What's all the fuss about? Just when I think people are learning to get along and be inclusive, I'm surprised once again. It seems some folks just can't see past their opinions when it comes to the 'Christian' book market. I had one friend comment that she wondered if it was worth trying to stay within the 'Christian' genre. She's an emerging author, with several best selling novels under her belt, and yet even she gets frustrated by all the bickering and passionate outcry from well meaning people who think its their way or the highway. Her books are almost as squeaky clean as they can be and yet someone somewhere took offense. Sigh.

At times it feels like an argument without a viable solution. I understand where both sides are coming from, but I'm not sure everyone is ever going to meet in the middle.On the one hand, there are lots of folks who feel that in order for a work of fiction to be labeled 'Christian' it must be squeaky clean. These readers want to know that if they pick up a book marked 'Christian' it will be safe for them to read without offense. Okay ... I get that. The dilemma arises when we try to define what constitutes 'offensive' material. Different people have different levels of tolerance for things like sexual content, profanity and the like. I know people who consider the words 'shut up' as swearing. (Seriously - I know people like this ... and if you're one of them I apologize in advance.) I had one woman explain to me that she couldn't read my book PLAY IT AGAIN because it contained the word 'hell'. That is certainly her prerogative.

For myself, I don't mind a bit of mild swearing (like 'hell' and 'damn') if it is used to make the dialog more authentic. I don't go over the top and use anything worse than that, but I will read a book that contains more profanity if its a good story and these words add to the characterization. Interestingly enough, my fourth book WIND OVER MARSHDALE which has been contracted by Astraea Press and due to come out this fall, needed some changing because Astraea does not allow any form of swearing including 'hell' and 'damn' - and they are not even a Christian publisher. Naturally, I complied.

However, if books deemed 'edgy' do not label themselves as 'Christian', some readers may feel duped when they read the book. I had one reader comment that my book MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER was too religious for her taste. (Even though in the back cover blurb it references the fact that the heroine finds fulfillment in 'the arms of God'.) Everyone gets saved at the end, and she felt this was unrealistic. For my part, I know that this isn't so. My own family is a case in point, where all five siblings became Christians as adults.

It's a case of 'you're damned if you do and damned if you don't'. (Oops! Did that offend someone? Somehow 'darned if you do ...' doesn't have quite the same ring to it ...) Labeling our books 'Christian' is limiting because many people who might otherwise read and enjoy them will not pick up a book marked 'Christian'. Not labeling them means those who do want to read good redemptive stories might not find them. It's why I think there is room for the Christian market to expand its tent pegs to include an 'edgy' component. If books are labeled as such, those that are afraid of seeing controversial content can avoid the book, while others who enjoy a bit of spice (like me) can still find books that have some moral quality.

What I don't appreciate is when one camp or the other insinuates that they have an exclusive line to God's heart / will / blessing. It's like claiming that only one denomination constitutes true believers and the rest have it all wrong. (You know what that equals - a cult.) Personally I think we've all got it wrong to some degree, because the body of Christ is, after all, made up of human beings. We're fallible and until we get to heaven there's bound to be something askew with our earthly attempts at godliness.

In any case, I think there should be room for all. Christian fiction, like Christians themselves, is broad enough to encompass all types. It doesn't mean everyone has to read or even like everything. (I do not like Amish romances, for instance.) That doesn't mean all Amish romances should be banned. Obviously a whole lot of people like them, so who am I to argue? Similarly, certain folks need to take off their self made halos and allow a broader spectrum of Christian fiction to exist, without recrimination.

I invite your feedback. Seriously. I've got my helmet on and everything. :)

SPLIT SENSE - a review

I had the privilege of being on the judges panel for this year's 'Grace Awards' in the 'Speculative Fiction' category. What a treat! (This is my favorite genre to read.) I'm happy to post my review of the winning novel - SPLIT SENSE by Barbara Brink. It was a fabulous read and definitely worthy of the award.

Split Sense - a review

Split Sense by Barbara Ellen Brink is, at the risk of sounding cliché, a real page turner. It is very well written; full of action, twists and turns, intrigue and a well thought out though complex story line. The book begins in 1995 with a frightened schizophrenic woman being chased and killed, but not before her twin babies are taken alive. Thus begins a complex web of deceit and subterfuge that centers around a pharmaceutical company that has been experimenting on pregnant women. The hope is to find a cure for mental illness, but instead, a deeper and deeper web of lies forms. The infants that are saved are separated and a company employee takes one to raise as his own son. The girl twin was presumed dead by the company, but through some undercover work of her own, the attending doctor saves the girl and places her with another family, unbeknown to anyone. 

We progress through the years, visiting both twins as they grow and mature. Each one seems to have a special ‘gift’. The boy can sense other people’s feelings and even begins to read minds. The girl has an unexplainable gift for healing through music. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical company has continued its experiments on another set of twins, with frightening results.

Zander, the twin boy, begins looking for answers, but then those who know the truth begin to die, either through freak accidents or other means. The tension just keeps building. In the end, the story comes to happy and satisfying conclusion, but not before we are left with another surprise twist right at the end. I highly recommend this book to those who love a fast paced story with lots of twists and intrigue. 

Buy the book at Amazon. 

Links to some super features

I had the privilege of several features this week. first of all, let me direct you to a super fun Mother's Day post written by Nike Chillemi at 'Faith, Fiction and Friends'. In it she looks at some atypical mothers as heroines and among her picks are Joleen Allen from my book MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER. I really enjoyed her take on the book! so fun! Check it out here.

Next, you'll want to read my regular 'Inscribe' post at 'Inscribe Writer's Online. The post is called, 'Writing, Purpose and Other Illusions' and is a commentary on the year's writing goals to date - what's working and what isn't.

Thanks to Michelle Sutton, founder of 'Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers', for making me one of the featured authors of the month over at ECFL. (My favorite ning network!) Check it out - and join this awesome group if you're a writer or reader who likes Christian fiction with an 'edge'. It's a great place to belong.

Winners!

I'm pleased to announce the John 3:16 winners from the recent Blog Hop. I'm doubly pleased since one of the winners, Marnie Pohlmann, is the illustrious leader of my own local writers group - the Peace Region Writers, a satellite group of 'Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship'. Congrats Marnie! See the banner below for all the details.

On a personal note, the winner of a signed copy of my book PLAY IT AGAIN is ... Karen K! Congratulations.

KINDLE WINNERS have been announced at http://john316mn.blogspot.com as well as shown below! Let's thank the following John 3:16 Authors for sponsoring our 2 free Kindles Deborah McCarragher Joy Hannabass, Rose McCauley Elaine Cooper Amanda Stephen Tom Blubaugh Paulette Harper Theresa Franklin Susan Craft Carol Brown Lynn Dove Martin Roth Saundra Dalton-Smith Katherine Harms Heather Bixler Lorilyn Roberts Laura Davis Bob Saffrin Sid Frost Sammie Chandler Donna Dawson Congratulations to the Grand Prize winners: marniepohlmann@shaw.ca  Marnie Pohlmann pattersday@gmail.com   Patricia Day Winners of our two Kindles from the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop! Thank you to all those who participated last week!  Also, if you signed up to win some prizes at the other participating blog sites, winners have been announced and if you were a winner, you will be notified by email within the next couple of days.  Names were selected using random.org. Blessings, Lynn www.shootthewounded.org http://lynndove.wordpress.com/ http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/ Lorilyn http://lorilynroberts.com http://john316mn.blogspot.com http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com

May CW post - Nurture

The following post was written a few days ago and scheduled to go live on this date. As part of the CW Blog Chain on this month's topic of 'Nurture', it is a tribute to my mother. However, I wanted to note that my father, although not the first person I would think of when considering the word 'nurture', deserves a word here as well. He passed away this morning and will be remembered as a sensitive person who loved deeply. See you in heaven, Dad. 

Nurture

This month's topic for the Christian Writer's Blog Chain is 'Nurture'. It seems like a fitting topic since we just celebrated Mother's Day. Many have posted about their own mothers, which is quite fitting and proper. I think I'll follow suit.

My mother was one of most inspiring women I've ever had the privilege to know, and that's not just because she was my mom. She was not your typical 'mom' on the block, but was a bit zany at times, especially for her day. (We're talking health food, yoga, painting giant murals, and all kinds of unorthodox ways of doing things during a time in the sixties and seventies when most moms stayed home baking cookies.) She liked to make everything an adventure and carried this through into her 'grandmothering', teaching, and beyond. I think if she would have been a dancer, she would have been a salsa dancer.

As a free spirited artist, and all around creative person, she definitely nurtured my love of the arts, including music, theater, visual art and literature. She also inspired me to follow in her career path as a teacher. She was a very creative teacher, using methods that were unheard of back then but have since gained in popularity. She loved to infuse lots of hands on activity, creative projects, and arts and drama in her classes. She was actually my teacher when I was in Grade Six and I have often drawn from her vast 'book of tricks' in my own teaching.

Finally, she nurtured my faith. She was a strong woman of prayer, having gone through many personal trials in her life, but she remained steadfast in her commitment to God. When I had finished 'going my own way' during my early adult years and finally came to a saving knowledge of Christ, she was my number one mentor. She nurtured my new found faith, along with countless others that she came in contact with, and will be remembered as someone who loved the 'inside' of people first, without caring about the outside package.

When she passed away in 2007, many of the people attending her funeral wore red in her memory. Not only was it her favorite color, but when her own mother passed on she wore red to celebrate Grandma's life, not focus on the loss. This perfectly exemplified her personality and it was touching to see hundreds of people with some kind of red token at her funeral service. 

I'm grateful for everything she taught me, especially through her example. I can only hope and pray that I will have nurtured my own children half as well and that some day they will look back on our time together and 'call me blessed'.

How's the 'Purpose' Coming?

It's hard to believe we are almost at the halfway mark in 2012. When I look back at my writing goals for the year, I'm also halfway between elation and dismay. Let me explain.

Last year I set out some very specific goals for myself in terms of my writing. These included increasing my blog following to a certain number, acquiring an agent, and seeing my third novel, PLAY IT AGAIN, in print. I'm happy to say that I managed to achieve each and every one. In some ways, though, last year's "success" set me up for a more lackadaisical approach in 2012. I decided to go with the "one word' trend for 2012 instead of a traditional list of goals, and chose the word "purpose" as my word.

It's been good in many ways. I re-read Rick Warren's PURPOSE DRIVE LIFE, perhaps gleaning more the second time around than the first, and I do consider the word 'purpose' on a daily basis in my prayers and as I plan my activities. However, not having an actual list of goals has left me 'purposeless' on some occasions as I sit down at my computer to do my online marketing and promotion. Exactly what am I trying to achieve? A broader reach? Increased sales? More hits on my blog? I'm not quite sure, so I just go about my business and hope for the best ... generally not the best method if you're at all interested in tracking measurable results.

All is not lost, of course. I obviously have some vague ideas about what I want to accomplish in terms of my writing, and just because I didn't list them in January doesn't mean I can't do so now. My fourth book found a contract thanks to my agent and WIND OVER MARSHDALE should be coming out this fall. As well, I've had some great success with my stage plays. I'll have four new plays in print this year, since I just signed two new contracts. Oddly enough, my first play, "Ebenezer's Christmas Carol" is making more money on royalties than all my books put together.

With so many irons in the fire, its often difficult to find the time to write new material, however. Perhaps this is where a self imposed daily word count would be in order. I enjoy the NaNoWriMo flurry of writing, and to be honest, I work best under pressure. Perhaps this is why concrete 'lists' tend to work for me. Even if I don't get around to completing everything on my list, it helps me to stay focused and gives me a sense of purpose. (There it is ... that word again.)

Its been a good year so far. Next year, however, expect to see a concrete list of goals come January. Some 'old tricks' still work best.

This was originally posted at 'Inscribe Writers Online'

Book Launch - A Tumbled Stone

Today is the official launch of Marcia Laycock's book A TUMBLED STONE. Not that long ago I featured Marcia and the book on this blog. (Go here to see my interview with Marcia.) But today, if you buy the book on Amazon, you are eligible for some cool prizes. Check it out by going to Marcia's website.

About the book: 

Andrea Calvert had to run away. She couldn't stay on the farm, shaming her parents . She couldn't face being pregnant and alone. She would take care of this on her own.  As she struggles to make life-changing decisions, Andrea discovers a diary and the wrenching story about her family's dysfunction. But is Andrea’s life at risk at Evie’s Diner?

Endorsements: 

 

"A powerful tale of redemption, of belonging. Like drawing back the curtains on a world of wonder and hope." - Phil Callaway, Author of  The Edge of the World and Wonders Never Cease

"This is a novel with power and vision, profoundly taking you deep into matters of the soul. Read it, enjoy it, and when you turn the final page, be prepared to discover that it's a story that will stay with you for a long, long time." - Sigmund Brouwer, Author of  The Weeping Chamber and 19 other novels.

“Adept prose and a compelling story combined – a treat to read.”  Susan Plett, reader

Excerpt

*Benny didn’t move. She couldn’t read his expression in the dim light, but she could see the tension in his body.

“Benny? Let me get by please.”

He shifted slowly and stood up, towering over her.

“Andrea should take better care of the baby.”

She stepped past him. “The baby’s fine, Benny. We’re going to sleep right away. You go to your room now, okay?”

“Okay,” he mumbled, but he stayed there, watching her until she went into her room and closed the door. For the first time since she’d arrived at Evie’s diner, she flipped the bolt lock into position.

BIOGRAPHY - MARCIA LEE LAYCOCK – Award-wining Canadian Author/Speaker

 Marcia’s writing began in the attic of her parents’ home where she wrote poetry and short stories for her dolls. She says they never complained so she kept it up. Since those humble beginnings, her work has been published in magazines, newspapers and anthologies in both Canada and the U.S. and has been broadcast on radio across Canada. Marcia’s work also appears frequently on the world wide web. She currently writes a weekly devotional column, The Spur, which appears in publications across Canada and goes out by e-mail to more than 4,000 readers each week. Marcia’s fiction and non-fiction has won many prizes, garnering praise from notable Christian writers like Janette Oke, Mark Buchanan, Phil Callaway and Sigmund Brouwer. She has published two devotional books and in 2006 won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone, which was published by Castle Quay Books. The sequel will be released soon. 

Once again, buy the book today at Amazon and you will be eligible for some other great prizes. (Including something from me!) After you've bought the book, go to Marcia's website for more details.