tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post78475915129593417..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Redeeming the TimeBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-15397375353083903212010-11-22T23:56:25.123-08:002010-11-22T23:56:25.123-08:00What food for thought! A Christian Renaissance. ...What food for thought! A Christian Renaissance. I love the idea and I really want to be a part of it. Come on writing skills, get on board (talking to myself here).Ellen Staleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-5785971823552011802010-11-22T20:52:43.743-08:002010-11-22T20:52:43.743-08:00More specifically Kathleen, I think that too many ...More specifically Kathleen, I think that too many Christians feel they need to "apologize" about writing for God. Not in the sense that they are ashamed, but in the defeatist attitude that Christian literature will never be at the top of the hit parade. The works of David in the Psalms hold nothing back. The Gregorian chants of the ancient monks and other writings of that age are the foundations laid for today's authors penning God's words. Oswald Chambers, CS Lewis - and others were straightforward in their calling to write. I just know that we are in competition for wholesome purposefull literature. This may all sound a bit off the wall to some, but in my old age, I find myself more passionate about getting the job done with excellence and boldness. Even it's in fiction. :)Jan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-73316874322490686032010-11-22T20:08:02.993-08:002010-11-22T20:08:02.993-08:00Many new denominations started out of a desire for...Many new denominations started out of a desire for the renewal of the old. The problem was, the old (wineskin) couldn't contain the new (wine). John Wesley's desire was not to leave the Anglican church, but the movement he started had to if it was to be true to themselves and the task God had given them.<br /><br />For this reason I don't think the CBA can handle a Christian Renaissance. When the majority of agents and publishers read their fiction from the general market, you know something is amiss. Making the move to write "faith based" book in the general market will have several positive results. The first result will be that the quality of writing will increase. One will really need to know and hone their craft if they want to succeed.<br /><br />The second positive thing is that the fiction will not be preachy. It won't get accepted in the general market if the only way you can share your message is to preach it. When the seed fell on the road in the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said it represented the Gospel being shared with someone in such a way that he/she didn't understand it. Who's fault is that? As Sowers, we need to be doing a better job of dialogue with readers about how faith intersects with life.<br /><br />The third positive aspect is that authors may find the readers they can't seem to find in the CBA. I am aware that a vast number of Christians read in the General Market. If you write for the CBA market, are you not limiting yourself to the small numbers that "niche" market holds? I have read a debut novel averages 5,000 books sold. To work full-time as a novelist, that would mean 6+ books published A YEAR. A self-published book averages 75 (a study of 10,000 books).<br /><br />So, find some friends, hone your craft, and be on the cutting edge!Steve Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332880875202358601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-28907030079045065472010-11-22T18:46:02.612-08:002010-11-22T18:46:02.612-08:00This is one of those times I wish Blogger had a &q...This is one of those times I wish Blogger had a "Like" button.<br /><br />I LIKE Jan's comment. Also...<br /><br />"What if Christian Renaissance fiction worked something like that? What if Christians found new, creative ways of expressing the presence and workings of God in a story in a way that was essential not only to the plot (perhaps not to the plot at all?) but to the very style of the writing?"<br /><br />I LIKE this. A LOT. <br /><br />So much to think about! I keep coming back to the idea of expressing a Holy Spirit consciousness (both in those who embrace it and those who are running), and a place where the miraculous is second-nature. <br /><br />"...What if Christian authors experimented, played ideas off each other, jammed with each other somehow, the way Jazz players did?..."<br /><br />This is VERY good. Hey I know, you can all come round for dinner next Thursday : ) Let's start this thing!!!Megan Sayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410068162701570057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-70746996227835200662010-11-22T16:40:31.749-08:002010-11-22T16:40:31.749-08:00Megan, consider how Jazz started out as an African...Megan, consider how Jazz started out as an African American invention, and now All America listens, plays, claims it for its own. <br /><br />Or the way Magical Realism, the style of writing which weaves fantastical, miraculous elememts with realistic ones, and the characters observe and accept it al without surprise or wonder. That style took root in South American fiction and made its way up the continents into such novels as The History of Love, in which the main character has hidden so long from the Nazis, has made himself disappear so long, that when he comes to America he finds he doesn't show up in photographs. <br /><br />I've heard it said that Tolkien invented the modern fantasy novel. <br /><br />What if Christian Renaissance fiction worked something like that? What if Christians found new, creative ways of expressing the presence and workings of God in a story in a way that was essential not only to the plot (perhaps not to the plot at all?) but to the very style of the writing?<br /><br />What if Christian authorss experimented, played ideas off each other, jammed with each other somehow, the way Jazz players did? <br /><br />Latayne, perhaps our part in redeeming the time is to open up to the idea that perhaps a dumped box of blocks is a good thing. Isn't that something like faith? <br /><br />And your first novel sounds wonderful. Written by you, it would be. <br /><br />Wendy, thanks. I love the pitcher, too. And bold and loving sounds fatastic. <br /><br />Anonymous, welcome! I'm so glad you found us. Introduce yourself sometime. <br /><br />Patti honey, you are so signed up. Sharon, me too. The thing I love about you and all the Novel Matters ladies is the way they stretch for that ideal, and the beautiful writing that emerges. <br /><br />Jan, hear hear! Now you're talking about a Christian cultural history, aren't you. Can you expand on that? How would we describe it? What names and what works?<br /><br />Lynn, Heather and Maria, you are signed up too!Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-60980143583722670662010-11-22T16:29:40.791-08:002010-11-22T16:29:40.791-08:00I'm signing up for the Christian Renaissance.I'm signing up for the Christian Renaissance.Marianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12990101542996298555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-81412855522509233592010-11-22T16:16:26.291-08:002010-11-22T16:16:26.291-08:00I'd have to say that it would sound like the b...I'd have to say that it would sound like the battle cry of taking back what was stolen from us in the literary world. We were here first, we children of God. We were speaking and writing His words long before the secular world thought they could mussle in and take over. Ha! Christian writers should understand the grand responsibility we have to reclaim the bookshelves and airwaves with words that uplift, enlighten and encourage - pointing to the One who created us and the words we write. <br /><br />Sorry, you kind of got me going there. <br />Happy Thanksgiving all of you. <br />JanJan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-57472437062397874172010-11-22T14:13:38.157-08:002010-11-22T14:13:38.157-08:00The paragraph about Tolkien and Lewis really reson...The paragraph about Tolkien and Lewis really resonated with me--I've always said that if I was half as good as either of them, I'd be satisfied with my writing.<br /><br />I'm with y'all on the Christian Renaissance. Let's go!lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02717843055807658022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-91480896450701902172010-11-22T09:28:45.736-08:002010-11-22T09:28:45.736-08:00Brilliant! A redemptive renaissance...I love it!Brilliant! A redemptive renaissance...I love it!Lynn Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11167302687594477675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-45163963898209699422010-11-22T09:16:31.095-08:002010-11-22T09:16:31.095-08:00Beautiful post, Katy. I especially loved: "Th...Beautiful post, Katy. I especially loved: "The Inklings, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien among them, sought ways of writing stories so infused with spiritual realities that readers might feel that they'd been touched through the veil by something - or someone - holy and transcendent." Touched through the veil ... more than anything that's what I'd like to accomplish with my writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-4038582552659692042010-11-22T08:11:47.578-08:002010-11-22T08:11:47.578-08:00As one who is sitting pouty-lipped in front of her...As one who is sitting pouty-lipped in front of her tumbled-down blocks, your post is a balm and a rallying cry. Yes. A Christian Renaissance. Sign me up.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-26422124538775503322010-11-22T07:15:07.866-08:002010-11-22T07:15:07.866-08:00I love how FB leads me to connect with other peopl...I love how FB leads me to connect with other people, and i find fresh new ideas in the posts i find. i love your post, and the ideas. go for it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-64852566227972251932010-11-22T05:40:53.624-08:002010-11-22T05:40:53.624-08:00First, love that pitcher.
Second, it led me to be...First, love that pitcher.<br /><br />Second, it led me to believe the color--the strokes you mentioned are alive with vibrant shades of orange.<br /><br />God calls us to be bold for Him. Bold and loving.<br /><br />Latayne, your first book sounds like something I'd devour.<br /><br />Beautiful post. <br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-6824269070345083782010-11-22T05:27:31.708-08:002010-11-22T05:27:31.708-08:00Excellent post, Katy. Made me think about the fact...Excellent post, Katy. Made me think about the fact that the Gospel means literally "good news." The way it most authentically plays out in both the Bible and in good Christian writing is that God Himself does the redeeming-- it's nothing we CAN do ourselves.<br /><br />My first novel (unfinished and unpublished) has as its theme redemption -- played out in the life of a widower who has watched his wife succumb to cancer and then is in a situation where he hopes to rescue a woman lost in a snowstorm. Can he redeem someone else as a way of easing his own suffering? <br /><br />The answer to this scenario and all such scenarios in Christian writing is that no, we can't redeem ourselves or anyone else -- but God allows us, both as people and as writers -- to participate in the process.Latayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06133535124591010838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-6106524401976333452010-11-22T03:30:43.055-08:002010-11-22T03:30:43.055-08:00I LOVE this thought! A Christian Renaissance. Oh t...I LOVE this thought! A Christian Renaissance. Oh to re-learn what it means to be a servant of the One who chose a BOOK to be His way of communicating with us. <br /><br />I have a small (and growing) group of writer-friends, all of us passionately committed to seeing our God-books in secular bookshops. I love looking at the books in K-mart, and seeing the word "God" in the title or the by-line. Yes, most of them are about "higher consciousness" or general "spiritual searching", but there's a spiritual element that wasn't there a few years ago. <br /><br />I feel there's a shift coming (in Australia at least) where people are opening up that door of searching again, and that in times to come publishing houses won't be scared off by Jesus. <br /><br />What will it take? People to push through with the smaller, indie secular publishing houses rather than opting for the more traditional Christian market. Fresh voices, fresh stories. <br /><br />I wouldn't want to see a HUGE amount of difference between the style or content of Christian books and those of secular ones - it's people and their stories after all. Sometimes in life there are no doors that you can find. But for the Christian there are many, many more windows.Megan Sayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410068162701570057noreply@blogger.com