The majority of what I write and a lot of what I read falls in one way or another under the classification of Christian Fiction.  When I started in this genre I didn’t think there was anything particularly strange about it.  I knew Christian Fiction had been around for years.  Plenty of Christian Fiction writers have become well established, from Janette Oke romances to Terri Blackstock mysteries.  I’ve come to discover, however, to a lot of people the concept is still foreign.

Sure there were plenty of people in my life whose response to my writing was, “I’ve never heard of Christian Fiction.  Are there other books like this?”  But the moment I realized there really was a large chunk of the population that hadn’t heard came when I gave a talk about my book at a local library.  Upon my arrival I discovered the library had been distributing flyers declaring me one of the pioneers of this thing called Christian Fiction.  I mean, this was a library…lots of books…lots of “book people” running the thing.  And yet not one of them had heard of the idea.

So, what exactly is Christian Fiction?  The simple definition is a novel with a Christian theme.  This does take several different forms.  Some books included complete “salvation stories” where one or more characters starts to the book as a non-Christian and ends as a believer.  For others it’s more about Christian ideas like, the struggle between faith and fear, obedience over self-reliance, or even deeper theological concepts like what it means to be in a covenant with God.  Then there is a segment that deals more with basic morality issues; i.e. how a Christian lives in the world where immorality is tolerated or even sometimes celebrated.  Whatever the form the book actually takes, any one of these is classified under the heading of Christian Fiction.  I know in the industry some publishers break this down into Christian and Inspirational, but it’s really the same thing.  A fictional story wrapped around a Christian theme.

Now, I know there are people out there who think of this idea as propaganda or even subversive, but if you really think about it, ever book, secular or not, has a message.  The only real difference is secular books get distributed around bookstores based on genre and Christian Fiction, whether romance or mystery, get’s packed onto the same shelf under the same heading…and I’ve noticed that shelf is often way in the back of the store, shoved in a corner, but that’s another topic for another time.

The point is simply this: Christian Fiction does exist!  And it exists in a wide variety.  Whether you’re drawn to sappy romances, geo-political thrillers, or historical tales of woe and triumph, there’s a book for you on the Christina Fiction shelf.

Actually, a great way to learn more is to check out The American Christian Fiction Writer’s Association.  They’ve got a great, long list of published authors.

So, have you ever heard of Christian Fiction?

Oh, and by the way, as of late my local library has started advertising Christian Fiction on the website.  Yep…it’s true. ;)

Just in case there is a random reader out there who has just returned from a country where Opera is forbidden and he actually doesn’t know the premise of this story, I’ll set the stage:
The Paris Opera House was at its height of glory in the late 1880s, but ask anyone who was there and they’ll also tell you it was haunted. The Opera house is fraught with all sorts of strange goings on, from harmless pranks to deadly accidents, and a mysterious, ghastly figure is always close at hand. Nothing is perhaps more mysterious, though, than the sudden rise of a young singer named Christine Daae, who claims her newly discovered talent is the result of visitations with the Angel of Music. The only problem is, just as Christine reunites with her childhood love, she comes to realize that her Angel of Music and the Opera Ghost are one in the same, and he wants much more than her voice.

Why should you take the time to read The Phantom of the Opera, even if you’ve seen it?
One: More Phantom
If you think you know the story of the Phantom, you are mistaken.  In fact, I don’t think they even tell you his name in the movie.  The book lets you in on his long and sordid past, achievements and travels as well as a much deeper look into his “lake house.” And for the record, he wears a full face mask.
Two: A better Raul
While I wouldn’t say the Raul in the movie is necessarily bad, he is a bit on the arrogant side, whereas in the novel he is a young man growing up beneath the shadow of his playboy brother.  Although he is often childish in the beginning, a large subplot is the coming of age of Raul as he stands up not only to the Phantom, but to French aristocracy who would rather he take Christine as his mistress than wife.
Three: More Opera House
Leroux was actually inspired to write by the Opera House itself.  Honestly, everything from its unfathomable architecture to its dark and mysterious history makes the Paris Opera House one of the most fascinating buildings in history, and Leroux really strives to give you a taste of each aspect.
Four: More subplots and characters.
Enough said.

Overall, I’d have to say that watching the musical version is like watching the shadows of a candle flicker against a wall.  You get glimpses of the real flame, but you miss out on so much dimension and color.
So, yes, read it.

As to why I put this in the category of the Catchall: Well, originally, feeding of his past as an investigative reporter, Leroux meant the story to be read like an investigation into a cold case crime. When it was published it came to be known more as a horror novel (it was a little easier to horrify back then). And nowadays it’s categorized as a Gothic Romance.

**Little note here: if you are going to take my suggestion, see if you can get a hold of Barns & Noble’s edition, either paperback or eBook. They included a lot of additional historical notes as well as the original article about the Opera House that inspired Leroux. **

So, when was the first time you discovered that the book really is better than the movie? 

The Battle Belongs to the Lord.  In its essence, it sounds like a spiritual saying.  This quote from the Bible is one we can have a tendency to use blithely when situations get tough, but does what does it really mean?  Where does it really come from?

The story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles is the beginning of this small but powerful book, and the primary location of the call of “The battle belongs to the Lord.” Jehoshaphat was certainly faced with a problem greater than most of us will ever face.  After all, few of us will ever stare down a vast army intending on annihilating every one we know. Jehoshaphat’s response was a simple one. He sought the Lord. But that’s not the end of the story.  No, he doesn’t just sit back after that and wait to see what happens. He doesn’t rush out into battle, expecting the Lord to make his sword more effective.  Instead, he does exactly what God tells him to do.

He worships.

Yes, God’s instructions to defeat this mighty army was simply to sing praises to His name, then watch their enemies fall.  So, how does this translate to our situation today?

The Battle Belongs to the Lord is, in its essence, a study on turning to God in our troubles, not with constant prayers for help, but with worship.  It seems like a simple enough idea, but after reading this book I felt I had a better grasp of the concept, to the point where I actually found myself applying it daily.  But then that’s the beauty of so many of Joyce’s books.  They are practical and you can see how they fit into your daily routines.

I can honestly say now that I can tell the difference between the times when, in a situation, I just sat there and prayed for help and focused on the problem and the times when I focused my attention on God and His goodness.  The difference is the level of PEACE I have!

Of course, I’m over simplifying this book.  There is so much more to be said that is best said by the book itself.  The only thing I think I can truly add is this is one book that has left a life-changing mark on my life.

Is there a book you feel changed your life? 

I have a lot of contemporary authors that I love, but to tell you the truth, when it comes to books I list as my all time favorites, very few of them were published in this century.

To set the stage:
The year is 1643 and life in America is anything by civilized, especially when ships arrive from England with “tobacco brides” aboard.  Drew O’Connor isn’t looking for a wife he can buy with a barrel of the tobacco he grows, just a maid to take care of his house and help raise his sister.  But before long he finds himself in a marriage of convenience to one of the strangest and feistiest tobacco brides to make it to the New World.
Constance Morrow claims to be the daughter of an Earl, taken against her will and if she can’t be returned to her home, she would like to be left to attend her love of mathematical equations.
Life in the wild world of colonial America can change just about anybody, though, even the daughter of an Earl. And it might just take the daughter of an Earl to soften the heart of Drew O’Connor.

I love A Bride Most Begrudging for two specific reasons:
One: There is something deeper about it.
Let’s face it, any romance novel can basically be described as; Boy meets Girl…Boy and Girl have some serious problems…Boy and Girl overcome and live happily ever after. And even if that is the sum total of a story, if you’re looking for a romance, you’re still satisfied.  But A Bride Most Begrudging really does feel like more.  The blossoming, often humorous romance between Drew and Constance is great and you can’t help loving them both, but the spiritual struggles each has and the trials faced by the average person living during this time period give the story more depth than your average romance.

Two: The History
I am the first to admit that I am not the biggest fan of American history. Shameful, I know. And I probably wouldn’t have picked this up if my mother hadn’t decided to gift it to me. I discovered, however, an America I really didn’t know and it was fascinating.  The book is set after the establishment of colonial America, but more than a hundred year prior to the Revolutionary period.  It is a segment in history I don’t see much about and Deeanne Gist makes it very interesting.

I think I once described this as the sort of story that sticks to your ribs like soul food and I still would. Just like I still have to admit that as a Californian I know nothing about soul food, but comparing this book to tofu or In and Out Burger would have been wrong.

And I’m not quite sure how Deeanne Gist would feel knowing she’s made it to a place on my list of authors otherwise occupied by writers who have long since died, but that’s just where she’ll have to stay.

So, have you ever read a story set in this time period?

But first, let me set the stage:
After the tragic death of her husband, Callie Webber decided to start her life entirely over; new home, new dog, new job.  Leaving behind a successful law career for a job as a financial investigator for a charity organization called the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation seemed like a perfect fit.  The only problem is every time Callie starts an investigation on a new charity someone, somewhere, shows up dead.

Classic, right?  Just like in every good mystery series featuring the same armature detective, each new novel shows the heroine inadvertently stumbling upon a murder.  From the president of a major “food for the hungry” type charity to a migrant farmhand working with a local educational center, no one is safe, but Callie is there to learn the true. The mystery side of these stories really is quite good.  You get the classic dead body/group suspects/suspicious circumstances equation with a satisfying “Oh, I didn’t think of that” reveal at the end.

A contemporary edge? Unlike a lot of classic mysteries staring an amateur sleuth, the five book series can also be read as one book about a young widow overcoming all the facets of grief even as a new relationship with the mysterious owner of the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation forms.  And yes, this new man in her life is just as big of a mystery as many of the crimes she’s become involved with.  The emotional and spiritual journey of healing old wounds and finding new hope is, I thought, very well done…and of course it gets all the better when, just as Callie finally feels she really has a second chance at love, it starts to look like the terrible accident that took her husband’s life might not have been an accident after all.

Did I mention each book takes place in a different, often dramatic location?  Well, anyway, this series is worth the read and I’ve noticed they’ve recently been rereleased with new covers.  All the better.

In order, the titles are: A Penny for Your Thoughts, Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels, A Dime a Dozen, A Quarter for a Kiss, and The Buck Stops Here.

So, do you know a mystery series that you think combines the classic with the contemporary? 

Well, I obviously haven’t been a very good blogger as of late and that has bothered me.  Once upon a time I was a regular blogger with a blog that covered lots of different topics under the heading of “my own little universe.” It worked while I was in that stage of my life, but life changes and ever since then I’ve let proper blogging fall to the wayside.  For a while now this has just been a strange spot of hodgepodge ideas that hit me and for that I’m a truly sorry.

You deserve better, and frankly I feel a focus lacking blog that is only randomly updated is kind of like a mutilated zombie wondering without a soul. (How’d you like that word picture ;)

My solution? One: A posting schedule. Two: A strict topic.
Here’s the idea. Each week of the month I’ll highlight a different book from a different genre, sometimes classic, sometimes contemporary, always the best of the best.

1^st week of the month:
Mystery and Mayhem- All things mystery/suspense.
2^nd week of the month:
Romance and Reason – All forms of romance novels, from Chicklit to Historical.
3^rd week of the month:
No-Nonsense-Nonfiction – Spiritual, historical, biography and whatever else falls under nonfiction.
4^th week of the month:
Catchalls- The everything else category, from general to young adult to those darn books that defy genre.
Last week/remain days of the month:
Book Ends: General discussion of a topic or trend in the book market of the moment.

You may or may not find my topic of choice original, but I’ve been a bibliophile all my life so there’s really no point in trying to change me.  Seriously, I met my kindergarten teacher after 20 years and she remembered me because I was obsessed with a particular book series.  There’s no hope for me.

Anyway, I am hoping this regiment makes my blogging better by in large and I love talking about books with people.  But even if no one reads my posts, I’ll just personally feel better in having a coherent blog with a little life.
…I know zombies are popular right now, but I really hate them.

Check out my Home Page for the books I’ll cover in May.

First let me address the issue of allowing someone to edit your manuscript, because you NEED to let someone edit your manuscript.  Often writers won’t let their work out for fear of plagiarism or the negative comments might be too hard to handle.

It is very true, negative comments are painful, but in the world of writing they are necessary.  I can assure you, if you make it to the professional level you’ll get plenty of negative comments.  And if you are afraid of plagiarism, I’m not telling you to give your work to anyone and everyone.  Find someone you can trust.

Another important step is finding multiple people you can hand your manuscript to at the same time.  Find people from different viewpoints too.  Find someone who is good with grammar (teachers or secretaries are great).  Find someone who reads books in the genre you write.  Find someone who reads avidly.  Find someone you know will be CRITICAL.  If you pick people you know will only come back with positive comments you are handicapping yourself.

Now let’s get to the point where your work has been returned and you are ready to apply the edits.

-Start by looking at each person’s edits side by side.  If there is an area more than one person brings up that is one you definitely need to work on.

-Learn to separate opinion from real issues.  Just because someone tells you to change something, that doesn’t automatically mean you have to.  It might just be their opinion.

-Don’t automatically throw something out you don’t agree with.  Honestly consider each comment.

-Identify the problem, find your own solutions.  An editor might offer a suggestion on how to fix a problem area.  Consider their solution, but feel free to come up with your own.  Just make sure the problem is fixed!

-Grammar is SO important.  Pay attention to every comma they want you to add.

-Apply the edits then go back and read it again.  Sometimes in the process of editing a document we can unintentionally mess up sentences or formatting.

-Don’t just stop at the exact edits.  If a particular issue is pointed out in one area, make sure you haven’t repeated the problem in other segments.

-Don’t take it personally.  If someone doesn’t like your work, that doesn’t mean they don’t like you.  They are simply trying to give you the help you asked for.

Warning: Some people are just not good at editing, no matter how well intentioned they are.  You’ll learn over time who is good at it and who isn’t.

Most importantly, rejoice!  Your manuscript has just taken a huge step forward!

So, who edits your work?

Agatha Christie
The most ordinary people can do the most extraordinary things.
The most extraordinary people are the ones who cherish the ordinary things.

Corrie Ten Boom
Do what is right, no matter the cost.
Forgive other’s sin, no matter how horrible.
Always remember, God turns the darkest moments into our greatest strength, if we let Him.

Jane Austen
Witt and romance are worthless if they are not founded on propriety, honor and selflessness.

Glenn Beck
Face reality.
Adapt to reality.
Keep dreaming.
Keep believing.

For me “that place” is editing a manuscript.  To be precise, the next manuscript I’d like to have turned into a book.  I originally wrote it at the end of 2008 and since then have rewritten, edited, edited some more, had other people edit, and so on and so on.  It has not been a constant project, indeed there have been many times I wasn’t particularly set on using it as my next one and put down entirely.  But then last year on a whim I entered it into the ACFW’s Genesis contest and lo and behold it came out a semi-finalist.

So…I took the comments the judges gave me on how to improve it more and I edited again.

And now here I am.  The whole thing has been correctly formatted (tedious) and about half of the chapters have been officially edited.  Of course that means that another whole half of the manuscript needs the final edits plugged in.  Did I mention this manuscript is over 108,000 words?

So, yes, I can see the finish line of this marathon, but I’m not sprinting like I was in the beginning.  It’s more like I’m dragging my limbs along the ground as my eyes blur from exhaustion.  But you know what?  I will make it to that finish line.  I will make it to the last page, cover all the little notes and corrections I made in blue ink, click save and cross that line…which in this case is submitting my humble stack of papers to agents.

And that will be an entirely new place for me, but at least it will be a new place. ;)

What is your place right now?