Category Archive

Today Becky Miller’s blog focuses on some of the books that Tim has not included in his focus on fantasy section, including Kathy Mackel’s Outriders. I want to discuss a series that I have greatly enjoyed, though there has been some disagreement about the standard of writing in these books. Still, I agree with Tim’s comments regarding The Binding of the Blade series by L.B. Graham: L.B. Graham has taken on a monumental task: a five-volume Christian fantasy epic, a story that will probably stretch over 2500 pages. Based on the first two books, I think he can do it. …

Today begins the first day of the blog tour aimed at promoting science fiction and fantasy (henceforth called SFF) within the CBA–SFF written for and by Christians. Walk into any Barnes and Nobles and you’ll see that by far the biggest section belongs to SFF–in the secular world. In Christian bookstores, it’s a different “story.” There are many theories about why this is the case, but the bottom line is that a large number of Christians love SFF and we want this genre to be available to us. We want to read something with a Christian worldview whether the message …

Do you know that fear can totally paralyze you? That is where I am at this moment. I’m not sure if fear is the precise word, but as I attempt to write a synopsis for the proposal that I must send out since finaling in the Genesis Contest, I just freeze up. Suddenly I can’t stand to look at my own writing—it has turned into a painful experience, which makes me cringe at every word. No matter that I finaled in a contest—my writing stinks! All of the distractions that are at my disposal amazing me. Blogging for one. IMing …

While a writing buddy is increasing the notches on his writing ladder through personal rejection letters as noted on his blog, I received my SECOND rejection for a manuscript from the same publisher, effectively decreasng my notches on the writing ladder! They’d rejected it last fall, so imagine my surprise when I received the second rejection. I’m just thankful that it did not occur on my already depressing birthday two days before. So I have to wonder—is there some sort of double jeopardy clause for the writing community? Of course, rejection is no crime, but I feel strongly that I …

Today I received a book in the mail that a writing friend sent me because she’d finished reading it and had too many books anyway, or so she said. Can one ever have too many books? She suggested I read the pages in the back after the end of the novel itself. The words, penned by Bill Bright, stirred me so that I wanted to share them with you. If you’re already familiar with them, allow them to stir you, inspire you again. ” . . . I have come to the conclusion that a good novel on biblical themes …

This weekend we went to the Redwood forest of Northern California. Since we live in southern Oregon, that’s only a couple of hours from us. I remember learning about the magnificent trees as a child and always dreamed of seeing them one day. I never imagined, though, that I would live close enough to drive to the national forest on a whim. There are so many interesting facts about these rare trees. Maybe I’ll delve further into that one day on a different post. The sky was clear so the chances that we would be hit with the normal Pac …

So in my previous post, I explained that I decided to listen to my heart, listen to the Lord and get back to writing that fantasy, even though there is controversy surrounding whether or not Science Fiction and Fantasy will make it in the Christian Book Market. I’m thrilled to tell you that the Lord honord my decision and confirmed it to me this week. I received “the call” informing me that my fantasy is indeed a finalist in the Genesis contest. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction (there was a 2-way tie, hence six rather than five finalists): Beth GoddardRebecca GrabillShannon McNear …

. . .even in writing. I’ve struggled over the last week about which direction to take. I’m sure you’ve never done that. Unfortunately I have the “gift” of indecision. Recent news that a publisher is now open to historicals, the genre I’ve spent years writing, thrilled me to the core. I dusted off a manuscript (not literally, of course)—complete mind you—but needed some revisions. But in order to take this project on, I’d have turn my attentions away from my current project—a fantasy. As I’ve trudged through each page of the historical, I’ve become increasingly dry and uninspired. I sooooo …

I have a friend who recently returned from India after a two week missions trip of sorts. She’d been invited to paint a mural on the inside of a large prayer temple and felt quite confidant that she along with her friends would be successful. I asked her about the experience to which she replied that she’d returned broken. Though she did not explain further on that count, she told me that India runs on different time than America does. They were there to paint for two full weeks, but the paint was not obtained until a week after they …

I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve tried to walk away from this writing “thing”. I’m not even sure what to call it. Is it an addiction or am I seeking recognition where none can be found? I don’t know. But what I do know is that every time I throw my hands up and want to quit, God gives me something–and sometimes it’s a very small something–but I know it’s from Him and He is calling me back to do His will. After spending almost five years writing in one genre, God has turned me in a …