Into the Fire

Reading their words . . .

 

Okay. We’ve decided covers can be enticing. Back cover copy might be the deciding factor. And then we mentioned reading the author’s first page or pages as a contributing factor.

 

I confessed I rarely read an author’s words before starting a novel. Perhaps it’s because if I’m intrigued by the storyline and the cover, I’ve already made the decision to read the book. So whatever style and/or voice prevail on those inside pages, I’m going to gut it out. Thus far in my years of reading, I’ve put down two novels. One because I had a deadline to meet with a review novel that arrived late and I’d started the book I had to put down to see if I could squeeze it in—I couldn’t. I have yet to pick it up again which is odd for me. Apparently, other books took priority. The second novel I put away I also started and tried to fit in but couldn’t. I may not ever pick it up again. This is a big deal for me. I’ve finished some bad novels where I had to force myself back to them for review purposes. I gave those authors my best and tried to find something redeeming about them. Couldn’t.

 

I think I’ve finally reached the point where, unless I’m obligated, I will not finish a book that makes me ache at the thought of getting through it. There are too many desirable books out there to read. And, after all, I need to finish a couple novels of my own. My two-year hiatus from finishing a book is over—or so I hope. I wrote seven novels, one right after the other basically. Getting two self-published came in between all that writing. I need to remember what it feels like to write The End again.

 

So, do you read a few paragraphs, a chapter, random pages, or, gasp and heaven forbid: the ending?!

 

 

Lord, help those of us who write for your glory to keep on doing what you have for us. Let us not grow weary. Let us not falter and become unfocused and distracted. It’s you we serve. Only you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Back Cover Copy

 

This is the place where I go to get information about the novel I’ve picked up. However, I don’t want to be told much and I rarely read beyond the second sentence. If ever an author is going to hook me, it’s here because I’m a patient reader once I open the cover, but if you destroy the story with TMI (too much information) on the back cover, I’m done. What’s the point of reading it if the whole story is told in a tiny synopsis on the back of the book?

 

Point two on back cover copy: I detest a bunch of questions regarding the plot or conflict of the players. In fact, even one question annoys me. Just give me a hint of what the story’s about, and I’m good to go. Those probing questions elicit melodrama of the worst kind. I can almost hear the jarring music of the old black and white herky-jerky films accompanying the escalating questions. The idea of back cover copy—for me, anyway—is to set the stage for the story. The general idea without specifics unless necessary to define the major conflict or dilemma. Please, no questions.

 

Maybe you’re a review reader or perhaps you expect the back cover copy to reveal a fair amount of information on the characters or storyline. If so, how much do you want to know about it? And do you read the first page? Or the first chapter? I rarely read any of the actual writing before buying the book. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve read any of the story before buying/reading it.

 

So what do you expect from back cover copy?

 

 

Father, help us to do our best. You’ve made us all so unique. Help us to treat each other well. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Covers

 

It would seem from some of the responses to selecting a novel that covers play an important role in the process—a drawing and/or selling point. As I mentioned, they’re important to me.

 

I’ve told you how impressed I was with the graphics design staff at WinePress Publishing. They ask for your input and then give you two designs of totally different concepts based on your expressed ideas. When I saw their two examples, I suggested just a few corrections to the design I selected. When they resubmitted it to me, it was just right. That’s great insight and understanding of what this author wanted.

 

Yet we’ve been told that the royalty publishers won’t necessarily consult you on the cover to your book. I’d guess this varies from publisher to publisher. Seeing the results of some of the copycat, trendy covers of many of their books, perhaps they should consult the authors more.

 

Keeping in mind that most of those who responded mentioned the covers, it would seem publishers would place a high priority on their designs.

 

Do you recall a favorite cover or series of covers? Here are a few of mine:

 

Comes A Horseman (Robert Liparulo)

 

Dogwood (Chris Fabry)

 

The Passion of Mary-Margaret (Lisa Samson)

 

Immanuel’s Veins (Ted Dekker)

 

Adam (Ted Dekker)

 

Ghost Writer (Travis Thrasher)

 

And I’m not ashamed to say I love the cover of The Famous One.

 

 

God, thank you for the beauty you place in the hearts of your people and transmit it to their hands. All beauty comes from you, the source of every good and perfect gift. May we always honor you with what you give to us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Deciding what you read . . .

 

If you make a decision to read a novel, I’m sure there’s a process you engage to pick out the book you choose. With some Christians this process depends on the genre. For others it begins with whether or not the story is considered to be Christian fiction. What is the starting point for your novel selections?

 

I’ve told you before there are a few authors I’ll read whatever they write. Not many but some. Beyond that, genre, cover, how the back cover copy is written, and the author contribute to my decisions. It takes a rare appeal for me to venture back into the general market. Simply being well-written doesn’t get it for me.  

 

How do you select a novel to read?

 

 

Lord, I’m desperate for you . . . still. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

What it is . . .

 

Regardless of your personal definition for Christian Fiction, it is what it is. And running side by side with those definitions are the preferences and expectations for that fiction.

 

Back in May of this year, I attended the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal. A good conference, it’s local, and it’s inexpensive for me since it’s close. When I attend, I make a point of speaking with as many hopeful writers as possible. My first question to them after initial greetings is, “What do you write?” The huge majority answered, “Fantasy.” Christians attending a writers’ conference answered “Fantasy”. Yet we’ve been told that CBA readers don’t read fantasy/sci-fi/speculative fiction. We know it’s not a true statement.

 

Jeff Gerke explained that the Christian publishing industry is doing just fine catering to its target audience of middle-aged to older females who enjoy bonnet books and prairie/historical romances. Being convinced of the lurking audience of all ages and gender for speculative fiction, he created Marcher Lord Press to accommodate those readers. He’s giving himself five years to be profitable, and so far he’s doing alright.

 

Anyway, here’s my question to you—should you decide to answer:

 

What do you think “Christian Fiction” should mean? Let’s not go to the place where there should be no such thing because there is. So, ideally, what should that mean?

 

 

Lord, I’m privileged to write fiction that talks about you. I want you to be prominent in my stories. Help me to do it well. To be real. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday's Offerings

 

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;

 in the great throng I will praise him.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,

 to save his life from those who condemn him.

 

Psalm 109: 30-31 (NIV)

How many books?

 

I love Christmas. Giving is my gig. Buying presents is incredibly fun for me. This year I’m giving several books for gifts. How ‘bout you?

 

Five novels, two non-fiction.

 

If you know people who enjoy reading, a book is a wonderful gift. If you know what they like to read, it makes shopping for them a breeze.

 

Any books on your list to give or to receive?

 

 

Lord, we give because you give. Let us give with the right motives and with joy to those who need more than we do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Mispeled! Misused!

 

Frequently misspelled words. Sorry but they bug me!

 

Definitely: often spelled definately

 

Independent: often spelled independant

 

And these annoying occurrences:

 

There: a location for their: belonging to them; or vice versa

 

It’s meaning it is for its meaning belonging to it; or vice versa

 

You’re: a contraction for you are used as your meaning belonging to you

 

These are common and too frequent mistakes.

 

I’m sure you must have more.

 

Feel free to vent.

 

 

Lord, we are not fault free. Help us to the best we can be in this flesh. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.