Into the Fire

Throwback Thursday

Something a little different for this Throwback Thursday: I'm giving you the Foreword to this novel (available for e-readers only) today, a general explanation of my views . . .

FOREWORD [to Sweet Release]

Be warned: this is Christian fiction. From start to finish.

We are constantly besieged with what the world calls “love.” This book was written as a stark contrast to the multi-layered attempts of the world to define love. When I began this novel, I had no idea it would take the direction it did, but as with all of my writing, I trust the Lord has the contents in His beautiful, creative hands, and I am so blessed to go along for the ride.

Love, romance, and sex are the subjects of endless books, films, television shows, and various other media efforts. Some of those efforts are educational and informative, others are purely for entertainment, and yet others demonstrate the most perverse nature of mankind. In Christian literature authors in the non-fiction arena strive to inform us about God’s intentions for us in love, sex, and romance. They try to diligently address the “normal” as well as the terribly destructive roadblocks to achieving freedom in learning to love at the spiritual, emotional, and physical levels. It is a divine task given the nature of our souls and the condition of our world.

Since God is Love (1John 4:16), and since He is the Creator of lovemaking (Genesis 2:24-25), it is my heart’s desire to give readers a picture of the way relationships should be in contrast to what the world tries to sell us as the “real” thing. Christian couples are not immune to the hard sell of the worldly style of love, romance, and sex. Many have never been presented with a contrasting viewpoint. To me that’s tragic.

Every now and then I need a novel that illustrates the goodness, passion, and the lighter side of being a human in love. A story of people finding love, working through their pain or hardship, finding real truth and meaning in their lives . . . Having said all that, I give you Sweet Release and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Most of my writing is for adult readers, and this novel is no exception.

 

Father, thank you is never enough. Please keep me going in the direction you designed just for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Wednesday Wanderings . . .

From this author's point of view, in order to write "broken", you have to be or have been broken. For a short or long time, you had to have "been there" where everything hurt so badly you thought it might never go away. That the pain was so intense, it took your breath away, your appetite for food and everything else gone. Broken. And to capture that in words and portray it in a character or characters to allow the reader to experience the depth of such sorrow in the soul? It takes a special kind of writing. So few can do it well. 

That kind of writing if done correctly is not melodrama. It feels so real, the reader has to set the book down to remind him/herself this is fiction, it's a story. But those readers know how deep that pain must be because they can feel it from the words on the pages.

Writers can do this "from a distance" to that kind of pain, but then it's just imagination. In order to convey true soul-searing pain, you have to have felt it that deep. And that is this author's opinion.  

 

Father, above all, you know that pain. And you know when each of us experiences it. You, Holy Spirit, are the Comforter and only you can provide the kind of comfort each of us needs in the midst of that pain. Jesus, you're the Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Only you can knowingly walk alongside us when we're in that kind of pain. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

 

This beautiful theme song from the eclectic film Con Air sung here by Trisha Yearwood. Love this song. 

 

Father, thank you for the beautiful songs and lyrics and musicians. You've made music so powerful. You speak through much of it. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Monday Musings . . .

Things said to authors:

"You should write a book about this." (Fill in the blank.)

"How long does it take you to write a book?" 

"How do you get your ideas?"

Silent responses:

"No, I shouldn't." 

"Seems like forever."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." 

Hey, it's Monday. Hope yours is a good one.

 

Father, help me finish this book I'm working on because it literally is taking "forever." I'm desperate for you always, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

If you do not stand firm in your faith, 

     you will not stand at all.

 

Isaiah 7:9b (NIV)