by Jason Joyner | Oct 23, 2007 | Blog, CSFF, fiction, speculative fiction
This month’s CSFF tour features the YA (young adult) novel Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers, first of the Wilderking trilogy. It is geared toward kids from 8-14 from the sounds of things, though I think my boys who are younger ought to like it. I am intrigued by all I’ve read about it.
I must confess that I didn’t do anything for this tour as I had major personal commitments this month. I really enjoy participating in this tour, and haven’t been really involved the last two tours. That will change next month.
However, I can participate by highlighting certain blogs that offer something special. At the bottom of this post are all the participants. Sometimes they, like me, don’t have time to post much. At least posting helps promote the book. I’ve gone through all of them and pulled out specific posts to highlight for this week (as of Tuesday afternoon). Also, Mr. Rogers has a great website for his books that offers a little more in-depth into the world he’s created out. So check these following folks out:
Leave it to Steve Trower to give a list of top ten “king” songs.
See Deena Peterson’s blog for a chance to win a copy!
James Somers has a mini-review and interview with the author. Plus a review of book 2 in the series. And Janey DeMeo has an interview as well.
The best blog post title of any CSFF tour (and a succinct overview) by Eve Nielsen.
A good overview is done at Karen McSpadden’s blog.
Mike Lynch gives a man’s perspective.
Interesting thoughts and some critique at Andrea’s blog. Just ask!
Chris Deanne thinks the book would be good for both Christians and those who aren’t so Christian-y.
Finally, see what is on Brandon Barr’s mind regarding the book and the possibilities for fantasy and using the Bible as inspiration.
Also see an introduction video of the series by the author.
Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Janey DeMeo Merrie Destefano or Alien Dream Jeff Draper April Erwin Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Christopher Hopper Becca Johnson Karen Dawn King Mike Lynch Rachel Marks Karen McSpadden Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte Lyn Perry Deena Peterson Rachelle Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Steve Trower Speculative Faith Donna Swanson Daniel I. Weaver Laura Williams Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Oct 19, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction
Nahum 3:3
Charging calvary, flashing swords and glittering spears!
Many casualties, piles of dead, bodies without number,
People stumbling over the corpses.
I finished a book this week that had a lot of violence in it. A great amount of violence, and the context for it was often quite disturbing. It has started me thinking about the level of violence in Christian fiction. I’m working on some ideas, and plan on writing about them next week. How do we approach this from a Biblical viewpoint? Especially in the light of the above verse. I encourage the thinkers that read this blog to be ready for a discussion about it. Civil of course. We don’t want fisticuffs around these parts (that would be ironic, because…aw, you get the idea).
Also next week will be the Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog tour. That is always a good time of dialogue, so don’t miss it!
by Jason Joyner | Oct 19, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction
Nahum 3:3
Charging calvary, flashing swords and glittering spears!
Many casualties, piles of dead, bodies without number,
People stumbling over the corpses.
I finished a book this week that had a lot of violence in it. A great amount of violence, and the context for it was often quite disturbing. It has started me thinking about the level of violence in Christian fiction. I’m working on some ideas, and plan on writing about them next week. How do we approach this from a Biblical viewpoint? Especially in the light of the above verse. I encourage the thinkers that read this blog to be ready for a discussion about it. Civil of course. We don’t want fisticuffs around these parts (that would be ironic, because…aw, you get the idea).
Also next week will be the Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog tour. That is always a good time of dialogue, so don’t miss it!
by Jason Joyner | Oct 17, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, heroes, writing craft
I’ve posted about the need for heroes and their popularity in storytelling before. I’m glad I’m in good company. Barbara Nicolosi is a script writer and consultant in Hollywood who is on the forefront of faith and creativity in cinema. She is a strong Christian voice that has some clout in her field.
She gave a lecture to the San Diego Christian Writers Guild at the first of October. She posted the notes from her speech on her blog. She states that it isn’t the same as being there for the talk, but the outline is pretty spectacular in its own right. I recommend checking this link out for anyone interested in writing.
One passage that really caught my eye was this:
i) There is a positive side to Holywood’s desire to create heroes with a dark side. It is coming from a rejection of melodrama and sentimentalism. SENTIMENTALISM IS THE PROBLEM FOR US CHRISTIANS. We want to show that God is basically in charge of the world so everything is really okay. We want to give God the benefit of the doubt.
j) Facing the Giants is anti-heroic because it costs the hero nothing. The Christianity depicted in the movie is a rejection of the cross and presents a fantasy religion in which believing in Jesus means no suffering. “Give me some of that Jesus stuff!” The truth is Christianity promises that we will suffer without despair…and probably we will suffer more than others!
k) Flannery: “Sentimentalism is the one inexcusable defect for the Christian storyteller because it is an overemphasis on innocence.” We know that there must always be original sin in the story. No human person is perfect and immune from temptation.
Note those points are outline notes. I sure wish I could have heard the further discussion of those points!
Hat tip to Tom Neven via The Point
by Jason Joyner | Oct 17, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, heroes, writing craft
I’ve posted about the need for heroes and their popularity in storytelling before. I’m glad I’m in good company. Barbara Nicolosi is a script writer and consultant in Hollywood who is on the forefront of faith and creativity in cinema. She is a strong Christian voice that has some clout in her field.
She gave a lecture to the San Diego Christian Writers Guild at the first of October. She posted the notes from her speech on her blog. She states that it isn’t the same as being there for the talk, but the outline is pretty spectacular in its own right. I recommend checking this link out for anyone interested in writing.
One passage that really caught my eye was this:
i) There is a positive side to Holywood’s desire to create heroes with a dark side. It is coming from a rejection of melodrama and sentimentalism. SENTIMENTALISM IS THE PROBLEM FOR US CHRISTIANS. We want to show that God is basically in charge of the world so everything is really okay. We want to give God the benefit of the doubt.
j) Facing the Giants is anti-heroic because it costs the hero nothing. The Christianity depicted in the movie is a rejection of the cross and presents a fantasy religion in which believing in Jesus means no suffering. “Give me some of that Jesus stuff!” The truth is Christianity promises that we will suffer without despair…and probably we will suffer more than others!
k) Flannery: “Sentimentalism is the one inexcusable defect for the Christian storyteller because it is an overemphasis on innocence.” We know that there must always be original sin in the story. No human person is perfect and immune from temptation.
Note those points are outline notes. I sure wish I could have heard the further discussion of those points!
Hat tip to Tom Neven via The Point
by Jason Joyner | Oct 17, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reading, reviews
This week the CFBA Tour is highlighting the latest release from Brandilyn Collins, book 3 in the Kanner Lake series entitled Crimson Eve.
The book again focuses on one of the characters that hang out at the Java Joint in fictional Kanner Lake, Idaho. Through the fictional, yet real Scenes and Beans blog, we’ve come to know the crowd at Java Joint. However, we may not know very much about all of the posters. This time, realator Carla Radling is showing off a high-end house on the lake shore when the prospective buyer levels a gun at her. A mystery from her past has come back to haunt her, and powerful people want her dead.
Crimson Eve is part of a series, yet it is easy to read it on its own without having read the prior books, Violet Dawn and Coral Moon. Brandilyn is known for Seatbelt Suspense™, and this book does not disappoint. She is a master at taking plot twists and spinning the reader around until they have no idea what to expect. Crimson Eve starts in the first chapter by grabbing a hold, and the book doesn’t let up until the final chapter – really! There are surprises through to the very end.
Brandilyn continues with her strength of characterization as well. Her characters have believable motivations, and you find yourself torn even on behalf of the bad guy. The audience will be invested not only in what happens in the roller-coster plot, but in caring about what happens to the citizens of Kanner Lake.
There are a couple of plot twists that are a litte unbelievable, but the enjoyment of the read keeps you engaged throughout the book. I recommend this book heartily to fans of well-written books, but especially to those looking for some great suspense.
“Collins tops herself by creating a suspenseful nonstop thrill ride … Truly the best Christian Fiction suspense title so far this year.” – Library Journal, starred review
Also, Brandilyn has a special offer that you can’t beat. Check this out!
Do you know someone who’s never read a Brandilyn Collins novel? Surely no such person exists. However, should you scrounge up such a friend—someone who enjoys suspense—here’s a special offer from Brandilyn. Be among the first 50 people between now and October 21, 2007 to e-mail her assistant at gayle.brandilyncollins@gmail.com with the person’s name, e-mail address and street address. (Due to exorbitant overseas mailing costs, United States residents only, please).
A signed copy of Crimson Eve will be sent to your friend—free—along with an e-mail from Brandilyn announcing the book is on its way, courtesy of you. (Don’t worry. Brandilyn won’t spam these email addresses. She just wants your friend to know who to thank.) No worries that this story is third in the Kanner Lake series. Each book stands alone. Brandilyn is convinced your friend will so love Crimson Eve, he/she will surely reciprocate with expensive chocolate.
