Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Almost A Day Off, But Still Writing



Why is it that just getting one day off turns everything topsy-turvy? I mean, having Monday off (Labor Day) should have been a good thing. But then I forget that Tuesday (1st day back at work) is not Monday, which causes me to forget to do my Tuesday Journal Past Blast post! Fuddruckers! Well, I’ll make up for it next week and post something really juicy introspective.

For this big 2 year Insecure Writer's Support Group collaboration (which I did almost forget for the same above reason), hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, I’m seeking your input on…

I love the way my WIP, Anticipating Dawn, is turning out, but there are some parts of it that I’m a bit concerned will deter people because there’s “Bible talk.” "Come on, now," I tell myself, "you are a Christian writer, one who wishes to break the boundaries of who reads Christian work." And how could I write about a gay Christian without there being some Bible discussions? I think I’m going about it well, though there will need to be quite a bit of reworking, being that it’s the first draft. I just don’t want people to skim past those parts, because there are important aspects of the story that come out during those discussions.

Anyway, I'd love your feedback on this. 

P.S. If you care to, please like my Facebook author page: 

45 comments:

  1. I think it depends on how you sell it. There are plenty of people who read books about religions that are not their own. The tone would matter - as long as you're not preaching I think you should be okay (and it doesn't sound like you're preaching!)

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    1. I'm one of those people Annalisa! Thanks for your encouragement. :)

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  2. If your characters are true to themselves and addressing issues that they, as characters have (how to reconcile love for a recently revealed Gay friend with their perceived Christianity), it should not offend anyone who is reading thoughtfully. Preaching does come through, but you won't be preaching.

    I liked your page!

    Diana at About Myself By Myself

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    1. Thanks. That helps. Some people will see any Christian talk as preachy, but like you said, if they read thoughtfully, they'll see what I'm getting at.

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  3. I think you have great advice from Annalisa and Diana. I agree that the tone matters, as a reader of your blog, I highly doubt you will sound preachy, especially because you are staying true to your characters. As you said, this is a draft. You'll fine ways of rewording it where you know you'll have no doubt that the 'Bible Talk' comes in, and since it is a gay Christian, it makes sense to have some of it in the book. I have absolute faith that you'll make sound so natural no one will even notice ;)

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    1. Thanks SK! I agree that the rewrite will help a lot, I think. It's great to know people have faith in my abilities. :)

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  4. I think it would only be believable to address it! You just have to cleverly craft it in. :)

    (And Labor Day totally threw me off!)

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    1. Us crazy humans, when one day off gets ups so off-kilter! I'll do my best to be clever. :)

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  5. Like everyone else has said, I think it makes sense to have some included as long as you don't overdo it :)

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    1. Don't plan to overdo it, but no matter how much is there, there'll be some people who will think it's too much. I'll just do what I do. :)

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  6. Sometimes you have to put your book first. If 'bible talk' moves it along do it and forget about those who'll skim. They'll skim no matter what.Glad your WIP is going well Nancy.

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    1. Thanks Sheena-kay! That helps so much. There will be others who will love the discussions, I think.

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  7. I think you are brave and courageous and must follow your heart in this. There is no other way to do it, at least as you write initially. Maybe later you can edit or have readers help you with "how much is enough or too much" but follow your heart, first.

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    1. You're so right. Thanks Julie. Getting input is the best way to judge and make those judgement calls on what's too much and not, based on what feels right to me too.

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  8. If you do it right, I don't think it'll deter the people you're trying to reach.

    I think, you might have something that can bless so many people. Be brave, pray for God's guidance and follow it. :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Misha! That's my intent, to bless people with this. I'll be sure to pray more about this. :)

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  9. I'm with Misha.
    well said, and amen :-)

    good luck and Godspeed :-)

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  10. It is all about how it is written. Any content can be "sold" to the reader, if you are worried about people being turned off by the religion aspect of it make sure the parts don't come off as preachy. Another way could be to have a charter with an opposing view. Either way good look.

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    1. Thanks Brandon. Though there will undoubtedly be some people who will say any kind of religious talk is preachy, I think the finished product will do just what I want.

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  11. Hi Nancy,

    Okay, I'm sorry. I understand how you've been anxiously waiting for a comment from me. So at three in the morning, here goes.

    Um, glad you like your "WIP", whatever that is! :) I think writing about a gay Christian is something you will do just fine with. You know what you need to do. Heck, I remember when "gay" meant happy and carefree. Yes indeed, I'm that old. I also know that "gay" is an acronym for "good as you". As for "IWSG", I found out it wasn't a group dedicated to me.

    Nancy, I'm already linked into your author's page on 'Farcebook' :)

    Take care, Nancy.

    Gary

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    1. Patiently anxious, maybe so. Still, I appreciate your early morning jaunts over here. (Doesn't gay still mean happy & carefree in England?)

      Thanks for your support, G, on FB.... And you should know all groups, including those involving WIPs, FFs, CPs, BHs and BFs, are dedicated to you.

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  12. Congratulations on your writing progress, Nancy. I"m sure it will have exactly the right message. In those situations, I think you should rely on your intuitions and you'll be on target. Happy weekend.

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    1. I'm working hard on it having the message I want. Thanks Deanie.

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  13. Hi Nancy, Anticipating Dawn is a wonderful title. As long as you don't sound preachy and remain true to your story , you will have no problems. Remember, you can't please everyone. So write what you believe in and what you feel should be in your story.

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    1. I love hearing that message! And I totally agree. Thanks Rachna.

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  14. Btw, thank you for the lovely awards and congratulations for your awards (you deserve them). Left a comment on that post :)

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  15. If it's true to the scene and how the characters would respond then go for it!

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  16. I don't think it'll be a problem as long as it's there for a reason - ie, serves the story (like everything). There are countless books that have referenced the Bible in some sense, and not just Christian ones.

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    1. You guys are all right. Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. They do encourage.

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  17. You're right about that Karen. And I'm doing my best to write from the heart.

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  18. There's a minister in my current WIP. Some of the scenes include his sermons - but he goes off course with them. They do move forward the plot and reveal his character. It's not a Christian novel although the characters are Christian. So I think it's OK. Some people will like it, and some won't. Just write your story. :)

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    1. Thanks Tonja. I think you're absolutely right about that. Some will like it, or at least find it interesting, others won't. That's cool about your WIP - it'd be interesting to see how far off he gets.

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  19. It's great having a day off, but it does mess with the head. We even put our garbage out on the wrong day because of it. You are a Christian, and a Christian writer, breaking boundaries can be beneficial at times. Jesus did.

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    1. Lol! That's something I would do.

      And, definitely about Jesus! Thanks! :)

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  20. I'm sure you can weave it in seamlessly and not make it preachy, heavy, or out of place. :)

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  21. Hi Nancy, I'm really late to comment here (sorry) it's been a hectic week with one thing and other. However, I wanted to just say I agree with the excellent advice you have already received. Having read some of your work already, I don't think it comes across as preachy. You are writing what is important to you. When the first draft is complete, finding good CPs will be the time when you can explore this further. Good luck.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. I tend to agree that finding good CPs will be very helpful! I had some good ones in my first one at Autonomy.com. Maybe I can look up one or two once I'm done here.

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  22. you are taking on a huge controversy! you will have to target your audience, whether pro gay or pro christian, the bible is firm on where this discussion falls. if you want a broader audience, you will have to tip toe around it or address it in a way that doesnt attack either side. brave woman! thats got to be a difficult decision!

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    1. Yes, I love controversy, in some topics. :) No tip-toing for me.

      The Bible may be firm in some aspects, but interpretation isn't. I bring that up in the book. I've got to remember that I'm writing for God, not for those who aren't open to learning more about who God is.

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