On one reality show with ‘wanna-be’ fashion designers, entrants are judged to be either ‘in’ or ‘out’ and those deemed ‘out’ are dismissed. This is nothing new as the proliferation of media information makes us aware that much of today’s culture seems to be fueled by popular trends. In fact, it seems some of today’s ‘so-called’ icons have little to bring to table other than the ability to capture the interest of the media long enough to develop a pop following.
In the midst of it all though, God’s word says, we are to be ‘the salt of the world’, and I think this a good focus for Christian writers. From my perspective, that means our message, and our method of creativity should add a different ‘flavor’ to the literary stew. And, the result may be that everybody in ‘pop culture’ might not ‘get’, understand or LIKE what we’re trying to do. It is said, “Let he that has an ear, listen” and I believe as writers, it is our greatest desire that what we say, along with HOW we say it may reach the ear, penetrating the heart of one who will hear. What an awesome blessing to know that though some can’t hear the message now, later they may, and our offerings will be available for them and I believe they’ll be glad the choice is there.
As Christian writers we must be prepared that some might find our offerings too lame, tame, convicting or unrealistic. It’s no secret that when we are involved in certain lifestyle choices we believe everyone else is too. In fact, it's only once we move away from some behaviors do we realize how many others don’t participate. We are afforded tremendous power through our writings. Through our stories we can create characters making choices that readers may reflect on while fashioning their own lives. This may allow some to make choices they may not have otherwise realized available to them. And so, through ‘cleaning up our act’ and thinking in a new way, our literary offerings might put us on the ‘outs’ with some folks, but I think that’s okay. Because, the truth is what’s ‘out’ in the world is often ‘in’ with God and it’s being in His clique that matters most….
Note: I hope this is ‘my’ day to post. Didn’t write down my Tuesdays! So I apologize if I’ve posted on someone else’s day and please feel free to ‘cyber’-slap my hand!! - Cheri
Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is 49-years old and the mother of two boys. She lives in East-Central Illinois. Her website is www.cheriparisedwards.com
Bonefire! Women’s Conference
February 3-4, 2006 at St. Joseph’s AME Church in Durham, NC
Whether God calls you to write or not, you have a God-given vision for your life! When God gives you something, it stays with you morning, noon, and night until you do what He says to do, the way He says to do it. It becomes like fire shut up in your bones. It becomes so hot that you have to write it down. It becomes such a powerful force that you can barely move or think.
It becomes… Bonefire!
Dr. Gail M. Hayes
Conference host, international speaker, and author of the book Daughters of the King, Finding Victory Through Your God-Given Personal Style (Warner/Walk Worthy Press
Conference Hosts and Sponsors
St Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal Church is a proud sponsor of Bonefire! 2006. The pastor is Reverend Philip R. Cousin. Jr. who is a candidate for
Episcopal honors as Bishop of the AME Church in 2008.
SPEAKERS…
Guest Psalmist is Jennifer Evans making her national debut of her CD Delayed but not Denied!!!
Registration: $69.00. Send your registration to: Daughters of the King,
PO Box 71017
Durham
NC
27722
Urban Ministries, Inc. to Celebrate 35 Years In Ministry
The establishment of Urban Ministries, Inc. was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream that Melvin E. Banks had at the age of 12. Soon after accepting Jesus Christ as His Savior, young Melvin gave his testimony on one of the back roads of Birmingham, AL. An old, white-haired Black man heard Melvin's testimony and quoted this verse to him: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). This verse made a great impression on Melvin, and he was determined to yield himself to God so that he could be used to help bring the knowledge of His Word to Black people.
While working at Scripture Press, Melvin realized the need for resources that would appeal to African Americans. In 1970, a Board of Directors was selected and Melvin's boyhood dream began to take shape with the incorporation of Urban Ministries, Inc.
Urban Ministries, Inc. is now the largest African American owned and operated Christian media company. They publish Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curricula designed for African American churches, other Christian organizations, and consumers. UMI products are developed by seasoned Christian educators who have experienced the African and the African American worldview. The result? Scholarly lessons and commentaries infused with those qualities.
Exploit, the 13th annual International Hispanic Christian Products tradeshow, is scheduled for May 19-24, 2005 at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel in Miami. The sold out 350-booth event will welcome Rick Warren, Tommy Tenney, Chuck Norris and other personalities as part of the show, designed to spotlight Spanish language products, a market which continues to grow 10-12 % a year, according to the Spanish Evangelical Products Association. Read more.
Kendra Norman Bellamy, one of our 2005 feature authors, won the 
2005 Best Christian Author Award at the Memphis Black Writers Conference. Ms. Bellamy, along with Stacy Hawkins Adams, another Word Praize feature author, were also chosen as best in Christian fiction by the readers of Shades of Romance magazine this year.
Walk Worthy Press Fiction Function
On May 7, 2005, Borders Detroit will host a discussion and book signing with Denise Michelle Edwards (Sweet Bye Bye), Derek Jackson (A Man Inspired), Cheri Paris Edwards (Plenty Good Room) and Tiffany Warren (What a Sista Should Do) at Eastlake Baptist Church. There will be dramatizations of favorite scenes from each book, Mother's Day baskets and giveaways and free gift wrapping. The event begins at noon.
Eastlake Baptist Church
12400 East Jefferson Avenue (near Conner Street)
Detroit, MI 48215
313-821-9348
National Best Selling Author Now Hosts Her Own Talk Show
Princess Dominique Show is a lighthearted entertainment program hosted by National Best Selling author and advice columnist Linda Dominique Grosvenor. The show will air on Sundays on the WB22 in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville region of North Carolina. Excited about the promising new show , Grosvenor says, “The Princess Dominique show gathers together all the things I've ever found fascinating about television including makeovers, musical guests, quick recipes and trendy fashions--we've got it and we serve it to you royally.”
Linda Dominique Grosvenor is native New Yorker, author and online advice columnist. Her expertise on dating and relationship issues have been used in articles for Modern Bride and MORE Magazine. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband John and her cats Jing Jing and Ninja. Direct interview requests for The Princess Dominique Show to chase@lindadominiquegrosvenor.com.
Last week I was invited to a Faith Chicks chat by my good friend, Mary Griffith. I attended to support her and her books. I signed on a little late, however the chat was just getting into high gear. This was one of those chats, that you keep in your good chat memory.
This chat introduced me to the new world of Christian chick lit. Some of the authors participating, Mary Griffith, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Neta Jackson, Sharon Ewell Foster, Rachel Hauck, Laura Jensen Walker welcomed me and made me aware of this new genre.
I haven’t laughed so much during a chat in a long time. These women know how to have a good time. It was like have a girls night out online. They teased each other, cracked jokes and talked about what made a good chick lit.
Just trying to keep up with all the conversations was fun. These women enjoy what they do and it came through in the chat.
Each author gave a quick synopses about their books, making you want to run out to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy.
Nena Jackson shared how her book brought a reader to salvation. Now if that wasn’t inspiration for a new writer, I don’t know what is.
I sure wished they had these types of books when I became saved. It would have been refreshing to spend the day reading about women like me who love the Lord.
The authors inspired me, to try my hand at chick lit. Who knows, maybe there’s a girl friend book in me.
LaShaunda C. Hoffman is the editor/publisher of Shades Of Romance Magazine. An online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. She believes in promoting books and helping authors get their names out in front of readers. If you enjoyed this blog, send her an email at: sormag@yahoo.com and receive a free subscription to SORMAG.
[Editor's note: I didn't pay her to say this stuff. Honest!]
Our condolences are with our catholic Word Praize friends and family over the loss of Pope John Paul II. He was beloved by the world and will be missed by all.
A.G. Media Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company to provide content and programming to AOL's newly launched African-American service, AOL® BlackVoices.
Under the agreement, A. G. Media will provide AOL BlackVoices with Gospel music, entertainment and Christian lifestyle related articles, news items and rich media content from its GospelCity.com web property, part of A.G. Media's Internet & New Media Division. The AOL BlackVoices service, which offers extensive programming to appeal to African Americans, reaches millions of consumers nationwide. Also, the agreement will enable both parties to introduce co-branded features such as online artist live chats and album release previews.
Read more.
