Word Praize

Good Read BookClub: An Idea

Before I was a blogger, book reviewer I founded one of the largest interracial bookclubs in Atlanta- The Suwanee Reading Social Club. And believe me...we had fun.

So I'm missing the old gang ad thinking seriously about starting anew.

This bookclub would both online and at the local level with a big goal to become national. It's objective would be to focus on fiction and non-fiction books written with a Christian worldview. We  Members can choose the books and vote on their picks via online. Authors would share the first three chapters for free. Members would purchase the books on a subscription basis. Local Booksense or a publisher would provide discount rates for this club. The club would host reader and booksigning events.

This club idea is what I'm thinking about. I would love feedback, interested parties willing to form an advisory board with me, authors wishing to be featured, and anything else that will bring to fruition. I will host online web conference in August to share what we have come up with. Anyone interested in receiving an invite to that conference, please contact me offline or at my Christian Fiction Blog.

And also join me this summer at the Sormag Online Conference. I will be teaching a beginner's writing course on POV.

Thank you. Dee

If the Shoe Fits

Marilynn Griffith sent me a nice Thanksgiving gift last year, a copy of her latest gospel diva read- If the Shoe Fits.

Summary:
Shoe designer, Rochelle Gardner's love life is raining men, honey. She
has a deacon on her right, her baby daddy on the left and a young
waiter trying to push himself up the middle to her heart. Which man
does God want her to be with, if any?

This novel is too many things and a touch too close to my own love dilemmas. (Y'all know about it!!) Anyway...

After
reading the first few pages I called Mary. Called her. Y'all I don't
have time to call people about their books anymore. But I had to call
her and tell her. That this novel is her upside down and sideways. Mary
is funny, smart, on point, crazy, God inspiring, just too many things.
And I love this story. I love washing the feet--something we do every
Mother's Day in my home church. I love the rituals. The cool things the
Sassy Sistahood get her into. This book is light and fun and a good
pick me up on a cold, toe curling, man-hating da

Now in its second printing. You can If The Shoe Fits (Steeple Hill Cafe) right here.


Dee Stewart is a christian entertainment publicist, book enthusiast, and speaker. You can find her at Gospel Fiction.

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Today's Holy Moment

Submissions are being taken for this year's faith in fiction short story contest. In conjuntion with Relief Journal, the Daily Sacrament Short Story contest is now underway.



Related Articles:

Relief Journal/F*i*F “Daily Sacrament” Short Story Contest

Quick Question: Have you found a holy moment today?

Come by my site, GospelFiction to countdown last year's best Christian fiction novels, and celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King with some fantastic christian reads.

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Ornament

Ornament

a short story by D. Dee Stewart

On the third day of Christmas Justin handed me her love letters to him, then took the girls out for waffles and fried chicken. He had already packed my van.  It was warming in the garage and the key was still in the ignition. My annual Gospel Divas Christmas Brunch at Christ Cathedral began in less than two hours, my wait staff would arrive in thirty, and Gretchen Taylor was dropping off her infamous cranberry apple tarts at the church in the next fifteen.

I grabbed an ornament and threw it into the wall.
The love letters were unopened. He just kept them in his Bible. Said he didn’t know where else to put them.

“What about the trash?” I had asked.

He smiled, kissed me on the forehead and bounced out of our home with the girls. Three days before Christmas. Two days before our seventh anniversary.

I threw another ornament.

I made my way to the garage, hopped in the car and realized that I left my purse inside. The church was just down the street, so I figured once I unpack all the supplies and goodies I would come back for it. I think I had what I needed.

Justin was a thoughtful husband. My van was warm and toasty inside. He had placed all my supplies neatly and in a way I could see out my rearview window. The garage door was down. Safe. Secure, but thoughtless I hit reverse. Didn’t look back. Felt a huge bump and broke. I hit something.

To be continued…

If you would like to know what happened next visit my website gospelfiction this Advent season.

Dee Stewart is a publicist, marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts The Perfect Romance Christian Event Series in Atlanta, Georgia and is the 2007 Romantic Times Booklover’s Convention Coordinator for the Inspirational Workshop Panels to be held in Austin, Texas. She serves as a Christy Book Awards judge and has written for: Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed, Hope for Women, Precious Times Magazines and The Master’s Artist Blog. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology. Visit her at http://gospelfiction.com

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Pigeonholing Christ

This past Thursday Ed Bradley's passing surprised most of the world. There was a time I wanted to be a female version of him traveling the world, putting a face on humanity. What I love most about him is that he refused to be pigeonholed as the "black news guy," who only discussed news affecting African-American culture.

I refuse to be pigeonholed as the black christian fiction gal, who only writes about African-American christian culture. In fact, I don't think that Christian publishing should pigeonhole anyone based on ethnicity or gender.  Yet, we do it. We even read in a pigeonhole.

Judging the Christy's this year afforded me the opportunity to read works written by authors of various ethnicities. I learned that we all love Christ the same way.

Mary created Wordpraize to take Christian fiction out of the box and to show that we all love Christ the same way with everything in us. If you haven't heard her speak about diversity in Christian publishing, you are in for a treat.

I encourage you to write with Ed Bradley in mind on your next writing project. I've written a story about a young highschool teacher who is an angel. It's based on my experience as a teacher's ed for an urban highschool when I was in my early twenties. But my character isn't a black female. He's white. I tried to make Angel more like me physically, but my soul just kept saying that this teacher was a white man. I love this character. I can't wait to get to know him better.

Don't let anyone tell you what you can't and cannot write, but God. In honor of Ed Bradley, make your words count. :)

Dee Stewart is a mother,
book critic, publicist, book marketing consultant and syndicated
columnist. She is the founder of the Gospel Fiction Blog Alliance. She
hosts The Perfect Romance and Third Thursdays Event Series and served
as a judge for the 2006 Christy Book Awards. She’s written for Spirit
Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed, Hope for Women, Precious Times
Magazines and many more. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is
featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

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The Ephiphany Factor

There are stacks of books on my tables in my living room. Most of them are some form of inspirational romance. Every day my mailman drops off another novel for me. Every day a new novel is sat on the bottom of these stacks. Some books are not read before their release date. Some novels never reach my home until after its shelf  life. And some novels move above the rest. Yet, they are read. Some find placement in one of my magazines or in a bookstores magazine. Others find placement on my site or blog. And others, I can't seem to stop talking about: here, here, and here.

 

But what I rarely see in these novels is an Epiphany factor. I define the Epiphany Factor as a moment when one is illuminated. Christ shares something new about Him that I wouldn't have realized had I not read this novel, watched this movie, heard this song, engaged in this painting, photo, and so on. It is an experience that brings me closer to a better understanding of All of This. I don't often find the Epiphany Factor. Sad to say, I rarely find it in books written by Christian authors. Why?

 

When I was asked to judged the romance category for the Christy Awards this year I hoped I would read a novel that had such a Epiphany Factor. As great as the novels were, only a few touched the hem of what I was seeking. Nonetheless, I was pleased with some of the entries. I was glad that the publishing houses, that nominated them did it. There were other books that were more popular, more showmance friendly. I appreciated and respected them for giving me quality reads to dissect.

 

There is much talk about platform and pitch and plot. About quality. Yet, I think that what should define the benchmark for Christian Romance Fiction is some version of an Epiphany, whereby we gain more clues about this great romance between God and His Church. 

 

I wrote a romance novel, two even. Decided to put my fingers where my Reaper reading red pen is(remind me to talk about this pen later.)  I've revised these novels so many times that I am disgusted with myself. Gaining the Epiphany Factor is ridiculously hard. 

 

To write on that level deserves great credit. I think more reviewers should try writing a novel first before they review one. I really do. You'll write better reviews. I think romance authors should read more and write reviews. They would become more disciplined writers. And as for me, I need to pray and study the Word more. Have more faith.

 

How do you feel about Christian romance novels? How do you feel about reviewing romance novels?

 

Discuss here or Add to the discussion in the Gospel Fiction forum.

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, publicist, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She is the founder of the Gospel Fiction Blog Alliance. She hosts The Perfect Romance and Third Thursdays Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Book Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed, Hope for Women, Precious Times Magazines and many more. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.Talk to me at Gospel Fiction or My Space's DeeGospel.

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Author Panelists Call

 

Next year I am convention captain for two inspirational writing workshop panels at the 2007 RT Booklover's Convention.  If you are a published inspirational author, and interested in being a panelist on one of these workshops, please goto my site- Gospel Fiction for more information.

 

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Dee's ACFW Event

      

I'm at The Master's Artist today sharing a fun quiz I created regarding the ACFW quiz. Stop by this week here and at Gospel Fiction for a week long blogging event about the ACFW conference.

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Ask Me Faqqly

 

Have a question to ask me about writing, christian publishing, the gospel recording industry or ATL? Click here and I will answer you in a flash. Faqqly is an open end interface, widget driven beta site, so it always you to interact with your favorite gospel diva or favorite author in real time.  Isn't that cool. So you don't have to run to your email, to await an answer just check in at Faqqly.

 

I'm looking for authors to feature on Faqqly for interactive interviews with your readers, contact me here if you're interested.

 

This week Essence Bestselling author and one of my ride-or-die chicks, Tia McCollors will answer my questions and yours. Want to know about her newest novel, Zora's Cry, how's new motherhood treating her, or how crazy I really am, hit the link and she'll answer you, faqqly. :)

 

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Judging Christy

 

This year I judged the Romance Category for the 2006 Christy Awards. We had thirteen books to read, rate and review. I received my shipment around the February 1st and had until the first week in April to rate them. Because I also review for Romantic Times, Anointed, Rejoice and Gospel Fiction I had to create a plan to keep track of all these books as well as read them on time. Thankfully, I had such a system. My good friend, Jackie Miller, editor of Real Reviewers gave me Waterlane's The Reader's Journal as a Christmas gift.

 

I love this book. It has great quotes from notable authors as well as plenty of writing pages to record what you read.  One of my best quotes in the book comes from Ernest Hemingway:

 

All good books have one thing in common- they are truer than if they had really happened, and after you've read one of them you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and that it belongs to you forever...

 

This month we will discuss such books and how those books relate to this quote, and how why I think they were chosen for Christy selections.

 

But before we do. I want to know how you keep up with the books you read?

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

Stop by Gospel Fiction to see my picks of the best summer reads!

 

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WRD: Best Summer Read 2006

Today is World Refugee Day. Journalists all ove the world have united to highlight refugee issues today. However, I want to highlight a book that I have selected for my girl scout troop parent committee to read to their daughter's this summer. This book is also on my list of great summer reads.

 

Drita, my Homegirl, by Jenny Lombard

 

"You got to start to let her go and let someone in..."

 

In short, the novel is about two fourth graders Drita and Maxie. Drita is a Kosovo refugee that immigrated to New York and is having trouble at her new elementary school. Maxie, an African-American "Chatty Kathy", who is also Drita's new classmate can't stay out of trouble. In lieu of another punishment Maxie has to do a school project on Drita and Kosovo. As Maxie begins to learn more about Drita's home country, they both begin to learn that they are similiar, both share a secret pain regarding their mothers and can lean on each other. The book is written well and in an authentic voice for both teenagers and their cultural differences. I think this is a great book for the scouts and mothers with daughters. (March, $15.99)

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

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Artist Call: The Perfect Romance

"But now listen, I will woo her, I will go with her into the wilderness and comfort her" (Hos. 2:14)

 

Last year, we launched Third Thursdays, an Atlanta Live Christian Event Reader Series. This year we've gone a step higher.  This summer you are invited to

 

The Perfect Romance

A Christian Romance and Word Event Series

 

When: Every Second Friday from July-September from 7:30-9:30 pm

Where: Firenze Coffeehouse & Gallery

             145-B Satellite Blvd., Suwanee, GA 30024

Cost: Free to the public and free to the artists

Contact: Dee Stewart(here)

Details: The Perfect Romance Reader Series encompasses the Hosea scripture, as it will portray God, the consummate romantic through the arts(literature, fine art, music and dance.) Click the underlined text below to be directed to the artist call for these events. Please pass this info onto those who may be interested that live in or around the Atlanta, Georgia vicinity or who will be doing booksignings in the coming months.

 

Artist Call for July, August and September

 

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

 

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What Character Reminds You of You?

For the past few weeks Brandilyn Collins has been lecturing about character empathy at her Faith & Forensics Blog. How to get your readers to care about your characters.  An excerpt...

2. Particularly good at something

Two subpoints here. (A) Emphasis is on the word “particularly.” She’s not just talented at the piano, she’s stunning enough to rise above all others, to capture our attention and admiration with her style, her touch of fingers to keys. (B) This approach involves details... We see him in action... The proficiency of his hands, the tilt of his body as he sights, his absolute stillness and measured patience until the perfect moment arrives to ease back the trigger.

I commented on her blog that this approach was similiar to a technique I learned a few years back called Building Authority. However, this method gave authors a choice to build authority[empathy] through two methods- the heart or the head. If a person was very good at something, then the author used the heart method. If the character had an enduring, but universal flaw, then we call that the heart method.

Last month, Westbow Press release Charles Martin's When Cricket's Cry. It is a beautifully written novel about a broken hearted man and a fragile little girl who are brought together for God's glory. There are so many wonderful passages in this novel I can't pick one. But as this novel relates to Brandilyn's discussion, Charles uses both methods in the opening chapter to pull his readers in. The front cover says that this is A Novel of the Heart. As cheesy at that line may sound, that line sums up the entire novel. Best tagline I've read this year. He uses the heart method to introduce us to the very sprite, but sick Lily.

She was small for her age. Probably six, maybe even seven, but looked more like four or five. A tomboy's heart in a china doll's body...She was pale and thin and bounced around like a mix between Eloise and Tigger.- first lines of When Cricket's Cry.

As the chapter unfolds we learn that this man isn't just a neighbor from a nearby town that occasionally wandered into Clayton, Georgia. But he's Reese, the town's recluse. No. He's more than that--he's a brokenhearted physician, who believes that he is a failure. We learn in the first chapter that he is not a failure, because he saves her life. Martin allows us to enter Reese's mind once he becomes the physician again, if only for that short moment. We see--as do the rest of the town--that Reese is more than he believes. It is the head method and the heart method combined. Because we know what it feels to not digest our full potential, especially when we haven't puled ourselves up from falling. I know this reality too well. In fact, I'm going through the same self-contempt as Reese.

Claudia Burney and I had a similiar conversation last week about our issues. Wink. Wink. Nod. Nod. :) She's a dear.Now let me ask you. Out of your most favorite books what endures you to the characters the most? Shoot. What characters can you identify with the most? I like to say I identify with Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice and Sophia of The Color Purple. What about you?

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Review: Sweet Magnolia

Sweet Magnolia

Norma L. Jarrett 

Harlem Moon

ISBN # 0-7679-2142-9

3 Tambourine Players

Ever since Summer Ledoux was a little girl she wanted to get married at her family’s New Orleans estate-the Ledoux Mansion. But when she returns home for her nuptials she finds that her prestigious and well-guarded family name is steeped in dark secrets and a legacy curse that haunts her every night. Although Summer quells this curse through her spiritual connection to Christ, she prays that her older and misguided sister, Misa will seek His refuge before its too late.

Misa Ledoux knows that her supermodel days are almost over. So when she receives Summer’s wedding and family reunion invitation she returns to Magnolia Lane hoping that this opportunity will be beginning of a fresh start for her. But her anxiety attacks and addictions to booze and bad men may destroy her future before it begins. Her caustic behavior with the family further strains her relationship with Summer-- the only person who could possibly help her through her depressive bouts.

Jarrett writes beautiful prose. Her close attention to detail, t romantic scenes, and New Orleans cultural references create an sweet, southern genteel mood for this story. Yet, the constant flashbacks and episodic chapters slow the story’s pace. Too many surprises and secrets add so much drama that it clouds the central themes of redemption and family responsibility from greater view. (June, 256 pp, $16.95)

Dee Stewart,

for Gospel Fiction

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

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Dee, Judas & the Pursuit of an Anti-Hero

Check me out at The Master's Artist blog today. I'm talking about National Geographic's The Gospel of Judas.

 

Quick question: When you read do you prefer the villain's point of view?

 

OT: Also I'm writing a novel, whereby my hero starts as a villainous type, but during the novel my heroine's point of view and the reader's will change. Are you a sucker for bad boys or is just me?

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2 Time Crunch Reads

Check me out at The Master's Artist today. I have two short reads to recommend to those of you who are like me this week- celebrating Spring Break with your child or just swamped with Easter egg hunts,  paying bills, and life. I love short stories. How about you?

 

Click here to see my picks. And come back this week I will have some more for your fancy. And if you are a short story writing phenom I have a writing opportunity for you. 

 

I also want to give a shout out to Mary G. Loved meeting you face to face this week. You are a powerhouse and I am going to the thang and get my book done. Thanks for your swift kick in my rear. :)

 

Think Pink!!

 

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Spring Reads Nominations Open

I'm at The Master's Artist Today praying about my Mind and Soul.

Over at Gospel Fiction I'm seeking books to nominate for great Spring and Summer reads. If you have a book that you think deserves to be on this list, hit me up here or at either Gospel Fiction or Christian Fiction Blog.

 

I added Kate Mosse's Labyrinth to the list. She also has a fantaberific site. They you can learn more about over at Gospel Fiction. Note: this book is not a CBA title or what you would call Christian Fiction. Be advised.

 

Check out my book review for Jacquelin Thomas' Defining Moments and Kendra Norman-Bellamy's More than Grace in Romantic Times Magazine's April edition, which are on major magazine stands and your local public library.

 

And I have two more slots open for Dee's Storyteller's Workshop. Contact me for details.

 

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The Storyteller in You

Dee's at The Master's Artist Blog today. Check it out and comment, if you will.

 

Reminder: this month I'm hosting a storyteller's workshop that will help participants discover themselves as storytellers, determine what themes speak to them the most, and show them different methods to help get these stories told. Two seats are still available. Contact me here.

 

Technorati Tags : chuck, palahniuk, toni, morrison, dave, long, faith, in, fiction, christian, writing, dee, stewart, william, faulkner

 

 

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Pen/Faulkner Award: The March

 The PEN/Faulkner Foundation will announce today that E.L. Doctorow has won its 2006 fiction award for his novel The March. It is the second PEN/Faulkner award for the much-honored Doctorow, who won in 1990 for Billy Bathgate.

 

Pearl fell forward to her knees and clasped her hands. Dear God Jesus, she whispered, make a place fer dis good woman beside you. An me, yore Porhl, teach me to be free.

 

Click here to read the full excerpt.

 

I'm adding this novel to my buying wishlist, because I could only get through chapter one when I received a stack of books to judge for an award contest. Now, this book wasn't published by a Christian publisher, but there are some elements in there very illuminating.

 

So...you have until May to pick up this book, because I'm nominating it for our first Gospel Fiction Summer Reading Project. If you have any books you want to nominate, hit me up, give me a nomination and tell me why they should win. Seven books will be featured to vote upon and one will win. I will upload nominations from now until May 15, 2006.

Dee Stewart is editor of Christian Fiction News and also hosts Atlanta’s Third Thursdays: Altartainment Event Series. She's written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, "Straddling the Fence," is featured in Infuze Magazine's Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology. She can be found at Gospel Fiction dot com.This month she's hosting a Storyteller's workshop at her site.

 

 

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Storyteller's Workshop

Story Tellers a course in writing a story celebrating Christ

Sponsored by

February 20 thru March 13

When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God.
He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others,
but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over
God's business. - Flannery O'Connor

Storytellers – Parables and stories have been hallmarks to Christian culture, since before Christ’s ministry, and it continues today. Whether you've been dreaming of becoming a published writer since childhood, stomped on your own novel writing process or just want to learn a new hobby, this six-week tutorial will give you the basic building blocks to create a compelling story. Assignments include a story idea, scene building primer, a character sketch, an outline, a story and a revision. Instructor: Dee Stewart. Registration only $15. Spaces are limited. Register today!

INSTRUCTOR Dee Stewart is editor of Christian Fiction News and hosts Atlanta’s Third Thursdays: Altartainment Event Series. She's written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Spirit Led Writer and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, "Straddling the Fence," is featured in Infuze Magazine's Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology. She can be contacted at vidae@writing.com.

The first fifteen people to register will be entered for a chance to win The Christian Writer's Market 2006. ($29.99 value)

 

Contact Good Girl Book Club or stay tuned to sign up for classes.

 

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Dee's St. Valentine's Day Kit

For fun, today I thought I would list some of the top love stories on the web for your enjoyment, as well as the contents of my very own Valentine's Kit, which includes movies, chocolate, poems and more fun.

Some great love stories online:

1. Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Ubbervilles

An excerpt from Chapter 24(one of my favs)...

How very lovable her face was to him[Angel.] yet there was nothing ethereal about it; all was real vitality, real warmth, real incarnation. And it was in her[Tess] mouth that this culminated. Eyes almost as deep and speaking he had seen before, and cheeks perhaps as fair; brows as arched, a chin and throat almost as shapely; her mouth he had seen nothing to equal on the face of the earth. To a young man with the least fire in him that little upward lift in the middle of her red top lip was distracting, infatuating, maddening. He had never before seen a woman's lips and teeth which forced upon his mind with such persistent iteration the old Elizabethan simile of roses filled with snow. Perfect, he, as a lover, might have called them off-hand. But no--they were not perfect. And it was the touch of the imperfect upon the would-be perfect that gave the sweetness, because it was that which gave the humanity.

2. Edith Warton's The Fulness Of Life at EastoftheWeb

3. My short story, Mocha Lee.(still troubleshooting the pic)

My Valentine Kit must haves:

Movies

• Love Actually   
• The Sound of Music   
• The Love Letter   
• Corrina Corrina   
• Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Music

• Kem (both albums)   
• Heather Headley "I'll Always be his Lady"   
• Coldplay's "Fix You"   
• Richard Smallwood's "Total Praise"

Muchies

• Poppycock   
• Sam's Choice Dark Chocolate 99 cents Y'all   
• Welch's Sparkling White Grape   
• Wheat Water Crackers   
• BoarsHead Cheddar Cheese   
• Salmon Dip

Men

• I'm thinking about calling this guy up, whose been trying to get me to go   out with him for two years. What do you think?

Enjoy!

Dee Stewart is editor of Christian Fiction News and also hosts Atlanta’s Third Thursdays: Altartainment Event Series. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology. She can be found at http://gospelfiction.com.

Technorati Tags : valentine, dee, stewart

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Grown Folks Talking: Me and Victoria, Part 1

Hiya,

Last year I joined a writer's group--the Atlanta Black Christian Writer's Group, which consists of ten devotional divas and a host of writing mentors. One of our mentors, is bestselling author, Victoria Christopher Murray.

This woman, who lives all the way on the west coast(California) takes the time to encourage, give advise, line edit, and offer agent referrals to us wee woman in the South(excuse my Scottish accent. I just watched Dear Frankie.)

On top of that she agreed to let me interview her about her bestselling, watercooler buzz novel, Grown Folks Business.

My two line snippet of the novel: Grown Folks Business is about a wife and mother, who relies on her faith when her husband leaves her for another man.

This interview will consist of Three Parts. Part One below.

Dee:Why the title[Grown Folks Business]?

Victoria: That's a good question, but why not this title? When I write a novel, I try to come up with a title that fits the story. I think with the topic of this book, I couldn't have come up with anything better than Grown Folks Business. Because this is the kind of stuff that we usually send children out of the room when we're discussing.

Dee: Homosexual lifestyle and writing about it in any context is off limits in most CBA fiction. When did God call you to write on this subject? And were you apprehensive at first?

Victoria: I was never apprehensive about writing this novel. I'm not part of the CBA market so there are no restrictions to what I can write. In the mainstream market, there are no writing guidelines. I first got the idea for this book in 2002.

Dee: Some readers think of you as more of a crossover Christian fiction author. Would you agree?

Victoria: I'm not sure I know what you mean by crossover. I hate labels and categories, but if I HAD to classify myself, I am an author who is a Christian. I think being a Christian is not an adjective, it's a verb. So in my walk with Christ, I pray that you can see Him in everything I do. But I just write every ordinary stories...with Christ in the center. Interestingly, I think by saying that I'm a Christian author, takes away from other writers - who are Christian, but who do not necessarily write books with a Christian message. I've had other authors (Brian Egeston, for one) question why I'm called Christian when they are not.

Dee: Wouldn't you agree that people want to read good and real stories over anything else?

Victoria: Yes.

Dee: Do the story's come to you or do you wait on the Holy Spirit to direct you?

Victoria: The Holy Spirit directs every part of my life, everyday. So blessedly, I don't have to sit and wait for the stories. I am so blessed because God has filled me so many stories already. Honestly, I don't know how I will have the time to write them all. But He will make the time.

To be continued...

Davidae 'Dee' Stewart is an editor, book reviewer, speaker and writer. Her works have appeared in Romantic Times, Gospel Today, Romance in Color, Soul Source, Precious Times, and Rejoice! She resides in Suwanee, Georgia with her daughter, Selah and is completing a christian fiction novel.

Writing to See What the End's Gon' Be

On Earth as it is in Heaven by Dee Stewart.

This week I'm busy preparing for my first Third Thursday event. I'm checking out the location, confirming performers, responding to RSVPS, and preparing for July's event. On top of that today I read and reviewed a book for Romantic Times, took Selah to swim lessons, cooked a dinner from scratch and after this will begin working on my own novel.

What makes this day different than any other? Those of you who know me know most days I'm cooking on all four burners anyway...But today is different. My spirit is renewed and my purpose pumping my heart.

Why?

This week my writing group spent the weekend on a writer's retreat. We packed our manuscripts, pink rollers, and mumus and headed to Timber Ridge Conference Center(home of the Girl Scouts).

We had a fantabulous time. Fantabulous food, fellowship and friendship forging. And most importantly we had a fantabulous time with the Lord.

Who are we? What do we write for? Who do we write for?

We, Christian writers know the answer. The Lord. Hallelujah!!

But to take the time and to relish in it. Marvel in it...It makes you SuperWriter.

God chose us to run rings around other literary wannabees. He chose us, who knows how one word can define and clarify all things. He gave us creativity to build stories/parables that will help us understand him.

What are you working on right now that illuminates God to us?
Is it relevant to today?
Is your angel trying to cope with the 22nd century?
What is she doing? What are doing?

We will hold another retreat next year and I hope we can invite others to attend. But in the meantime let's think about our eternity and how we will continue to tell stories in Heaven. And how tickled Heaven will be with the stories we tell. We won't be tired or sleepy or stressed. We just tell stories. Our tongues won't tire. Our hands won't carpel. Our eyes won't hate computer screens.

We won't be rejected.

Imagine it. And live it now. On Earth as it is in Heaven.

Get after your calling.

Writin to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee

Davidae 'Dee' Stewart is an editor, book reviewer, speaker and writer. Her works have appeared in Romantic Times, Gospel Today, Romance in Color, Soul Source, Precious Times, and Rejoice! She resides in Suwanee, Georgia with her daughter, Selah and is completing a christian fiction novel.

Writing to See What the End Gon' Be

<--Jason Mamoa

An excerpt...

To the body, the day begins and ends the same, but the soul exists to know and praise the difference.

Around 6:00 am in my dreams the Lord met me. One minute he was Ben Affleck(not the superstar, but my nightdream boyfriend) and then he changed to Jason Momoa(not the incredibly gorgeous Hawaiian actor, but my daydream boyfriend)--neither of these men are my fiance mind you. But for a minute I don't think that my dream boy switches are absurd. It feels like the most casual occurence in the world. And then it strikes me.

I was late!

God knew my brain would trigger the moment I saw Momoa. If you're a girly girl like me I think your brain will trigger too, if this man popped up in your dreams all Willy Nilly. But it hit me again, while brushing my teeth and tiptoeing through the house, hoping not to disturb my daughter, Selah.

I laugh. The Lord has a sense of humor.

But what's rich about this illumination is the fact that for the first time I understood that the Lord knows what to do to get my juices flowing. He knows who I am.

Usually he sends the Holy Spirit to whisper to me, while I'm joking with Ben,"Good Morning, Davidae."

But not today. And I am too happy to wonder why.

I read a few pages of Mariette in Ectsasy and laughed--again, not at the book, but at myself.

I love beautiful things: people, planets, words...
I love the way they place on the page and how they sound when read aloud.
I love pleasant surprises like Jason Momoa and Mariette in Ecstasy.
I love my Lord's morning love notes that he only sends to me.
I love feeling a part of a great big, beautiful, Momoa-inspiring world.

May you find The Lord flirting with you this day.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Davidae 'Dee' Stewart is an editor, book reviewer, speaker and writer. Her works have appeared in Romantic Times, Gospel Today, Romance in Color, Soul Source, Precious Times, and Rejoice! She resides in Suwanee, Georgia with her daughter, Selah and is completing a christian fiction novel.

I'm Still Holdin' On

"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." (Malachi 3:6, NIV)

One April 8th, Jamila, a closed friend to my little sister and a member of our young adult choir passed from Lupus. She was twenty-three years old.

My sister believed that the disease beat her down.

But I believe she had fought the good fight. She was ready to go home.

And I don't want to get on my soapbox about what physical suffering does to the mind and the spirit. You see--I'm still in awe of the Pope and how he became the face of longsuffering for many.

So I'm still thankful that I'm still holding on. I know what lies ahead of us all and that is a big comfort.

My great grandma, Rosa, used to say that she was waiting for her change to come.

Now I believe that what she meant was holding on until her spirit matured into a place where she never felt defeated even unto death.

This weekend, I am reading Scott McKnight's The Jesus Creed. In his prologue, he talks about why this book is important and timely. I'm reading this book to edify my soul and to also bring some clarity to my calling as a writer. Sometimes I get carried away and want to write something, anything that will stop people from asking me about the progress of my book. I mean I can write something real thoughtless and hip in one good minute. But I'm still waiting for my change to come.

You see. I've stood at death's door twice and I know what I know. I know God exists. I know that we continue after our hearts stop and I'm still holding on.

Up until last week, I thought I existed just to be my daughter's mother, as if God only created me to bring her here and raise her. But in order for me to accomplish that task, I need to move on up in the Spirit. I need a change to come.

So I'm still holding on.

God still has me here. Getting better, feeling better, thinking better, and far more thankful than I've ever been.

This year will try me. I have prescription costs that exceed my monthly rent. I have an old soul as a daughter entering kindergarten. I have a fiancee fighting to obtain his Masters. And I have a unction to write a novel that explores some of these truths that I know for sure.

God never changes(Malachi 3:6.) My health might, but God never changes. The Pope fulfilled his mission and Jamila fulfilled hers.

Be Thankful this week. Be blessed. And Keep Holding on to God's Unchanging Hand.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Davidae 'Dee' Stewart is an editor, book reviewer, speaker and writer. Her works have appeared in Romantic Times, Gospel Today, Romance in Color, Soul Source, Precious Times, and Rejoice! She resides in Suwanee, Georgia with her daughter, Selah and is completing a christian fiction novel.