Where Christian Writers Draw the Line

Christian writers have many choices to make beyond those of writers in general. These all have to do with where we draw the line in our writing. It's important that we stay true to our Lord and our calling. In a field where erotica is the fastest growing market, I think we need to be especially vigilant and aware of our choices. 

However, I don't think we have to dispose of all passion and reduce any romance to boring, insipid paragraphs either. I've had many readers tell me they liked how I wrote such heartfelt love scenes and still  kept them clean. I took this as a great compliment, because this is what I want to do. 

Another area to consider is how much crude language or profanity  will be allowed in a book. I have talked with several writers who include some because they say it is true-to-life. Because I don't like this as a reader and  have issues with  it, I choose not to include any in mine, but I still have to decide where I draw the  line. At one time Christian publishers considered phrases like "Dad burn," "for goodness sake," and "dang" as inappropriate because of what they stood for. I'm probably more careful than most with what I'll use, but we all have to make that decision.

I have also decided not to regularly post promotional ads on Sunday. This is an individual choice of mine, and I don't say it should be a hard-fast rule, but I do think it is something to consider. Again, it should be between you and God and how much you consider His day as a day of rest. The answer to all these choices is to pray and allow God to direct you.

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Messy Desk?

The second Monday in January is National Clean Off Your Desk Day. For all the messy desks out there, I guess you just have to be cleaned once a year. Supposedly, 13% more men have untidy desks than women. Yet, statistics say those with the mess are likely to have more education and to be more task oriented.

Some people need a neat organized space in which to work. Others like to have everything they need spread out before them, which often means clutter. In general, neither one accomplishes more than the other. It's more important to use the method that works best for you.

So, this second Monday in January is a good day to straighten your desk. For the messy ones, you won't need to celebrate in this way for another whole year. For those who prefer everything neat and orderly, you can just continue to do what you usually do, and clean off your desk. Happy celebrating.

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The Heart of Worship

In our fast-paced, digital society, have we lost the heart of worship? Worship should not be just a way to get emotional or to make ourselves feel good. It shouldn't be about us at all, except that we give ourselves to the Lord - body, mind, and spirit - as if we laid ourselves upon an altar in sacrifice. Worship is about honoring and giving to God.

There are really two types of worship, personal worship and cooperative worship. Both are important. Personal worship is where we fall to our knees in awe or stretch out our hands to take in His majesty. It's when we stand on a mountaintop or by the sea and drink in the beauty of His handiwork as we feel His presence. It's where we realize what a holy, magnificent, perfect God we serve. Cooperative worship is done among other believers, like at church. It's important, because it not only connects the worshipper with God, but it encourages others to worship also, and you, in turn, are encouraged by others.

David worshipped often. The Psalms are full of passages that tell us this and encourage us to worship, too. Worship should be one of the reasons we go to church. It is what cements us to God so that we never lose sight of who we are as His child and why we serve Him. It reminds us that none of it should be about us and that all of life should be for and about Him. Our main goal should be to glorify God, and worship lays the foundation.

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How Do Readers Choose Their Books?

A number of factors determine which book a reader will choose to buy, and those will vary with each reader. However, we can draw some generalizations. One of the biggest concerns is the genre. Some people enjoy books from many different genres while others will only read books from one or two, but most readers have specific likes and dislikes.

Price is also an important consideration. Some buyers set a limit and will not pay above a certain amount for a book. Others buy mainly from the sales. However, there are a few who pay little attention to the price if they find the book appealing. When you look at the costs of other entertainment today, books are really a bargain, and especially ebooks.

Other concerns might also play a part in book selection. A well-designed cover helps. Reviews are important, especially to those many readers who buy their books online. The description of the book needs to be interesting, and even the number of pages the book has might be a factor. In addition, knowing something about the author and his or her books or writing can help. What factors do you look for when considering a book?

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National Bobblehead Doll Day

Sports bobbleheads

January 7th is National Bobblehead Doll Day. Who knew? I have to admit, although I've made dolls and collected certain types, I've never given bobbleheads much thought. However, thousands of collectors do, and there's almost every kind of bobblehead doll imaginable. And, if you imagine one that's not there, you can have it made.

Justice Lockwood of the
Arizona Supreme Court

If your curiosity is piqued, you might want to google them. I was astounded by the wide range of bobbleheads. Some caused me to chuckle, and others made me shake my head. There're seemingly endless possibilities in history, sports, careers, and personalities; and you can even have one of yourself, your pet, or whatever you'd like designed and produced.

Bobbleheads are not limited to one nation either. They've gone international and can be found across the world. The illustration on the right shows a Tanjorie bobblehead from India. The dolls actually first appeared in Asia and were called nodders. During the 19th century, a bisque version made their way to the United States, but many of these were produced in Germany. However, they became almost a fad in the 1990's. A few years ago the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Who knew?

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Stand Up and Make a Difference

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will, forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Many Christians today are concerned at the direction our society as a whole is going. We seem to move farther away from God all the time as morals fall by the wayside, God's commandments are all but forgotten, violence escalates, and the voices of irrational extremists grow louder and more vehement. Unless Christians stop just sitting around complaining and start standing boldly for biblical values, things are likely to continue to get worse.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness... (Romans 1;18a).

Of course, none of this is new. It happened over and over again in Old Testament times. God's people would turn their backs on him, worship idols, fall into immorality, and get themselves in a mess. Eventually, calamity would come before they saw the need to turn back to God. 9-11 is a modern example, where the churches saw a surge in attendance right after the disasters. Isn't it a shame that it takes a catastrophe to make people realize they need God?

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:32).

However, it's not too late. Christians may have become a minority when we used to be the majority, but there is still a significant number of us. And, although there're too many lukewarm pew warmers, there's also a large number of devoted Christians with deep faiths. Christians today need to be bold. As the old hymn says, let's "stand up for Jesus" before it gets to the point we'll be shot down for doing so. 

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Writing Goals for 2019

Many authors assess their previous year of writing and publishing and set goals for the coming year. I find this can be helpful, as well. In many ways, last year was a good one for me, and if the last few weeks are any indication, next year promises to be even better. I look forward to it with eagerness and anticipation. It will be exciting to see what the new year holds.

MaryLu Tyndall once advised me to keep publishing because the more books I released, the more my sales would increase. I've found this true. In 2018, I published my fifteenth book, and my sales have really increased each year (I'll have been publishing four years in March.) 2018 was the best year yet, and I expect 2019 to be even better. My goal is to bring out four more books during the year. I have fourteen unpublished manuscripts that just need more polishing and editing. I write rough drafts quickly and always have plenty of ideas for new ones.

My review averages are very good, but I would like to work on getting more of them in 2019. I find this is one area I've had trouble with. I would also like to take a closer look at the newsletters. The third area is to do more of my own formatting and publishing. However, I have a tendency to put too much pressure on myself, and I also want to relax and enjoy the writing/publishing journey. I do find it fun.

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