The Monsters Within - A CSFF Tour Special Report

We've come to the darkness.

I've challenged people if they have what it takes to read Night Of The Living Dead Christian. I've explained the book (as best I can) and asked people to share their inner monster. What is the point of all of this monster lore, and how does it relate to Christianity?

Matt Mikalatos wrote a funny book to make the medicine go down better. He's a smiling Mary Poppins. But we need to see that as Christians, we often have a monster form that we take.

What is a monster? Generally it is anything outside of the norm for a creature. Whether it is a cross of types (like a werewolf or Sasquatch) or a perverted form (vampire, zombie), it is a recognition that something is not right. The person is not who they seem to be.

How many Christians can attest to the fact they don't live up to the transformed life that we are supposed to have in Christ? How many of us are comfortable admitting that even though we have the Holy Spirit dwelling with us, we wrest control and try to make our lives something of our own?

We live in delusion if we don't see that there are monsters we each battle.

Matt manages to use this as an allegory on helping us to find transformation in the blood of Jesus, and nothing more.

The zombies in his story are Christians who have mindlessly followed a leader and have no life in themselves, thus becoming undead. The vampire Lara was wounded by her ex-husband so much that she had to start stealing life from others to feel alive. Luther the werewolf realizes that he has an animal side with lusts of the flesh he can't control. One of the tragic moments in the book is when Luther dresses up very nice and meets with his estranged wife. Only his tail is showing, his teeth are long, and his fur has to be brushed. He tries to accept the wolf part of him and dress it up as acceptable.

Needless to say, it doesn't go well.

How many of us have tried to deny the animal desires, only to fail when we are tired, stressed, or challenged by a strong temptation?

Thus the monster motif is a perfect vehicle for challenging Church, Christians, and ultimately ourselves. Before I read Night I preached a sermon last October called "Escaping the Zombie Life." In going for a catchy opening, I ended up using a zombie theme throughout the message discussing how Paul identifies our struggles to be holy in Romans 7, and how dying to ourselves and walking in the life of the Spirit in Romans 8 is the answer if we can remember to die each day. Matt takes a similar idea and runs with it in a way that convicts and entertains.

This book is not for everyone. People need a certain sense of humor to really get into it. It fits me to a tee, but someone who has a different humor or are too serious may not appreciate it. It appeals to a younger demographic that is used to The Walking Dead and the Twilight phenomena, but that doesn't mean older people can't enjoy it. It is a novel, but not quite. It is a spoof-y (is that a word) Pilgrim's Progress.

It is a book that has a powerful message in a tortilla wrap of fun (it is close to lunch, sorry).

And for those who commented yesterday in my monster quiz and want to know what kind of monster I am? I'm part mad scientist/part cyborg with a little dash of lyncanthropy for some zing. I can trust too much in my intelligence, I can be cold to what people feel at times, and I can't always keep the beast tamed on my own.

It is not fun to admit, but it does help me recognize that I have a need for a Savior that does not end with a prayer or by Sunday perfect attendance. It is daily saying to Jesus, as Matt's werewolf friend does in the book, "I am Your servant."
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There's more at Becky Miller's blog, where she updates all posts for the tour. Hurry on over and see what others are saying.


Also, I should disclose that I was sent a review copy from the publisher. Any and all silliness is solely my own.
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Monsters Aren't Imaginary - A CSFF Tour Special Report

Yesterday I asked if you were ready.

If you're back today, I'm assuming you are.

The CSFF Tour is featuring a book with a very intriguing title. Night Of The Living Dead Christian.

You'd think it would be the most interesting book we've ever featured. However, it has to settle for a tie.

The tie is with a book called My Imaginary Jesus (known then as Imaginary Jesus), which features time travel, sledding mishaps, and talking donkeys chasing after the real Jesus among a multitude of fake ones.

Oh, and they're both by the same warped mind: Matt Mikalatos*.

These books are unique. They are fiction, but the main character is Matt himself, inserted into a wacky world where anything can happen. They preach more than any other novel you'll read this year, but they are so fun you won't really notice. Matt manages to poke fun and satirize the Church, our religious goofiness, and himself whle making the reader laugh. Then the reader will be asking what kind of monster they could be.

In Night Of The Living Dead Christian, intrepid Matt is the lone Neighborhood Watchman for his street. After happening upon a mad scientist, his android sidekick, and a horde of zombies, he finally ends up doing something interesting.

He meets a Lutheran werewolf. His name: Luther Anne Martin.

Luther seems like a perfectly decent fellow. Other than he's a Lutheran but not a Christian. He has a wife and daughter. But they've moved out because Luther has an itch he can't quite scratch. At least, not in his human form.

Lycanthropes have much sharper claws with which to itch.

Matt, being the helpful fellow he is, and being stuck in his own story, tries to help Luther make a transformation for good rather than evil. Along the way they dodge well-dressed zombies, a reluctant vampire, and Matt's pregnant wife in their quest.

Confused? Yeah, you're just going to have to read it.

I'll have more on the meat of the story tomorrow, but how about a fun little quiz? What type of monster would you be out of the list below? Leave a comment explaining your choice. I promise I'll...try to think up something clever for the type that gets the most votes. [And Matt has even provided a guide to help your choice. Sweet!]

• Vampire
• Werewolf
• Gargantuan
• Mummy
• Invisible Person
• Mad Scientist
• Troll
• Robot (Androids and Cyborgs count too)
• Sasquatches
• Troll
• Zombie

For even more interactive fun, Becky Miller lists all the current posts for the CSFF Tour at her website. So hurry on over and see what others are saying.

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*Nobody noticed my dangling asterix. When I crossed through warped in describing Matt, I realized it takes one to know one...
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There Be Monsters Here - A CSFF Tour Special Report

There are some things best left unexplored.

Do you really want to know what is behind the spooky door in the basement of the old abandoned house at the end of the street?

Do you really want to split up from your group in foggy woods on an otherwise warm summer night?

Do you really want to know what truly lives under your skin?

If you can imagine...

If you dare...

You might be ready for Night Of The Living Dead Christian.

But don't say I didn't warn you.

Because right now, I just warned you. See that up there? That's a warning. So, you've been warned, and you can't say otherwise.

If you think this post is silly, then you might just be ready for Night Of The Living Dead Christian.

If you have contemplated what it means to be transformed (and I'm not talking about robot cars and more than meets the eye), if you want more from your life, and are tired of stuggling to become holy on your own...

Warning!

Then you might be ready for Night Of The Living Dead Christian.

And if you want to see if other people are being less cryptic than me, check below:

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Theresa Dunlap
Amber French
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Carol Keen
Leighton
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Joan Nienhuis
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Dave Wilson
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27 Million Music Video

This Mission Monday is a reminder of the "27 Million" song from Matt Redman and LZ7. Check out what this song means and I'll have more next Monday in follow up.

A Fan Letter

Dear BioWare,

This is coming from a long-time fan. You captured my attention with KotOR, and I have been a loyal fan since. It has been quite a ride over the last nine years, and even more so over the last three weeks. I wanted to share my thoughts away from some of the heat, so here we are.

I stand with the people who thought the ending was a head-scratching moment, to say the least. But more on that in a minute. I haven't seen many posts that shared what went right with the whole Mass Effect series.

For years my favorite game was KotOR, and I didn't think another game could supplant that epic landmark in my heart. Mass Effect came very close, and if I'm honest, it probably did. Mass Effect 2 certainly took the spot and became a standard of both exciting gameplay and compelling storytellling for me. With that pedigree, Mass Effect 3 had huge expectations to live up to, but I had confidence that it would be met because I have seen BioWare rise to the challenge over and over again.

ME3 hit the sweet spot of combat for the series. No longer could I duck behind some cover and just warp and overload away. I had to move and plan for the most part. I loved the fact that my Vanguard could tote an assault rifle, and I kept my load light to let my powers recharge and blast the Reapers and Cerberus with my biotic awesomeness. I don't think I've ever faced a boss battle like the mission to protect the missile launchers in London. You had me standing up and my hands shaking on the controller trying to finish the waves of nastiness swamping my Shepard.

Still, the hallmark of a BioWare game, and the reason I keep coming back is the engrossing storyline and characters. I remember daydreaming of KotOR before it came out, wondering how I would play it and thinking about the characters of Bastila and Jolee. Mass Effect drew me in even deeper, and I loved how I paused over killing or saving the rachni queen in ME1. The varied cast in ME2 was mostly a joy, and I couldn't wait to finish a mission and hang out with Joker or Mordin. I think every spaceship should have a Scottish engineer.

ME3 raised the stakes tremendously. The gravity of the situation was carried through the story. I couldn't believe the scope of Tuchanka and all that took place there. I thought the ME2 characters were brought back in memorable ways. At first I thought Thane was getting the shift, but how noble to have him come through with the Cerberus attack.

I could go on, but the point is that there is so much that I think the whole Mass Effect series got right. It improved throughout the years, and ME3 really takes it to another level. The voice acting you recruited for the series was so remarkable. I have to give a shout out to Jennifer Hale, because I am a dude who is a loyal FemShep fan due to her amazing performance (and it is so nailed in ME3). Mark Meer, I didn't realize until yesterday that you did Mordin. That is excellent work right there too.

All the pieces fit together so well through the series. I know that y'all have been beat up by sectors of the fandom, and that is the price of doing business in the digital age - having immediacy with your customers for good and ill. So I did want it known that this 38 year old gamer saw so much to celebrate in all the games, especially ME3.

Hopefully, a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. Because I think the ending was a bit of a train wreck.

I am disappointed for your sakes as much as I am frustrated that it was an unsatisfying ending. To work so hard and swing for the fences, and have it crash with the fans is certainly disheartening. It should be the crowning moment for BioWare, but it might feel more like a taking to the woodshed.

I'm not sure what the intention was for the end. As a writer, I know it is important that you communicate your point throughout your work. Certainly there are times where Deep Thoughts (TM) can be missed by many people, but if so many people missed out on what was intended, then what you thought would work ultimately didn't.

Was it the grand idea of "The Shepard" and being a legend? If so it jumped from the immediate to the Big Idea without near enough build up. Is the Indoctrination Theory correct? I've read thoughts on this from other gamers. If the God-child (I prefer "AstroBoy", but God-child seems to be what fans have settled on) is really the Reapers last attempt to stop Shepard, that could be an epic twist of an ending. I would have to admit it would be amazing - if it was set up enough. I don't think either option here was developed or foreshadowed enough to make it resonate as valid for the majority of the gamers. Also, the main ME3 story didn't make much of the human Reaper from ME2. It made the Collector mission seem like an interlude between 1 and 3 (even if 2 was so enjoyable).

(A quick aside: I thought the idea of "slow-motion" walking was thoroughly panned from KotOR with the underwater and space walks. We don't like these slow walks that don't accomplish anything. Geth ship and last Citadel walk, I'm looking at you.)

These are my thoughts. I have to applaud you for so much that went right. I have to be honest that the ending didn't live up to the series. Still, I have been impressed with the interaction with fans since the outcry came out. Many companies would not worry about it, but it seems there is the recognition that interacting with the people is important.

So many are talking about the DLC and what BioWare can do for the ending. I always viewed DLC as a way to continue the game experience, and I appreciated getting fresh adventures for ME1 and 2. If a further ending or "real" ending was always planned as DLC I would not appreciate that, but I don't really believe that was the plan. If it was the plan, then my opinion of BioWare would be diminished quite a bit.

 If BioWare does something extra for the ending I would appreciate it. I don't believe there has to be a happy ending - I knew it would be hard to bring something meaningful where Shepard survives. What would Shepard do after being such an epic figure? I just think the ending should have been something that wasn't lost in the translation.

This is a long opinion without editing for good blog reading. It is my thoughts, and I hope it communicates my points: Mass Effect was an awesome experience of gaming and story that I loved for the vast majority of the time. The ending crashed, but after the first couple of days it doesn't bother me. At first I did think, "Why do another playthrough if things don't change?" I don't think that now. I hope BioWare continues to bring new concepts and quality writing to the gaming world. In some ways I think the Mass Effect universe is more compelling than the Star Wars universe, so I would definitely enjoy more adventures here.
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Gotta Stick The Ending

So, remember my last writing post from a week ago?

I talked about looking for good stories in any medium and learning from them. My specific example was the Mass Effect video game series from BioWare. For entertainment and thought-provoking story, I have never seen a video game like Mass Effect 3.

And then I finished the game.

[SPOILER ALERT]

*crickets chirped*

Almost literally, it seemed like that happened. I didn't get it. I didn't see that coming. The ending of the game, and of a five year, three game-spanning story, didn't make sense. I sat in my living room, thinking "Huh?"

There is a lot of talk on game websites about this, and don't even try to find a impartial opinion on the BioWare forums. I've seen long analyses trying to prove some theory or another from passionate gamers. Some say there is a point to the ending and it is so genius only the truly enlightened get it (kidding).

Well, this isn't a game post. It is a writing post. What is the writing lesson to take from this?

Remeber this? If not, I'm getting old.

You've got to stick the ending.

Your writing can be brilliant. The prose can sparkle and move a reader to tears. The characters seem like living people you want to go get a beer with afterwards. The plot can shock and amaze with the suspense and tension. It can be the new Great American Novel...

As long as you nail the finish.

My disclaimer: I haven't finished my novel yet. I have not proven that I can stick it. But I know not sticking it when I see it.

• a deus ex machina that comes from nowhere
• new ideas that were never foreshadowed, or only fainly done
• a new character at the last minute who is very important
• contradicting established character traits or identities
• convenient glowing God-child telling the protagonist to do something wacky (this last one is a little more specific to ME3)

Writing a novel is hard. It takes skill and dedication to see an imagined world through to the end. Let it end well. Make sure you don't lose focus.

The Matrix was remarkable when it came out back in 1999. Then came The Matrix Reloaded and everybody did a double-take. It sullied the first movie. Same with the Pirates Of The Caribbean  movies - the first one is widely loved, the second one was a little iffy, and the third was "what was the writer and director smoking?"

The Mass Effect story from 1 through 3 should take an average gamer 120 hours to finish (I know, sad). For 119.75 hours it was awesome. The last 15 minutes was like a plane crashing on the tarmac after a long, successful journey.

My take-home lesson: look very carefully at how I'm ending. If I'm taking the reader for a ride, I want them to get to their destination. I'm not saying the ending has to be happy or can't be tragic, but it can't feel like the tail of the plane ripped off, sucking the poor reader out into the atmosphere.

What about you? Have you read a book or seen a movie that was great all the way until the ending? Share your examples so we can all learn from them!
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I'm Not Here Today!

Today is normally Mission Monday at Spoiled For The Ordinary, but I have a different mission for you today.

I wrote a guest post for Redwood's Medical Edge, a great blogging resource for writers by author and RN Jordyn Redwood. We connected a couple months ago in the blogosphere and it worked out that I could contribute an article on the difference between mid-level health care providers, like physician assistants and nurse practitioners. There can be a lot of added conflict if you use a mid-level in your story, but I'll let you read the article over there for full effect. Thanks for hosting me Jordyn!
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Good Writing Can Be Anywhere

Stories need memorable characters.

Imagine a conflicted alien scientist who had to help virtually sterilize another violent race, but he likes to sing Gilbert and Sullivan. There's a mercenary from that same violent race who is forced into leadership over his world. An operative for a pro-human extremist group was genetically designed from the ground up. A prisoner on a convict ship that was experimented on by said group is also on your team.

Stories also need conflict. The characters mentioned above are rich with conflict potential, and it doesn't disappoint.

Oh yeah, the main character has to save the galaxy as well.

With high stakes, plenty of suspense, intriguing characters, and a well-crafted story, it sounds like a winner of a book, doesn't it?

The only problem is that it is not a book.

Writers need to recognize what works from a story standpoint in anything they see. Certainly lots of reading is the primary way to accomplish that, but having a keen eye during TV shows and movies can help as well.

How about video games?

Gaming is a medium that may not get recognized for good writing like a quality book or an exciting movie.

However, there's a company that has its reputation based on engaging characters, moral dilemnas, and plots with twists and suspense galore. It's called BioWare, and the funny thing is it was founded by two doctors.

The story I was describing is the Mass Effect trilogy. Number 3 just came out and sucked up all of my free time (and even some non-free time) last week. It has the requisite shooting aliens and whatnot, but what keeps me coming back is the story and seeing what will happen. The consequences in the third game are dire as the aliens have fully invaded the galaxy, and there are sacrifices characters have to make to help Commander Sheperd (your character) fight them off.

Mass Effect is also like a great Choose Your Own Adventure story, as you get to direct how the main character will do things. I enjoyed those books as a child growing up, but there's more that can be done with the cinematics of a video game.

So this is a geeky writing post. Yes, I'm enjoying blasting the bad guys. However, I'm so invested in the characters and storyline I almost take it personally. "THIS bullet is for Ashley, and this one is for the boy on the evacuation shuttle you shot down..."

The take home point? Watch for good writing wherever you are, and see what you can learn from it. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a performance to watch.

You Have To Get There

I woke up on the bus, looked out the front window, and jumped when I saw the vehicle careening toward us.

About then I figured we weren't in Kansas anymore.

When you're on a mission trip there are two things that are inevitable: crazy food stories and travel adventures. You have to get there, and you have to eat.

Going to Thailand from Lakeside, Montana was an adventure in itself. Kalispell -> Spokane -> Seattle -> Tokyo -> Bangkok. Eleven hours to Tokyo and another nine to Bangkok. That's some serious seat time.

Too bad Bangkok wasn't our destination.

We were heading to Chanthaburi, a town about 5 hours away by bus (I've heard there's a new highway and it's only 3 hours - nice!). When the mission leaders met us at the airport, they talked to us and refreshed us with some fruit (got another food story there, maybe another time). We then loaded the bus around 1 or 2 am local time. The excitement from hitting the ground ended, and we all crashed.

That leads us to my near panic attack.

I was on the very back seat lying down. I had the view straight down the aisle when I awoke. The bus was passing another vehicle, and I was freaked out when I saw another car coming right at us. This wasn't hundreds of yards away, mind you. We swerved back just before the car sped by.

Remember the line in Pirates of the Carribean (the first one that was really good, not the crappy sequels) when Barbossa tells Elizabeth that the Pirate Code is more like guidelines than actual laws?

Yeah, that's Thai driving laws too.

I held on for dear life the rest of the way.



Watch out for bumps!

 And this was a nice bus. It wasn't one of those Asian ones with people hanging out the back or riding on top (been on those too).

I also rode as the third person on a motorcycle built for two, and almost fell out of a Thai version of an El Camino, except the back was the size of a Toyota Corolla. Good times.

I know other missionary friends that have hiked over scary suspension bridges, climbed mountains, and ridden elephants, all in the pursuit of reaching people they want to help. My experiences are tame compared to some stories I've heard.

They say life isn't just a destination, but it's a journey as well. Sometimes the journey is all the adventure you need!
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Local

It's Mission Monday again here. I've discussed before how I am a believer in foreign missions. However, I know there is a great need for outreach here in the United States.

One of my heroes was Rich Mullins, a Christian singer who died in a car crash in 1997. He could have been living a very comfortable life in Nashville as a popular musician and songwriter. Instead, at the time of his death he was living on a Native American reservation in the Southwest to help spread the gospel to children through music. He didn't just support a cause with prayers or money, he lived it.

I live next to the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation in southeast Idaho. It is a poor place with a lot of needs. I know that some of the poorest in the country are Native Americans.

I've found a few links to ministries or agencies that work specifically with Native Americans. I'm not endorsing them, but they are a place to start if God is speaking to your heart on helping this unreached people group within our own borders.

• Rich Mullins' brother gave grants for several years for these type of ministries. This page lists many groups, some no longer active, but it is a starting point.
• Rock Ministries
• Hope In Transit - a music program that Rich would probably love.
• First Nations Ministries

These are just a few suggestions. I hope this will touch someone's heart to find a way to be a blessing to the various Native Americans tribes in the country.
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The Dreaded Revision

H/T to Paperback Writer

There comes a time in any writer's life when they confront the dreaded beast.

Revision.

I've been plugging away at my novel for so long, making slow and (sometimes) steady progress, that I haven't really confronted this issue yet.

That time came with my entry into the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest.

I had written my opening chapters years ago. I had edited them many times when trying to get unstuck, but I had never really revised them. I knew with entering the contest that I had some fatal flaws. The generic weather opening? Check. The first character has nothing to do with the main story? Check.

Since I've heard how horrible it is to revise, I didn't look forward to it, but a handy thing called a deadline forced my hand.

I sat down, hands at the keys.

It flowed.

It wasn't bad at all! In fact, I rather enjoyed it. It took me a few days to do the first two chapters, but because I had a framework to build off of, I could adjust weak links, build up strong points, and overall tighten things up and make my characters jump out more (I hope).

I guess some of it is I've learned so much in the last several years that I can see what didn't work with my initial thrust, but I could identify the kernel that did click in the writing.

I don't know if this will be true through the whole novel. I still need to finish it, so I went back to my new work. I really wanted to keep revising, because I felt a sense of accomplishment and improvement. I know that I need to get the skeleton laid down though, and come back to help put the muscles and skin on later.

Hopefully it won't be long until I get back to revising again. Does that make me strange?

Don't answer that...

P.S. In an attempt to be a little more helpful, here is a link that talks about revision.

P.P.S. You can actually buy the towel above here. You're welcome.
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Twenty Seven Million

February 27.

Twenty-seven million.

The rough estimates (rough because the criminals behind this don't advertise their numbers specifically) for human trafficking are 27-30 million people around the world under some form of modern-day slavery.

The word is getting out more and more. My church joined with thousands of others yesterday for Freedom Sunday, and it was a great blessing.

There are many quality organizations out there who are doing work in various avenues to combat human trafficking. One such group is The A21 Campaign, with a specific focus on Greece and eastern Europe. A comment on their website suggests 80% of their work is awareness - letting people know about the problem and shining the light so that those who hide in the dark with this evil have no place left to cower.

To this end, A21 has partnered with one of the most well-known names in the modern worship movement - Matt and Beth Redman. Along with British hip-hop group LZ7, the Redmans have created a song called "Twenty Seven Million." The video below was shot when the song debuted at the recent Passion conference.

Today for Missions Monday I have a simple request that can raise awareness for human trafficking. Go to iTunes or Amazon and download the single "Twenty Seven Million" that debuts today in the UK and Australia, and tomorrow in the US. [UPDATE: It is now available in the US!] For the price of a Coca-Cola you can get a song that stirs the soul and lets the world know that we are growing in our knowledge and desire to fight for those who are in bondage to slavery.

Let's lift our voice for the 27 million!

CSFF Tour Day 3 - The Realms Thereunder

I left off yesterday's post with somewhat of a cliffhanger.

I was still trying to finish the book we are touring.

I received a couple of exhortations (thanks Keenan and Eve). I managed to finish this morning on the commute. No, I wasn't driving.

However, I have one more confession. I have avoided most posts on our feature book, The Realms Thereunder, by Ross Lawhead. One of the best parts of the CSFF Tour is the camaraderie and intelligent discussion on the various books. However, sometimes I find my opinion shifting in reading other blogs. I didn't want to do that this time, to see if my feeling is unique and to keep it honest.

Unfortunately, my honest opinion is that I didn't really like the book.

I wanted to. I was very excited for this tour, and jumped right into it when it arrived. Yesterday I mentioned that Ross's father is acclaimed fantasy author Stephen Lawhead. I'm a big fan of the elder Lawhead, so I knew I had some expectations going in. I tried to keep them under wraps, but I'm also giving the full disclosure here.

As with most stories, there are elements that were enjoyable. Ross is as imaginative as his father, and he pictures a series of realms connected to our own, with the passages that connected the worlds starting to open and bleed into each other. He uses an Anglo-Saxon base for his main underground realm, which is different enough from the common Celtic fantasy troupe to make it stand out, yet familiar to fantasy fans.

He uses a varied structure that others on the tour have commented on. He tells the story of Daniel and Freya both in modern times and when they were 13 and lost as schoolkids for months while in an underground realm. The back and forth of time was not difficult for me to follow.

In particular, 13 year old Freya is encouraged in an encounter with an elderly woman who acted like one of the Fates weaving everyone's destiny into a grand tapestry. The language and ideas presented there were a real high point for me.

There was just too much that distracted me from his overall story thrust. I think a major problem was that I didn't enjoy his "voice," the way he writes. This is very subjective, and his voice never won me over. We've all had authors we love, but when we recommend them to friends, we are disappointed when they don't enjoy it as much as we do. That may be the main problem, so take it for what it is worth.

Other aspects of the writing were more objectively an issue for me. He shifted point of view between his main characters all the time. I've heard many say this is something only another writer would complain about, but I've seen omniscient POV done in such a way it wasn't a distraction, but it constantly threw me here. There were large sections of the book that I don't feel added much to the story progression or world-building. I would argue that some of these sections could be curtailed and tighten the flow of the plot. Perhaps they become significant in later books, but I didn't detect any of that occuring.

I didn't even have much empathy for the characters. They were not developed deep enough, so I didn't have much connection to them.

It disappoints me to give a negative review. I enjoy fantasy and I really wanted to like this book. I also feel that an honest opinion is better than papering over my differences with the book to go along with the crowd. I hope any readers today will check out Becky Miller's blog, where she keeps tabs on all of the posts for this tour, and read what others are saying. I am only one voice, and I plan on checking them out now myself.

Legal Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book without obligation for a positive review in return, which I think is evident.
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CSFF Tour Day 2 - The Realms Thereunder

Welcome back for day 2 of the CSFF Tour featuring The Realms Thereunder by Ross Lawhead.

I introduced the book yesterday, and mentioned the author may have a familiar name to speculative fiction fans. Ross Lawhead is the son of Stephen Lawhead.

Yes, that Stephen Lawhead. 

I wondered in approaching this tour whether having a famous name and a legacy would be a help or a hinderance to an author. I suspect it is a little of both. I came to Ross's book expecting some mythical elements (this is the first in the Ancient Earths trilogy, so I was justified), but I tried to come to the book without expectations of it being a Mini-Me experience.

I tried to resist...

 Ross has his own body of work already. He has collaborated with his dad on another book as well as Hero, a comic book adaptation of a modern day retelling of the gospel. As you can tell by his attire in the above picture, he enjoys his comics. Nothing wrong with that on this blog!

So what does this speak for The Realms Thereunder? Well, I'm not sure. Still working on finishing the book!

I know, that's so rare for me to be racing to finish in time for the tour...

In the meantime, Becky Miller always keeps tabs on all the other posts for the tour, so check her link out here. I will endeavor to bring you a review tomorrow.

I'd better get moving. Pages, I mean.

Ahem.

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CSFF Tour Day 1 - The Realms Thereunder

Welcome back to the CSFF Blog Tour, the premiere blog resource for Christian science fiction and fantasy. I've missed delving into the mysterious and speculative side of faith-based fiction, so I am excited to have the Tour back.

We're featuring a new book with a name that may seem familiar...

In the isles of Britain there are connections to an underground, unseen world, protected by knights who slumber. No one knows about this long-forgotten realm.

Except for Freya Reynolds and Daniel Tully.

As youth they stumbled into an adventure that shaped and scarred them. As adults they have gone their separate ways, with Freya studying at Oxford and battling OCD, while Daniel is homeless and waging a war against a foe that he hoped never to see again.

They had hoped the forces from their first journey were behind them. Now they are awakening and finding strength enough to cross into our world. Now Freya and Daniel will have to find a way to re-engage and confront worlds they left behind. Places that are The Realms Thereunder.

This is the first in the Ancient Earth Trilogy by Ross Lawhead. I'll talk more about the author tomorrow.

But don't go anywhere! Well, if you're going to go, check out one of my tourmates below. They'll tell you more, I'm sure.

Note: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
 Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
 CSFF Blog Tour
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
 Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
 Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
 Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
 Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Joan Nienhuis
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
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Losing The Flow

I put a novel down the other day.

It happens all the time to each of us. We start reading a novel, excited for the promise of a good read. Then we get into it and the book doesn't grab us. We give it a little while to see if it improves. At a certain point, we realize there are too many stories out there to waste time with one that we don't enjoy. So the book gets laid by the wayside.

My disappointment was that I had really enjoyed the three previous books in the series. The first one had been one of my favorite books I read that year.

The author released three books in the series, but then was dropped by the publisher. There were plans for up to seven books, I believe. The author had a long layoff before a home for book four was found, with a smaller press.

I finally got book four, and I enjoyed the author's descriptions and certain aspects of the writing from before. Unfortunately there were a lot of problems with the writing. It wasn't tight. It hopped all around regarding perspective. There was no struggle for the protagonist. He was becoming an alcoholic, but it was muted, and life just went on. There was an overarching conflict through the first three books that was alluded to once in the first 150 pages, but it was never introduced to grab continuing readers.

Overall I was very disappointed to give up on the book. I wanted to see the author succeed, but I couldn't keep on. I was lost.

I've been pondering this since I put it down. What caused the author to lose me as a reader when I had been hooked before?

Here's a few thoughts in random order (meaning as they pop into my brain):

1. The author was with a smaller publisher that didn't give him good editorial support.
2. The author lost track of the story flow with the time layoff.
3. I've changed as a reader and just don't jive with this author anymore.
4. The story wasn't that good originally.

I'm leaning toward #1 being the major cause, with #3 being secondary. I know some of the stuff that is bothering me are things only a writer would probably notice. The author loves to use a lot of similie and metaphor to bring points across. Used sparingly it works, but when he does it all the time it makes it hard to read. I thnk the book loses track of some of the central conflict as well.

It is too bad. I might try to finish it, but I have an ever growing to-be-read pile. I wish I loved this latest book, but I am trying to take lessons from it all the same.
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What about you? Are there any series you stopped reading because the author lost track of whatever made the books good? How can authors avoid this trap?
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Culinary Missions

I like hanging out with missionaries.

I admire anyone who puts their life on the line for what they believe. Now, they may not be risking life and limb directly, but the temptation to live the typical American (or Western) life is so great that they are making a distinct sacrifice. It encourages and enlivens me in my walk with the Lord.

Now, before this post gets off on high and lofty ideals, let me change directions.

Missionary stories inevitably end up talking about food.

There is a wide world out there, and there are so many foods throughout the world that every person with cross-cultural experience eventually has a food story.

These are some of the most entertaining stories you will hear.

They usually deal with some outrageous culinary item that a Westerner can't fathom eating. The classic story involves balut, a fertilized duck or chicken egg that has been left in the sun for several days before serving. It is common in the Philippines especially, but I haven't had the honor.

This will probably be the grossest picture ever on this blog

I spent two months in Thailand, so we did have our share of food adventures. The street vendors made wonderful fresh smoothies, but we could only drink them if we ordered them mai sik glua, "no salt". They packed them with so much salt it was undrinkable to our taste buds. Why? I don't know. This was a tame one, to be sure.

Australia promised to be calmer, despite the reputation of Vegemite. But I made some Filipino friends there, and those sneaky guys got me eating fermented shrimp eggs. Bagoong if you're curious.

My mission experience was all with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), and if you get some YWAMers together, we will eventually come around to the various horrendous/unbelievable/crazy foods we encountered. Usually during dinner. Non-YWAMers in the group didn't finish their meals, typically.

It is fun to talk about it, but it does come back to humility and laying down our rights. When we are willing to accept someone else's hospitality and try something that doesn't come naturally to us (some things were most unnatural!), it is a dying to self. Missionaries risk offending the very people they came to serve, so more often than not, it is down the hatch.

So here's a light-hearted Mission Monday. To all the missionaries who have had to swallow something they never thought should be made into a food product - you are showing in a small way sacrificial love.

And guts.

By the way, that probably was what you were eating...
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"B" Your Character

Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up and let others talk.

There was an excellent article today on Novel Rocket about characterization by Cindy Woodsmall. She has four "B"s to use: Before. Behind. Between. Begin.

This is a succinct yet very insightful way to understand your characters. Here is a quote:

Begin your novel armed with the full knowledge of who your characters are - the before, the behind, and the between. Then ask yourself, what would this person do - how would he or she react - when caught in the emotional or physical destruction in which your plotting places them? Once you've completed these steps, you won't have to know the answer to how they would react when placed in different circumstances. The character - who that person is - will dictate what he or she will do in any given situation. Each character will be true to himself or herself, because you know who they are and from where they have come.

I've got nothing to add. Just go read the article. If you're a writer, you'll be glad you did!
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27,000

Did you know that the best numbers for modern-day slavery come up with a figure of 27 million people in bondages?

The scourge of human trafficking is alive and well around the world, from brothels in southeast Asia to brick mills in India, from indentured servitude in Middle Eastern countries to a sexually-exploited youth or economic slave in the USA.

It is a passion of mine to see this problem overcome, and I will work to get the word out on the problem and ways to make a difference.

International Justice Mission is one organization that works with countries to enforce laws within that country to help victims find freedom from illegal activities. Pretty much every country has laws against slavery, but if there is no one willing to prosecute or investigate, traffickers can have free reign. IJM assists in this particular area, along with aftercare for victims and educating lawmakers and enforcers.

They are holding a campaign to get 27,000 signatures for a petition to President Obama - one signature standing in for 1000 victims of slavery. The letter asks him to take four actions to help in the fight:
1. Taking a stand by mentioning it in his 2012 U.N. address.
2. Working to get slavery out of U.S. supply chains.
3. Providing diplomatic support for other countries' efforts to combat trafficking.
4. Making sure we fund the fight to support efforts.

They are close to their goal. I am asking readers of this blog to take a few minutes from your day to click on the banner below and sign the letter. It is a simple act to stand with the oppressed, and it will help keep the U.S. in the forefront of the battle.

Thank you!

Back To The Beginning

Always listen to Vizzini

I am going back to the beginning.

I've been working on my novel for seven years. (Arrgh, has it been that long?) It has been interrupted by real life on a few occasions. It has survived attempts to abort, to give up, or just plain old neglect. It has sat in my head, asking to come out. Politely, most of the time. (Don't ask about the other times.)

I've kept reading, studying, and yes, writing over that time. I've stuck with it, and I have a strong committment to finish this year. I've written more in the last few months than I have in...well, ever. If I never get published, I will not be a writer who "started a novel" but never finishes one.

Part of my motivation is entering a writing contest that will critique the first 15 pages. If it does well, they may want more. I guess I should have *more* to offer, so it is a deadline of sorts.

In one sense, my first 15 pages are tight. I've read them over and over, cut unnecessary words, and edited them to death. There's still a problem though.

It is the earliest stuff I wrote for this book.

I've learned a lot since then. I knew that I should rework some of it, and planned to do it in the revision process. People who have critiqued me gave suggestions, and I realized there needed to be improvement.

This recent blog post from James Scott Bell hit it home for me. He talks about the importance of the first impression, and lists four things that he said should be avoided at all cost. I had two in my first couple of pages.

*sigh*

It is hard to go back and axe something that's been with me since the start. I've read my opening over and over. I've polished them as much as I can - but I never made any significant edit to the substance. It might be polished, but it's not gold, so who cares.

I knew revision would be hard, but I had put that off as something down the road. "Cross that bridge when I get there." Well, the water's up to my chest, so I'd better back up and get on the straight and narrow. I wrote something that was amateurish. Hard to admit, but I think if I picked up my book on the shelf with the current opening, I'd probably put it down.

So here we go. Time to go back to the beginning.

The clip below will show where my mind was when writing this post, and explain the picture for those who didn't get it. I'm a geek, I know...


Have you had something in your story for a long time you finally had to kill?
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Freedom Sunday

There is a movement rising.

Over the last several years there has been a huge increase in awareness about the problem of human trafficking around the globe. Many groups have sprung up to take direct part in the fight to end the scourge of modern slavery. I have listed several of these on my sidebar.

One such group, Not For Sale, is organizing Freedom Sunday for another year. This started in 2010, and it has been growing among churches since.

This year Freedom Sunday is being held globally on February 26, 2012. It is not necessary to join or participate on that specific weekend, but it is a great time to come together as one voice in the body of Christ to bring freedom to the captives, and light to the oppressed.

They provide many resources that churches can use, from videos that can be shown for a quick overview, to sermon or Bible study notes, to songs that speak of justice, plus many more.

I encourage you to bring this to the attention of your church leaders. I know they have many pressing things on their plates, but remember Jesus's words, "If you do this for the least of these, you have done them to me."

Plotting By The Seat Of My Pants

Plugging away.

That's how writing goes often. Keep chopping wood. Put more words on the page.

Writers know that there are two general methods for getting a story on paper. The plotters love to outline, charting each scene and building up a framework that their words can fill in. The pantsers, so named for writing by the seat of their pants, make it up as they go.

Not quite the idea...

The plotters like knowing where they are going, having a map or blueprint to follow. The pantsers will tell you how their story can be more organic, being surprised by the twists and turns that pop up along the way.

How about a middle way?

Of course people do this all the time. You don't have to be tried and true to one method to get to "The End."

I was surprised when this started happening with me though.

I've always been an outline guy when writing papers. In college I would do my research, label it all out with Roman numerals and A. B. C., and when I was all done, write my final draft as my first draft. All done. Ready to go!

Yeah, it's not that easy when writing a novel.

Closer? I dunno...

I have a general outline in my head. I know where my protagonists need to be...eventually. I have the ending all worked out. There was just a little problem with the middle, and getting them to where they needed to be. A small issue.

I kept dealing with writer's block whenever I finished a point on my outline. Where to go next? How do I get there?

I've started doing it by the seat of my pants.

A technique that I've found effective for me is to set my phone's timer, meaning I can't browse the internet for some obscure fact that I HAVE to have for my next scene, and start writing. It might not be the best prose in the galaxy, but I have made progress.

It has been propelling me past these sticking points. I'm forced to make a decision and go with it.

And there's been some good stuff come out of it. Who would've guessed?

I still have my general outline and I still know where I want to end up. But the process of getting there has become more interesting. Hopefully it all turns out when I get there!

So if you're writing and wondering how best to do get moving - do whatever it takes. There's no need to just plot or pants it. The point is words on the page.

Time to go set my timer...
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A Missions Challenge

It's Mission Monday here at Spoiled For The Ordinary.

I've just started focusing posts on Mondays toward missions, but I'm anticipating a question/comment that could come up at some point.

"You talk about foreign missions all the time, but what about the need here in the United States?"

Let me state up front that I am a big fan of the missional movement that talks about always being called on mission. Whether I am at work, enjoying the state fair, coaching on the soccer field, or chatting on the internet about my favorite video game, I believe God can use me. My life is my mission, and there's no off-duty. I want to see people around me know about the glorious freedom of the children of God. I live in an area of the United States that has a desperate need for evangelism. I don't diminish this fact.

Still, I know that if half of the people who went to Bible-believing churches in my town fully lived for Jesus, this town could be transformed. (And I am one of these who needs to fully live my life for Jesus - let me challenge myself first!) My feeling has long been that there are enough Christians in this area to do the work needed. There are at least churches here that love Jesus.

The problem is that there are so many places around the world without a Christian witness. My mission trip to Thailand was to an area that had two churches in the city - and the province. Two churches for a population of 150,000 or so. There are nations and people groups who have no reproducing witness of Christ, whether due to lack of freedom or being a hard area to witness.

There are a lot of issues that I can talk about related to this. I know that it is hard for Westerners to be effective missionaries in all areas due to risks, cost, etc., and that it is easier for native missionaries to do work in various regions. Not everyone feels called to go, and I'm generally okay with that (although there's the old Keith Green saying that the Bible tells us to GO, so we'd better have special leading from the Lord if we're staying!) However, there is a need for being enlightened about conditions and opportunities in the world.

I will talk about local missions as specifics arise, but my focus is going to be international, because we are abundantly blessed in America. Almost embarrassingly so. We can be so fat from feeding ourselves spiritually, we get lazy and forget to give to others. I'd like to do my little part in changing that.

Hard words for a Monday. What do you think about this? I'm truly interested to hear!
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The Adoration Of Jenna Fox

Jenna Fox can't lace her fingers together.

Her fingers look perfectly fine. They just don't go together well. A classmate tells her she has an odd walk. But she used to do ballet. At least that's what she's been told by her parents.

She can't remember it though.

Seventeen year old Jenna Fox wakes up in California, a stranger in her body. She had an accident that put her in a coma, and now she can't remember most of her previous life.

She was an only child, so her doting parents have numerous videos of her life. She's encouraged to watch them as she tries to regain what she's lost.

Jenna feels like she's not being told everything. Her grandmother who lives with them is distant and cold, unlike the loving Grandma in the videos. And when she visits her neighbor and he offers her a chance to feed the birds, they won't eat from her handful of birdseed. They only choose the neighbor.

So just who is Jenna Fox?

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We all received books for Christmas in my family. The Adoration Of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson was my request. It may seem weird for a middle aged guy to want a young adult novel, but this book intrigued me with its premise of mystery in the midst of bioethics. Oh, and the cover rocks.

 It didn't disappoint.

The book is written in present tense from Jenna's point of view, which is a perfect way to tell her story - as she discovers her new life and old one, we experience it with her.

The structure is a little disjointed early on. Chapters seem random and are set apart in varying ways, not with the typical stop, blank page, and clear title and beginning into the next part. It made getting into the book a little challenging. However, it makes sense when considering Jenna's fragmented memory. Once I got into it, I wanted to discover what Jenna's secret was and how it was going to affect her. (I knew more about the plot going into it than I am giving here - I don't want it spoiled for new readers).

The book is set in a near future where there are some amazing medical advances, but with any progress comes questions and unintended consequences. Adoration does a very good job of introducing issues to think about in the framework of the story. I don't know how much it would make a teen think of bioethical issues, but as a medical professional I thought it was well done and should provoke thought. One of my favorite philosophers is Ian Malcolm from Jurrasic Park when he says, "Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should."

Adoration has humorous moments, stakes that become higher than just Jenna finding herself, and a lot of suspense. The ending may be too tidy, but it is satisfying, and it looks like Pearson managed to work a sequel into it still, The Fox Inheritance, which I haven't read yet.

I recommend this book for teens, those interested in bioethics or medical fiction, and those who like near future "what ifs". It is a good read that can provoke thinking - a crazy thing, right?

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Stand Against SOPA

Don't stop the signal.

Egypt's Persecuted Minority

Today on Mission Monday, I wanted to highlight a group of people that trace back to the originial apostles, but are in jeopardy today of seeing their life in their homeland disappear.

Egyptian Coptic Christian

Egypt has a population of over 60 million people, the majority being Muslims. However, at least 10% of the population are Coptic Christians. Copts, as they are known, trace their faith to the generation of people who walked with Jesus. Their church split with the main Roman Catholic Church in the 5th century, but they were the main religion in Egypt until the Muslim advances in the 600's. Even living under Muslim rule, this body of believers have persevered for almost two thousand years.

Life has gotten worse for the Copts in the last several years. There have been several attacks on Christians by the Muslim majority. There is freedom of religion in the constitution, but there are many limitations in real llife. It is hard to convert and difficult to get paperwork for jobs and other things. Until recently all approvals for new church construction and even minor repairs had to be approved by the President! This has been changed, but it is still a very cumbersome process. When Christians were attacked, the police are slow to respond, and they are usually asked to simply "reconcile" with their attackers, without any other accountability.

Under the dictator Hosni Mubarak there was a measure of control, despite the attacks I mentioned. Now there is fear that things could get worse if strict Islamists are voted into office. There is an exodus of Copts now, depleting the oldest continual Christian community in the Middle East.

We don't hear a lot about their plight in the West, and the needs of fellow believers far away can be hard to remember in our busy world. That's why I want to share stories like this on Mission Mondays here. We are so blessed in the Western world. We should be able to support our brothers and sisters in Egypt in our prayers.

Thankfully, there are some positive signs as well. We know the Lord can move in mighty ways to protect His people. Here are some specific prayer requests (taken from the YWAM Personal Prayer Diary):

• Pray that Christians will have a voice in the formation of the new Egyptian government.
• Pray that the governments of other nations will press those in power to grant equal rights for all in Egypt.
• Pray that Coptic priests and lay leaders would have courage and wisdom to encourage and guide their parishioners.
• Pray that Muslims will come to know Christ through the example and love of their Christian neighbors.

Sources: YWAM Personal Prayer Diary, Wikipedia, WSJ, BBC
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