tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post1283002697612257722..comments2023-08-13T04:25:27.199-06:00Comments on Spoiled for the Ordinary: CSFF Tour Day 3 - The God HatersJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-68922594650954207922011-03-01T12:43:51.007-07:002011-03-01T12:43:51.007-07:00I think when the message dominates the story, we w...I think when the message dominates the story, we writers get criticized for being "preachy", but when the story develops a message within the storytelling, it's really no different than secular stories which as others have said carry a message and often get preachy about them. <br /><br />I'm of the opinion that message cannot be escaped. It might not be prevalent, but it appears in some form. Whether it's a "Christian" message around forgiveness or pride or whether it's a secular message around environmental issues, atheism, or hopelessness, there's a message there for every reader to decipher. Whether they choose to engage a novel for pure entertainment and ignore any light or heavy messaging, there remains a point to be made.<br /><br />When art and message collide, you get a masterpiece like Redeeming Love.Nicolehttp://hopeofglory.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-34876159786422152762011-02-24T12:36:30.630-07:002011-02-24T12:36:30.630-07:00Morgan - Glad it could make you think. I know I ho...Morgan - Glad it could make you think. I know I hope for the best of both worlds - write as creatively as I can, with a message that resounds and is meaningful.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-5172086926428451712011-02-24T12:35:20.932-07:002011-02-24T12:35:20.932-07:00Becky - Don't worry about Mike's tour. I h...Becky - Don't worry about Mike's tour. I have plenty up my sleeve for that one ;)<br /><br />As far as the message, I think obviously it has touched people on the tour. I thought the short nature of the book caused some holes to be in the arguments. If he'd had more space, I could see them patched both artistically and message-wise.<br /><br />I knew you'd comment on the art and theme part. I think of Jeff Overstreet, who stresses somewhat indignantly that he writes "artfully" and isn't making Auralia's Thread to be an allegory. I believe that it isn't an allegory, but there is obviously meaning in there that he is being intentional about, even if he isn't fully owning that. <br /><br />That's my take, at least. Maybe I'll have to blog a little more on this...Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-16033057297996823372011-02-24T12:29:18.575-07:002011-02-24T12:29:18.575-07:00Dona - Thanks for the comment! Yes, God Hater was ...Dona - Thanks for the comment! Yes, God Hater was better than some other CBA books I've read. As I think about the book, I may have held it to a little higher standard, because I knew it would have to rock the storytelling to not come across as a message book. As far as Mike's book, it is the next CSFF tour, so you'd' better get on it. And hang on tight!Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-57194965699252873812011-02-24T10:19:23.954-07:002011-02-24T10:19:23.954-07:00Interesting thoughts on the art vs. message. It ma...Interesting thoughts on the art vs. message. It made me think what kind of write I am...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-34302323933491933282011-02-23T17:16:35.336-07:002011-02-23T17:16:35.336-07:00Hey, how come you're jumping the gun with Resu...Hey, how come you're jumping the gun with <i>Resurrection</i>? What will you have left to say during Mike's tour??<br /><br />But here's what I actually wanted to say. Do you think readers will come away thinking about deep issues after they've read <i>The God Hater</i>? I understand what you're saying--if someone things the story is "inferior" they may not entertain the thoughts that would lead them to something deeper. <br /><br />But I continue to have a problem with the writer who wants to make art whether with little care for using the forum of a story to communicate truth. Believe me, secular writers are using their stories as forums--except, perhaps, writers of commercial fiction.<br /><br />BeckyRebecca LuElla Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06823550402103559922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-45276161740965502292011-02-23T17:14:48.764-07:002011-02-23T17:14:48.764-07:00I read your comments with interest regard art vs. ...I read your comments with interest regard art vs. message. I liked the book well enough and would recommend it to anyone interested in the philosophical/atheistic vs faith-based arguments. I thought this was the strongest part of the book. While I thought the book was written well enough (better than some other CBA books I've read), it was a very quick read for me and when I was finished, I was ready to move on. While I didn't think twice about that at the time, your comments have made me think twice about my response. Maybe you have hit the nail on the head that explains my response.<br /><br />I have followed Mike D on Facebook for a while and saw he has a new book coming out. Now I'm even more intrigued and will have to move it higher up my list of potential reads. :)<br /><br />Thanks for offering such a thoughtful review.Dona Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641009276196378322noreply@blogger.com