Rachel Starr Thomson

Jeffrey Overstreet is not just a novelist.

That “just” is not meant in any way derogatory; sometimes I wish I was just a novelist. But Overstreet, like me, writes a lot more than fiction, and I’m willing to bet his fiction is coloured by the attentive finger he keeps on the pulse of popular fiction.

This month the CSFF Blog Tour is touring Cyndere’s Midnight, which the author says has “echoes from Beauty and the Beast … although this version has more than one beauty, and a whole pack of beasts.” Like last month’s Book of Names, I came too late to the tour to get a copy of Cyndere’s Midnight, but the story intrigues me so much that I plan to rectify that through a visit to Books-a-Million today. It’s about a grieving widow who joins up with a cursed beastman to save the race that killed her husband. Sound pretty cool? Yeah, I thought so too.

In the meantime, I checked out Jeffrey Overstreet’s Web site and blog. Guests are greeted by a welcome message that invites them to “consider and discuss movies, music, literature, culture, faith, and Jeffrey’s books,” and a quick look through the site reveals lots of links, reviews, and discussions, on everything from the faith of U2 front man Bono to what happens to Narnia when you take Christ out of it. Overstreet writes movie reviews for Christianity Today and Image, a journal of faith and the arts which I’ve only recently discovered (and where I’m planning to send a short story soon).

I’m happy to make his acquaintance, and I urge you to do so as well. If you’re looking for Christian perspectives on the culture, his site looks like a pretty good place to get them.

By tomorrow I hope I will have started Cyndere’s Midnight, so I’ll be posting more book-specific thoughts then. Our regularly scheduled programming will be back next week :).

Here are the links to the other tour participants:

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Wade Ogletree
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Fred Warren
Jill Williamson

Early early this morning I said goodbye to an editing project I’ve been working on since November: Wayback, by Sam Batterman, coming from VMI Publishers in May. Wayback combines three of my favourite things: science, speculation, and faith. It follows a team of scientists as they travel through time to the antediluvian world — that is, the world just before Noah’s Flood.

Last night I sat down to give it a final proofreading, so I got to see how all the changes Sam and I made have come together to create a better story. I ended up working until 2:00 in the morning, but what fun. While you were snug in your beds, I had a front-row seat to the most cataclysmic event in history.

Today I start editing a book about a family in a small Michigan town, and I printed out 322 pages of YA fantasy for critique. I have the best job in the world.

As I finish up this week of blogging, I want to remind you that I want to hear about your journeys in writing. Have you written or published a book, learned something really cool about writing, or undergone a creative overhaul lately? Let me know! I’m always looking for Wednesday passages, interviewees, and links of interest to young writers.

I’ll finish up with a few words from a young writer in England who wrote to me last fall. Judith Elizabeth is a regular commenter around here, and she had some great things to share about her own writing journey and her vision for ministry through fiction. I asked her if I could share some of her letter here, and she graciously gave me permission. Enjoy!

Dear Rachel,

Hello from England! My name is Judith Elizabeth Allen. I found your website via Boundless, after reading your article ’20-Something Reasons to Live at Home.’ I’m 24 and I live at home with my parents and my three younger sisters, so I definitely appreciated your perspective and encouragement in that article! :) Since I discovered it, I’ve enjoyed exploring your website and reading your blog – commenting, too! (One of the “Elizabeths” who comments on your blog is me!) It’s been a real encouragement …

A little introduction … I’m a home-school graduate and a writer. I’ve written for most of my life – I actually have the very first story I ever wrote, when I was 4! When I was 12 I dreamed-up, designed, illustrated and wrote a series of historical paper dolls and my parents published them – I sold about 10,000. (Although, you wouldn’t think so, judging from the number of books I have left!) When I was 14 I wrote my first (short) novel. And when I was 16 and graduated, I decided to be writer – before being a wife and a mother! “Being a writer” has always, I must admit, been one of the many things I’ve done since graduating – I help my father with ministry, I’m a “housedaughter” and help my mother with housekeeping and homemaking, I help my younger sisters with school, I’ve helped young home-schooling mothers with small children and babies … and more! I’ve written as much as possible and learned a lot just by writing – stories of all shapes and sizes and novels short and long. Now I’ve completed one “serious” novel and I’m editing two more – intended to be a trilogy. I’m also planning more novels – enough to keep me busy until I’m 80, at least!

Judith went on to talk about her passion for writing as a way to reach into the prevailing culture and bring change. I applaud her mission, as it’s one I share.

One of my passions as a writer is for children. Every time I walk into a high street bookstore here in England, it breaks my heart to see the books being sold for children between eight and sixteen. There are still some old classics (‘Anne of Green Gables,’ ‘Little Women,’ ‘The Famous Five,’ ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ ‘Swallows and Amazons’) available, but most of the books are modern novels – about illicit-romance and black-magic, mostly. Illicit-romance is presented as desirable and good and black-magic is presented as harmless and fun. When I was a child, the boys and girls I read about in novels were my heroes and heroines. Some people “suggest” children may unconsciously imitate the attitudes and behaviours of the people they read about in books. I know children do consciously and deliberately imitate the attitudes and behaviours of their heroes and heroines and it breaks my heart to know children are looking up to boys who practice black-magic and girls who experience illicit-romance. I would so, so, so love to write books – good, exciting, adventurous books – about children and teens who live in strong families and have good male/female role-models and overcome evil with good. The stats. for depression in children are heartbreakingly high here in England and I would love, somehow, to write books that break through the darkness that surrounds modern children and bring them a message of hope …

My other passion as a writer is for our generation. There are countless strong, wonderful Christians in our generation … but there are many (here in England, anyway!) that are floundering in disillusionment and doubt and apathy and purposelessness. I believe with all my heart that G-d has SO much more for Christians! History is the ultimate adventure and romance, the ultimate fight between good and evil in the hearts and souls of mankind, the ultimate “epic” … G-d’s “epic.” History is also full of men and women – REAL heroes and heroines – who had unshakable faith in G-d … who lived and died for Him … who gave up everything to answer His call and defended His truth with their last breath. And although history is full of evil and injustice, history is also full of some of the things our generation is craving – lasting romance, strong families, men who were men and women who were women. Just writing about it in this letter sends shivers down my spine! I want to write novels that capture a reflection of G-d’s “epic,” that present our generation with the heroes and heroines of our Judo-Christian heritage, that uphold the “Garden of Eden Ideals” we’ve lost sight of … and through fiction based on historical events and imaginary characters based on historical ones, inspire our generation to stand up and be counted for G-d … even if (especially when!) being counted for G-d means giving up everything to answer His call and using one’s last breath to defend His truth.

On that powerful note, I’m signing out for the weekend. See you all on Monday!

We’ve had a new prize donation for the book review writing contest — from none other than Jessica Erskine, faithful Inklings reader. Bible Battles is a unique Bible storybook originally written in the 1900s. Jessica (who is sixteen years old, by the way) rewrote and edited the book for modern audiences, as well as adding illustrations and her own cover art. Here’s the info she sent me about the book:

Bible Battles
By Lettice Bell and Jessica Erskine
Illustrations by Jessica Erskine
Published by Homeway Press

This newly revised edition of this wonderful, but long-forgotten Bible story book tells the stories of Joshua, Gideon and Saul and how they led God’s people in the amazing battles and wars recounted in the pages of the Old Testament. These tales of their mighty exploits and deeds are full of danger, adventure and excitement, but they also remind us clearly of God’s providence and direction in our own lives and what our true goals should be.

Bible Battles can be enjoyed as a story or “read aloud,” or may also be used as an interactive tool to guide young readers into the scriptures themselves.

Check out www.letticebell.com for more information or to download free preview chapters!

Writing is a powerful way to encourage and edify people — and sometimes, it can literally bring them together! Late last year, I received an email from Bethany Notgrass, publisher of amie, the newsletter for Bethany’s unique organization. She asked if I’d be willing to be a columnist — as it turns out, for amie‘s last year as a publication.

I said yes, and Bethany began publishing reprints from my Letters to a Samuel Generation in each issue. I’ve enjoyed reading the newsletters, which are a great mix of practical and spiritual encouragement and fun. The most unique thing about amie is that it’s not just a compendium of writings — it’s a meeting place for girls who share a background and lifestyle. amie is “the network for Christian homeschooled teenage girls,” and Bethany has been bringing her readers into fellowship with each other for the last nine years.

Learn more about amie here.

The King James Bible is the single most important book in the English language. Its impact on history, literature, and individual lives is unmatched. Its artistry is beautiful, as you can see in this psalm. I am especially moved as the determination to praise God rises above the striking depictions of evil men. “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens,” David cries. Psalm 57 is one of several passages that depict God as winged, sheltering His people under His feathers. I used this imagery extensively in Taerith.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit for me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

If your writing is too wordy, bland, or sluggish, it may be a victim of delay. No, I don’t mean that you’ve taken too long to get writing — I mean that the writing itself may be full of action delays. Have a look at this paragraph:

I began to head outside, where the sun was starting to peek through the clouds. Sighing, I began thinking about my day. As I thought, heaviness started to settle over me despite the sunshine. As my heart grew heavy, I shook my head and started taking the laundry off the line.

This paragraph constantly delays action. The narrator never does anything — she begins to do things and starts to do things. I’ve also thrown repeated actions to show how these can slow pacing. Here’s what happens if we stop delaying the action:

I headed outside, where the sun was peeking through the clouds. Sighing, I thought about my day. Heaviness settled over me despite the sunshine. I shook my head, snapped a pair of clothespins off the line, and pulled a white shirt down.

Action delays have their place in writing. There will always be times when you’re better off “starting” to do something, especially if that thing never actually gets done. But be vigilant: if action delays are taking the steam out of your writing, it’s time to cut them.

I lifted this from Facebook, where approximately a zillion of my friends and relations tagged me to do it :). If you want to do it too, consider yourself tagged. Leave your first five random things in a comment with a link to the whole thing.

Here’s mine:

1. I’m supposed to be marking papers right now. This is what you call shameless procrastination.

2. I try to spend half an hour every morning reading my Bible and journaling on what I read. This is not super-spiritual; it’s a survival tactic. My favourite verse this morning was Psalm 119:50: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” Reading the word gives spiritual life.

3. I’m currently booked for four speaking engagements: two at live conferences and two on Internet radio. I’ll also be doing narrations for our upcoming “Father” tour. It amuses me that I speak in public, because I still remember when I thought of myself as very timid.

4. I co-founded a dance company called Soli Deo Gloria Ballet about eight months ago. We’ve toured two shows, “Father” and “Emmanuel,” as well as doing smaller special performances. We’re currently booking a second “Father” tour. We’ve done about 36 performances in eight months, including one on TV!

5. I can’t dance, but I think dance is one of the most powerful art forms in the world. I could watch it for hours.

6. My friend Paige says I got “bit by a gypsy bug.” Apparently. In the last week, I flew to Mississippi, took a road trip to Louisiana, and flew to Florida where I’m staying for three weeks. Before the summer, I’m also planning trips to Ottawa, New York City, southern California (possibly), and all over Ontario for the aforementioned dance tour.

7. I am a homeschool graduate, almost entirely self-taught in everything. The older I get, the bigger a proponent of home education I am, both as an academic path and as a lifestyle.

8. I am working hard to establish a career as a writer. I write for magazines and Web sites, and I’ve self-published several books. Right now I’m trying to find a literary agent for my other novels. I’ve written something like 13 books.

9. I live in a household of 14 people–my parents and eleven younger siblings. This month, I’m staying in an apartment with one friend. It’s fun exploring this very different way to live.

10. I have been blessed with some incredibly deep and lasting friendships.

11. My best friend and Soli co-director is Carolyn Currey, whom I call “Twin” even though she’s two years younger than me and several inches shorter. She was not bit by a gypsy bug, but I drag her all over the face of the earth with me anyway.

12. Right now I live in two places: Windsor most of the time, and Niagara about a third of the year with the Currey family in order to do dance company things. I love the Curreys. They are wonderful.

13. I have one of the finest families on the face of this earth. Truly I do. The older I get, the more I like them all.

14. I am one of 55 first cousins on my dad’s side of the family. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are creative, funny, passionate people who love God wholeheartedly and have had a HUGE impact on my life. I’m so blessed to know every single one of them, and I wish I had more time to spend with them all.

15. My family is currently moving to the old family homestead where I grew up. Last time we moved, four of my sisters were out of town and I had to do most of the work. This time, I am in Florida and THEY have to do most of the work. Sorry about that, girls.

16. I will buy books even if I really need to buy clothes or other necessities. Books ARE necessities.

17. I dislike most modern literary literature and prefer to read (and write and edit) genre fiction.

18. Last year I read Annie Dillard’s “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” and pestered people for weeks with weird facts about insects, trees, fish, and other naturally freakish things.

19. I have marked close to 1000 student papers since I started working for Write At Home in 2004.

20. I have a good voice but am fairly hopeless when it comes to the technical side of music.

21. I once earned my lunch by sitting on a street corner playing guitar and singing “Amazing Grace.”

22. I have many detailed plans for my future, but I live with the constant tension of knowing that God may have very different ideas. I think this tension is good for me.

23. I spent several years working with a ministry in the California desert. I met God out there, kind of like Moses did in his desert. (But with less dramatic consequences. So far.)

24. It really frustrates me when Christians disrespect the KJV. I realize it’s not always easy to understand, but it’s the single most influential book in the English language, and it should be honoured for its place in the history of Christianity. Someday I’d like to write a guide to the KJV that would make it more accessible to people my age.

25. Today will be a typical day for me, Lord willing: I will mark 10 student papers, edit three novels for clients, blog a writing tip, answer a lot of email, do some organizational work for Soli, and start writing an article that was accepted on spec for a major magazine. My work may give me tendonitis one of these days, but I love it.

When I blogged an eleventh-hour post about Tweener Ministries’ cover art competition last month, I didn’t really except one of my readers to win it! Jessica Erskine, a 16-year-old, homeschooled, regular reader and commenter around these parts, emailed me Saturday night to announce that she’d won third place, winning a $10,000 scholarship to Bethel or Grace College. She also sent me a picture of her artwork, which is very cool. I’ll post it later, pending permission and copyright clearance :).

Congratulations again, Jessica!

It’s been quite a week! My apologies for the general lateness of this week’s posts: as you can probably guess, I’ve been busy. It’s been a marvelous time of hanging around the Ballet Magnificat studios, watching several ballets, visiting friends in Louisiana, and fitting work in whenever possible. Tonight, we’re going along with one of Ballet Mag’s Trainee Companies as they perform The Narrow Road, based on The Pilgrim’s Progress.

As a writer, one of my favourite things is to see how the arts can play off of each other. Whether it’s basing a ballet on a book, or a song on a poem (my Cajun friends wrote a beautiful song called “Evangeline,” based on Longfellow’s famous work), or a story on a song, artists of all kinds can explore and enhance the same themes in many marvelous ways.

Next week, I’ll be in Orlando, where I’m stationing myself until the end of February. My posting should get a lot more regular, and my work easier to keep up with! Have a great weekend!

Felice Gerwitz of Media Angels has donated a prize for the review writing contest: a copy of The Missing Link: Found!, written by a teenage author — Felice’s daughter, Christina. Felice wrote,

What happens when a homeschooled child wants to write a book? She does!

Christina was very persistent in pursing this endeavor as a young child. Her first book (at 12) was 80 pages of just dialogue! She has learned to transition between paragraphs now and her story lines are riveting and exciting! This book was started when she was 14 and finished by 16 … with a little help from her author mom!

I asked Felice for some more information about the book. Here’s what she had to say:

Once again, the Murphy teens are propelled into another exciting adventure! While on vacation in the Keys, a devious plot unfolds, and the Murphys find themselves in the middle of a full-speed boat case and encounter with the FBI. Their vacation plans are then cut short by the arrival of a cryptic message form Dr. Murphy’s brother, requesting his immediate presence at an anthropological dig along the Peace River. What Dr. Murphy, Christian, and Anna find there is anything but peaceful!

Encountering a deadly illness, the Murphys must also wrestle with a startling discovery and its potential results. The Missing Link has been discovered, finally providing evidence for the theory of evolution. But, what about the Bible? Didn’t God create the world as recorded in Genesis? In addition, is there a connection between their adventure on the high seas and their discoveries a the dig site? Join the Murphys as they are faced with danger and a race against time in search for the truth.

In the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, you’ll experience adventure, mystery, heart stopping suspense, and faith played out first-hand by the Murphy family. This action adventure mystery will keep you guessing to the very end!

I’m excited to feature this prize, especially as its author started as a teen. Check out Media Angels for more products from Felice and Christina — some of them especially for writers!