Rachel Starr Thomson

For the past two days, young author Ashley Crook has shared about her writing journey. Today, I’d like to share about her book, Hearts Journey Home . In Ashley’s own words:

The Trestle family is striving to enjoy life in their new Texas home despite the awful tragedy that has found its way to their joyful doorstep. To top it off, the shocked small town they have just moved to can’t understand these people. The grave townsfolk proudly consider themselves to be religious, righteous people. But these eccentric newcomers? They haven’t seen the likes of them before. Will the town coldly ignore this grieving family? Will the Trestles pack up once again in search of a more cheery abode? Adding to their already eventful life, the father keeps catching glimpses of what he believes to be a strange man lurking on the mountain near their home. What is he up to? Follow this unforgettable family as their lives unfold and discover what it has in store for them.

Ashley is also a filmmaker, and her trailer for Hearts Journey Home is posted on YouTube. Check it out here.

To learn more about the book, order a copy, or connect with Ashley online, make use of the following links.

Ashley’s Web site: www.trestle2treasure.com or www.heartsjourneyhome.com

Ashley on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweetfire

Ashley’s Blog: www.xanga.com/His_Artist

When Ashley and I began talking about featuring her on Inklings, I asked her to tell me a little about herself and her writing journey. She did, sharing her unique journey.

Rachel: Tell us about your history with writing. When did you begin? Where do you find inspiration?

Ashley: I’ve lived in western New York all my life. I’ve always loved the beautiful colors and rolling hills. Somehow they inspire me. Being homeschooled all my life, I had the privilege of taking my work outside sometimes, or of working extra hard to finish early so I could venture into the fresh air. Often, when I’m writing, I take my laptop outside and write in the fresh air and creation. Somehow I get more creativity and inspiration out there.

I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember. There’s just something super neat about the words becoming life on the paper and then in the minds and hearts of the readers. Incidentally, I also loved to read. I often curled up with a book on the couch for hours, oblivious of all passage of time. Somehow it intrigued me that my writing could do the same for someone else.

Rachel: Reading is a shared passion for most writers, I think — and as you realized, the journey of writing only starts out as a solitary endeavour. Once your work is on paper, your journey is shared with others. That’s an awesome thing :). Tell us about your transition from reader to writer.

Ashley: I began writing a book when I was about 12, but I never finished it. I was writing it for me, and not for the Lord. Some years later, I was hit with a really neat idea for a story. It captured my heart and swept me up so I just HAD to write it. I intended it to be around 90 pages long. Then I could print it for less cost and I figured if that one made enough money, maybe I”d have money to print the first book I’d started when I finished it. But as I wrote, I realized the characters and story deserved more space. NEEDED more space. So the 90 page book turned into a 360 page book. My first novel.

Over the course of about 3 years I wrote off and on in between my filming projects and other things. The biggest difference between this book and the first one I started was that I was writing this book for the Lord. It had meaning and purpose, and it inspired me. I felt like the Lord had given me a message for the book, and I hoped it would help heal people’s hearts – one of my passions. As I neared the end of writing the book, an urgency gripped me to finish so the story and message and healing could begin to reach people’s hearts. I wanted to do this, not by preaching or teaching, but just by a fun, though deep, heartwarming story. Through the lives of my characters. Just like God uses our lives in other people’s lives… your actions speak louder than your words.

All through the writing, it was rather amazing to me how the story just poured out. I felt like God was giving me the story. The writing journey was exciting and rewarding. Currently I’m working on the sequel!

I pray the Lord uses the book and all else I do to heal people’s hearts and draw them to Him.

Rachel: Writing isn’t your only creative outlet, or the only place of ministry you see for yourself. Tell us about your other work.

Ashley: I also love making films. I feel like films and books are a lasting way to make an impact for Christ. It strikes me as very neat that they’ll probably be around even after I’m gone. Because of my interest in filmmaking, I took the knowledge I’d gained working on a few different Independent Christian movies and got my family and some other homeschoolers together and we made a fun commercial/trailer advertising the book! I thought seriously about making the book into a feature length movie too, but we’ll see how the Lord leads with that.

I imagine writing on and off will be a part of my life, as well as making films and other creative things.

Rachel: For this first book and your films, you’ve chosen to go the indie route for publication. Why is that? Did you look into traditional publishing at all, or did you always know you would self-publish?

Ashley: I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to self-publish. When I was younger, I’d heard that if you went the traditional publishing route, they wanted to have some control over the content of you work, and I didn’t want that. I wanted to be able to write just exactly what I felt God had given me to write.

I did look into traditional publishing a little bit, but decided for the self publishing route. Somehow it seemed more free and like an adventure too… not to mention it felt more like God was in control. I may someday go the traditional route, but for now, I like the self-publishing journey.

Rachel: You’ve shared about your heart for ministry through writing and other creative work, which is a marvelous passion to drive what you do. As you’ve discovered, though, writing and self-publishing are also a lot of work. Can you tell us about the process of marketing so far? How have you marketed your work? Do you find that marketing intersects with ministry?

Ashley: Yes! Writing and self-publishing IS a lot of work! I loved the writing part! Though sometimes it felt a little overwhelming, usually the story just poured out. There were times I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night as ideas poured into me. I began keeping paper and pen beside my bed and got very good at jotting things down in the dark. ;)

I haven’t done tons of major marketing yet, but we do have a plan. Before the book was even done, I created a website (www.trestle2treasure.com) and began offering pre-orders once I had a pretty certain completion date. I got quite a few! And it helped immensely with the upfront costs that come with self-publishing. I also wrote a script and shot the commercial I mentioned before and put that on the website and other online video sites such as YouTube. We plan to send an information package to companies and catalogs including a DVD of the commercial for them to see. I also put an ad in a homeschool magazine, “Homeschool Enrichment”. Based on how well that does, I may place ads in other ones as well.

My Dad sees many people as he works every night delivering newspapers to stores. It’s really neat how his life is a ministry to them, just by living it. He found creative ways to tell various people about my book as he went on his nightly rounds and some of them ordered it! It’s been touching to hear some of the stories he brings back to me… thrilling really… of how they couldn’t put the book down, and they passed it along to their mother, who passed it to her neighbor… I pray it touches their hearts too.

So, yes, I do see that ministry and marketing are kind of tied together. Really, the testimonies of how people loved it or it touched their lives are the only reward I need. That was my goal as I wrote it, I saw making money as an extra bonus if it should happen.

It sends chills down my back to think of how many people could be holding my book right now and what God might be doing through it. Many prayers went out with it… that it would make an impact and help heal hearts, the first step of which is to find Jesus and make Him Lord.

Rachel: Ashley, thanks so much for sharing your work and your heart with us. Readers, learn more about Hearts Journey Home tomorrow!

24-year-old author and filmmaker Ashley Crook, whose book Hearts Journey Home was released in December of last year, truly believes in the life-changing power of creativity used for God. On her Web site’s “About Us” page, beneath a photograph of her family labeled “The Team,” she sets out the mission behind her work:

We desire with all our heart to help bridge the gap between a person and healing, between souls and God. To make known the treasure of God’s love, healing, and salvation. Our goal is to work as a team with others to create a trestle to the treasure of Jesus and His love and salvation.

We endevour to do this first just by our lives and reaching out to others, and also by creating entertaining, touching, powerful, family-friendly, refreshing films, books, photos, sketches, paintings, and other works of art which bring a refreshing, healing balm to hurting hearts and which leave the recipient/viewer/reader with a feeling of fulfillment and renewed enthusiasm for our Lord.

We commit all we do to Him – Our Father, Savior, and Guide.

I met Ashley online way back in March 2008, when she e-mailed me with a few questions about how I’d self-published. Since then, I’ve had the chance to watch her move to the publication and marketing stages for her book. Tomorrow, I’ll be talking with Ashley about her own writing journey — how she got started and how this book came to be. On Wednesday, I’ll post more about Hearts Journey Home, including a YouTube trailer Ashley filmed.

Today’s post concludes the interview which began on Thursday with questions about Faith vs. Fear and how Leah came to be a writer. Today, we talk about the business side of writing.

Rachel: I’ve been impressed by your commitment to marketing your book. Did you have a marketing plan before you published Faith vs. Fear, or have you been learning as you go?

Leah: Definetly learning as we go.
This is such a new experience!
Just reading a book you wouldn’t think there would be THAT much to it, but there truly is.
It’s an amazing process to watch and be apart of.
Since I was pretty young when I wrote the book, my Mom and Dad have been so faithful in helping me with the business aspect of the book.
Together we are learning how to promote the book and let people know about it through websites and interviews such as this, and we appreciate people like you so much who help us let other people know about it!
Thank you so much!

Rachel: You’re welcome :). Helping young authors like you is a major reason this blog exists. Can you tell me about your favourite/most unusual experiences in marketing your book?

Leah: I love meeting new people at book signings.
It’s fun to get aquainted with such a wide mesh of personalities and hear the stories that they have to share too!
That is another thing I’m learning through this experience.
Everyone you meet has a story to share!
My favorite book signing was actually held at my friends Christian book store.
My book had just been released, and we really weren’t sure what to expect.
I was astonished and oh so blessed when almost all of the people that attend my Church came to support me!
It was also a very awesome day because the “Girls of Grace” were there to sign the first copies of my book as well.
As far as the “unusual experience” thing goes, I have met a few people that were just a little…too uniqe? LOL.
However, I love and appreciate them too!

Rachel: How much has Tate Publishing been involved in the marketing of your book, and how much have you done on your own?

Leah: Tate has been amazing, but we have to put in a lot of work too.
They distribute and market my book, but we do most of the promoting on our own.
It takes about 70% of our own effort to make sure that my book is promoted and gets “Out there,” but Tate helps a lot to distribute the book.

Rachel: What has surprised you most about the business and marketing aspects of being a writer?

Leah: Everything! (Ha ha!)
It is just amazing to see how much time and effort goes into not only writing the book but also editing, graphing, and marketing the book as well.
It amazed me how many great people were involved in this process.
It also gives me goosebumps to think of all the places my book is going!
We actually had a few friends that were Missionaries in Bosnia.
They used to own a library that provided books where people could learn to speak english.
Can you believe that they mailed a copy of “Girls of Grace”?!

Rachel: Many of my readers are young writers who would love to be where you are now. Can you give them some business advice?

Leah: Well, my favorite part of writing is that it is something that brings me so much cloer to God.
That fills my heart with so much joy!
I suppose the best advice I can offer is to have fun and make sure that God is your top priority.
Write about things you love to write about, and write for people that love the same things you do!
Keep in mind that it’s not about fame or how many people read what you wrote…it’s the hope that at least one person might be touched by what you have to say.
And you don’t need to be published for that!
If you’re excited and want to see if God might want you to go in that direction though, patience is a must.
We sent my book off to several publishing companies, and it takes a VERY long time to hear back.
It is also important to know that rejection letters will come, and it does not mean that you are not a wonderful writer.
It means that one person is not interested.
Try again!

This interview concludes my feature on Leah R. Eads. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Leah’s book and her work as a young writer and now promoter of her own writing — may her journey be an encouragement to you also!

Girls Club has always been just an ordinary club for mothers and daughters who love it, because they grow in their relationship towards each other and in their relationship to God.

The girls are devastated when they find out that the local crisis pregnancy center is shutting down due to lack of money. However, when Ashley, a Girls Club member, gets a secret letter, it changes everything and takes them on an adventure none of them had ever thought possible. Join the girls as they face their deepest and darkest fears, and travel to a far away island all for the sake of a child.

Girls of Grace: Faith vs. Fear (Tate Publishing, 2008) is a humour-filled, God-honouring, Babysitters Club-style novel by a 14-year-old author. It’s the story of the Girls of Grace, a group of young teen girls and their mothers, who regularly meet for prayer, Bible study, encouragement, and fun! When the local crisis pregnancy center hits a crisis of its own, the girls volunteer to go on a Christian reality show called Faith vs. Fear (it’s Fear Factor without the devastatingly disgusting stuff), where they face their own fears — cameras, teenage insecurities, going it alone, eating bugs — in a bid to win enough money to keep the center afloat.

While Faith vs. Fear is an unmistakably young novel, it should be enjoyed by its target audience — young teen girls and under. I enjoyed its emphasis on family values and following God, especially in the letters the girls write to God (these are scattered throughout the book). From a technical standpoint, the book could use a good editing — but the overall fun and message come through loud and clear. I look forward to seeing more from Leah Eads in the future.

Leah Eads is the 14-year-old author of Girls of Grace: Faith vs. Fear, the story of a group of girls who go on a Christian reality show in a bid to save their beloved crisis pregnancy center, published by Tate Publishing. I met Leah through her mom, Carol, who got in touch with me several months ago. I was thrilled to hear about Leah’s work — I love to see young authors really pursuing their dreams — so I offered to feature Leah on Inklings. I’m glad I did!

This week’s profile will kick off with an interview. Tomorrow, I hope to post a review of Faith vs. Fear. Today, I want to start by interviewing Leah about her book, the many ways in which it intersects with reality, and what it’s like to be a writer. Part 2 of the interview, coming on Saturday, will examine more of the business aspects of being a young writer.

So, without further ado, I give you Leah Eads!

Rachel: Leah, you were published at age 14. That’s a dream come true for many writers! When did you start writing, and when did you decide to pursue publication seriously? Can you tell us a little about your journey to publication?

Leah: Well, ever since I can remember I have always loved stories.
My Mom had a special knack for telling stories that made you feel like you were right there with the characters.
I never wanted them to end, but when they did I wasted no time asking for another one.
I have always had a special relationship with my family, so the way I viewed it, asking for a story was just another ticket to my Mom’s lap!
Pretty soon, she began to encourage me to tell her stories, and it tickled me to find that she too always asked for “Just one more!” =)
At that age I was still too little to write my thoughts on paper, and bless her heart, my Mom listened to every story that filled my head.
When I learned to read and write on my own, my thoughts and stories had no where else to go.
They found their way to notebooks and napkins.
Then we got our computer and I learned to type them, which was terrific because I have trouble reading my own handwriting!
Shortly after that I entered a few children’s writing contests and nearly burst with excitement when I won my first award! I couldn’t contain myself…I entered almost every year afterwards.

Rachel: The “Girls of Grace” are a group of moms and daughters who meet for prayer, discussion, and fun. Your bio on the book cover says that you and your mother “enjoy spending time with the real-life Girls of Grace” (pictured above at a book signing with you!) How much of this story is fictional, and how much is based on real-life people and events?

Leah: All the “Girls of Grace” mentioned in the book make up a group of very colorful characters.
In real life it is no different–each of them are real, fun, sweet, and wonderful young women that fill my life with joy every day!
I’ve enjoyed growing up with them and seeing how God is using each personality for His glory.
I would say that the only difference between the girls in the book and the real life Girls of Grace is probably that no one could possibly capture their true and unique personalities with words alone!!
The story takes place in a town called Kingman, (where we really live.)
As the story unfolds, we meet additional characters, such as Miss Teresa who owns the Crises Pregnancy Center.
She too is real and full of passion from God for the unborn, and all of us love volunteering at the Crises Center!
The book takes a major twist when the “Girls of Grace” realize that the Crises Center might close its doors if someone doesn’t step up and raise the money it needs to keep it opened, and that is what causes the girls to take a giant leap of faith and journey to an Island far from home and completely step out of their comfort zone to face the unknown.
This part is fictional, but oh so exciting!
There’s a lot more I could say…but I think I might just keep everyone wondering. =)
At this point in the story we meet a young woman named Nancy Quinn with a terrible past and unknown future.
The only thing that is keeping her together is her new found faith in the Lord Jesus.
With this new hope, we follow Nancy in an adventure of her own as she learns to trust God…wherever He leads.
Nancy is also a fictional character, but one many can identify with!
So, with all of this being said, I would say my book is half and half.
Most of the adventure is fictional, but most of the characters are real!

Rachel: Your book has a great sense of humour, and I noticed that you poked the most fun at the character you based on yourself — “Leah” in the book is funny, quirky, and never one to shy away from an embarrassing situation! Again, how much is Leah based on you?

Leah: The funny part is that I’m really much more like my character in the book now than I was then!!
I used to be very shy…but the real life “Girls of Grace” worked on that. =)
God really helped me to come out of my shell by spending time with them, and I learn every day that there’s simply too many great opportunities in this life to hide or shy away from!
However I am very much a goof ball, as seen all throughout the book.
We all love to poke fun and laugh with each other, and sometimes I just so happen to accidentally do things worth laughing at!
Each girl has a special and definite sense of humor…and there simply is no way that we could spend a day together without a giggle or two.

Rachel: I’ve enjoyed getting to know your mom, Carol, over e-mail. How great a role did she play in the writing and publishing of Faith vs. Fear?

Leah: On a scale of one to ten, I’d say she played a role of at least eleven. =)
My Mom is an amazing person, and I am so glad that God blessed me with her.
As far as inspiration goes, my Mom was actually one of the main reasons I started writing.
She was the one that wrote and told me stories, and read as well as listened to the ones I wrote for her.
She and my family were constantly encouraging me, and had it not been for their support, I probably wouldn’t have started this journey.
My Mom mailed my book off to several publishing companies, and together we prayed that even though I was young and didn’t have the experience of other writers, that it might at least be looked over.
She was also the one that screamed and jumped up and down with me the day my acceptance letter came from Tate Publishing!
From then on she helped me understand everything that was happening since most Publishing Companies don’t usually work with kids.
She spent long hours proof reading, re-reading, editing and an re-reading again, and I am so, so thankful for her and my fantastic family.
And, might I add that I am also so thankful for the outstanding God I serve…He has never let me down, and to have His friendship love and support means everything to me.

Rachel: Are you working on any other books at the moment? What are your future dreams as a writer?

Leah: I am working on several books right now!
A few months ago I finished a second “Girls of Grace,” and I am half way through the third one.
However, I am still praying and waiting to see what God has in store.
I have taken a break from writing “Girls of Grace” books for a season to work on some other books, which are coming along wonderfully!
The one I am working on the most right now is called “Stormy Seasons,” and I am amazed at the direction God is taking it.
It is so much more different than anything I have ever written, and it’s neat seeing God take over.
I have so many dreams, but the biggest one of all is that I might write in a way that honors God.
In a way that excites readers to turn the next page, and in a way that brings each person closer to Jesus.

Rachel: Finally, if you could leave your readers with any message, what would it be?

Leah: That it doesn’t matter who you are, but who He is.
You can do anything through Christ who gives you strength.
That God didn’t make you like anyone else, you are special and uniqely designed in His image, and He loves you very much.
God has a plan for your life!
I never would have imagined that God could use someone like me.
But I’m learning that He uses the unusable people the most to show just how fantastic HE is!

Coming tomorrow, my review of Leah’s book. On Saturday, I’ll post Part 2 of Leah’s interview — it’s just as good as Part 1, so check back!

To end our three-day feature on fellow blogger, author, and homeschool grad Chawna Schroeder, I’m going to share a list of recommended books in the speculative fiction genre which Chawna was kind enough to share with me. The original list is actually much longer, including categories for what NOT to read — but I’m just going to share the top recommendations here. Chawna has exacting standards for book reviewing which she explains in this essay. Have a look!

For those of you who enjoyed Chawna’s essay on dark fiction yesterday, you might also want to read my own article on the subject. “Beauty and the Beast: Good, Evil, and the Art of Writing” is listed on my Articles page (near the bottom, as it’s an older one).

Without further ado, the recommended list:

A List of Speculative Fiction

Compiled by Chawna Schroeder, www.chawnaschroeder.com

Terms to Know

Mid-grade: 8-12 Tween: 10-14  Teen: 13-16 YA: 14-18 Adult: 16 and up

CBA: Christian Booksellers Association ABA: American Booksellers Assoication

*Note: This list is not exhaustive nor does it include classic fantasy by authors such as George MacDonald, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, E. Nesbit, and Madeline L’Engle, or Christian horror/supernatural thriller authors like Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker.

Title/Series     Author/Genre    Market/Availability

Recommended: Good writing, good content

The Begotten by Lisa T. Bergren    CBA

The Gifted #1     Adult Supernatural/Historical  Available

The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren    CBA

The Gifted #2     Adult Supernatural/Historical  Available

The Blessed by Lisa. T. Bergren    CBA

The Gifted #3     Adult Supernatural/Historical  Available

The Evidence by Austin Boyd    CBA

Mars Hill Classified #1   Adult Near-future Sci-fi  Available

The Proof by Austin Boyd    CBA

Mars Hill Classified #2   Adult Near-future Sci-fi  Available

The Return by Austin Boyd    CBA

Mars Hill Classified #3   Adult Near-future Sci-fi  Available

Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis    CBA

Dragons in Our Midst #1   Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

The Candlestone by Bryan Davis    CBA

Dragons in Our Midst #2   Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Circles of Seven by Bryan Davis    CBA

Dragons in Our Midst #3   Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Tears of a Dragon by Bryan Davis    CBA

Dragons in Our Midst #4   Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

The Eye of the Oracle by Bryan Davis    CBA

Oracles of Fire #1    Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Enoch’s Ghost by Bryan Davis    CBA

Oracles of Fire #2    Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Last of the Nephilim by Bryan Davis    CBA

Oracles of Fire #3    Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Bones of Makaidos by Bryan Davis    CBA

Oracles of Fire #4    Tween Techno-fantasy  Available

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge by Bryan Davis    CBA

Echoes from the Edge #1   Teen Alternate Reality  Available

Eternity’s Edge by Bryan Davis    CBA

Echoes from the Edge #2   Teen Alternate Reality  Available

Trion Rising by Robert Elmer    CBA

Shadowside Trilogy #1   Tween Sci-fi/Allegory  Available

The Owling by Robert Elmer    CBA

Shadowside Trilogy #2   Tween Sci-fi/Allegory  Available

Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock    CBA

Legends of the Guardian-King #1  Adult Fantasy    Available

The Shadow Within by Karen Hancock    CBA

Legends of the Guardian-King #2  Adult Fantasy    Available

Shadow Over Kiriath by Karen Hancock    CBA

Legends of the Guardian-King #3  Adult Fantasy    Available

The Return of the Guardian-King by Karen Hancock    CBA

Legends of the Guardian-King #4  Adult Fantasy    Available

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck    CBA

The Sword of Lyric #1   Adult Alternate Reality  Available

The Restorer’s Son by Sharon Hinck    CBA

The Sword of Lyric #2   Adult Alternate Reality  Available

Restorer’s Journey by Sharon Hinck    CBA

The Sword of Lyric #3   Adult Alternate Reality   Available

Premonition by Randall Ingermanson   CBA

City of God Series #2    Adult Time-Travel/Historical  Out of Print

Retribution by Randall Ingermanson    CBA

City of God Series #3    Adult Time-Travel/ Historical Out of Print

Double Vision by Randall Ingermanson   CBA

Stand-alone novel    Adult Near-future Science-fiction Out of Print

Oxygen by Randall Ingermanson & John B. Olson CBA

Prequel to The Fifth Man   Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

The Fifth Man by Randall Ingermanson & John B. Olson CBA

Sequel to Oxygen    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Dream Thief by Stephen Lawhead    CBA

Stand-alone novel    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Adrenaline by John B. Olson    CBA

Stand-alone novel    Adult Supernatural Suspense  Out of Print

Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson    CBA  Stand-alone novel    Adult Science-fiction   Available

Shade by John B. Olson    CBA

Book #1     Adult Supernatural Suspense  Available

Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet    CBA

Auralia’s Threads #1    Adult Fantasy    Available

Cyndere’s Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet    CBA

Auralia’s Threads #2    Adult Fantasy    Available

DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul    CBA

Dragon Keeper Chronicles #1   Tween Fantasy   Available

DragonQuest by Donita K. Paul    CBA

Dragon Keeper Chronicles #2   Tween Fantasy   Available

DragonKnight by Donita K. Paul    CBA

Dragon Keeper Chronicles #3   Tween Fantasy   Available

DragonFire by Donita K. Paul    CBA

Dragon Keeper Chronicles #4   Tween Fantasy   Available

DragonLight by Donita K. Paul    CBA

Dragon Keeper Chronicles #5   Tween Fantasy   Available

The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers    CBA

Wilderking Trilogy #1   Mid-grade Fantasy/Bible Retelling Available

The Secret of the Swamp King by Jonathan Rogers    CBA

Wilderking Trilogy #2   Mid-grade Fantasy/Bible Retelling Available

The Way of the Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers    CBA

Wilderking Trilogy #3   Mid-grade Fantasy/Bible Retelling Available

Firebird: A Trilogy by Kathy Tyers    CBA

All three books of  the Firebird Trilogy Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Firebird by Kathy Tyers    CBA

Firebird Trilogy #1    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Fusion Fire by Kathy Tyers    CBA

Firebird Trilogy #2    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Crown of Fire by Kathy Tyers    CBA

Firebird Trilogy #3    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

Shivering World by Kathy Tyers    CBA

Stand-alone novel    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

One Mind’s Eye by Kathy Tyers    ABA

Stand-alone novel    Adult Science-fiction   Out of Print

The Shadow and the Night by Chris Walley    CBA

The Lamb Among the Stars #1  YA Science-fiction/Apocalypse Available

The Shadow at Evening by Chris Walley    CBA

Part 1 of The Shadow and the Night YA Science-fiction/Apocalypse Available

The Power of the Night by Chris Walley    CBA

Part 2 of The Shadow and the Night YA Science-fiction/Apocalypse Available

The Dark Foundations by Chris Walley    CBA
The Lamb Among the Stars #2  YA Science-fiction/Apocalypse Available

The Infinite Day by Chris Walley    CBA

The Lamb Among the Stars #3  YA Science-fiction/Apocalypse Available

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson    CBA

Stand alone?     YA Fantasy    Available

Darkness In Fiction: How Dark Is Too Dark?

by Chawna Schroeder

Read more of Chawna’s essays on her Soapbox page.

Evil exists.

We might want to ignore it. We might want to hide from it. We even might want to deny its power completely. But open a newspaper, flip on the television or click into the internet, and we are reminded once again how very real evil is.

No, the problem is not whether evil exists. The problem is what to do with it, both in life and in fiction.

Is Evil Permissible?

God is holy. He cannot stand any sin or any evil, from the tiniest lie to the worst mass murder. Anything that carries even a smudge of such darkness is, under normal circumstances (see Job 1 and 2 for an exception), banished from His presence.

Therefore, shouldn’t Christian fiction reflect this?

Of course. But that doesn’t mean we should banish the evil from our stories. Putting aside the fact that such a void would cause the story to ring untrue, we rather must consider how we incorporate and portray the darkness. For even God didn’t fail to include the stories of the Fall, Abraham’s lies, David’s adultery, or Judas’s betrayal in Scripture.

But just because evil or sin is acknowledged, a novel isn’t necessarily dark. So what about dark fiction makes it dark?

When Evil Takes Over

God is light (1 John 1:5). Therefore, the darkness must be the antithesis of Him. So a “dark” book would be a novel where there is more darkness—those things opposite of God—than the light, the attributes of God. So in the simplest terms, a dark story is where evil or the attributes of Satan (e.g. despair, deception, death) dominates the story.

Again, a question arises: does that make it wrong?Not necessarily. For evil is strong—often more than we want to admit—and sometimes (dare I say often?) it appears to be the ruling force. Since fiction is to mimic reality, such a world must be portrayed occasionally.

Moreover, how can we show the power of God and hope in Him, one of Christian fiction’s primary goals, if we don’t show the darkness? For no one hopes for what he already has (Romans 8:24). Accordingly, God provided us Judges and Revelation, two very dark books filled with hope and the comfort of His Sovereignty.

So How Dark is Too Dark?

Ah, we’ve reached the core of this issue. It’s a hard question, one I’ve wrestled with many months as my writing has taken me to a level of darkness I did not want to go.

On one hand, it is an individual matter, based on personality, experience, maturity, and amount of immersion.

Because I am an introspective person with an overactive imagination, my tolerances for darkness are very low. I cannot read Peretti or Dekker, even though I know they’re both good authors with much of value to say. But my personality makes them wrong for me.

Likewise, the age will make a difference. For an extreme example, it isn’t wrong to write or read about rape—unless the intended reader is eight years old. That level of evil is inappropriate for that age. And this is one reason I struggled with the darkness level in recently release Christian YA novel, The Book of Names. The level felt too strong for the majority of the intended readership.

The other factors, experiences and immersion, also affect this. If you read only dark fiction, you’ve probably become desensitized on a level that requires withdrawal from such books, making them wrong for you. And if you are in the midst of difficult times, especially those evoking emotional distress, such fiction could prey on you, causing more damage than healing.

That all said, there must be a concrete line, for some books irrevocably cross it, no matter the personality, maturity, immersion level, or experiences of the reader.

Where’s the Line?

Like so much in life, it all comes down to balance. If the darkness is strong, the light ultimately must be shown as stronger. To do otherwise is to break moral law (those spiritual truths written into the universe much like the law of gravity—as what goes up must come down, so the one who sins must die). For God is always the strongest, and in the end, He always wins. Books that even imply differently lie and therefore cross the line.

But a direct lie is not the only way to cross the line. There are several other things that create a gray zone around the line. Walk too near the edge with too many factors, and they will push you over the edge, just like too much weight and erosion on a cliff causes it to crumble. So these things must be considered:

Does the evil appear most powerful? For in reality, light is always stronger: no amount of darkness can extinguish a flame, no matter how small.

Is there a reasonable hope? Evil always has chinks in its armor, and if we can see these, hope and light are ignited. But if they remain hidden, a lie of evil’s strength is told.

Is the evil internal or external? External evil is easier to cope with (and therefore does not seem as dark) because it is based on experiences which few of us have experienced. But internal or psychological evil—now that is a reality we all deal with daily, making the evil and its power more real and personal. However, the darkest place is a combo of the two, for it gives evil the advantage, again promoting the idea that it is strongest.

Are good and evil confused? I’m speaking of the values here, not a good side vs. a evil side. For heroes can have flaws and villains virtues if they are presented as what they are. It is when flaws are called virtues and virtues flaws that trouble comes.

Is evil portrayed as an only option, whether for hero or villain? This is a common lie in our culture, but all of us always have a choice.

Are there shafts of light? Small victories go a long way in breaking up the darkness; it reveals the chinks in evil’s armor. Humor also helps, for it defies the hopelessness that darkness has won.

So while Dekker and Peretti are dark, they have counterbalanced it (I have heard) with humor, externalizing most of the evil, and an ending so filled with light and hope that the darkness of the previous pages receded. And yes, Two Towers and Return of the King are dark, but humor, small victories, a clear line of good and evil, the chink of Mt. Doom and the resulting reasonable hope, and the offers of redemption for even the villains (only possible if light is stronger) reminds us of the power of the light.

And this is where I felt The Book of Names failed. The intent was good without a doubt. The author never intended to cross a line, I feel. But the execution of the story was faulty: it walks too close to the edge on too many issues without the proper counterbalance.

The line between good and evil magic is too blurry. Victories are small and shallow; even the climax victory is defused with the body’s disappearance and the following murder of Chapter 47. Darkness dominates both externally and internally (both heroes and villains), making the already powerful evil more potent. And most of all, not enough hope is provided. Not enough chinks are known to the reader, few to none to the heroes, and even the mention of Tal Yassen at the end is insufficient from lack of set up and information.

No one of these would have sunk the book. But all these together create an evil too powerful with chinks too few and a solid, reasonable hope too weak. This, combined with the target readership and the fact that series tend to get darker before lighter, caused me grave concern.

Of course, there’s always hope I’ll be proven wrong. :o)

About Chawna Schroeder

Chawna Schroeder spends her days working as a professional liar, better known to most people as a novelist. She loves spinning stories and fabricating fantastical tales about characters caught between two worlds—not to mention fiction writing provides the easiest explanation for her imaginary friends. Otherwise people tend to look strangely at a 20-something adult conversing with invisible people.

When Chawna isn’t working or meeting other novelists’ imaginary friends, you can usually find her pouring over her studies in biblical Greek and Hebrew. She has studied both languages under a seminary-trained pastor for several years and has done some teaching of the Greek and Hebrew.

Since she doesn’t have a split-personality (despite what family members and friends may contend), these duel passions for fiction and Scripture must share the same mind and therefore often collide. Sometimes that’s not a problem; fiction and Scripture meet and part on congenial terms. But at other times they get into a fight. So what is a writer to do? Write, of course!

So Chawna posts three times a week on her blog, Imagination Investigation www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com. There she explores the boundaries of fiction and faith, reviews books, and talks about the occupation of writing.

Not convinced that you trust this strange person named Chawna Schroeder? Stop by www.chawnaschroeder.com to find out more about her and the stories she writes, or contact her directly at imaginationinvestigation@yahoo.com

I met Chawna Schroeder online during the CSFF Blog Tour for Blaggard’s Moon. She had mentioned taking fantasy books to a homeschool conference; intrigued, I asked her for more information on what she does. It turns out we have a lot in common! Chawna is a homeschool graduate who writes fantasy and science fiction (her novel Metamorphosis won the ACFW’s Genesis Competition in 2008 in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Speculative category). But she’s also involved in the literary world in another, unique way.

About me–well, I was homeschooled from fourth grade through high school, and during late high school as I started weighing college options, decided that I wanted to become a novelist. After attending a small local writing conference and joining a local guild, I decided that pursuing a degree in literature or English or such would gain me more debt than help. So with my parents’ support, I skipped college and pursued an education in writing through writing conferences, books, and three 2-year correspondence courses.

During some of those writing conferences, I heard it mentioned again and again that there was no way to tap the homeschool market and those who could learn to break into that market would earn major points with a publisher. I don’t know that last part is true, but being a homeschooler with a slightly rebellious streak, I decided I would take a whack at cracking that market. I did some brainstorming with my older sister, who now homeschools her three kids, and a few ideas resulted.

I can’t say that I’ve “cracked” the market — I think there are many others who may be doing a much better job of that than me — but I decided to do some experimenting nonetheless. I love sci-fi and fantasy. Many Christians, including (dare I say especially?) homeschoolers, either fear that genre or don’t know that Christian sci-fi and fantasy exists. The best way to introduce them to it is through a recommendation of someone they trust. My sister’s local Christian homeschooler conference is small and needed vendors. And so the current project was born.

Over the next few months, I hope to feature several young authors and other literati on Inklings. Chawna is the first. Today, I want to share more about her “current project.” Tomorrow, I’ll post Chawna’s essay on dark fiction, which has some great thoughts about the way we portray evil in writing. And on Friday, we’ll wrap up with Chawna’s recommended list of Christian fantasy. In the meantime, check out her Web site here (including sample pages from Metamorphosis and two other novels) and explore her blog, Imagination Investigation.

Chawna’s story continues:

I gathered up my personal collection of Christian sci-fi and fantasy, picking out only what I considered the best, since I know how picky homeschoolers can be about the quality both in content and craft. I wrote a couple of essays on my views of fiction, fantasy, and how that intersects with the Christian faith for free handouts on my table. I printed out the book reviews I had done. Then I headed out, stood behind a table, and talked to anyone whose attention I could capture.

My finances are quite limited, so I’ve only been able to vendor a few smaller conferences thus far, and I can’t say that I’ve been all that successful. Nevertheless, in these two short years, I developed a real passion for talking to homeschoolers (and Christians in general) about not only about sci-fi/fantasy, but also about the Scriptural foundation for it and the Scriptural foundation for balanced discernment in fictional media overall.

I find many Christians, even those who are discerning and thoughtful in other arenas, become somewhat arbitrary and inconsistent on why it’s okay to read this book but not watch that movie, or vice versa. Story is powerful and does impact, so we need to be careful what we put into our mind and hearts. But reading only morality stories or books labeled as “Christian” isn’t usually healthy either — especially since many seem to turn off their discernment at that point. That is more dangerous than reading the secular with discernment. Rather, I recommend reading with guidelines, built on Scripture and moderated by maturity and personal limitations. But I’m letting my passion run away with me.

Anyway, for the moment, I continue to seek out conferences where I can vendor and speak. At least, I’m now seeking spots to do some speaking, even if only for a 45-minute vendor’s workshop. Not many doors have opened in that arena yet–much less for the all-day seminar on discernment in fictional media that I’d love to do–but I keep looking.

That’s it for today. Coming tomorrow: “Darkness in Fiction: How Dark Is Too Dark?”