Wooden cross in the mountains
Aug 08 2023
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Is Christian Fiction Truth or a Paradox?

By jt4novels

Whenever someone discovers I’m a writer, the next question that pops out is “What do you write?” Sometimes I give a broad term like “Christian fiction” just to see what their reaction might be. Will they be turned off by the Christian part of my answer? Will they want to know more? If they are unfamiliar with Christian fiction, often I can see the wheels turning in their head as if they are processing that piece of information and as they figure out how to respond. The Paradox Idea It may be hard to believe for those of us who have come to love the genre, but there are some who think that Christian Fiction is a paradox. To their way of thinking, because the Christian faith is based upon truth, there is no such thing as Christian fiction. It doesn’t make sense to them. How can you be Christian and write something that isn’t true? Some believe that Christians should only be writing non-fiction and religious books explaining biblical concepts. Parables are Stories In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus teaches through parables. These parables are used as scripture to teach us today. What is a parable? The fourth edition of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language describes a parable as: A simple story to illustrate a moral or religious lesson. In the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a parable is: A usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious attitude. Therefore, Christian fiction is like a parable. The difference is it isn’t short or brief. It is a long parable in the form of a novel. The reader gets to know the characters, experiences their emotion, and throughout the novel there are moral and spiritual values and lessons based on biblical teachings in Christianity. The characters have flaws just like the rest of us, and may make bad decisions, but they learn and grow from these mistakes. It must be very much like life in order for it to be believable, possible, and for it to matter to us – to make a lasting impression. While the characters in my Christian fiction are not real and the plot is fictitious, the biblical and spiritual lesson is one of truth. Even if the reader doesn’t realize they are learning a biblical lesson, I have faith that God is using my work to plant a seed inside that person. And God will choose when to water and harvest that seed to bring forth fruit and life to that individual. “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” I Corinthians 3:7 Share this post with your connections:

English Cottage
Aug 08 2023
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Writing in the Regency Era – Online Resources

By jt4novels

I confess, I’ve written a Regency historical novel. And upon my word, I am quite determined to master this era! The Rules There are many strict societal rules that one’s character must know, maintain and behave accordingly. If one’s character behaves inappropriately for the era, that character must have a well-established motivation. The Regency fashion, dialogue, and customs govern the structure of a Regency novel. Therefore, much research and knowledge must go into writing one. What is the Regency Era? The specific Regency period is considered to be a short time frame between 1811 – 1820, in the United Kingdom when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son was instated to be his proxy as Prince Regent. However, many consider the era to be much larger between 1795 – 1837, especially if one considers the Regency Era a transitional period between the Georgian and Victorian eras. Online Regency Resources I wanted to share a few online resources that I have found very helpful in writing my Regency. I’ve included the title of the website or webpage, the link, and a brief description. Please note: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of every detail on these websites. Please make sure you find at least three resources to back up a reference and use your own judgment. Candice Hern’s Regency World – https://candicehern.com/regency-world – A great resource of Regency information from a author who writes many Regency based novels. Christian Regency – http://www.christianregency.com – Several links to Regency information on various topics and owned by Author Vanessa Riley. Jane Austen Today – http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/ – A blog that explores Regency period author, Jane Austen, as we see her today in movies, prints, sequels, websites and other modern media. It delves into other historical periods as well. Jane Austen’s World – http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/ – A blog that strives to bring to life Jane Austen’s novels and the Regency Period through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th century historical details. The Beau Monde – http://www.thebeaumonde.com/ – A writing group for writers who write Regencies. One must be a member of Romance Writers of America, since this is an RWA chapter. Fashions in Time – http://www.fashionsintime.com/html/regency.html – Lady’s costume fashions in the Regency era. You can order your own costume fashions to be made for your measurements and size. Nancy Mayer, Regency Researcher – http://www.regencyresearcher.com – Links and resources from a Regency author who has been researching the period for a number of years. Old Book Art – http://www.oldbookart.com – Historical images that are now out of copyright and in the public domain. Prints Old & Rare – Fox Hunting – http://www.printsoldandrare.com/foxhunting – Historical prints and images of fox hunting scenes. Susanne Dietze’s Regency Research Links – https://www.susannedietze.com/regency-research-links.html – Includes categories of peerage, time and place, amusements, fashion, church, marriage, mourning, Parliament and politics, children and education, home and garden, currency and commerce. Regency Lingo – https://regrom.com/regency-lingo – Common used phrases and terms used in the Regency era on the Regency Reader blog. Regency Yuletide – https://regencyyuletide.blogspot.com – The Definitive Guide to Christmas in Regency England with quotes, recipes, and games to reveal what Christmas was like during the time of Jane Austen. Remember the “holy” in holiday, and let poets and songwriters from the past enliven your experience today.   Share this article or images with your connections: