First post

Well, my blog is officially open! I do like this set up a whole lot better than myspace, which is what I've been using until now. Getting more and more involved with other writers I've found it important to have a decent sort of blog to post on. I want to start posting book reviews and interviews. I think it is important for any one who has an interest in Christian Fiction to promote it however possible. I've been passing my books around friends in my church, and am now adding this new avenue for getting the word out... There is good Christian Fiction out there!

I remember 10 years ago I didn't know that there was. I stuck to Starwars and Startrek books to get my fiction fix, with out diving in to books that might be a bit shady. I thought all Christian fiction books were boring, and not worth my money, what little I had at age 14. Boy was I wrong!

My introduction in to Christian Science Fiction was Kathy Tyers' Firebird books. I happened across the first one at a local bookstore that was getting ready to shut down. Thinking it sounded sort of 'Trekkieish', I bought it. I was hooked on the first chapter, and to this day those books are among my all time favorites.

It was a long time before I'd find any other Fiction Books, when I was a teenager I was silly... I thought that all good fiction was science fiction, unless it was the Chronicles of Narnia. I was scared of fantasy, scared it would have some strange mumbo jumbo in it, that would taint my mind. My father was on top of every book I read, ensuring I did not fill my mind with junk. There were a few books he forbid to read, because they were so new age, and I was too young to realize it. Looking back, thank the Lord for a Godly man with a sensitive spirit to guard the things I read!

I remember my introduction in to other realms of Christian Fiction. I was cleaning my room and found a book my grandmother gave me. I had never read it, figuring it would be boring, I just set it aside. I was the sort that hated cleaning, (in fact i should be doing it now, but this blog is more important, *winks*). In my attempt to avoid cleaning my room I started reading that book. It was the Golden Cross by Angela Elwell Hunt. Again, I was hooked. I bought all the Cahira O'Conner books and have them on my shelf still to this day. I've gotten many of my friends to read them.

In the middle of all this I found I have a heavy burning desire to write stories myself. When I was 14, a friend of mine got me involved with PBEM RPG's. I learned a lot about writing and still participate in them, for fun and practice. I met my husband through one such game. I've been very blessed to be given a husband who wants to write as well. We write together!

The older I get, the heavier this burden gets, but I had no idea where to start. Last year, I found a Christian Book store in my area and decided to pick up a few books. I found one that dove in to the fantasy world, Karen Hancock's Guardian King series. I was so excited about those books. They were great! And there was nothing 'weird' about them. I was very eager to find more books. I went back time after time looking for more books, hoping to find something that would change my life, and help me. I kept passing over this book with a brown haired woman holding a sword looking at a city. I think I said to my self three times 'Maybe I can afford to get that book next time'.

Maybe God held that book for me, but after several months I finally picked up Sharon Hincks, The Restorer. I think I read that book in record time. It awoke a hunger in me to read the word of God. How else are you to stave off the tricks of the enemy? I think I annoyed every one I was around, I couldn't shut up about that book! (I still can't by the way!)

When I finished the book I decided to send an email to two authors. I wanted to share with them how much I enjoyed their books, and how excited I was to know that good Christian women can write such effective stories! It gave me so much hope that my stories might one day be effective to others.

I sent the longest letter to Sharon Hinck. I was so excited when I woke up the next morning and found an email back from her. I hope you know just how much I appreciate you talking to me Sharon, I feel God has used you greatly to urge me forward! She advised me to do several things, one of which was get on a yahoo group called acfwbookclub, also to try and find a Christian Writers group in my area. Well I did the first one right away, and I read those posts every day. The Christian writers group I'm still working on. There is one in Maine, but its a good distance away, and they meet when I have to work.

While I am learning to write, and trying to work out my stories I decided to get myself as deep in to this world as I could. I've asked to be part of a book reviewers listing, and created this blog to post such reviews. I hope to be able to interview other authors and learn from them. Soon very soon, I hope God will open the doors of my mind even more and I will be able to get a book out. I have... I believe six floating around in my head right now. Its rather confusing some times, but I trust God will work it all out, and help me to write books that will impact others and draw them closer to HIM. That is my mission. I am only a scribe, meant to tell the stories that will draw people to the true Author.