tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post8859455243179260201..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Weaving the Spiritual Thread into Your StoryMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-18146386436012187772020-10-30T09:21:00.970-04:002020-10-30T09:21:00.970-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anita Lawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05914708632433504148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-47357285304543887312020-10-27T03:58:43.935-04:002020-10-27T03:58:43.935-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.pakistani matrimonial rishtahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02193681011543667472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-54204930313568157292020-10-26T20:02:02.987-04:002020-10-26T20:02:02.987-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.obodubuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354585393819157785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84276543320469625982020-10-26T20:01:33.708-04:002020-10-26T20:01:33.708-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.obodubuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354585393819157785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-41791752409618821022020-10-21T15:17:33.209-04:002020-10-21T15:17:33.209-04:00Hi Jan, I loved reading about spiritual threads in...Hi Jan, I loved reading about spiritual threads in books and 'm drawing a blank on naming a specific book. I do believe, however, that a "heavy" dose can often turn a reader off if they are a searcher instead of a believer. A plot that shows a Christian witness in actions and deeds may be more effective than a constant barrage of scripture and "preaching". Congratulations for your new release!<br />Blessings!<br />ConnieConnie Porter Saundershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234596850866029756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71907478398125734312020-10-21T13:54:26.313-04:002020-10-21T13:54:26.313-04:00I LOVE the way you describe the spiritual thread h...I LOVE the way you describe the spiritual thread here. Just perfect. May all our stories have such a strong foundation to be woven on!Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-2221991853217061662020-10-20T16:47:54.604-04:002020-10-20T16:47:54.604-04:00There are a few authors who do it well, but what s...There are a few authors who do it well, but what stands out in my mind more about the spiritual thread is the lack of one in books published by the big CF publishing houses sometimes. A recent release (which I thoroughly enjoyed) was published as CF but I was hard-pressed to find a spiritual thread, or even the mere mention of God or faith! It was disappointing, as I believe Christian authors have a great opportunity to include that element into their writing.<br />Thanks for sharing Jan. Looking forward to reading the final book! :)Lee-Ann Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16757223217376371793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84683417572906311052020-10-20T14:42:38.247-04:002020-10-20T14:42:38.247-04:00C.C Lewis is one of my favorite authors. :-)C.C Lewis is one of my favorite authors. :-)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-30464325356323488482020-10-20T11:52:16.651-04:002020-10-20T11:52:16.651-04:00Hi Jan:
If you did want to write a version of thi...Hi Jan:<br /><br />If you did want to write a version of this plot I would suggest you read C.S. Lewis who went from avowed atheist to Christian and then almost lost his faith when his wife died of cancer after a long awaited happy marriage that ended all too soon. Read "Surprised by Joy" and "C.S. Lewis on Grief". It would be hard to find better arguments on both side of the issues.Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-61784051559257086732020-10-19T17:49:27.459-04:002020-10-19T17:49:27.459-04:00Thanks, Shirley!Thanks, Shirley!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80658012454998971502020-10-19T17:22:02.299-04:002020-10-19T17:22:02.299-04:00I am looking forward to reading this seriesI am looking forward to reading this seriesShirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778066770743292606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-43074734825576138662020-10-19T16:54:30.504-04:002020-10-19T16:54:30.504-04:00Thanks, Cate!Thanks, Cate!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-48498459708494947142020-10-19T16:09:13.072-04:002020-10-19T16:09:13.072-04:00Thank you, Debby, and especially for your prayers....Thank you, Debby, and especially for your prayers. This wasn't in the playbook.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-60674069149258775072020-10-19T16:08:22.105-04:002020-10-19T16:08:22.105-04:00Thank you, Jan. This post did strike a chord with ...Thank you, Jan. This post did strike a chord with me. kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71443574301117793422020-10-19T16:07:46.992-04:002020-10-19T16:07:46.992-04:00Thank you, Sandy. I appreciate your support.Thank you, Sandy. I appreciate your support.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-44434533396393325832020-10-19T16:01:45.538-04:002020-10-19T16:01:45.538-04:00That sounds like an interesting book! And you'...That sounds like an interesting book! And you're right - I don't think I would try that plot line!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20246949482266042382020-10-19T15:59:39.055-04:002020-10-19T15:59:39.055-04:00It's a fine line between the heavy hand and th...It's a fine line between the heavy hand and the subtle nuance. Too light, and the spiritual thread isn't apparent. Too heavy, and you risk turning off some readers, or having them skim through the un-interesting part.<br /><br />I don't think you need to worry, though! Your stories always have just enough of a spiritual element that is natural to the characters and plot. :-)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-87746765781880075642020-10-19T15:55:09.374-04:002020-10-19T15:55:09.374-04:00Thanks, Missy!Thanks, Missy!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-28319437608142649052020-10-19T15:54:55.120-04:002020-10-19T15:54:55.120-04:00I love it when the characters' early faith str...I love it when the characters' early faith strengthens and grows in the story. We can really see character development in action in those books!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25824258468990894962020-10-19T15:53:21.194-04:002020-10-19T15:53:21.194-04:00The spiritual thread adds depth to the story, does...The spiritual thread adds depth to the story, doesn't it? <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by, Tina!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-66940203940537231712020-10-19T15:20:26.220-04:002020-10-19T15:20:26.220-04:00Hi Jan:
Sometimes some plots are so good that I f...Hi Jan:<br /><br />Sometimes some plots are so good that I forget the name of the book. One book's spiritual threads were so unique that they seemed to be the whole story. The romance was incidental and I could not tell you anything about the romance today. <br /><br />Here is the story: The hero was a non-believer who espoused good arguments for not being a believer. He could never marry a believer. The heroine was a believer and an evangelist to boot. She sought out non-believers to convert. She was part of the Campus Crusade for Christ. <br /><br />The hero and heroine loved to argue. These exercises seemed to fulfill them in some way. Each saw the other as a worthy opponent. Opposites attracted with great force as time went on. Besides, other than their spiritual beliefs they seemed perfectly matched.<br /><br />Then both, in short order, faced crises in their lives that advanced them along the character arc. Their crises were unrelated so they felt free to seek comfort and support from each other. <br /><br />In a twist, as might be found in O. Henry, the shaken believer lost her faith and confessed to the hero, a non-believer, that they could now get married but the non-believer's crisis won him over for Christ. They were now on the other side of the issue each giving the same arguments the other gave before their changes of heart. <br /><br />That was a memorable black moment!<br /><br />How to solve this? <br /><br />I believe that they used Pascal's wager explained in their own words. (I don't think they mentioned Pascal by name.) In any event, the two conducted some pretty high level arguments making for great fireworks. I mean they went at it.<br /><br />In an ironic twist, what turned the hero into a believer was essentially the same situation but reversed that made the heroine lose her faith. <br /><br />This was a spiritual thread that was like a soulmak-stick-braided. Don't try this at home! <br /><br />Vince<br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-24148888044783935602020-10-19T14:35:21.428-04:002020-10-19T14:35:21.428-04:00I like your analogy of the evenweave fabric behind...I like your analogy of the evenweave fabric behind the stitches. :)<br /><br />The spiritual thread for me is probably the most difficult to 'get right.' I worry about 'being preachy' or heavy-handed, so I probably veer to the other extreme of not putting enough spiritual threads into my story-stitching. Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-65325103316247788692020-10-19T13:00:08.285-04:002020-10-19T13:00:08.285-04:00My stories are mostly like Debby just mentioned. C...My stories are mostly like Debby just mentioned. Characters who are strengthening or returning to their faith.<br /><br />Jan, congrats on your new release!Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-23194488737409827792020-10-19T12:35:32.168-04:002020-10-19T12:35:32.168-04:00Jan, I remember reading an inspirational story yea...Jan, I remember reading an inspirational story years ago that was so very preachy. I've never forgotten the way the author handled the faith element.<br /><br />Usually my characters have a smattering of faith. Often they feel God has turned His back on them. As the story unfolds, they realize that God was always there and that they were the ones who turned their back on God.<br /><br />Your latest release looks wonderful! Love the Civil War setting!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71178352836594107082020-10-19T11:50:24.598-04:002020-10-19T11:50:24.598-04:00KB, it seems this year has been packed with "...KB, it seems this year has been packed with "change of plans" situations. At the onset of COVID, I kept longing for the way things were before the virus hit. Eventually, I realized that wasn't healthy and I needed to live in the moment and be grateful for where I was at each particular point in time. Yes, I still look back, but I try to focus on NOW. I've kept your husband in prayer. So hard to have such a huge setback...but this is 2020, right? Everything seems more topsy-turvy and out of line this year. <br /><br />I love hearing about your stories! Go you, girlfriend!!! Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.com