|
You hear a lot about change
today. And in my life, Change with a capital "C" is
certainly the big news. I have recently signed a three-book
contract with a publisher of inspirational fiction.
There are several reasons for this decision. After the
death of my husband eight years ago, the faith that
had been so meaningful in my childhood deepened. I felt
an increasing pull toward writing stories to include
that faith.
Over the years as I've conceived
and developed plots relevant to the lives of contemporary
women and their problems, there is one element that
I felt overlooked in popular fiction. And that is the
element of spirituality. Of faith. My books have always
included the tension between right and wrong, but adding
the spiritual tension— those hard questions and struggles—
was never encouraged. Writing good inspirational fiction
is not about adding a religious component to a book—
it's so much more. Now I'm free to explore the presence
of a spiritual dimension to my characters as I write
popular fiction. For the first time— without apology—
I can flesh out my characters to add the physical, intellectual,
emotional and spiritual.
Not to worry. The bare bones
of my plots will not change, that is, the characters,
the conflict, the mystery. Now you will see a fully
human character struggling with problems and/or emotional
upheaval who may turn naturally to her (or his) faith.
In the case of my next book, Blood Bayou, I present
a heroine who has no faith and is dealing with a series
of life-changing events and danger. Here's a brief teaser:
Blood Bayou,
set in Louisiana Bayou Country, is a story of redemption
and forgiveness. Because of her husband's alcoholism,
Camille St. James divorced Jack Vermillion after a
tragic accident. Seven years later, Jack has turned
his life around and is a minister, but Camille, unsure
of her own beliefs, doubts his sincerity. God may
have forgiven him, but she won't! Then they are reunited
by the murder of Jack's sister by a prisoner recently
exonerated and freed through the Truth Project, an
organization which Camille runs. She is convinced
the accused man is innocent and sets out to prove
it. Jack is sure he did it and blames Camille for
freeing him. But as she works to find the real killer,
someone is determined to stop her…by any means.
Read Blood Bayou
to find out how Jack and Camille overcome their bitter
past, find the killer and embrace a Christian life
together.
Blood Bayou will be in
bookstores in May, 2009.
And thank you for visiting my website!
Karen
|
