The Gathering

I recently finalized my plans to attend Ted Dekker’s The Gathering in June in Nashville. Ted is an amazing writer and truly one of my favorite novelists. His books have been a huge influence on my decision to pursue writing. The Gathering is basically a one-day conference for his fans, but it’s a little more than that.

Ted’s going to be talking a lot about what it takes to get published, his thoughts on the Christian Fiction market, and answering questions about his books. Apparently there will be some big wig publishing folks there answering questions as well. There’s also going to be a panel of some other writers (I know Eric Wilson will be there…another one of my favorites. He is releasing a brand new trilogy this fall featuring vampires, which is really unheard of in the Christian Fiction world). Ted’s book, House, has been made into a film and it was scheduled to release in theaters last fall. For some reason it was held up and is now scheduled to open this fall. I’m really excited because at The Gathering they are showing a sneak preview of the movie! Currently it is rated R because of the violence and the intensity, so I’m real interested to see what that’s all about. All the participants will receive an advanced copy of his upcoming book, Sinner, as well.

This is a great opportunity for me and something I hope will give me some more inspiration and insight into being a novelist. I’m still very passionate about wanting to write, but I have really struggled with finding the time and motivation. I have really wanted to give up a few times, but something always happens to encourage me to keep going. Just last week Randy Singer emailed me to thank me for a review and to encourage me in my writing. I’ve never emailed him before so I was really blown away that he contacted me and took the time to give me some helpful advice. I’m also so thankful for Angie and how supportive she is. I was really hoping she could go to The Gathering with me, but we just couldn’t work that out. She’s been super great about encouraging me to go anyway. She is so understanding and so good to me. I am blessed!

After the trip I will try to give a little report here on what it was like. Hopefully I will have some cool pictures of me and Ted to share and some exciting Dekker news about his future books. Maybe I can even write about the movie. Stay tuned!

 

The Christian Manifesto

You may or may not know that I currently run my own book review website (www.BookshelfReview.com). I’m thrilled to announce that some of my reviews will now also be featured regularly at The Christian Manifesto. This is a great site that focuses on Christian entertainment and news in our culture. Check it out!

 

THR3E

Looking for a good movie this weekend? Then check out Thr3e. It’s a new movie based on the best-selling novel by Ted Dekker. This past week has been awesome for me because I have had the opportunity to talk to Ted Dekker twice on the phone and see the movie twice (see previous post).

As Christians it is so important that we support faith-based films. We go to the movies all the time and throw our money at junk and don’t think twice about it. Why not support something that is entertaining and shares spiritual truth? Makes a little more sense, right? Hello..it better!

Thr3e is not what most would consider a “Christian film”, but rather it is a movie/story created by Christians that is relevant to our culture. There are no “come to Jesus” speeches or moments in this film, but the overall message is powerful and will hopefully encourage people to think about their spiritual lives. It is a psychological thriller that will definitely keep you guessing until the end, and it is a perfect example of how a good movie can be made without all the junk that Hollywood thinks we want to see.

The success of this film in the box office could really open some doors for more faith-based films to find a way into our culture. Jesus was always finding ways to be relevant to the world around Him, especially through his lifestyle and his parables. We should be about the same business! Go out and support Thr3e this weekend and help further this cause so we can attempt to reach the world on a whole new level. Click here to find out where it is showing.

 

I Interviewed Ted Dekker!

For those of you who have never heard of Ted Dekker or read his books, then this post will be boring and meaningless to you. However if you are a Dekker fan (like me) then you might find this interesting.

Recently, I have been reviewing books for different websites. If you like to read it’s not a bad deal. I get free books in the mail in exchange for my reviews. One of the sites I’m reviewing for (Christian Library Journal) sent out a mass email to all of us reviewers yesterday. Ted Dekker’s book Three has been made into a movie and is being released in theaters on January 5th. Christian Library Journal was setting a lucky reviewer up with a free DVD copy of the movie for screening plus an interview opportunity with Ted Dekker via phone. The first to respond through email wins. Luckily I happened to be sitting at my laptop when the email came. I responded back and got it.

Angie and I are currently in Houston visiting our friends Tony and Lindsay Slate. Oddly enough Tony was the one who introduced me to Ted Dekker’s novels a year and a half ago and Three was the first Dekker book I read. Anyway…moving on…We set up the interview and Ted Dekker called my cell phone this morning and I was able to talk to him for a half hour about Three and his other novels and movie projects. We had Ted on speaker phone and Angie and Tony sat with me as I asked questions and talked with one of my favorite authors. A very surreal moment that I will certainly never forget.

When Ted found out I haven’t seen the movie yet, he asked if I would set up another interview with him next week so we can talk about the movie more. I thought about it for about .0000001 seconds and said, “Sure.” Hopefully I’ll be getting the DVD within the next few days, and then next week sometime I will be able to talk with him more about the movie. Then I’m going to be writing a review/article for Christian Library Journal about the movie and about Ted Dekker.

Needless to say I’m extremely excited. Reading Ted’s books and following his career have really inspired me to write, and it was so awesome having a chance to talk with him. Just thought I’d let you know about my exciting day.

 

On My Bookshelf

I love to read! I’ll admit it….I’m a book nerd. I read mostly fiction, everything from fantasy, sci-fi, suspense, horror, mystery…..and I even read a Nicholas Sparks book once (I hate to admit it, but it was pretty good…) If you’re like me and your idea of a good time is a good book, then here are a couple of books and authors that I have been enjoying recently:

Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd (by Dean Koontz)
Dean Koontz has become one of my favorite all-around authors and Odd Thomas has become one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Odd is just your average ordinary short-order fry cook, who happens to be able to see the lingering dead. Odd’s connection to the supernatural leads him on some incredible adventures full of mystery, thrills, hope, and redemption. I challenge anyone to read these novels and not find a new hero in Odd Thomas. I haven’t read Brother Odd yet, but I can’t wait. These are Dean Koontz at his best, but anything he’s written is worth reading.

Hood by Stephen Lawhead
I just reviewed this book for Christian Library Journal and I loved it! This is the first book in a trilogy about Robin Hood. The twist is that this story is based in medieval Wales, and Lawhead actually includes an author’s note that is very convincing on the idea that the Robin Hood Legend may have originated in Wales. This book is all about how Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne of Elfael, becomes the legendary Hood. If you like action, suspense, and historical fiction you will love this book!

These are just a few of the books that I love. Here are some other great authors worth checking out:

Eric Wilson- This guy is one of my favorite authors in the Christian fiction market, and if you like mystery and suspense then you will love him. I’ve read all of his books and each one is great.

Melanie Wells- I stumbled across her name on Eric Wilson’s website and bought her first book, When The Day of Evil Comes, and Angie and I both gobbled it up in a few days. Her follow-up, The Soul Hunter, is also a must-read. Melanie Wells is a master of suspense and the first-person narrative. And she also lives in Dallas and sets her novels there. Great stuff.

Ted Dekker- A couple years ago a good friend gave me a copy of Dekker’s Three, and I was blown away. I remember thinking this is the way Christian Fiction should be done: powerful but not preachy, full of twists and turns, something that you enjoy but really makes you think. It was after I read some of his novels, that I began to think I might like to give writing a shot. His Circle Trilogy: Black, Red, and White are simply mind-blowing and in these three novels Dekker tells man’s story of redemption in the form of a modern-day sc-fi, fantasy, thriller masterpiece. You can’t go wrong with any Dekker novels.

Just a few of my favorites, but not nearly all of them. If you happen to read any of these books let me know what you think. I love talking to other book nerds. Later…