tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post6067415420672235883..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Pardon Me, But My Activism Is ShowingJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-85988645157148011762016-03-24T17:56:41.569+10:002016-03-24T17:56:41.569+10:00Oh I wasn't expecting that Elaine, but that...Oh I wasn't expecting that Elaine, but that's lovely of you. I thought you did an excellent job. Really got me thinking.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-80884320184895955092016-03-23T01:34:19.106+10:002016-03-23T01:34:19.106+10:00Thank you, Nola. I'll send you a copy when it&...Thank you, Nola. I'll send you a copy when it's done since you did some of the editing! xxElaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-21165473194752494762016-03-23T01:33:31.578+10:002016-03-23T01:33:31.578+10:00Thanks, Paula. I know you get it from the way you ...Thanks, Paula. I know you get it from the way you write! Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-5691156276942587072016-03-23T01:32:51.319+10:002016-03-23T01:32:51.319+10:00Thanks so much, Ruth. Tough topics are difficult b...Thanks so much, Ruth. Tough topics are difficult because I want to discuss them without being a stumbling block or too controversial an close the intended message. Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50932384939787008302016-03-23T01:31:30.285+10:002016-03-23T01:31:30.285+10:00Thank you, Lesley. It's scary, but also I beli...Thank you, Lesley. It's scary, but also I believe God wants me to write on topics like this so am trusting in Him to speak to the ones who need to read it. Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-83840709350550784242016-03-23T01:30:02.150+10:002016-03-23T01:30:02.150+10:00Thank you, Lisa. I love the quote you shared. He s...Thank you, Lisa. I love the quote you shared. He says it much more eloquently than I did!Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-68171880257553027912016-03-23T01:28:56.035+10:002016-03-23T01:28:56.035+10:00Thanks for your comments, Sue. It's true that ...Thanks for your comments, Sue. It's true that not all books have to be about a huge, serious topic, but even in entertaining stories our values come out. I'll look out for your novel!Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-69123124929144815032016-03-23T01:27:09.568+10:002016-03-23T01:27:09.568+10:00Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeanette. Negat...Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeanette. Negative stereotypes are breeding a lot of hate against Christians.Elaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-55271985280694847882016-03-23T01:25:35.917+10:002016-03-23T01:25:35.917+10:00Thank you, dear friend. Thank you for sharing your...Thank you, dear friend. Thank you for sharing your story. xxElaine Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724607299832750567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-5040416891845554942016-03-21T17:36:57.847+10:002016-03-21T17:36:57.847+10:00Thought-provoking post,Elaine, and so true. It tr...Thought-provoking post,Elaine, and so true. It troubles me when Christians just give pat answers to real problems as if everyone who hears a particular Bible verse will suddenly 'see the light' and respond. We need to be part of the conversation and not just expect people to suddenly believe something just because we've said it. I really admire what you're doing to reach the marginalised with your novels Elaine. You go girl!Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-30374225243881643292016-03-21T12:23:41.089+10:002016-03-21T12:23:41.089+10:00Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Elaine. Bei...Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Elaine. Being relevant and showing rather than telling, I agree are two of the most powerful ways novels can touch readers. Thanks for reminding us to ask these questions when it comes to our own work.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-11251316766813786312016-03-21T11:19:29.550+10:002016-03-21T11:19:29.550+10:00Thanks for being honest Elaine. My take: the world...Thanks for being honest Elaine. My take: the world needs more Christian people brave enough to tackle the tough topics. Ruth Bonettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07542313894716045515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-9861900355648019602016-03-21T11:02:18.544+10:002016-03-21T11:02:18.544+10:00Thanks Elaine for a thought provoking post. Writin...Thanks Elaine for a thought provoking post. Writing on controversial topics can indeed be scary.<br />I loved this from your Scary Writing blog: 'I want the opinion spectrum to not be a horizontal line, but a circle with God in the middle.'<br />Agree wholeheartedly that we need to be real and relevant in our writing with answers, discussions and engagement of faith, having the moral courage to stand firm in what we believe in.Lesley Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03813827759486341613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-25087993749839842662016-03-21T09:44:38.830+10:002016-03-21T09:44:38.830+10:00Hi Elaine,
I am a newcomer to your blog but I ha...Hi Elaine, <br /> I am a newcomer to your blog but I have enjoyed reading this and can relate strongly to your point, summed up so nicely in the quote by David Kinnamon.<br /><br />As someone with a Voice to sing, to write, to speak and to create art (and say something in a 1000 wordless words), I confess to facing the same struggle. When people you love dearly, that have previously walked with you in the faith, standing on the Word, give way to doctrines that steer them away from the Word, the challenges to stay connected and to minister God's grace, yet be strong in the Truth and Love are multiplied and can seem complex.<br />Creating content that speaks the Truth in Love, without judgment, is essential. And for each individual, I find I pray and seek God first on how to love them...then, perhaps the response in me is good for others too and can become a story or scenario or song or image. And the beauty of the Arts is that it allows us to approach these things obliquely and kind of 'sneak up' on people, diving beyond reason and deep into those things that rest deep in their hearts, bringing them around to Truth in a way only God could orchestrate.<br /><br />Thanks for your writing.. it touched a place in me. :)Lisa Meredith Shah Noblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948032268651540060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-28429441169029258182016-03-21T08:30:17.746+10:002016-03-21T08:30:17.746+10:00Great questions, Elaine. I think these issues are ...Great questions, Elaine. I think these issues are more important than a lot of the things we Christians make a fuss of wrt writing. I don't think ALL writing has to be about something 'important'. It can be ministry to just entertain someone for a few hours and give them respite from their troubles. But I do agree that the reality you speak of is essential to reach those on the margins. I also think your insight about community is brilliant. That is exactly what people are looking for. A place to belong and to matter. You've given me something to ponder as I write my current novel :). Sue Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198695729535623216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-19918519905490703262016-03-21T08:29:22.659+10:002016-03-21T08:29:22.659+10:00Great post Elaine. It is scary how many people hav...Great post Elaine. It is scary how many people have such a negative stereotype of faith and its place in society. I'm also passionate about connecting with people and firing their imaginations. I love how you say "We should write what we’re for and not what we’re against." And the focus on 'love' God's love and acceptance and how that illuminates our own lives and attitudes.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-3550995297638763932016-03-21T08:18:38.760+10:002016-03-21T08:18:38.760+10:00Loved your post Elaine. Thanks so much. That quote...Loved your post Elaine. Thanks so much. That quote is certainly scary. Bringing people to faith through our writing is not a simple matter is it? I really liked what you said that people are not looking for spiritual answers - they want to belong. Absolutely. That's what brough me to Christ certainly - that sense of belonging I had at my first Christian youth camp. Thank you for speaking words that are important to hear. We are involved in a battle after all. As I read your post, I realised the importance of being there as Christian writers for the long haul - being willing to take time to understand our audience and to be willing to go through the mill in order to be heard. Thanks Elaine!Anusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.com