tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post5052395393000691753..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Writing that changes lives.Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-8425597266970870962013-02-06T14:40:46.650+10:002013-02-06T14:40:46.650+10:00Agree about Geraldine Brooks. Have you read Caleb&...Agree about Geraldine Brooks. Have you read Caleb's Crossing? I adored that. Agree with other points you made too.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-66477414957101084462013-02-02T00:48:49.373+10:002013-02-02T00:48:49.373+10:00Thanks for the great insight about Les Miserables ...Thanks for the great insight about Les Miserables Jo. I must admit that I too have experienced non-stop crying on some parts of the movie. There are various instances in the movie that touches the <a href="http://www.chooseyourpublisher.com/for/christian-publishers.php" rel="nofollow">Christianity spirit</a> in me (the moment when the Bishop gave the remaining two candle sticks and when Jean Valjean is on the bed of death where the spirit Fantine is on his side). Who would have thought that after more than 150 years, Victor Hugo's writing will deliver such a strong emotion to the readers/viewers today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50237497360590319092013-01-26T08:09:27.588+10:002013-01-26T08:09:27.588+10:00Hi Dale - Great idea. I've seen a number of m...Hi Dale - Great idea. I've seen a number of mainstream novels that have faith issues in them, though not always necessarily Christian. For example, Geraldine Brooks's books often deal with issues of faith, so I guess there are mainstream publishers who are open to that if it's a compelling story. Maybe we should pray for the publishers, but also Christian writers - that we will know how to craft faith stories that don't compromise yet will resonate with a mainstream audience.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-72715710289635663292013-01-25T14:04:29.171+10:002013-01-25T14:04:29.171+10:00Yes, Nola, To Kill a Mockingbird another powerful ...Yes, Nola, To Kill a Mockingbird another powerful book and film. I'd like to see more with strong message that are Christian based in the mainstream market.Maybe we need to pray mainstream publishers will open their eyes?Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-18553923626456926352013-01-25T14:01:51.603+10:002013-01-25T14:01:51.603+10:00Great post Jo. Thanks for your thoughts.Les Mis is...Great post Jo. Thanks for your thoughts.Les Mis is my favourite musical because it is all about the themes of redemption, sacrifice, God's love and forgiveness. Powerful words indeed. I haven't read the book yet, but intend to. I have seen the stage play three times and movie just last wek. It never fails to impact me.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-56780759853805827832013-01-23T17:40:41.952+10:002013-01-23T17:40:41.952+10:00Thanks for your thoughts Jo. Haven't seen the ...Thanks for your thoughts Jo. Haven't seen the movie yet (this weekend for sure), but have seen the stage show three times and each time I was blown away by the story of grace, forgiveness, compassion and servanthood. A more powerful Christian message than some specifically Christian literature I've read. Your comment about whether it would be accepted as Christian fiction today set me thinking about a related issue. Is it sometimes better to publish books with a Christian message in the mainstream market rather than in the Christian market? To Kill a Mockingbird is another one that comes to mind - published in the mainstream market but with a powerful anti-prejudice message. Great food for thought Jo.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-22128677111393996122013-01-23T13:22:24.860+10:002013-01-23T13:22:24.860+10:00Great blog Jo. Thanks for all your interesting tho...Great blog Jo. Thanks for all your interesting thoughts on it too. Grace is a challenge for all of us isn't it? I think we all have a daily challenge from God to extend His grace to all in our world. Love the idea of writing a book with a similar theme. You got me thinking there.<br /><br />Blessings and thanks,<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-84499096895094603472013-01-23T11:17:25.601+10:002013-01-23T11:17:25.601+10:00Hi Jo,
I love Les Mis too!! Ihope it gets the audi...Hi Jo,<br />I love Les Mis too!! Ihope it gets the audience thinking about love and forgiveness in their own lives, I know that's what I think about when I see it.Jennifer Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09284057776201270126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-21662167153281563232013-01-23T11:05:34.485+10:002013-01-23T11:05:34.485+10:00I agree, Lee. The Bible is full of such stories, b...I agree, Lee. The Bible is full of such stories, but some readers give me the impression they don't know that!Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-82941810468651944592013-01-23T11:04:11.074+10:002013-01-23T11:04:11.074+10:00Amen, Meredith. I started reading 'How Sweet t...Amen, Meredith. I started reading 'How Sweet the Sound' I'm captivated! Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78252360685917722232013-01-23T11:02:13.829+10:002013-01-23T11:02:13.829+10:00Thanks for your kind words Amanda. Blessings xxThanks for your kind words Amanda. Blessings xxJo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-601782444608570072013-01-23T09:37:33.046+10:002013-01-23T09:37:33.046+10:00Like you, I was totally captivated with Les Mis. S...Like you, I was totally captivated with Les Mis. Such a powerful portrayal of shackles being removed and total grace. I cried during the movie as the impact of God's love was shown over and over again. <br /><br />The movie impacted me so much that it has changed the direction of our publishing house, HyalineHouse. We'll still be publishing fantastic books, nothing will change that, but we're going to incorporate another arm which will deal with abused women. <br /><br />Would I consider this too edgy to publish? No. The Bible is full of similar situations and the impact caused. <br /><br />Thanks for reminding me, once again, of God's incredible love. <br /><br />LeeThese thoughts lovingly crafted by mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04466128274858068056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-10063089726660335242013-01-23T09:16:10.618+10:002013-01-23T09:16:10.618+10:00Well said, Jo. I saw the non-musical film version ...Well said, Jo. I saw the non-musical film version with Liam Niesan some time ago, and then this new musical film version, and you are so right about the depth of grace expressed. Forgiveness, love and all of that. I guess we could pray that everyone who sees this magnificent piece of work will also hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he reminds them of His grace and compassion.Meredith Rescehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119649437940781847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-72399638856734345762013-01-23T08:39:52.648+10:002013-01-23T08:39:52.648+10:00Jo, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on Les ...Jo, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on Les Mis. You go right for the core - the central story of grace and forgiveness that is at the heart of the gospel. I remember being blown away by the stage show of Les Mis many years ago and like you left pondering the full implications of the story for weeks afterwards. <br /><br />You make an interesting point would today's Christian Publishers consider this story too edgy to publish? <br /><br />Thanks for an insightful review<br /><br />JeanetteJeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-2629431713340532382013-01-23T08:37:24.943+10:002013-01-23T08:37:24.943+10:00Actually Jo, I think you a pretty good at stringin...Actually Jo, I think you a pretty good at stringing words together in a powerful fashion already. And yes, Les Misrables struck me in the same profound way. Thanks for sharing. XXOOAmanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-11914256850964474902013-01-23T08:35:06.249+10:002013-01-23T08:35:06.249+10:00Hi Jo,
It's a great privilege to be able to wo...Hi Jo,<br />It's a great privilege to be able to work with words. To be able to elicit emotion from readers is just part of it. I saw "Les Mis" back when it was a stage production, with some mates from youth group. I haven't seen the new movie yet. Powerful old classic indeed.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.com