tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post7036955604000157228..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: The Magic of StorytellingJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-19762087469376395892011-09-16T08:47:16.440+10:002011-09-16T08:47:16.440+10:00I should say I struggle to read long fiction. I st...I should say I struggle to read long fiction. I struggle to hold all the characters in my head. I get confused about who is who. My wife says, 'no way, I can imagine it all in my head like a movie.' [I prefer the movie]. So maybe some of us don't have the head space for long fiction. I prefer short 'fiction', stories - which good non-fiction incorporates to make it come alive!Paul Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031040214613517546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-3857737482499985232011-09-16T08:45:00.613+10:002011-09-16T08:45:00.613+10:00Great post, story transforms, even with children. ...Great post, story transforms, even with children. Educators say children can't understand complex arguments on things like the problem of pain - they are correct, but they grasp story. We just did the story of Joseph over 4 weeks for our local kids club. The kids loved it - and they were left with a story that gives them a framework for making sense of pain, tragedy, injustice - facing it with resilient faith, and curing the bitterness with forgiveness because somehow God makes it all 'right' in the end. Wow. That's why I keep telling these ancient old stories.Paul Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031040214613517546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-46597219542339847742011-09-12T06:57:49.143+10:002011-09-12T06:57:49.143+10:00It doesn't matter whether the work is fiction ...It doesn't matter whether the work is fiction or non-ficion, the important thing is that the work touches the heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-45387446719448177892011-09-08T10:04:11.852+10:002011-09-08T10:04:11.852+10:00I'm always amazed when people say they don'...I'm always amazed when people say they don't read fiction. <br /><br />It's allowed a lot of teens and abused women to escape from the harsh realities of their world, into a safer realm when no one gets hurt. <br /><br />It allows writers to get their point across without being preachy or condescending. <br /><br />If it has God's stamp on it, well who are we to say otherwise?SRIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577173231370982410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78174498994163419152011-09-07T11:48:10.339+10:002011-09-07T11:48:10.339+10:00For around 10 years I didn't read a lot of fic...For around 10 years I didn't read a lot of fiction - I was surrounded by highly motivated people who only read self help books, and Christians who thought fiction was a waste of time - Thank goodness I saw the light! So much to learn from fiction - both Christian and mainstreamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-18651002739746526842011-09-07T11:04:55.129+10:002011-09-07T11:04:55.129+10:00It freaks me out that there would be people out th...It freaks me out that there would be people out there who don’t like fiction. My over active imagination is almost affronted by the notion – of cause upon reflection I realize that the Lord uses every medium. I’m just made to love a story. As a Christian writer it’s the ultimate when someone tells you they learnt a valuable message from your story, or saw themselves in a character. Let’s face it – our world would be very dull without its storytellers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-91870008196002654422011-09-06T13:56:28.998+10:002011-09-06T13:56:28.998+10:00Hi Jennifer Ann. I agree, you can get your message...Hi Jennifer Ann. I agree, you can get your message across with subtlety through fiction. Thanks.<br /><br />Penny - :) Thanks.<br /><br />Hi Rita - 'nuff said indeed! I like that - if it's good enought for Jesus ...<br /><br />Thanks Dots. The Bible has soooo many stories - quite captivating ones at that. I know my kids love to hear their Bible stories. :)<br /><br />Hi Melanie. Yes, and Jesus didn't even explain the meaning of the parables to the general public, only to His disciples. So, I guess He just let the message soak into their hearts, making them want to know more.Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-7966565192988694912011-09-06T13:06:33.408+10:002011-09-06T13:06:33.408+10:00my husband prefers to read biographies, though he ...my husband prefers to read biographies, though he will read fiction. But if you think about it a lot of Jesus' teachings was done in parables which are short stories of fiction (though it could have happened). <br />Well just like Rita said.<br /><br />Great post and just because one writes fiction doesn't make it wrong.<br />MELMelanie Carter Winklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011605544837222792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-47446358146558718702011-09-06T11:58:55.778+10:002011-09-06T11:58:55.778+10:00Beautiful post Amanda! I couldn't agree more. ...Beautiful post Amanda! I couldn't agree more. I've had someone tell me they never touch fiction too. They only read Bible Study books and biographies. But each time we open the Bible to hear from God we brush against a story... or two. I love your illustration of the pastor who sang his message to his audience. God has blessed us with so many ways of sharing His story. Keep at it, girl!!Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-72471937120332513032011-09-06T11:19:11.921+10:002011-09-06T11:19:11.921+10:00I always joke with my hub, "You write facts a...I always joke with my hub, "You write facts and I write fibs!" Seriously though, Amanda, everyone loves a story. Even the woman who doesn't READ fiction, would probably watch a movie. If t'was good 'nuff for Jesus...'nuff said!"Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-30786836625205472052011-09-06T09:35:53.717+10:002011-09-06T09:35:53.717+10:00Yep. I like.
:)Yep. I like. <br />:)Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-22110116930297460532011-09-06T07:31:25.358+10:002011-09-06T07:31:25.358+10:00Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the post, I too have met peo...Hi Amanda,<br />Thanks for the post, I too have met people who never read fiction and I believe you can get your message across in fiction in a gentle and thought provoking way.<br />Thanks Jennifer AnnJennifer Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09284057776201270126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-69197956738603566282011-09-05T22:51:47.128+10:002011-09-05T22:51:47.128+10:00Thanks for all your help Narelle, and thanks for t...Thanks for all your help Narelle, and thanks for the encouargement. :)<br /><br />Hi Jackie. I too, want to write better and better - honing that gift to have a sharp edge. :)<br /><br />Thanks Margaret. All the best with your writing endeavours. Sounds intriguing. :)Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-57379378213092194542011-09-05T21:46:54.621+10:002011-09-05T21:46:54.621+10:00So true, Amanda! That's exactly why I am tryin...So true, Amanda! That's exactly why I am trying to write serious stuff in a way that engages the imagination. Kind of a mix between story telling and copy writing. Whether I'll be successful at it is yet to be determined:) Thanks for the encouraging post!Margaret Lepkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08147233663724759684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-80379811945435038612011-09-05T21:16:05.656+10:002011-09-05T21:16:05.656+10:00Thanks Amanda. I'm very encouraged by what you...Thanks Amanda. I'm very encouraged by what you've said. it's just brilliant and makes me want to write better and better!Jackie Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11050358718360976661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-29216852893457923472011-09-05T20:52:41.433+10:002011-09-05T20:52:41.433+10:00Amanda, great post! We can learn so much through r...Amanda, great post! We can learn so much through reading well written stories that touch our hearts :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-57914210095253255122011-09-05T16:40:51.605+10:002011-09-05T16:40:51.605+10:00LOL Ray. So true. Some non-fiction is really dry a...LOL Ray. So true. Some non-fiction is really dry and hard to get through. And badly written fiction can make you throw it at the wall. I guess it goes both ways. :)Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-88857517734427196472011-09-05T16:36:38.302+10:002011-09-05T16:36:38.302+10:00Hi Amanda. Whether it's fiction or non fiction...Hi Amanda. Whether it's fiction or non fiction surely the appeal is how the story is told. To simply dismiss fiction is to rob oneself from books which have changed the world - for good or ill - because they were well written. I've read some non fiction material which is like loading the mind with concrete rather than inspiring it.<br />Keep stirring the heart.<br />Ray HawkinsRay Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17720158812896505028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-33454884970992056562011-09-05T16:16:55.890+10:002011-09-05T16:16:55.890+10:00Hi Anusha. Non-fiction can use storytelling, too. ...Hi Anusha. Non-fiction can use storytelling, too. I've read some that teach a bit and then use a story as an example. So easy to read. Thanks for the encouragement.Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-31770888487475852002011-09-05T12:12:47.446+10:002011-09-05T12:12:47.446+10:00Well done Amanda. Good on you! That lady needs to ...Well done Amanda. Good on you! That lady needs to learn a thing or two I think. Stories are what life is made up of isn't it? And yes, she is missing out on heaps.<br /> I do write lots of non fiction more easily than I write fiction, I must confess. But I love fiction. And love reading stories. So keep on writing, Amanda! The world surely needs more of it. <br />Blessings and thanks for sharing,<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-65740044909309150182011-09-05T08:27:29.188+10:002011-09-05T08:27:29.188+10:00Thanks Jo. I've learned heaps from reading fic...Thanks Jo. I've learned heaps from reading fiction, too. It's easy to tune out when it's just straight dry teaching. :)<br /><br />Thanks Carol. I like that - "it can sneak up on us". And yes, so many times I read fiction and then go and research to find out more of the truth behind it. :)Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-6688334453141411182011-09-05T08:20:08.897+10:002011-09-05T08:20:08.897+10:00I agree. I believe we can learn so much from stori...I agree. I believe we can learn so much from stories, because there's always an element of truth at least and it can sneak up on us as in the story told by Nathan the prophet and teach us things we'd never be open to in another form. Fiction can also wet out appetite to learn more about lots of things that would seem dry and uninteresting in academic books. Love your stories Amanda. They're a great example.Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-42907800435522269062011-09-05T07:56:03.181+10:002011-09-05T07:56:03.181+10:00Inspiring post Amanda! I have learnt so much from ...Inspiring post Amanda! I have learnt so much from writing fiction. Now the work is done I'm amazed at the message it carries underneath the surface story. <br />I remember reading 'Christy' by Catherine Marshall years ago. It had such a profound impact on my life-much more than the theology I read at the same time! Thanks for sharing. :)Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.com