Comments on: The Dynamic of Myth http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/ Discovering Great Fiction Together! Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Latayne C Scott http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2231 Latayne C Scott Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:02:34 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2231 Katy, your post showed why you are such an extraordinary writer -- you have the ability to engage a reader with a sense of the wondrous. Your post sparked creativity in me, called me to something higher and nobler. Thank you! Katy, your post showed why you are such an extraordinary writer — you have the ability to engage a reader with a sense of the wondrous. Your post sparked creativity in me, called me to something higher and nobler. Thank you!

]]> By: PatriciaW http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2193 PatriciaW Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:50:23 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2193 It has been an interesting discussion week. You said, "...the stories I admire most, the stories I want to write, are distinctly suited to people who love the myths in the Bible." The problem, I think, is that this in actuality is a very broad category of people, not all of whom are Christians. There are many who love and believe the Biblical stories to varying degrees, especially Old Testament, but who do not practice Christianity. Some may refer to themselves as Christians; others, not. Do they look for and purchase CBA books? Because, let me tell you, one has to go out of his/her way to do so in the average, non-Christian bookstore. I think there's a much bigger audience for the books that you and other CBA authors write, but there's a disconnect in the marketplace. It has been an interesting discussion week. You said, “…the stories I admire most, the stories I want to write, are distinctly suited to people who love the myths in the Bible.” The problem, I think, is that this in actuality is a very broad category of people, not all of whom are Christians. There are many who love and believe the Biblical stories to varying degrees, especially Old Testament, but who do not practice Christianity. Some may refer to themselves as Christians; others, not. Do they look for and purchase CBA books? Because, let me tell you, one has to go out of his/her way to do so in the average, non-Christian bookstore. I think there’s a much bigger audience for the books that you and other CBA authors write, but there’s a disconnect in the marketplace.

]]> By: Kathleen Popa http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2191 Kathleen Popa Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:37:02 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2191 Thanks everyone, for your comments and kind words. Kathleen - you with the lovely name - you are right: the books I mentioned caught the breath of the world, or at least those parts of the world that read them. Walking on Water is one of the best ever on Christianity and the Arts. We are not Christian Writers. We are writers who are Christian. Cynthia, Ruthless Trust is another great book. "Artists, Mystics and Clowns" - I wish they'd offered <i>that</i> as a major when I was in college! What better calling? I think you touched on the reason I love fiction best of all. Non-fiction tends to insist that we sort out what we're talking about, and it seems to me that leads to the "God in a box" problem. Fiction allows us to invite the Holy Spirit to be our muse, and then to explore, to swim in the great ocean without having to measure the volume or map the contours. Ariel, thank you for all you and Marybeth do to promote the best in fiction in the CBA market. Thanks everyone, for your comments and kind words.

Kathleen – you with the lovely name – you are right: the books I mentioned caught the breath of the world, or at least those parts of the world that read them. Walking on Water is one of the best ever on Christianity and the Arts. We are not Christian Writers. We are writers who are Christian.

Cynthia, Ruthless Trust is another great book. “Artists, Mystics and Clowns” – I wish they’d offered that as a major when I was in college! What better calling? I think you touched on the reason I love fiction best of all. Non-fiction tends to insist that we sort out what we’re talking about, and it seems to me that leads to the “God in a box” problem. Fiction allows us to invite the Holy Spirit to be our muse, and then to explore, to swim in the great ocean without having to measure the volume or map the contours.

Ariel, thank you for all you and Marybeth do to promote the best in fiction in the CBA market.

]]> By: ariel http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2190 ariel Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:56:42 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2190 An absolutely beautiful - and true - post. Thank you Katy, for being here to today and for helping us remember why Christian authors are so important, so needed in this industry. As I read this post, I was reminded that some of the novels I love best have taken on "mythic" proportions over time. And they've done so because they were effective. I felt those stories. And to this day I need those stories. Cynthia - thank you as well for such clear insight. Our words matter. Our stories matter. And God will lead each writer to the well of stories meant for them. An absolutely beautiful – and true – post. Thank you Katy, for being here to today and for helping us remember why Christian authors are so important, so needed in this industry. As I read this post, I was reminded that some of the novels I love best have taken on “mythic” proportions over time. And they’ve done so because they were effective. I felt those stories. And to this day I need those stories.

Cynthia – thank you as well for such clear insight. Our words matter. Our stories matter. And God will lead each writer to the well of stories meant for them.

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2187 Cynthia Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:07:35 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2187 Brennan Manning writes in his book 'Ruthless Trust' about the need and importance of "Artists, Mystics, and Clowns". In this chapter of his book I believe he helps us understand the need of Christian Authors sharing in the gift of Artful writing that will touch not only Christian readers but also the non-believer readers. He uses examples of Russian author Dostoevsky and author Leo Tolstoy as such passionate visionaries. 'Rahner, one of the most important theologians of the twentieth century, declared that we need these artists and mystics to disrupt our complacency. "Eternal God, let them say what You Spirit has given in their hearts," he prayed, "rather than that which would make pleasant hearing to those who represent the forces of all that is average." Then, Brennan asks; "Is God different from what we perceive?" We see God through Christ and the Word, but yet none have seen God and lived. We can't put God in a box, so The Spirit lead with wisdom and knowledge that which will transend our understanding, that will move and captivated the audience God has predestined it to impact. Keep writing and thanks for the insights. Brennan Manning writes in his book ‘Ruthless Trust’ about the need and importance of “Artists, Mystics, and Clowns”. In this chapter of his book I believe he helps us understand the need of Christian Authors sharing in the gift of Artful writing that will touch not only Christian readers but also the non-believer readers. He uses examples of Russian author Dostoevsky and author Leo Tolstoy as such passionate visionaries. ‘Rahner, one of the most important theologians of the twentieth century, declared that we need these artists and mystics to disrupt our complacency. “Eternal God, let them say what You Spirit has given in their hearts,” he prayed, “rather than that which would make pleasant hearing to those who represent the forces of all that is average.” Then, Brennan asks; “Is God different from what we perceive?” We see God through Christ and the Word, but yet none have seen God and lived. We can’t put God in a box, so The Spirit lead with wisdom and knowledge that which will transend our understanding, that will move and captivated the audience God has predestined it to impact. Keep writing and thanks for the insights.

]]> By: Carla Gade http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2185 Carla Gade Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:30:57 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2185 Kathleen, that is very interesting about myths. You educated me, so thank you. It was nice to see you here today. Blessings, Carla Kathleen, that is very interesting about myths. You educated me, so thank you. It was nice to see you here today.

Blessings,
Carla

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/the-dynamic-of-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-2181 Kathleen Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:11:10 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=611#comment-2181 Yes, but the books you mentioned caught the breath of the world, not only the tiny country of Christianity~ thank God! Isn't that the point? Madeleine L'Engle in 'Walking on Water' writes with such clarity on this point, right? The whole christian artist, christian writer, christian marketplace thing was so frustrating to her. It is for me also. God speaks through art. Period. Food for thought..... Yes, but the books you mentioned caught the breath of the world, not only the tiny country of Christianity~ thank God! Isn’t that the point? Madeleine L’Engle in ‘Walking on Water’ writes with such clarity on this point, right? The whole christian artist, christian writer, christian marketplace thing was so frustrating to her. It is for me also. God speaks through art. Period.

Food for thought…..

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