a book and a blog and a pot-bellied frog

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Well, folks. As of last Thursday, my book manuscript is in the hands of my agent. All 252 pages, 71,000 + words of it. She’s supposed to read it this week. Then, if she’s satisfied it’s ready, she’ll start pitching it to publishers and film production companies. And the roller coaster climbs the next hill . . .

In other news, a growing number of Christian writers and a few brave editors believe the world of Christian literature, particularly the CBA, needs a little shaking up. One group of visionary artists has launched a brand new blog discussing what it means to be a “Master’s Artist.” I met these folks through an online writer’s group, and as we dialogued, we discovered we all shared a similar frustration over the quality of Christian “literature” and the unrealistic limitations put on writers regarding content. I posted an essay today on the topic of light and darkness. If you’re interested, come check us out at The Master’s Artist.

I don’t really have anything to say about the pot-bellied frog. I just put him in the subject line because he rhymed so nicely. So, here’s a haiku just for him:

a pot-bellied frog
sat in a muddy puddle
contemplating life

It could happen.

Ciao. EZ

0 thoughts on “a book and a blog and a pot-bellied frog”

  1. Anonymous

    I’m here, I’m here!

    Hi Jeanne: I don’t have a live journal ID, so this has to be from Anonymous. Sorry. It’s Jen, and I’m here because you made me feel bad for not visiting yet.

    I really like the blog you’re involved with. You seem like a rowdy bunch. Hope the CBA is ready for you, or at least digging a figurative moat around themselves to prepare for battle with you.

    OK, that’s cheesy … I’m involved with the blog too. So sue me for plugging it. I’d like it even if I weren’t involved.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    I’m here, I’m here!

    Hi Jeanne: I don’t have a live journal ID, so this has to be from Anonymous. Sorry. It’s Jen, and I’m here because you made me feel bad for not visiting yet.

    I really like the blog you’re involved with. You seem like a rowdy bunch. Hope the CBA is ready for you, or at least digging a figurative moat around themselves to prepare for battle with you.

    OK, that’s cheesy … I’m involved with the blog too. So sue me for plugging it. I’d like it even if I weren’t involved.

    Reply
  3. jeannedamoff

    Re: I’m here, I’m here!

    Jen, you crack me up! The CBA will need more than a figurative moat to defend itself against you. :o)

    Thanks for peeking in on my tamer world.

    ♥ EZ

    Reply
  4. jeannedamoff

    Re: I’m here, I’m here!

    Jen, you crack me up! The CBA will need more than a figurative moat to defend itself against you. :o)

    Thanks for peeking in on my tamer world.

    ♥ EZ

    Reply
  5. cocinelle

    The Master’s Artist

    Thanks for passing this on. We will be sure to check it out. Chris is looking at grad schools for his MFA in creative writing so maybe looking at this will keep him hopeful. He is despairing over trying to enter a school where he will be a minority (meaning not gay, Asian, African-American, trans-gendered or someone who builds a career off of them). But, who knows? Maybe they have scholarships now for red-headed thirtysomethings with three kids and a silly little wife? Look at me, the eternal optimist! 🙂

    Reply
  6. cocinelle

    The Master’s Artist

    Thanks for passing this on. We will be sure to check it out. Chris is looking at grad schools for his MFA in creative writing so maybe looking at this will keep him hopeful. He is despairing over trying to enter a school where he will be a minority (meaning not gay, Asian, African-American, trans-gendered or someone who builds a career off of them). But, who knows? Maybe they have scholarships now for red-headed thirtysomethings with three kids and a silly little wife? Look at me, the eternal optimist! 🙂

    Reply
  7. jeannedamoff

    Re: The Master’s Artist

    I thought of you and Chris when I posted the link. I believe he would find kindred spirits among these people. There are some adventurous souls out there making waves. It’s pretty cool.

    Reply
  8. jeannedamoff

    Re: The Master’s Artist

    I thought of you and Chris when I posted the link. I believe he would find kindred spirits among these people. There are some adventurous souls out there making waves. It’s pretty cool.

    Reply
  11. jeannedamoff

    It’s not really a “community” per se. The founder, Jules Quincy Stephens, who happens to be the “Jen” of the first comment on this thread, invited a group of people to be co-contributors. She doesn’t want to add more contributors, but the hope is that other writers will chime in with comments, increasing the dialog among Christian writers concerning Christian publishing.

    The various contributors have connections throughout the publishing world and are in the process of spreading the word about the blog. Dave Long, who is mentioned in one of the posts, is an acquisitions editor at Bethany House. He is specifically looking for writers with a fresh, edgier voice. Jen, Deborah, and Mary (all on the Master’s Artist) comment on his blog frequently, and he has expressed interest in some of their works (all novels). If you’ve never heard of him, check out his blog: http://www.faithinfiction.blogspot.com. You’ll be encouraged! He’s planning to start an online critique group for his blog readers, too. You might want to jump in. He invites personal e-mails from people who believe their writing fits what he’s looking for.

    So, that’s a long answer to a short question. But please do jump in with comments and make yourself as much a part of things as you wish. This is definitely the goal.

    Hope the finals are going well!

    Love, EZ

    Reply
  12. jeannedamoff

    It’s not really a “community” per se. The founder, Jules Quincy Stephens, who happens to be the “Jen” of the first comment on this thread, invited a group of people to be co-contributors. She doesn’t want to add more contributors, but the hope is that other writers will chime in with comments, increasing the dialog among Christian writers concerning Christian publishing.

    The various contributors have connections throughout the publishing world and are in the process of spreading the word about the blog. Dave Long, who is mentioned in one of the posts, is an acquisitions editor at Bethany House. He is specifically looking for writers with a fresh, edgier voice. Jen, Deborah, and Mary (all on the Master’s Artist) comment on his blog frequently, and he has expressed interest in some of their works (all novels). If you’ve never heard of him, check out his blog: http://www.faithinfiction.blogspot.com. You’ll be encouraged! He’s planning to start an online critique group for his blog readers, too. You might want to jump in. He invites personal e-mails from people who believe their writing fits what he’s looking for.

    So, that’s a long answer to a short question. But please do jump in with comments and make yourself as much a part of things as you wish. This is definitely the goal.

    Hope the finals are going well!

    Love, EZ

    Reply

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