Preparing for Enemy Territory

Entering enemy territory is dangerous.

This may appear like a “duh” statement on the surface. However, you’d be surprised at how many people will cross the boundaries freely, even carelessly—as long as real guns, bombs, or the potential for physical torture and death aren’t involved.

Yet shouldn’t we show more concern for our minds and souls than our physical bodies? For our human bodies are temporary and can be destroyed only once by men. But our souls—they are eternal and can be thrown into hell forever, a fate much worse than any torture mankind can dish out. (Matthew 10:28)

Therefore, wouldn’t it make sense that we should approach the ideological and theological battle grounds with as much or more caution than a physical one? After all, just like in the physical world, we can be wounded, captured, and turned against God by the enemy, both psychologically and spiritually and often with more devastating results.

So when considering the risks, I am prompted to ask a question: Are you really the one to enter the enemy’s territory?

Don’t answer quickly or glibly. Or if you do, then the answer is probably no; you have failed to consider the consequences and are unready to face the enemy.

But some, maybe even many, will hesitate. That’s good. A sensitive spirit and a willingness to consider the cost are both desirable in this tightrope business. However, that hesitation will probably prompt an answering question: How do I know if I should do this?

Like so many other areas of life, there is no simple solution to so complex a question. What I can provide, though, is a few thoughts to chew on.

1. Is this your area to spy out? Moses sent only twelve men to check out Canaan (Numbers 13), and just two went to Jericho (Joshua 2:1). So is this territory one you need to spy out personally, or can you rely on the reports of others?

2. Is this the right time for you to go? Walking through enemy territory will require alertness, quick reflexes, gut instincts, and defensive reactions. If current circumstances have left you wounded or if you’ve failed to keep spiritually fit through the disciplines like Bible study and prayer, consider putting off exploration until a later date.

3. Has prayer preceded the decision? God knows what lies ahead for you and whether you’re ready to face these challenges. Therefore pray for wisdom and clear direction and ask others to do the same for you.

If your answer to all these questions is a resounding yes, then this might be the time to cross the boundaries. If not, consider leaving this territory for others. After all, if everyone was a spy, where would the army be?

5 Questions for Tom Pawlik

Today Tom Pawlik, the author of Vanish, has agreed to answer a few of my questions.

Chawna: Thanks for taking the time to do this. I know authors are busy people, and answering interview questions can consume quite a bit of time.

I would consider Vanish a dark book, in a way that many readers will shy away from it. What makes it worth the reader's while-and risk-to plunge with you into that darkness?

Tom: Vanish does deal with some dark themes and is certainly not for everyone. Those who want to read about bonnets and buggies should probably stay away. There are plenty of authors churning historical romances out by the truckload. I think readers who are interested in speculative fiction won't be put off by a dark-themed story like this--rather they are probably expecting it. My goal isn't to shy away from the darkness but face it straight on in order to show that God has, does and always will overcome evil. The reader will be taken to some disturbing places but the story's underlying message is one of encouragement, which is what will make it worth their while.

C: I found the ending of Vanish very hard to cope with personally. Why did you choose to end this book here?

T: I assume you're referring to the last chapter. 2 basic reasons: 1.) I wanted to leave the reader a little unsettled and hopefully keep the story lingering in their minds, driving the point home: redeem the time, make the most of every opportunity. And 2.) I wanted to leave the door open for the sequel, which was released this month.

C: Stories often impact the author as well as the reader. How has writing Vanish affected you?

T: Writing the story helped me focus on keeping my priorities straight. Not to sacrifice time with my wife and children for my career.

C: If you could recommend one other book for your readers beside the Bible and your own work, what would it be and why?


T: There are so many great works by great authors, that's a hard question to answer. But I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis and so might be predisposed to recommend Mere Christianity.

C: What is one question you wished you had been asked but never have been, and what is the answer?

T: What is the best part of becoming a published author? Hearing from readers. It's such a great encouragement to get emails from readers. Especially those who write to tell me how the book made an impact on them in some positive way.

C: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

T: I always like to put in a plug for the Christian Writers Guild. It's a great ministry for aspiring Christian writers and I highly recommend it.


C: I've taken the apprenticeship level course as well, and it is a good, solid program for beginners. I've heard nothing but good about the other course and the related conference as well.

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions! It's always a privilege to talk to another author.

Vanish

Title: Vanish

Series: Book #1 in untitled series
(Book #2, Valley of the Shadow, released this month, June 2009)

Author: Tom Pawlik

Genre: Adult Horror

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Vanish:

It all began with a feeling. Just an eerie feeling.

Conner Hayden peered out his office window at the hazy downtown Chicago vista. Heat plumes radiated from tar-covered rooftops baking in the midafternoon sun. A late-summer heat wave had every AC unit in the city running at full capacity.

He narrowed his eyes. Every unit except the one on the building across the street. On that roof, a lone maintenance worker in blue coveralls crouched beside the bulky air conditioner with his toolbox open beside him.

Conner watched the man toil in the oppressive August heat. Something hadn’t felt right all day. Despite the relative seclusion of his thirty-ninth-floor office, Conner couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

Three people are caught in a world inhabited by hallucinations and gray, faceless monsters.

The Craft: First, a caveat—I do not read very much fiction on this end of the speculative category. I scare easily (a by-product of my writer’s overactive imagination) and simply dislike the whole premise of the horror subgenre—i.e. a world with a very evil supernatural element from which there is no escape and no way out. (Christian horror adds the proviso of no way out except by the power of God.) As a result, my review will probably be slightly biased, if for no other reason than my inability to do comparable comparisons.

However, some elements of storytelling do not change. Characters, plotting, and descriptions exist in very genre, and many rules of good craft apply no matter the kind of story being told.

Overall, Vanish strikes me as a book with above average writing. Vividness, tightness, and clarity mark the craft at the micro level, while the characters are complex and the plot is convoluted (in a good way) at the macro level. I had difficulty putting the pieces together ahead of the characters, and the characters have plenty of surprised in store for the reader.

My one complaint is that, about halfway through the book, the tension sagged. My attention wandered, and I started to not care what happened to the characters. I think the major reason might be the stakes, those things the characters risk gaining or losing depending on the choices they make.

In a story, one key to keeping tension is to increase the stakes consistently; that at every step a character takes, what will be lost or gained becomes greater. For example, a character’s pet project might be in jeopardy at the story’s start. But as the story progress, not only does the project stand to be destroyed, but also the character’s job. Then things get worse and worse: They risk being blackballed by their industry, their reputation is shaky in the community, their family’s relationships are threatened, and finally they hazard their own life.

Vanish does a good job increasing the stakes at the beginning. But somewhere in the middle, those stakes plateau. It doesn’t matter the decision, the cost doesn’t increase significantly enough to maintain the tension. The resulting danger is loss of reader attention and the temptation to put the book down.

But if the reader will stick with the story, Mr. Pawlik quickly picks up the pace again in a hard rush to the end that will not disappoint.

The Content: Again, I don’t generally read these stories. So I may not be the most qualified judge. However, I found this story on the verge of suffocating and oppressive because of the levels of darkness.

Yes, I understand, this is necessary for horror. It’s one of the expected elements of the subgenre. And truthfully, I probably would have been fine too, if the book had ended differently.

As it is, the light was not sufficient for me to counterbalance the oppressive darkness. Rather, Vanish ends like a true horror: characters stuck with no way out. This gives the appearance of no hope and that the darkness has won—a direct contradiction of moral law. (Moral laws are those spiritual rules written into the world like scientific law—e.g. if you sin, you must die. In this case, the moral law being defied is that the light is stronger than the darkness and always wins in the end.) As a result, I finished the story with stomach churning and feeling quite ill.

I understand now this ending is in place because there is a second book in the series, Valley of the Shadow—originally I thought this was a stand-alone—so that helps. There’s still hope for everything to turn out. Nonetheless, I can’t help wondering if the story couldn’t have ended on at least a little strong note of light and hope. Maybe it could; maybe it couldn’t. I really don’t know.

(For more on my opinions on darkness in fiction, I strongly recommend reading the essay I wrote on that topic for an earlier tour.)

However, if you can get past the intense darkness and overbearing sense of hopelessness, Vanish is a strong story with much to say. There are many themes and thought-provoking topics embedded in it, such as making the most of time, death and life, the brevity of time, and the unpredictable nature of life because, quite simply, we don’t control it.

Summary: Some minor tension loss aside, Vanish is a powerfully written story that will be long seared into a reader’s mind. Only be forewarned: Caution must be exercised. This book is not for everyone as the darkness is intense, true to the horror genre, and the ending is incomplete, leaving a bitter edge of hopelessness in the reader’s mouth.

Rating: Craft—5, Content—2, Overall—3.2 out of 5 stars

Starring Tom Pawlik

This week is the Christian Science-Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour. The CSFF tour is a group of bloggers who band together once a month to discuss and analyze a book from some of the latest Christian speculative fiction, kind of like a giant, virtual bookclub.

This month we’re featuring Tom Pawlik and his Christy-nominated horror novel, Vanished. (The Christy Awards are Christian fiction’s equivalent of the Oscars recognizing excellence in the CBA market.)

I’ll be posting my traditional review tomorrow, followed by a short interview with Mr. Pawlik on Wednesday. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out his website and blog or the blogs of my fellow tour members (listed below). In the past, I’ve enjoyed the posts of Rebecca Miller, Rachel Starr Thomson, Keanan Brand, & Brandon Barr.

Brandon Barr, Justin Boyer, Keanan Brand, Grace Bridges, Karri Compton, Amy Cruson, CSFF Blog Tour, Stacey Dale, D. G. D. Davidson, Jeff Draper, April Erwin, Karina Fabian, Alex Field, Beth Goddard , Todd Michael Greene, Ryan Heart, Christopher Hopper, Joleen Howell, Becky Jesse, Cris Jesse, Julie, Carol Keen, Krystine Kercher, Margaret, Rebecca LuElla Miller, Eve Nielsen, Nissa, John W. Otte, John Ottinger, Donita K. Paul, Epic Rat, Steve Rice, Crista Richey, Hanna Sandvig, James Somers, Speculative Faith, Rachel Starr Thomson, Robert Treskillard, Steve Trower, Fred Warren, and Phyllis Wheeler

The Door in the Dragon’s Throat

Title: The Door in the Dragon’s Throat

Series: The Cooper Kids Adventures #1

Author: Frank Peretti

Genre: Mid-grade Supernatural Adventure

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of The Door in the Dragon’s Throat:

In the arid and strife-torn Middle East, land of Bible adventures, wards, camels and kings, in the tiny, secluded, and landlocked nation of Nepur, a nation known for its strange customs and ancient mysteries, pompous President Al-Dallam, Chief Magistrate and Bearer of the Royal Sceptre, sat and fidgeted at his huge marble desk in the presidential palace.

An incredibly wealthy oil sheik, President Al-Dallam always wore a long, diamond-studded, purple robe, gold rings on his fingers, and a very impressive silk turban on his head. He loved being his country’s president, he loved being rich, he loved being powerful. Right now, his huge desk was piled with important papers and business of state that needed his official attention, but he couldn’t concentrate on any of those things. His mind was too flooded with thoughts of becoming even richer.

An archeologist and his two kids are commissioned to unlock a mysterious underground door surrounded with legend and death.

The Craft: The Door in the Dragon’s Throat doesn’t contain the best writing on the market. Head-hopping (jumping from seeing through one character’s eyes to another’s within a scene) is prevalent, the text isn’t the tightest ever written, and the storyteller’s voice, as fun as it is, tends to tell the story instead of showing it. But truthfully, this isn’t all surprising; the book was written over twenty years ago and is among some of Mr. Peretti’s earliest stories.

So the fact that this story is still readily available is a strong testimony to Mr. Peretti’s excellent ability to tell a good story. For despite the technical flaws, the story is attention-grabbing and attention-holding. It has a couple interesting twists that surprised me, and the characters are real enough to make you care what happens to them.

The Content: The Christianity is quite overt in this book as the characters openly talk about the superiority of God, the reality of evil, and the power of prayer. In a couple places, it borders on preachiness and the conversion in the middle seems a touch contrived. However, in a world where evil is increasing bolder, this book has much to offer.

One note of caution: this book deals with the very real and very strong presence of evil in a way that may frighten some 8-12 year-olds. I know if I had read it at that age, I would have probably had nightmares for several days. However, I’m easily unnerved by such things, and Mr. Peretti handles everything well, without being overly descriptive. So it will depend on the child.

Summary: A good story, though no the best writing, matched with good content makes a worthwhile read, especially for those who enjoy adventure and don’t easily scare.

Rating: Craft—2, Content—4, Overall—3.5 out of 5 stars

A Gift

I'm being featured on a blog.

It is almost more than I can grasp. While I have plenty of dreams of being published and my books doing well someday, that day is still sometime in the future. Probably far into the future. Yet one of the members of the Christian Sci-fi & Fantasy tour, Rachel Starr Thomason, has graciously decided to feature me on her blog--for three days!

One would have been amazing enough. After all, the world does not see me as anyone special. I'm just another unknown trying to land that agent and first publishing contract. But Rachel has devoted the next three days to me on her blog. (Please go see her; I don't want her to be disappointed!) Today she's writing on my experiment with the home school market. Then tomorrow she'll show off one of my essays, and Friday will highlight my recommendations in Christian speculative fiction.

Wow. God has been doing thing beyond my wildest imagination. Again. His gifts never cease to amaze me.

Elusive Characters

The start of a new story is an exciting time. The plot is just unfolding, and new twists wait around every corner. Possibilities, still free from the confines of paper, abound. Exploration and discovery mark each task. And oh, perhaps best of all, I can stare out the window, daydreaming to my heart’s content, and claim, “I’m working.”

But the start of a new story can be equally frustrating—especially when the characters refuse to cooperate.

Some authors I know start with plot, but personally, I’m a character person. The plot must flow naturally from the people who are living it—from their personality, their decisions, their hopes and fears. So while I may initially start with an intriguing premise or a heart-pounding climax, I sooner or later—usually sooner—must discover the people behind the plot snippets. How did they end up here? What decisions drove them, and what motivated those decisions? How will they act or react to this or that circumstance?

But during the past few weeks, my characters have remained stubbornly silent. I’d catch fragments of their lives here and there, but nothing seemed connected or related.

It’s been especially hard as this is one of the few stories I’ve begun without any inkling of a climax. For in a climax, fears are faced, hopes lost, character tested, secrets unveiled. In that single scene, the essence of the story is captured: who a character was is juxtaposed against who she will become. But with no climax, the characters can hide, elusive and secretive.

That is difficult when I’m trying to capture the overall picture of the story, for I cannot be certain the picture I’m seeing is even the right one!

But at long last, there’s hope. The protagonists—all five of them (what am I going to do with five of them?!)—are talking, even if a bit reluctantly, and there is a ring of truth in their words at last. For so long my main protagonist just wanted to talk facts, but finally she’s opened her heart to me, her fears and dreams and struggles. And once she started talking so did the others, taking their cue from her.

And now I’m beginning to understand their reluctance. I may be in over my head too, and I’m only the scribe! It shall definitely be a journey of discovery and exploration and growth.

But then again, isn’t that half the fun of this stage?

What is Enemy Territory?

Boundaries exist to protect us, to guide us through what can be rocky and rough terrain. But sometimes we need to briefly step off this path. Sometimes we need to cross into enemy territory.

But what exactly is enemy territory?

Unfortunately, the description of enemy territory is anything but exact. Our enemy is methodical, diabolical, crafty, and wily. He knows lures and traps. He knows how to make his lands look attractive and alluring. He is a master of disguise. So describing what his side looks like is impossible, for it is always changing.

Nonetheless, there are some characteristics that seem to pop up frequently. So if you see one of these, tread carefully—you might be headed into enemy territory:

1. Stories with known anti-biblical content. Note: When I say “anti-biblical,” I refer to the content contradicting clear biblical mandates (do not steal, do not commit adultery) or core doctrines of Christianity (the exclusivity of Christ, the facts of his death and resurrection). Commonly disputed issues such as eternal security, free-will/predestination, eschatology, and even creation vs. evolution to an extent are not classified here because it is possible for two people to believe opposite ends of the spectrum and still be a fully committed Christian.

2. Stories with controversial content. Christianity itself can be controversial, so this isn’t a black-and-white dividing line. However, Satan loves to stir up dissension, and that’s one of his best tools to destroy our effectiveness. So be careful! Controversy may be him trying to divide and conquer.

3. Obsessively popular stories, especially in secular circles. Again, while I’ve seen this happen occasionally with Christian material, far more often people under enemy control will support their leader rather then ours. So the obsessively popular is often a sign of material scratching itching ears, Satan’s propaganda rallying his troops.

4. Unfamiliar territory. While unknown authors and unfamiliar movies don’t equal the enemy’s work, you need to approach as if it were. For it is better to err on the side of caution and discover friends than to approach “friends” and be caught in the enemy’s snare.

5. Other warning signs. This would include things like gut instincts saying something is wrong to a review laying out some concerns. Again our enemy is wily and sometimes everything can appear fine on the surface. But God holds the master plans. Listen to the promptings of His Spirit; it may save your heart—and your skin.

Nightmare’s Edge

Title: Nightmare’s Edge

Series: Echoes from the Edge

Author: Bryan Davis

Genre: Teen (13-16) Alternate Reality/Sci-fi

Excerpt from “Waking Up Dead,” Chapter 1 of Nightmare’s Edge:

Nathan ducked under a low-hanging branch and pushed a dangling python out of the way with his bandaged hand. The snake hissed, startling him for a moment. With its beady eyes and flicking tongue, it seemed real, as tangible as everything else in this dim, dream-fueled jungle.

Just ahead on the narrow path, Cerulean paid no attention. After all, in the realm of dreams, even the forest was imaginary. To Nathan, however, all the details—from the thick, green foliage of overarching trees darkening their steps to the high humidity dampening his armpits—painted a three-dimensional landscape that felt as real as it looked.

Wiping his brow with a sleeve, Nathan pulled off the gray Iowa sweatshirt he had borrowed from Nathan of Earth Blue and tied the sleeves around his waist. Nathan Blue wouldn’t need the shirt back, since not long ago the murderous vision stalker Mictar had burned his eyes out with a life-absorbing touch.

Nathan peered into the murky jungle. Who could tell if that killer now stalked this dream world, ready to leap out from behind one of the tropical trees and repeat the attack? And—a more immediate problem—with just a slender candle in Cerulean’s grip lighting their way, how could two awake people find another one of their kind in this enormous, dark land?

A teenaged violinist and his friends must stop the imminent collision of three parallel worlds.

The Craft: Another score for Mr. Davis! While the language of Nightmare’s Edge lacks the spark or grace of some other authors I know (Lawhead, Polivka, Overstreet), it tells a great story (far more important, in my opinion). In fact, the simple, straightforward style may be best suited to this breathless adventure through portals and parallel worlds.

And it is a great adventure of rollercoaster drops and turns. Just when you think you’re headed in one direction, you’re pulled back in another. Even when you glimpse the track ahead, like on a real rollercoaster ride, there are only so many ways to prepare and the tale still manages to jerk you around a bit, in a good way.

But most of all, this book ends the trilogy well. Perhaps not to the deep satisfaction that Lawhead did in the King Raven Trilogy. But it’s by far better than most series I read. Loose ends are tied up and enough tension is resolved to release the big, happy sigh of finishing a good book. Readers will not be disappointed, and even those who like a little openness to their conclusions will find sufficient room to daydream of more adventures for the characters.

The Content: As is expected of a final books like this, Nightmare’s Edge carries a darker tone—just not as dark as the title suggests. Typical increasing violence and evil of approaching climax, but also the strongest spiritual threads of the trilogy. In here, the complexity of relationships, the marks of past wrongs, learning forgiveness and the grace we all need colors the pages. Compassion and living rightly meet face to face, and devotion is put to the test. But as it should, God and His light shines the brightest in the end.

Summary: The mind-bender premise and rollercoaster plot makes Nightmare's Edge a great read, especially for those with a bent toward suspense and the out-there what ifs. Great fun and a satisfying end—I can’t ask for much more.

Rating: Craft—4, Content—4, Overall—4.2 out of 5

See reviews for Beyond Reflection's Edge (book 1) and Eternity's Edge (book 2), or order the book (or the whole trilogy!) from Words of Whimsy.

The NICHE Experiment

I’m back from Iowa and the homeschool conference there, my last one of the season.

As always, such a conference is a learning experience for me. I do not consider myself a people-person—the noise of crowds and interactions with strangers tend to exhaust me, even if I enjoy it at times. So actively trying to sell books at a conference the size of NICHE (over 2000 last year) stretches me. But watching people react to my table has taught me much over the last two years, and my appreciation for a publisher’s marketing team has risen greatly. Why certain decisions are made, while I may not still like them, are much more understandable to me now.

But despite stretches and discouragement at times, NICHE was an enjoyable experience overall. Consistent foot traffic passed my table, more freebies were taken than ever before, and I had some great one-on-one conversations. Sales weren’t as high as I longed for them to be, but as I have found time and again, my primary work at these conferences is education, education, education. So it’s probably a good thing I spent the extra money for the vendor’s workshop—it gave me the chance to educate a larger group.

The workshop was my newest experiment. I’ve not done one at a conference before (although I did the four-hour class at a Salt Lake City church this spring), and I wasn’t sure how it would go over, especially since public speaking doesn’t rank in my top ten favorite activities. In fact, I hated it in school. I can’t count the number of times I begged my parents to not make me do it: “I’m going to be a writer. What do I need to learn public speaking for?” It turns out to be a good thing they forced me. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

Anyway, I presented a workshop on the power of story and the benefits of fiction at NICHE. It seemed to go over quite well based on reactions. I’ve not had the courage to listen to the recording yet. I do know it brought several people by my table later. But perhaps even more, this workshop emphasized to me that I really do enjoy talking about fiction and discernment in media, probably because of my passion for the topic. (Hint, hint: If anyone is interested in having me speak on this topic, I’m available! Send me an email and we’ll chat.)

So while NICHE may not have met every expectation, it was a good way to close out the season. Will I be back next year? I can’t say yet, as the results will probably need some more analysis before I make a final judgment. The odds are currently looking favorable, though, and I’m already brainstorming some new ideas for next year. We’ll just have to see where God leads next in this grand experiment.

Isle of Fire

Title: Isle of Fire

Series: Pirate Adventures #2

Author: Wayne Thomas Batson

Genre: Teen (13-16) High-seas Adventure

Excerpt from “Shadows of the Past,” Chapter 1 of Isle of Fire:

Dead leaves swirled across the cold stone as Cat approached the deepest corner of the empty cobblestone courtyard. He could feel the sentinels watching from hidden places within the surrounding walls and towers. His eyes darted about for any sign of a threat. Behind the ever-sleeping volcano, the sun struggled to midday height in the steel-gray sky.

Without warning, a fierce cry came from the parapets above. A shadow passed overhead, and Cat ducked. Instinctively his grip tightened on the quarterstaff as he prepared to defend himself against one of the most peculiar men he’d ever seen. His skin was very dark like the islanders, but his hair, eyebrows, and moustache were whiter than the sand on Aruba. He wore a silver ring in the lobe of his left ear and a small gray cross on a thin black cord around his neck. He held a quarterstaff of dark wood that was at least a foot longer than Cat’s.

“I am Dmitri,” said the man, removing his robe. He was shirtless beneath but wore an odd, baggy kind of breeches that bunched at his waist and ankles. His gaze was dark and seemed to smolder like volcanic rock. The warrior slapped his staff hard on the cobblestone and stepped forward menacingly.

Cat held up his own staff. He thought he was ready.

Monks and ex-pirate team up to stop a mysterious merchant and the unleashing of a deadly weapon.

The Craft: The writing from Isle of Fire is the clean-cut type that is the hardest to comment on. There are no glaring errors. There are no outstanding qualities. It’s just good, plain writing.

Like the other books I’ve read by Mr. Batson, the action is fast-paced, the characters colorful, the scenes shorter, and the sentences choppier. I’m not a big fan of the latter two qualities. However, there’s a place for them: that style will attract reluctant or slow readers, while the high action and quirky humor will draw teen boys.

The Content: Isle of Fire has a darker edge than the previous book, Isle of Swords. The presence of evil is strong, and the violence has escalated. There is torture, war violence, swordfights, navel battles, and murder all contained within these pages. Most of the descriptions, like in book one, are kept to minimal, but more occurs on the page instead of results implying event off the page. So some scenes are pretty intense.

On the other hand, as the presence of evil grew, so did the depth of the spiritual. God and His work are more visible as is the impact that He has on the character. In fact, the story borders on preachy. Considering the darker tone of this book, however, that is not all bad.

Summary: The writing is somewhat choppy, the tone dark, and the spiritual thread almost overbearing. So Isle of Fire is not for everyone. Teen boys looking for a fast-paced adventure probably would enjoy it, and the simple style of writing and high action may be a great way to hook readers who have not yet developed a love of reading.

Rating: Craft—3, Content—4, Overall—3.4 out of 5 stars

Read the review for Isle of Swords or order both from Words of Whimsy.

When Do You Break the Rules?

Boundaries exist for a reason.

No, their purpose is not to complicate your life. Nor do they intend to keep you from having fun. And they aren’t around to restrict you to a colorless world of misery. Rather, boundaries exist as protection, to help prevent you from diving headlong into the trouble that will make you miserable.

But sometimes the boundaries not written in stone (unlike the Ten Commandments) must be bent or even broken. This is why I prefer to call my work here fiction guidelines, not fiction rules. Sometimes these boundaries must be crossed.

Crossing them, however, whenever you want will get you into trouble. So the questions becomes when? At what times should you consider breaking the rules?

Like the fiction guidelines themselves, there is no hard and fast rule. But here’s a few things to consider:

Is this a one-time crossing? You don’t want to risk the bad habits and desensitization that would come from breaching the same spot in your defenses on a consistent basis.

Are you violating a biblical foundation, maturity level, or a personal limitation? They each have varying degrees of potential consequences. Personal limitations can change over time, so an occasional crossing might not do only limited damage, but it might even be healthy. Maturity marks areas you aren’t ready for (think a child reaching for a dish on a too-high shelf), so crossing could help you stretch and grow… or cause serious damage. The biblical foundation requires the most caution as damage inflicted at this level are likely to leave deep scars.

Do the benefits outweigh potential dangers? Advantages might include following pop culture to engage coworkers in intelligent conversation or tracking the latest trends for occupations like writing or pastoral work.

But above all, make sure you apply much caution and extra safeguards, more than you think you will need. For crossing the line means entering hostile territory.