September 18, 2009 / A Novel Idea / 2 Comments »

Here’s a fabulous new writer’s resource than I am so thrilled to have been a part of. I am a member of a fiction writers friendship group known as ChiLibris and a bunch of us pooled our knowledge about novel-writing to create A Novel Idea: Best Advice on Writing Inspirational Fiction.

The book is chock-full of articles about the craft; on everything from research methods, to plotting, to editing, to marketing. My article describes how to get on intimate terms with your characters. Oo lala.

Here’s what the book’s promo piece says on Amazon, which, by the way, also highlights the best thing about this project: “Best-selling Christian fiction writers have teamed together to contribute articles on the craft of writing. A Novel Idea contains tips on brainstorming ideas and crafting and marketing a novel. It explains what makes a Christian novel “Christian” and offers tips on how to approach tough topics. Contributors include Jerry B. Jenkins, Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, and many other beloved authors. All proceeds will benefit MAI, an organization that teaches writing internationally to help provide literature that is culturally relevant. ”

All the proceeds from our book will go straight to MAI, short for Media Associates International, a simply supberb organization that you need to know more about. Here’s a sound byte from their website: “MAI equips and nurtures talented men and women with a passion for producing Christian literature for their own people. Since its founding in 1985, MAI has equipped local Christians in 57 countries on 5 continents. As a result, we’ve seen budding writers developed, publishing houses grown, periodicals begun and books and magazines produced that speak to the hearts of readers in their own languages. We advance the Gospel by training Christians to produce literature that nurtures the church and attracts readers to Christ. We believe God uses the written word to transform lives.”

Isn’t that incredibly cool? If you are a novelist or know a novelist, this book is a must-have for lots more reasons than just your or their own growth as a writer. It’s a fabulous book for a fabulous cause. And it’s offered at a fabulous pre-order price on Amazon. It’s official street date is November 1.

Grab one!