Sounds simple, eh? Not at all!
God’s Word is packed with mystery, intrigue, romance, inspiration, despair, faith, war, and triumph. Research can be daunting because of the ancient nature of the supporting texts, but it’s an incredible rush to find a nugget of gold in supporting literature that corroborates the truth of God’s Word–a truth I’ve come to believe by faith but still thrill at every proof found in the archaeological records!
When deciding on which topics to “pitch” to a publisher, I have a few criteria for the stories that stir my passion:
I’m committed to Old Testament tales.
So many folks believe the God of the Old Covenant to be a vengeful, angry deity, out to punish those in His path. They think He suddenly changed into a loving Heavenly Father in the New Testament, deciding to send His Son to pay for our sins. My joy and passion is to help others discover the treasure of God’s love in Old Testament tales.
I enjoy writing about lesser known characters
Especially unnamed or seldom-mentioned women. Anyone can read the Scriptural accounts of well-documented scriptural characters…and I hope you do! My passion is to open your eyes to the women–and men–who you might have overlooked with a cursory glance at Scripture.
I love connecting the chronology of characters
Even when the order of Scripture is disconnected. The order of our books in the Bible doesn’t necessarily reflect their chronology. Many of the Psalms were written by David, but the story of his life mostly occurs in 2 Samuel. The Bible is a single, scrumptious love story–God’s efforts to reconcile with the Creation He adores. We so often forget that God’s story didn’t happen in a bubble. Israel was a nation surrounded by other nations in a world of events. Like arranging a holy puzzle, it’s my joy and privilege to research and write a story, bringing all the Scripture passages together about a single character.
A single book takes almost a year to research, write, and go through the full editing process.
My next release is scheduled for March 2013, Love in a Broken Vessel, and tells the story of the prophet Hosea and his prostitute wife, Gomer. A fourth book is contracted with Revell and scheduled to release March 2014, its working title, Love’s Saving Light. It tells the story of Judah’s wicked Queen Athaliah and Princess Jehosheba’s valiant rescue of baby Joash (the only living seed of King David), hiding him in Yahweh’s Temple for six years until he’s ready to retake Judah’s throne.
And then what?
- I’ve got some ideas. I’d like to study a few more prophets. Wouldn’t you like to know what some of those guys were talking about–all those grasshoppers and wheels and almonds and stuff?
- Who else are you curious about? Using the above 3 criteria, who would you suggest I check out in the library?
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe…
Comments 6
Thanks for the blog, will look forward to reading what you have to share, it is always interesting. I would like to know a little more about Hannah, she has always fascinated me, giving up her firstborn son to serve the Lord. God truly blesses her later for her sacrafice.
My very favorite Book of the Bible ~*~ Isaiah
so much comfort and affirmation of the Lord’s love
Major prophet! [I wrote before I read 1-2-3 ~*~ I love the Old Testament. How much God loves us! The shelter of His wings and my very favorite theme is A Well-Watered Garden.] Here is a pretty quote I found for minor prophet, Habakkuk: The fourth verse of William Cowper’s hymn “Sometimes a Light Surprises”, written in 1779, quote Habakkuk 3:17-18.
Though vine nor fig-tree neither,
Their wonted fruit shall bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice,
For, while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.
—William Cowper, 1779
Love Psalm 119:111 and Psalm 139.
Author
Beautiful, Lane! Love the hymn verse! And BTW, the Gomer/Hosea book, Love in a Broken Vessel, introduces Isaiah in his youth–his early years and first prophecy. I’m including his later years in a book I’ll be proposing next! Woohoo! Carolyn, you’re my second vote for Hannah. Hmmm, might have to give that one some more thought… Love it!
I’ve always wanted to read a story about one of the women on the ark, either Noah’s wife or one of his daughter-in-laws. I just read an article on another old testament woman with an interesting story, the great woman of Shunem.
Author
Liz, I love Kacy Barnett-Gramkow’s Genesis Trilogy! It’s all about Noah’s family and the immediate post-flood civilizations. AMAZING imagination that brings to life this unimaginable world!!! The first book, The Heaven’s Before, is about Shem’s eventual wife and will keep you turning pages!! Loved it!
I haven’t read much on Elijah’s woman of Shunem. That’s a great one! Thanks oodles!