Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Sidetrack

I need to sidetrack from our Journey or Menu or whatever it is we are finishing up, because ... I need some help. I have a broadcast interview coming up and it is standard procedure for the person being interviewed to offer sample questions. They want to discuss "edgy inspirational."

I'm in a bit of a panic because everytime I discuss this topic, I ruffle feathers (mostly the feathers of my colleagues). So ... if you were listening/watching this interview, what kind of questions would you want asked??

I'll go first. "What is edgy inspirational?"

Okay. Your turn.

Naw, I'm just joking. I could come up with a few more. But what I'd really like to do is steer the conversation to edgy romance, because edgy inspirational is really, really broad and I believe there are several authors writing it--especially in the contemporary category.

Here are a couple of other questions I thought of:

How many Christians are in America today? (approx. 60 million)
Of that number, how many read inspirationals? (approx. 10%)
What are the other 54 million reading? Why aren't they reading inspirationals?

Now, I have one for you:

What authors in the inspirational market would you consider "edgy." (I'll go first: Lisa Samson.)

Okay, let's brainstorm. I have to come up with at least ten questions. So, after you answer the above question, offer me a few others that you think would be good.

Also, don't forget to enter our contest!

posted by Deeanne at 9:39 AM

16 Comments:

C.J. Darlington said...: Athol Dickson. Kathryn Mackel.

Q. Is there a line for you of how far you'll go in being "edgy"?

Q. Why do you think people's feathers are often ruffled when you talk about edgy romance?
Barb said...: Off the top of my head:
~To help me understand the concept, name me some secular authors whom you would consider "edgy?" (Or secular romance authors.) Or is this a strictly "Christian" category in the publishing world?
~What is your writing history? Why do you prefer writing romances in the "edgy inspirational" category?
~What advantages are there for you as an author working with an "inspirational" publisher, rather than a secular publisher? Couldn't you be much edgier working in the secular romance realm?
TS said...: Dee
Don't be afraid of ruffling feathers, that is why you are out on the edge. If you don't want to ruffle feathers stay in the middle of the flock.
You are a good person for the industry. You project well
Blessing, Marvin
Barb said...: ~Why do you write edgy romance novels? Why not edgy mysteries or edgy westerns or edgy sci fi?
~Do you consider yourself to be an "edgy" person? Does a writer of edgy books need to be personally edgy? :oD
Deeanne said...: These are great! Keep 'em comin'!!
Barb said...: ~Gimme some specific examples of how "edgy inspirational" characters/plot/dialogue would differ from non-edgy inspirational characters/plot/dialogue. For example, how does your edgy inspie hero/heroine differ from a regular inspie hero/heroine? Or from a secular hero/heroine?
Barb said...: ~At the heart of "inspirational" is the word "inspire." How do you feel your books--or edgy inspies in general--inspire readers?
Deeanne said...: Golly, Barb. You need to be a reporter!! Look at you go!! Wonderful!

You're right, Marv. At Bible Study this morning, the speaker said that we need to fear God more than we fear our own fears. And when we have a holy fear of Him, we needn't fear anything else.

So I am, obviously, going to need to release that fear to Him. At the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily wound members of the Body. You know?

I guess I'm on a learning curve. There has got to be a way to convey what it is I am doing without wounding those who are doing His work just as much as I am (if not more).

These sample questions are helping a lot.
Barb said...: We're surrounded by 12-14 foot high corn here. You either keep exercising your brain or go totally stupid. I think in talking publicly about being an edgy inspie, you just gotta do your best to stick with positive definitions and avoid negative comparisons. There will be comparisons, but the more positively you can state them (and I'd hafta play with the topic in my head to illustrate that), the less ammo you give to those who disagree or don't understand. If I can use the word "ammo" in a public blog. Practice with Mr Greg! Let him be the tuff-as-nails reporter, looking to create controversy out of your story!
Barb said...: ~Why do you think romance books are the most popular of all the types of novels that are sold? What do you think edgy inspie romances have to offer romance readers that is different than other romance novels that are out there? (Keep it positive now!) OK, that's sorta like my 11:28 question, but it spins it totally into the romance angle....
Barb said...: PS--Didja see the picture of Madonna out feeding her chickens in heels and a 50's party dress???
Deeanne said...: Missed that one, Barb. You have a link?
Barb said...: Sorry, I'm not smart enuf to link. I'm still evolving, and quite slowly at that. See the August 1 People magazine. The chickens in particular are beautiful. You gonna let us know when this big, important interview that you're doing occurs??
Meg said...: Great questions. Dee, I hope you'll do the interview without worrying too much about ruffling feathers. Some will get ruffled, no matter what you say. You just have to write what God gives you to write, and say what God gives you to say.

Yeah, I know. Easier said than done. :)
Deeanne said...: "The chickens in particular are beautiful."

LOL! You are sooooo funny.

Don't know any of the details of the interview. When/if I get the details, I'll let you know.
Barb said...: No offense to Madonna, of course.... :o)
If it's an audio interview, on a radio station that airs on the internet, then we'd be able to hear the melodious voice that goes with all of your beauteous pictures!