Monthly Archives: July 2011
Featured Guest Story by Serafia Cross
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Inspirational Fiction |
One of my best friends, author Serafia Cross
Today I’m featuring my great writing friend, Serafia Cross, and a flash fiction from her blog, The Window Had Other Views.
Each story on her blog has a reflection in her book series “The Last King of Legends” based on King Baldwin IV of Latin Jerusalem between the Second and Third Crusades. Book 1 will soon be available!
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
Hospital Visit
By Serafia Cross
You never liked hospitals—then again who ever does? It’s a business where people make money off of others’ suffering—for the most part. There is some good in them, some miracles that do occur, and some very pleasant people there, but you’ve never liked hospitals, so there’s no reason to start now.
You walk through those sliding glass doors and feel a weight drape upon you. It’s the smell, you try to convince yourself, the light colored walls in an attempt to brighten the atmosphere, all these strangers—most of them in pain or fear. (more…)
Novella? Short Story? And What’s Flash Fiction?
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under World of Fiction |
I embarrass myself when I use terms my friends don’t know. It’s an inconsiderate thing to do, but I’m really not trying to sound smart or on a higher level.
In my tight focus on writing studies, I often think this is stuff everyone already knows and I’m playing catch up. That’s not always the case. So let me apologize, back up, and explain some of the cute terminology I use in the wonderful world of fiction.
Cultural Combination
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
Book Review – Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer
Paradise Valley is the story of a young Amish lady and her family’s struggle for the freedom to educate their children in their faith. Almost sixteen-year-old Rachel Bender has her own struggle with falling in love and pursuing her dreams.
After five of the Amish fathers are arrested for not sending their children to school, the pressure grows for them to find another way. Caleb Bender believes he has found God’s answer in the form of land for sale in Paradise Valley in Mexico. The main hurdle remains the fact that this fertile farmland lies in one of the most dangerous Mexican regions. With promises that other Amish families will follow, Caleb decides it should be his family who will blaze the trail. A journey of faith, fear and great change begins.
Being a Texan, I understood more of the history and culture of Mexico than that of the Amish. Made for an interesting combination and a good read. The characters were well drawn and distinguished throughout. Rachel’s secret love and the way Emma’s shortcoming was handled were things I found distasteful in the story. Aside from that, the tension and action kept the story moving at a good clip once the Benders arrived in Mexico. The descriptions placed you right in the heart of the valley.
I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or wants a different perspective of Mexican culture around 1921.
Bethany House provided my review copy.
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
Looking Down on Fear
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Heart Thoughts |
While on my journey to become a full-time writer, I work a monthly job at a trades day market. It provides the income we need to survive on beans and cornbread (and an assortment of chicken, fish and steak dishes. God is good).
This job is hard manual labor, but I love meeting people and getting out of the house five days a month.
These portable shops are set-up and torn-down each time, and I do some of that work in addition to my sales job. But one thing I always avoided was the ladder. *shiver* Anything over two rungs up and my knees Jell-O.
The day came and the last touch left required decorations on the top shelves running the length of the booth. With other workers occupied, I bravely grabbed the ladder and set to work.
I tried just the first two steps. Not high enough. I stepped to the third one and wanted to close my eyes. Instead, I glanced around. Wow. What a view. Familiar faces and corners took on a new depth, and I felt a rush of elation for no reason. I loved the new view. It was cool.
I remembered my fear of the third rung, but I didn’t tremble. I continued decorating the shelves, repositioning the ladder down the line as I worked. I paused at each spot to take in the view. I felt empowered. Not only was my fear conquered, I found that facing it brought a pleasant experience. I enjoyed it.
What else am I afraid of without cause? What’s keeping me from the wonderful things God has for me? How much have I missed in life because of fear?
Back to writing. I constantly force my characters to face their fears (sometimes I feel so mean). I strive to make the outcome realistic. If you can’t relate to my character, what good is the story? It’s not right when things turn out rosy for them and it could never happen that way in real life. But my characters do have the power to motivate you to face your own fear.
Whether it’s heights or sharing the gospel with someone or visiting a new church, I pray the real fears in life shine through my characters and into your heart; and hopefully give you a fresh perspective.
Rise above your fears–God has a new view for you.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
