Did You Know I Write Music Too???

You might not have realized that in addition to poetry and fiction, I also write music. Truth be told, I forget sometimes. I've never thought of myself as a talented musician. But in around 2007 my husband had some ideas for songs about the Muslim people. He approached just about every musician he knew, asking them to turn his ideas into songs. And just about everyone gave him the same answer--I simply don't know enough about this subject.

I, on the other hand, had acquired quite a bit of understanding on this subject. I have been married to a Middle Eastern man since 1993. I've traveled to the Middle East several times. I have many Muslim and former Muslim friends. I even had a Muslim groomsman at my wedding. In fact, since my husband has such a heart and passion for this issue, I seriously think I should be able to apply for some sort of honorary degree on the subject.

While I don't consider myself a musician, I do write poetry. And I do technically know how to play the piano and sing. So I figured, if God gave me ideas for these songs, I would write them. Each of them came to me in a quick flash of inspiration, which is why it's easy for me to forget I wrote them at all. To my surprise, I even figured out the basic tunes on the piano. That really must have been a God thing, because I had barely played since highschool.

Many talented musicians, producers, composers, editors, and graphic designers came alongside us to help bring this project to life. A number of ministries donated funds and resources. Although I'm thankful for my part in this project, it's truly not anything I could have accomplished on my own. That's a good feeling. A good reminder that while I can be a tool in his hand, ultimately God is the creator and ordainer of all things beautiful.

The final result is this gorgeous CD of songs and prayers about the Muslim people. The purpose of the collection is to share God's incredible love for these people and inspire an American listening audience to pray for them. You can learn more about the individual songs at http://acryforpeace.com.

Right now, the audio CD is available for $9.95 at amazon. Click here to order. MP3 versions will also be available for download soon.

And if you'd like to hear a sample song to check out the quality, here is a video for the namesake song, "A Cry for Peace."

Breaking News - Latest Cover is Ready!!!

I know I usually only post once a week, but I simply can't wait to share this. Here is the cover for my new book, releasing October 2013 with WhiteFire Publishing!!!! Many thanks and much credit to our amazingly talented cover designer, Roseanna White. You rock, Roseanna :) I completed the first version of this book in 2010. Can you tell I'm a little excited that my dream is finally becoming a reality???

My Next Novel - Coming this Fall!!!

Last week I officially signed the contracts. My contemporary novel, Dance from Deep Within, will be released by WhiteFire Publishing late this year. This story is quite unique in that it has a Muslim main character. I think it's very timely considering the recent terrorist bombings. No doubt many people are wondering about their Muslim neighbors these days. Being married to a Lebanese man, and having many Muslim and former Muslim friends, I have a lot to say on this issue. And yet it can be hard to express my feelings without engaging in an argument, which is the last thing I want to do. 

I do have much love and respect for the Muslim people, especially the women. But I also have serious concerns about the fundamental teachings of the religion. There are many beautiful parts of Islamic culture, and there are many troubling aspects as well. Not to mention that, of course, there are as many different types of Muslims as there are different types of Christians, and there is no easy way to compartmentalize them and put them in a box.

So for me, fiction is the best way to explore this subject. The book takes a three dimensional look at the Islamic belief system and culture, while also exploring Christianity and the typical non-Christian American beliefs. My Christian character in the book must struggle with how to share her faith and still be authentic. This is not a rah, rah, Christians are great and everyone else is bad book. Rather, my three girls learn from each other's strengths.

And yes, this is a book about a Muslim who converts to Christianity. I realize that some people won't like this, but it is a valid story, and it deserves to be told. Although Layla is a fictional character, she is a conglomerate of the many former Muslim women I have met in my life who have turned to Christ, and her decision reflects their searching and reasoning. The book contains a good bit of religious contemplation, but also plenty of romance, action, and even a bit of suspense. I think that there is something in here for everyone.

Here's the blurb: 

Despite her conservative Muslim heritage, Layla Al-Rai longs for a chance to earn her degree in engineering and perhaps even…dare she dream…to choose her own husband. But young women from her background rarely enjoy such freedoms. When she finally talks her parents into letting her attend college, she is drawn to fellow twenty-something students, Allie and Rain, over a class project. Allie, the blonde ballerina, faces her own struggles as she deals with an ex-fiancé and a church she had hoped to leave behind. Rain, the bi-racial hippie chick, longs for something to believe in, but her questioning could cost her the love of her life. When Layla’s childhood sweetheart reenters her world, it seems her dreams might become real. Until everything falls apart. When she meets truth face to face, will she find the courage to accept it—even if it requires the ultimate sacrifice?

WhiteFire has already designed a rough version of a gorgeous cover, featuring the three girls along with a worship dancer on the beach. I hope to share with you soon.

And if you have a heart for this issue, come back next week when I will be sharing about a CD of songs and prayers concerning the Muslim people that I wrote, and which is in the process of being released. The hard copy is now available on amazon, with MP3 versions on the way. 

The Good Girl by Christy Barritt

Christy, Dina, and Roger

A little over a year ago, I took a road trip to Charlottesville with my good friend, author Christy Barritt. We went up for the Virginia Festival of the Book, and for me to check out the setting of my last novel, but had lots of time to talk about everything under the sun. Christy has actually been one of my writing mentors over the years, and as usual, she had lots of wise counsel for me. We also discussed one of her books and the possibility of her publishing it with WhiteFire, which I represent as an acquisitions editor.

It seemed like a perfect fit, an edgy chick-lit mystery novel with romance, but I barely dared to dream. This was Christy Barritt, after all. Award-winning, multi-published author. So when she came back to me later in the spring to officially pitch the idea to WhiteFire, I was ecstatic. And Roseanna White was equally ecstatic. Since we’d both read and loved Christy’s similar Squeaky Clean Series, it was a no-brainer. We accepted the book on proposal only, and in record time.

And Christy did not disappoint. I had the privilege of being the first to read The Good Girl, and it was about as perfect as you could imagine. Here’s the official blurb:

What's a good girl to do when life goes bad?

Tara Lancaster can sing Amazing Grace in three harmonies, two languages, and interpret it for the hearing impaired. She can list the Bible canon backward, forward, and alphabetized. And the only time she ever missed church was at seventeen because she had pneumonia and her mom made her stay home.

But when her life shatters around her and her reputation is left in ruins, Tara decides escape is the only option. She flees halfway across the country to dog-sit, but the quiet anonymity she needs isn't waiting in her sister's house. Instead she finds a knife with a threatening message, a fame-hungry friend, a too-hunky neighbor, and evidence of...a ghost?

Following all the rules has gotten her nowhere. And nothing she learned in Sunday School can tell her where to go from there.

I love everything about this story. For starters, my favorite style of mystery is the sassy, humorous, chick-lit variety, and it doesn’t get any better than this. Tara's blue-haired friend is hysterical, and there's a super fun reality TV element. Yet the story is full of suspense, according to one reviewer, almost turning a thriller at the darkest point. You won’t be bored for a second. And the romance is great too.

But by far my favorite aspect of this book is the spiritual thread. I love this story of a girl who has done everything right, yet her life still goes wrong. Surrounded by a cast of colorful characters, Tara begins her search for a very real and relevant faith, taking the reader along her journey. I’m sure this book will touch many lives, and I’m so thankful that I got to be a part of bringing it to the reading public.

Have you ever done everything right, only to have life turn wrong anyway? How did you handle the situation? What do you think of a possible ghost in a Christian novel? 

A Poem in Three Images

Poetry seems to be a dying art these days, almost, not quite. Spoken word poetry is doing well, but put those words onto a piece of paper and no one seems interested anymore. So I'm experimenting with something new. Below is one of my most published poem divided into three images. What do you think? Do the images help? Do they pique your interest? Would you take a minute to read these on facebook or pinterest (I just rhymed, LOL, how approporiate.)

Marriage Equality???

These days it seems like the number one topic on facebook is marriage equality. For. Against. Snarky. Kind. People have created the equality symbol, and the dissenting cross over the equality symbol reminiscent of the  dissenting ithacus (Jesus fish) with legs. Two polarized sides. Simple, right? Not for me. I can’t encapsulate my feelings on this issue in a pithy facebook status. And so I have created my own symbol, to sum up my feelings. One big question mark.

There are a few things I know for sure. First, I am a Christian. I believe the Bible is true. It is, without wavering, the standard for my own personal morality. And yet, I have absolutely zero expectations that the world around me will share my standards or beliefs.

Second, I know for sure that I love homosexual individuals. Not in a remote, philosophical sort of way. Not even as in “I choose to love them as a verb.” I love them. I have great compassion for all they have endured. I know that many have suffered intense hardship, often leading to suicide attempts, over their sexual orientation. I know that they face ridicule and hate every day of their lives, and I will not for one second risk adding to that.

Beyond that, I know for certain that Christians with homosexual tendencies must deal with questions, confusion, heartache, rejection, and loneliness that most of us will never comprehend. Many of them will wrestle with the Bible and with God, and eventually turn to a more liberal denomination with a broader interpretation of the scriptures.

But what I don’t know for sure, is how all of this should translate on a public policy level. Before homosexual marriage was ever permitted, I probably stood to the side of the line that said, “Why redefine this word?” However, now that many states have allowed homosexual marriage, it feels more like the taking away of a personal freedom. Which concerns me. Big government at work once again.

When I pray about this issue all I know is that I sense God’s aching heart. My heart aches, to the point that it feels like it’s bleeding, for the people at the center of this debate. I can’t even imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. To finally win such a huge victory, and be told it might be yanked away. Good people. Good citizens, hard workers, loving parents, wonderful neighbors. Perhaps confused. Perhaps in “sin” according to the Biblical definition which translates as “missing the mark”--but then, aren’t we all?

Don’t we all have areas in our lives where our thinking and feeling have fallen into patterns that are perhaps less than God’s best plans for our lives? Where due to some combination of biology, environment, and personal experience, what we feel deep in our hearts does not line up with the word of God? Maybe our areas just aren’t so visible. They’re easy to hide. But doesn’t human instinct bid us all to run from pain and run toward pleasure, creating pathways in our brains that can easily lead us away from God’s ideal plan. We live in a fallen world, and sometimes things get messy. But God is big enough to make something beautiful out of our messes.

When I look at the homosexual community, I just see people. Like me. People I love. I know this moves me no closer to a public policy opinion. Quite honestly, I’m glad it’s not my decision to make.

I live in the tension between the things I know for sure. Praying daily for God’s wisdom to walk out my beliefs with grace and compassion. To all my homosexual friends, I love you. I pray that God will comfort you and be a very real and present force in your life during this difficult time, drawing you ever closer to him.

So I've been brave and shared my views. What do you think? Don't be afraid to disagree, but please share your opinions in a civil manner.