Allen Arnold

Two Ways the Enemy Attacks Authors

allenarnold — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:46:37 +0000

If you’ve been called to write Christian Fiction, you will be opposed by the Enemy. And the opposition will strike at either your worth or your identity as a writer. The reason is simple – Satan hates any story that bring honor to – or creates a hunger for – God.

The enemy will use two sides of the same blade to cut Christian Fiction authors down. Each is equally deadly.

One side of the blade is the lie that you really can’t write. That you’re about to be found out or flame out. Best to stop now and go home in shame. You have nothing to offer. You’re nothing.

The opposite attack is when the enemy fans the flame of ego. You start to believe your own press. You live for the praise of others and the bestseller list. Success tastes good and is due to your immense talent. You made it happen. You’re a rock star.

Don’t fall captive to either lie.

You who have been called to this fellowship have much to offer. Write in that strength.

But remember the call and the gift comes from Him. Humility is key.

There is nothing better than an author immune to these lies – crafting story from a place of both wholeness and holiness.

Status Quo vs. Milestone Leadership

allenarnold — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:00:41 +0000

Do most of your daily efforts go to maintaining the status quo or making milestones?

Visionary leaders continually find ways to raise the bar. To redefine what’s possible. To create “wow” experiences for those they serve (yes, the best leaders are servant leaders).

No matter what your job title, you can pursue milestone leadership. But rarely will someone assign this task to you. So don’t wait. And rarely will you succeed if you aren’t willing to risk blurting out the slightly crazy idea in a group setting. Engage and passionately ask what’s possible.

Milestone Leadership takes desire and determination and ideation. It’s not easy…but it’s fun and the view is often breathtaking. And… it’s the only option of the two that leaves a legacy. Because no one remembers the leaders who merely kept doing what others before them have already done.

Supernatural Fiction — The Next Big Wave?

allenarnold — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:50:42 +0000

Retailers and the media regularly ask what the next hot trend will be in Christian Fiction.

Fair question. One of the most important skills a Publisher has is the ability to anticipate trends in the marketplace. No one bats 1,000 on this front. At the same time, no Publisher survives long if they have more misses than hits in this essential area.

In my recent post “What do Christian Fiction Fans Want to Read Next”, I focused on our research and ways to deliver fresh content rather than rear-view mirror publishing. More the “how” than the “what’s next”.

Now let’s focus on a type of novel that I believe is gaining heat – and will only gain more in the coming years. Supernatural Fiction.

True – this may not be an “official” genre but I believe it’s an apt descriptor for many future best-selling novels. In recent Focus Groups and in-depth research, we continue to hear buzz about this desire from the most passionate Christian Fiction fans. In fact, there’s currently more buzz than best-sellers in this area…but not for long!

Within Christian Fiction, I describe Supernatural as stories that delve into the thin places between the seen and the unseen. Where the natural is intruded upon by “super” natural forces that often include angels and demons. There can be prophecies, visions and dreams. The challenge are more vertical than horizontal (between humans). The territory is more unknown and mysterious yet never counter to biblical truth. In the past few decades, Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness is probably the best example of the type of novel I’m referring to.

Hmmm. So if this will be a growing trend in the coming years, should you write Supernatural stories if that isn’t what you are personally drawn to as an author?

No way. That would be chasing a trend rather than writing what’s authentic to you. Avoid that temptation.

But Thomas Nelson Fiction is drawn to these stories. We don’t want to ride this wave or trend. As one of the world’s largest publishing houses, we aim to fuel this coming wave. We’ve already released several major Supernatural novels in the past few months (Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson, The Baker’s Wife by Erin Healy, The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid) and many others – including Young Adult titles – will ship in the coming year. At the same time, we’ll continue to publish a rich mix of Contemporary Romance, Amish, Legal Thrillers, Sci-fi / Fantasy, Young Adult, Suspense, Historical, Mystery, Movie Novelizations and Biblical Fiction. We love having such a diverse roster that satisfies such a wide reading audience.

In future posts, I’ll share additional trends and findings from our in-depth Christian Fiction research.

Use It or Lose It

allenarnold — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:00:23 +0000

During the Exodus, God provided daily manna for the Israelites. Food from heaven.

Each person could gather as much as they needed. There was just one catch. The food was only for that day – not to save or hoard. “But they didn’t listen to Moses. A few of the men kept back some of it until morning. It got wormy and smelled bad. And Moses lost his temper with them.” (Exodus 16:19 – 20, The Message).

It’s a great lesson we rarely live.

God has fresh manna for you each day. Plans and encounters specifically geared for today. But you’ll miss it if you’re living in yesterday or focused on tomorrow.

Walk with Him. Listen to His voice. Follow His lead. Each day.

Instead, we often take the lead and then wander in the desert of our own making.

We try to satisfy today’s hunger with worries, regrets and even victories from yesterday – or “what ifs” about tomorrow.

But yesterday’s manna was never meant to satisfy you today. And today’s manna won’t fill you tomorrow.

Chase after God each day. Come to His table and see what meal He has prepared for you today.

Because today’s meal is rich and satisfying. And yesterday’s manna stinks and is filled with worms.

Don’t Let Your Novel Burn You

allenarnold — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:23:08 +0000

Three stories.

First, there was a man in the forest who once cut down a tree. From half the wood, he created a fire to cook his meal. From the rest, however, he made an idol. Then bowed down and worshiped it, saying “Save me, you are my god.” Read more in Isaiah 44.

Second, there once was an author in the city who wrote novels. Half his time, he created stories that honored God and warmed readers souls. But half the time, he made the novel an idol. Spent more time thinking of it than God. Prayed for it to hit the NY Times bestseller list, saying “Save me, you are my identity.”

Third is your story. May the gift of writing be a calling that doesn’t consume you. An inspiration but never your idol.

Live that story well.