Close Window to Return

Verla: (Did anyone dust the podium for Mel?)

Dani257: No, and the dust is an inch thick! Let me get my rag

Dani257 dusts vigorously

Verla: AAAAAACHOOOOOO!

Verla: (watch where you spread that dust, dani!

susette: I'm allergic to dust...so I don't.

*** Verla has set the topic on channel #kidlit to Plotting Christian

Stories workshop in progress

Verla: Melody, do you need me to post an intro or do you have one for

yourself?

MelodyLane: I THINK everyone knows me, Verla.

Verla: KRA might not, mel...

Verla: And people reading the workshop transcript later might not, too....

MelodyLane: Oh. Grin. I forgot about THEM.

KRAdady: lol

NOTE: lol = Laughing Out Loud

MelodyLane: Go ahead and post the bio when you're ready -- but you're a bit early.

Verla: You mean the other 19,000 people that will be reading this in the next year, mel?

MelodyLane: JAG is still on and I'm still eating.

MelodyLane: IF that many, Verla.

Verla puts a tall glass of ice water on the podium...(down low where mel won't knock it over waving her arms around while talking

MelodyLane: How'd you know I waved my arms, V?

Verla: I am KIA, mel. I Know It All, remember? GRIN

Deetie: Verla: That's not true.

Deetie: <G>

MelodyLane: Oh, yeah! How soon I forget -- forgive me, O wise one.

Verla bows

Deetie: Oh, Verla, I had a dream about you last night. I just remembered.

Verla: brb...got to go get mel's bio so we can get started

ponytailmo: Hi gang, I'm not late for a change:)

MelodyLane: I'm not kia, lyra -- BUT congrats, anyway!

Verla: Deet! I did NOT give you permission to dream about me!

Verla: hmph!

susette: ha ha

Deetie: You were giving me a bad time. That's all I remember.

Verla: Copyright infringement!

Verla: welcome peg..we are about to begin...

MelodyLane: Hi, Peg!

Verla: Hey! Did anyone set up the chairs?

MelodyLane: Welcome!

MelodyLane: No -- but I get the stool, remember?

Deetie: hi rochell.

MelodyLane: WHERE is Hara?

susette: Wow, we're filling up. Should begin in 3 minutes by my clock.

Don_ss: Hi Rochell

MelodyLane: I'VE GOT TO HAVE HARA!!!! OR I CAN'T GO ON!!!!

Deetie: Hara isn't here?

KRAdady: hi Rochelle

susette: Don't you have HAIR Mel?

Deetie: why do you need her?

ponytailmo: Now, Melody, you are a person in your own right. You can do this.

Dani257: Someone find Hara!

Deetie: Some example she is.

MelodyLane: Peg, use a ^before or after your name -- it'll help.

Verla: Yes, peg...use two of em, if you need to

Guest40411: ^^Peg

MelodyLane: To change your nick, type /nick ^^Peg

Verla: (no, type this peg... /nick ^^Peg

Verla: hey, you beat me, mel

Verla: grin

MelodyLane: I'm good, V. That's why you love me.

Verla: Okay everyone..if you are new to these workshops, here are the basics of how we do them. (BeHAVE and control yourself, mel!)

***WORKSHOP BEGINS***

Verla: Welcome to our weekly Kidlit Workshop. We ask that you hold all personal chit-chat until the hour is up, but Please! Free free to join in the topic currently under discussion.

Verla: Okay...Plotting Christian Stories is about to begin....here's Melody's bio...

Verla: Melody DeLeon has been writing since the age of 6, when she picked out her pen name, Melody Lane. She writes stories, skits and novels, all aimed toward middle grade to young adult ages. She edited a church newspaper for two years, and recently sold six skits to Group Publishing for their "OUTREACH SKITS FOR YOUTH MINISTRY". She studies the Inspirational/Christian Markets avidly and is currently writing for the newly termed "cross-over" market. Melody is a licensed Jail Minister/Interpreter and frequently preaches at both the County Jail and the Juvenile Detention and Jail center. She heads the ministry team for the Juvenile center and knows first-hand the kinds of pressure today's teen deals with. Her writing and ministry goals are the same: to equip young people with the faith in God that will enable them to deal with today's world and to help them attain their goals.

Verla: (Are your girls older now, mel, than when you wrote this? If so, you'll need to correct their ages for this.)

Verla: Melody currently lives in Marshall, Texas, with her three daughters, ages 16, 13 and 10. She is actively involved in the Youth and Children's Ministry at her church, teaching the Middle Grade group twice a month.

MelodyLane: Yes, V. Rachel's 17, Alicia's 15, and Lucia is 12.

Verla steps away from the podium and claps as mel steps up to the microphone

MelodyLane bows low.

ponytailmom clapping

MelodyLane: Hi all!

MelodyLane waves at audience.

susette: Welcome, Melody.

Dani257 claps

MelodyLane: First, let me correct something.

Estar: Yea Melody

_Lyra: lyra waves back

Verla: (Interesting that one of her daughter's only aged one year and the other two aged two years. Must be a Texas thing....)

susette: **waves back

Dani257: I thought so, too

MelodyLane: I no longer teach Children's church twice a month, but am more involved in youth minister.

susette: I noticed that, but didn't want to ask.

MelodyLane: WHEN I wrote that, it wasn't Lucia/Alicia's BD yet. Still isn't.

KRAdady: maybe she had one laminated

Verla: LOL Kra!

MelodyLane: THEY will be 15 & 12 on Oct. 21st & 22nd, respectively.

MelodyLane: A thought, KRA. Grin.

*Note: LOL = Laughing Out Loud

MelodyLane: First of all, I'd like to discuss how plotting Christian stories can be different than other stories.

Verla: Okay...where do we start when plotting Christian stories, mel?

MelodyLane: Any ideas?

Verla: Oh...good. HOW it's different

LadyPen: theme

MelodyLane: Good one, Lady Pen.

Verla: For one thing, it needs to have religion in it somewhere, mel

MelodyLane: Right, Verla.

susette: I'm curious. I'd say plotting Christian stories...they obviously have to learn something

ponytailmo: some plot point must be inspirational?

MelodyLane: Can be, pony. But there's a difference between inspirational and Christian. Not all inspirational is Christian.

Verla: true...inspirational can make you feel good but not have Christian principles/doctrine in it

susette: True, some things are feel good inspirational and others are spiritually inspirational.

KRAdady: positive message

MelodyLane: Yes, KRA.

Estar: Christ centered attitudes?

MelodyLane: Good Estar!

Dani257: Aren't there two plots? The basic one, and the religious one?

MelodyLane: Sometimes, Dani, but not always.

ch: Can a Christian story simply be a "normal" story with Christian characters and how they deal with the problems?

MelodyLane: Ch -- yes! I'm writing one of those now -- and it's those kinds of stories that will sell well in the secular market.

LadyPen: then everything that occurs would need to result from the tug of Christian principles and the world at large.

susette: I'd say their 'faith' leads them to make the right choices.

Estar: Maybe show that even Christians make mistakes?

KRAdady: God will guide you through all obstacles if we open our hearts to him?

Dani257: Well, isn't that like most novels? Struggling to make the right choices, I mean

Dani257: But the Christian book has the person incorporating Christ in their struggle

MelodyLane: Sometimes, Dani.

susette: Dani, people automatically think Christians make the decision immediately and they don't.

susette: You would show more reasoning.

KRAdady: seems there would be more detail to the struggle between good and foolish choices

MelodyLane: First thing in plotting Christian stories is a Christ centered attitude.

MelodyLane: Among the usual genres for Christian fiction (which include fantasy, Science fiction, mystery and adventure), there are two more genres. Excuse me, three.

Verla: It seems like for the story to work in today's society, it would need to have a character in the book struggling somehow with Christian beliefs

susette: I don't know that I'd agree Verla.

susette: Not necessarily struggling with their belief, but struggling with making the right choice.

MelodyLane: That would be ONE type of novel, Verla.

Verla: Ah...Okay, mel. My experience with writing that kind of book is very limited. (Mostly limited to zero, at this point.)

MelodyLane: There are books where the MC is NOT saved in the beginning.

Verla: Yeah...that's the book *I* was talking about, mel!

MelodyLane: The other three genres are: Spiritual Warfare, End Time novels.

susette: Salvation/message books.

MelodyLane: I meant two. (g)

Estar: Prayer!

MelodyLane: Estar, I would think Prayer/Spiritual Warfare would be the same.

Verla: You would, mel? I thought prayer was something different. I don't feel I'm having a spiritual war when I pray!

Estar: Spiritual warfare certainly can include prayer, and maybe should, but the spirit can yearn toward Godliness and the Christian can still get so busy trying to make the right choices they forget to pray. Don't you think?

MelodyLane: D.J. Adventure series by Lee Roddy is an example of that kind of book. Let me explain, Verla. Spiritual Warfare occurs when Christians pray. Angels are sent to do battle with the demons. It's HOW a writer chooses to portray this battle that makes a difference. Some choose to show the fight between demons/angels. (Peretti & Will Cunningham). Others choose to show it other ways.

Verla: Now WAIT a minute, mel! We could go off into theological discussions here...but MY religion doesn't believe in that kind of prayer!

(And I'm a Christian.)

MelodyLane: It's not that you're PRAYING for a battle, V, but more that you're praying over a situation. Or a person. It's a broad genre. It borderlines on Fantasy.

LadyPen: I don't understand the concept of angels fighting demons during a person's prayers.

MelodyLane: It's a theological issue, LadyPen, which I feel I shouldn't discuss here.

susette: God sends angels to intercede on our behalf.

Deetie: Angels and demons don't fight every time you pray.

MelodyLane: No, Deet, they don't.

Verla: I think that we are going to have to agree to disagree on that one point, mel...as I do not believe that angels are fighting demons when I pray.

MelodyLane: Regardless of whether they do or don't, (fight), it is what consists of the Warfare genre.

Estar: Right

MelodyLane: And Warfare is not usually written for children. Iíve not seen Warfare for kids. THERE is however, lots of Fantasy in Christian Fiction. And Science Fiction in Christian Fiction.

Verla: Oh, I see now, mel...you were explaining what that one specialized genre of writing Christian books is...THAT ONE genre is the one where you have the demons and angels fighting during prayers. Okay.

MelodyLane: Right, Verla!

Estar: Doesn't Frank Peretti (spell?) write for YA?

susette: Someone on the CCWG list submitted a chapter that dealt with warfare. But we can't discuss that.

MelodyLane: I don't feel it prudent to discuss doctrine issues here, but I will be willing to discuss it by private e-mail. About the warfare, I mean.

Estar: When you get into the genres of Christian writing aren't you influenced by denomination when you're selecting a potential audience?

susette: You have to be careful to NOT write denominational or you cut your audience.

Verla: Oh...good point, susette

susette: In other words...you limit who will buy your book.

Verla: kind of like writing something so specific that only ONE magazine would be able/want to print it.

MelodyLane: Now, some denominations REQUIRE books for their doctrine.

ponytailmo: interesting point Mel

LadyPen: fiction?

MelodyLane: Humor, Adventure and mysteries.

LadyPen: Go back to the statement of some religions requiring books...

susette: Mel, isn't Sci-Fi kind of ...not going over too big in the Christian market?

Verla: yes, what did you mean about some religions requiring books, mel?

MelodyLane: Catholics for example.

susette: Ladypen, Catholic and Jewish.

Verla: What do they require, mel?

MelodyLane: They WANT fiction that shows how the Catholic faith HELPS teens.

LadyPen: But requiring what books? fiction?

susette: Check your market guide.

LadyPen: Oh, I see. There is a market there.

Verla: oh..okay...so some religions only want to see books published that reflect THEIR faith alone

MelodyLane: Basically, it is as said above.

MelodyLane: Right, Verla.

Authoress: mel, could you give an example of a Christian mystery plot (or if it's easier, name an author or two, please)?

MelodyLane: Yes, I can, Authoress. One of the BEST is Patricia H. Rushford -- her Jenny series. She says her books were meant to crossover to the secular market.

susette: I remember one publisher told me they only do books relating to

Jewish 'custom' (religion)

MelodyLane: Others state that it shouldn't DISAGREE with their doctrine.

Estar: Melody have you written Christian mystery for kids?

MelodyLane: Yes, Estar. I've proposed a series for mid-grade and am currently writing a YA mystery.

Verla: Christian mysteries would be pretty much the same as secular ones except they'd have a Christian character (or someone who is exposed to Christianity) in them, wouldn't they, mel?

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla.

susette: A friend is having a hard time selling his mystery series for kids. He's sold over 30 books (mostly non-fiction) already.

susette: Wasn't the Cul-de-sac kids a mystery series?

MelodyLane: Let's get to the BASICS of plot, shall we?

Verla: Okay...good plan, mel

MelodyLane: First: You MUST have a Christian MC, or the MC will become a Christian.

Verla: Basics...

MelodyLane: (This will be VERY basic -- trying to be broad enough to cover all genres)

Verla: What about a main character that fights against Christianity, mel? Does he HAVE to become a Christian at the end for it to work? Or can you just show his struggle?

susette: If he doesn't become a Christian, Verla, and he is the main character...I don't think Christian publishers would care for it or buy it.

Verla: Okay, susette..that makes sense.

MelodyLane: Second: You CANNOT mention a specific denominational church in your books.

MelodyLane: (Unless, of course, you're planning on sending it to a denominational press that requires that)

MelodyLane: Third: Your characters MUST remain true to themselves.

susette: Not to mention the: no drinking, no smoking, no cursing

MelodyLane: Well, Susette -- I don't know about that!

susette: Never portray sin in a positive light.

MelodyLane: The cursing, definitely not. But the smoking/drinking -- so long as it's portrayed in a BAD light (as it should be for teens & under), then I wouldn't say that.

susette: Dancing can be touchy with lots of Christian publishers too.

Verla: I would think you could put the drinking and smoking stuff in it as long as you are showing it in a negative light, Susette....and that your main character overcomes those "temptations" by the end of the book Estar: I think you could have a Christian MC who tried drinking, or smoking, or cursing, The MC would, however have to come around to Christian ways before the end of the story.

MelodyLane: I agree, Estar.

Verla: (Hey! I thought I just said that? GRIN)

MelodyLane: So long as the Christian principles WIN OUT in the end, I think it's ok.

Estar: ditto

susette: Depends, some publishers are VERY funny. I can't mention them in adult novels/romances.

Verla: Probably some of it depends on the amount of that kind of negative stuff you have in your book, too, mel

MelodyLane: Yep, Verla.

MelodyLane: NEXT: Decide what KIND of story you're writing. You need to decide whether your story is PLOT or CHARACTER driven.

Verla: ah...good point, mel

MelodyLane: If PLOT driven, then you don't have to worry about your character changing very much. But you DO have to worry about having plenty of action.

Verla: Plot driven is where the events are most important and character driven is where the character is most important?

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla -- PLOT is where the MDQ (major dramatic question) and its answer is most important.

susette: One author said she always ends a chapter with a hook and starts the next one with a hook.

Verla: yeah, kids today are used to instant gratification and won't sit still for long, dull passages

Authoress: can't it be both, where the character is changed by events?

MelodyLane: Yes, Authoress, that's why I recommend Pat Rushford.

Authoress jots down the name Pat Rushford

Estar: A lot of mags for Christian children specify a change, for good, in the character. Could this work with plot driven?

ponytailmo: but if Christian stories are about staying in or becoming Christian how can they be plot driven and not character driven?

LadyPen: Susette, that's true of any chapter book.

susette: Of course, but not everybody thinks of it.

MelodyLane: Plot Driven is simply this: Where the reader will be more interested in WHAT happens than in the character him/herself.

Verla: oh, GOOD way to put it, mel

MelodyLane: Of course, in Plot Driven, your characters CAN'T act out of character. (g) They MUST do what would be logical for them.

ponytailmo: that is a good way to define it and made sense to me. Thanks

susette: And no drastic changes in character unless there's something to bring about that sudden change.

MelodyLane: Correct, susette. (and you're welcome, pony)

MelodyLane: In CHARACTER DRIVEN: Your character must have a spiritual problem as well as an outer problem.

Peg: Would a Christian theme parallel the basic plot in a Christian story? Like the character's growth is a subplot?

MelodyLane: That depends on HOW you write the story, Peg.

Authoress: example please, mel, of the spiritual problem as well as outer problem

MelodyLane: A spiritual problem? Ok -- how about lying? Your main character lies -- can't stop lying -- and feels guilty.

Estar: Or holding a grudge?

MelodyLane: Or anger.

Estar: Or resentment?

Verla: jealousy!

ponytailmo: anytime they do something they shouldn't - in my house

susette: You have to get him past lying. Have him get caught in lies until he realizes he has the problem and can change.

Estar: Then you'd have to prove He did. On a childís level would that be hard to do? I mean that the reader would have to understand that God did help.

MelodyLane: No Estar.

Verla: I think you can do that easily enough by showing the child praying before the resolution of his problem, Estar

MelodyLane: Prayer!

Estar: Okay

MelodyLane: How many times does a child get caught lying?

Verla: I always got caught, mel! So I very seldom lied. VERY seldom.

Verla: Would a character driven story be more concerned with an internal struggle (like Christian behavior vs. what all the other kids are doing) instead of an external struggle (like who is going to get to be the prom queen this year?)

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla, but there must be action in it, too.

Verla: (Well, of course, mel. That's a "given")

MelodyLane: An EXCELLENT example of MidGrade Character Driven book is Lee Roddy's series. He's written TWO series that I think EVERY Christian author for kids MUST read: MelodyLane: There are TWO: D.J. DILLION ADVENTURE SERIES (8-12) and THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE SERIES. In DJ Dillion series, the MC gets saved in the first book and has a problem witnessing. He also has family problems. Along with getting a dog he didn't really like. (g)

Authoress: witnessing is a concept I never heard of in my Methodist upbringing, so I have a hard time figuring out what is denominational and what isn't

MelodyLane: witnessing is simply telling others about Jesus.

Authoress: yes, but Methodists don't do that, LOL

MelodyLane: That's ok, Authoress. (g)

susette: Authoress, denominational would be...taking the sacraments, saying Hail Mary's, things that are associated with a certain denomination.

Authoress: I understand, susette, but isn't there a difference between evangelical Christian and other Christians?

susette: yes.

MelodyLane: I'm considered evangelical, Authoress. Grin.

Authoress: that's okay, Mel :-)

ch: Can a spiritual problem just be doubt by the character that God will help him through a crisis?

Verla: (good question, ch)

MelodyLane: Yes, ch.

Authoress: I've found the Roddy series at Barnes & Noble. Must be selling well.

ch: thank you, Verla

MelodyLane: Let's cover prayer in plotting. Make your MC's prayer fit in with the character.

Verla: yes, how much do you put prayer in...and where? and how?

ponytailmo: like always saying grace?

MelodyLane: Depends on your plot, Verla.

Estar: I think saying grace is a great form of witnessing.

Verla: (Darn. I knew there was a catch to this, mel!)

ponytailmo: using grace to show that prayer is an everyday thing for mc

MelodyLane: That's why I like Roddy so well. For instance, when the MC in Roddy's book is up in a tree (because of bear), he prays.

MelodyLane: Make your prayers simple, to the point, and SHORT!

LadyPen: Short! LOL

Estar: One of my few sales showed a child praying because he thought God was the only one who cared enough to listen to his troubles.

MelodyLane: Excellent, Estar.

susette: Some believe in praying in tongues. Some religions don't. So you wouldn't write about praying in tongues.

MelodyLane: Right, susette. Although I believe in tongues -- I NEVER write about it. It's too controversial an issue to put in a story.

Verla: lots of different Christian religions out there. You'll never be able to make them ALL happy...might be best to just write your story with the basic principles of all of Christianity and not dwell on any specifics.

MelodyLane: It's MORE important to talk about Christ -- Christian principals.

Authoress: so that's an issue that doesn't appear in children's Christian fiction, speaking in tongues?

MelodyLane: Nope, Authoress.

Authoress: interesting a Christian taboo!

Estar: You could write about speaking in tongues if you were aiming at the right denominational mag couldn't you?

MelodyLane: Estar -- those would be very few.

susette: I normally say they prayed and not go into detail of a prayer unless its a ...Lord help me type of short prayer.

MelodyLane: MAKE the prayer short -- simple -- and to the point. Listen to children praying. What do they say? "God help my Mom/Dad/Whoever." Or "God, please help me!"

susette: Gee, Mel. We had a 4-6 yr. old pray for his dad who was in jail for messing with his sister.

Authoress: or please let my dog get well

MelodyLane: Or, "God, please heal my friend."

Estar: Mine told God that he thought his step-father wanted to take the place of his dead father, and how he resented him.

susette: LOL

MelodyLane: LISTEN to what the children pray. Model your prayers after that.

LadyPen: good advice!

Verla: hmm. What if your main character was being influenced by a certain person from a specific church? Say...a Catholic one? Then couldn't you logically introduce some of the Catholic rituals into your story?

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla -- you CAN put specifics in there, BUT don't do it often.

susette: Verla, Maybe if you do Suzie goes to visit another church.

MelodyLane: Next, don't put a prayer in every chapter. Or have them going to church in every chapter. Pace your story -- put in ONLY what is necessary to achieve your ending. And pick your ending BEFORE you start writing that story!

Estar: Melody do you always know the ending of your stories before writing them?

MelodyLane: Yes, Estar, I do.

Verla: Okay, mel....are there any main differences between plotting the Christian story and plotting a secular one besides the Christian elements of prayer, religious attitude, going to church, etc?

_Lyra: good question, Verla

susette: If you want to make it cross-over you need to write it in such a way that they don't even realize it's Christian. But has a message.

MelodyLane: Verla-- GREAT question!

Verla bows low

MelodyLane: And the answer is: depends on the TYPE of Christian story you are writing.

Authoress helps Verla up

susette: Here, let me help you up Verla.

MelodyLane: If a mystery, no, there's not much difference.

Verla: Dang! Another sneaky answer, mel!

MelodyLane: If an adventure/romance, yes there is a difference.

Verla: ah ha! What would those differences be for adventures and romances, mel?

Verla: Less physical touching, etc, in the romances?

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla -- less touching -- more on the aspect of what GOD wants in their relationship.

susette: Maybe what they would or wouldn't do to solve the problem. Verla, You can read mine later. <g>

MelodyLane: For example, Frank Peretti writes the COOPER KID ADVENTURE SERIES. In the COOPER kid series, Peretti skillfully combines faith with action. As good as Roddy's. A good example of HUMOR, is ERIC STERLING: SECRET AGENT series.

Verla: (That's VERY high praise coming from Melody)

MelodyLane: I like Peretti's skill in devising completely different plots for each of his books.

Authoress: mel, which is the larger market right now for Christian fiction, MGs or YAs?

MelodyLane: MG's, Authoress.

NOTE: MG = Mid Grade Novel and YA = Young Adult Novel

Estar: Melody have you written anything about the 'new' movement among some young Christians about keeping God with them on a date, etc.?

MelodyLane: No, Estar, I've not heard about keeping God with them on a date. Our teens are into the staying pure --no difference there. And our teens are into "Can you see yourself married to this person?"

Estar: I recently heard about a church where this is a big thing with their teens. One couple even leaves a seat empty, between them at the movie, for God.

MelodyLane: Interesting premise for a story, Estar! IMMEDIATELY a plot comes to my mind. May I share it?

Estar: Now why didn't I think of that? Sure.

Dani257: yes, share

MelodyLane: What if the girl is the dedicated Christian, but not the boy?

MelodyLane: How would he handle the chair for God thing?

Verla: LOL Probably not too graciously, mel!

Estar: Good start!

MelodyLane: What if he really liked the girl? Better than anyone? And his buddies made fun of him for liking her? And keeping her rules?

Authoress: which they surely would do

Estar: I see a black eye in this.

MelodyLane: Doesn't it SMACK of conflict?

Verla: yup. Sure does, mel

MelodyLane: That's another thing I wanted to cover in plot. HOW to come up with a story problem. USE things you've heard like this.

Verla: ah...good point, mel!

MelodyLane: Think: What if?

Verla: YES! Playing the "What if?" game is the BEST way to come up with original plot-lines!

Estar: Don't you think conflict is the engine that runs the idea?

MelodyLane: Absolutely, Estar.

MelodyLane: For instance, Teen romance is BIG. You can't have plot without conflict. the more problems you make for the MC, the better!

Estar: A lot of what I write starts out in the middle of a disagreement or hurt feelings or such.

MelodyLane: For instance: In our above situation -- What if the girl is pressured by her peers to quit seeing the guy?

Estar: What if the girlís parents don't like the guy?

MelodyLane: We could make a whole SLEW of problems for this poor couple!

Verla: just like in any book's plot...making the problems worse before they are better...making the main character's solutions to his problems cause more, bigger problems...until the end when all is finally resolved, BY the main character himself. :-)

s-r-w: What are her reasons to keep seeing him?

Estar: He's cute!

ch: I like Mel's idea of plots being same as secular books. As a Christian reader, I don't like to be preached at--I just want to read a good story with characters that believe as I do.

MelodyLane: That would be a YA plot. Let's try for an MG plot. A boy. Age 12, say. His parents are good friends with an 11 year old girl. Ordinary home life -- goes to church on Sunday -- everything's wonderful. What can we do to him?

Verla: and he has to spend a lot of time with her....even though he thinks girls are ROTTEN!

MelodyLane: We can divorce his parents.

KRAdady: he steals money from parents to buy something all his friends have

KRAdady: ooppps never mind

MelodyLane: Force him to spend time with a girl. But, let's go deeper.

Verla: (I just did that, mel)

Estar: But she takes up for him at an unexpected time, and wins his admiration even if grudgingly.

Authoress: the girl develops an illness

s-r-w: One of the books I want to write in my series deals with parents arguing and the MC fears her parents are going to get a divorce.

Verla: the boy becomes ill?

MelodyLane: WHAT IF . . . he suddenly comes across a POOR boy. The poor boy never heard of Jesus -- has a terrible home life-- is hungry all the time. And his parents invite this boy into their lives. Become foster parents, if you will.

s-r-w: She can do something nice for him or bring him food.

Estar: The poor boy has a mean, criminally dangerous dad.

Dani257: And he resents the attention the poor boy gets?

Verla: what if the poor boy has a happy life...and the MC's parents are fighting all the time and talking about divorce?

MelodyLane: Yes -- the dad who THREATENS the parents. That's good, too, Verla.

MelodyLane: You see how we've DUG deeper -- and come up with spiritual conflicts, too!

s-r-w: Don't children usually have to solve the problems in MG's?

Estar: The kid then has to decide whether his Christian beliefs are strong enough to take chances with the meanness of the man.

MelodyLane: Or explaining Jesus to the poor boy -- how is our MC going to "walk in love"?

NOTE: MC = Main Character

ponytailmo: I have a picture book here that talks about sin, sinners, Jesus dying on the cross for your sin etc. Does anybody else feel that's too heavy for a picture book?

MelodyLane: Yes, pony, I do.

Verla: It would be okay, IF it's done tastefully, though, wouldn't it, mel?

MelodyLane: Depends on how it's presented, Verla.

ponytailmo: it's pretty blunt and straight forward Verla

Verla: You might be able to incorporate humor into your book, pony...which would make it fun to read and still have those concepts presented...

ponytailmo: 'sometimes we think things that hurt people. Your sin makes you do these things."

Estar: Humor is hard!

MelodyLane: I wouldn't bring out "sin" so much.

ponytailmo: No, its a published book that was given to my children as a baptism present

Verla: yeah..that's pretty heavy pony.

MelodyLane: To be honest, it REALLY depends on how the book is written.

Verla: wow, pony. Heavy baptism present

Estar: You can disguise 'sin' in 'not obeying God'.

MelodyLane: Estar, that's not a concept I think a child under 10 can understand. Our pastor says in presenting the gospel to young children, the idea is to get them familiar with the concept of Christ.

Verla: Yikes! We only have about ten minutes left, already!

Estar: They can understand thinking they've done 'wrong' though. Couldn't that qualify for a child being raised in church?

MelodyLane: Depends on the book AND the children. I think the parents need to make that call. Let's get back to plotting.

Estar: good

MelodyLane: We've covered: prayer & church attendance, spiritual problems, different genres, how to create a Christian plot, and there's a previous workshop on making Christian characters REAL.

Verla: yes, there is!

MelodyLane: The last ten minutes, I'd like to discuss writing DEEP. Delving into the Character's emotions and reactions for a character driven plot. This question was recently discussed on the CCWG list. (and probably still is being discussed). Correct me if I'm wrong, Harazin, but the key to writing DEEP is to reveal more of the character's emotional reactions and thoughts to the action.

Verla: (Would you mind explaining just what the CCWG list is, please, mel? And how to get on it?)

MelodyLane: Oh, sure!

MelodyLane: The CCWG list is the Christian Children's Writing Group for writers of Christian fiction and crossover fiction for children. To join: go to http://www.onelist.com and look for the CCWG list listing.

s-r-w: Didn't you say that DEEP writing is getting in depth with your characters. Helping the reader to 'feel' with them?!

Harazin: Mel, reveal enough to get the feeling across, but be careful not to go overboard, in my opinion

Verla: That sounds pretty much like what you would do with any main character to make your reader really identify/sympathize with him

MelodyLane: Only deeper, Verla.

Verla: thanks, mel

MelodyLane: Harazin, would you care to explain further? (She's EXCELLENT at this!)

Estar: Deeper how? Like how they feel about their faith?

s-r-w: Feel their struggle, their battle, reason with them and learn to change by the influence of God.

Harazin: Right s-r-w

MelodyLane: Weaving in "back story", thoughts and reactions.

Verla: ah...like a secular internal problem only with the "complication" of God in there, too! So they not only have their own conscience to deal with, but their faith, as well. I see!

MelodyLane: Yes, Verla

Harazin: And reveal the character and their emotions through their actions

s-r-w: You might call their conscience the Holy Spirit or God's prompting. That 'inner' voice that tells you when you've done something you shouldn't.

Verla: AWK! Our time is up. (HOW did this workshop go so FAST?) Do you have anything else that needs to be shared before we close, mel?

MelodyLane: I don't think so, Verla.

MelodyLane: Any last questions before we call it an evening?

***WORKSHOP ENDS***

Estar: This has been great! Thanks MelodyLane for helping me better understand plotting.

s-r-w: Thanks, Mel.

Verla: Well, this was a GREAT workshop, mel. THANK YOU!

Authoress: a round of applause for Mel!

MelodyLane: And of course, I'll be HAPPY to share further with anyone later, or in e-mail.

s-r-w: Claps wildly.

Verla passes out silly string to everyone and starts squirting the red all over mel and hara

MelodyLane bows.

ch: Thank you, Mel!

_Lyra: great, Mel!!! applause

Dani257 applauds

Verla: Next week's workshop will be a different one!

Harazin: Great Mel!

Don_ss: Thanks Mel!!!

Harazin: Great

MelodyLane: Thanks, Hara --

MelodyLane: Thanks, Don.

s-r-w: What is next weeks, Verla?

MelodyLane: Peg, did you get some of your questions answered?

Peg: yes, I'm taking this all in and thinking deep.

MelodyLane: LOL! Peg! The transcript will be posted on Verla's website -- plus other transcripts that will help you.

Verla: It's being led by Judy Gregerson (deet) and me..and it's going

to be" THIMBO for successful writers

Dani257: THIMBO???

MelodyLane: THIMBO?

Verla: yup

s-r-w: ???Explain?

Verla: THIMBO is:

_Lyra: what?

Deetie: Actually, it's going to be led by verla and I will co-chair.

_Lyra: is that like a BIG thimble?

MelodyLane: Or a small one?

_Lyra: something to wear over your fingers so you don't get cuts?

Dani257: Sounds like an insult for a thin person

Authoress: jumbo thimble

s-r-w: Let Verla answer. I'm curious.

s-r-w: THIMBO????

Verla: total dedication, having faith, improving your craft, making time, being persistent, and overcoming discouragement. THIMBO...how to be a successful writer. :-)

Dani257: OH! I see, said the blind man (as my brother says)

s-r-w: Hey, I could become an expert at overcoming discouragement!!!

Verla: Deet and I came up with it together. We make a great team!

MelodyLane: COOL!!

Authoress: hey, that's my expertise, s-r-w

s-r-w: Or editors who house hop.

Estar: I'm reluctant to leave, Thanks Verla Kay, Until next time...

Verla: okay, Estar....glad you made it

Verla: Jessica Swain will be doing a workshop the following week on discouragement and disappointment

Authoress: that's me, LOL

Verla: which will go into much greater detail than deet and I will be doing