The Master's Artist

Ask Dee: Can Writing for Profit Kill Your Spirit for Writing?

Since I’ve become published, I’ve begun receiving emails, offers for advise, writing tips, that sort of thing… Do you mind if I share my answers here at THE MASTER’s ARTIST? I will share one today and you let me know if should keep this going for my next post.

Question:

Good morning Dee,

I* am writing because I have a friend who used to write socially (an occasional blog here and there) but now is writing for profit. She shared that now that she has to do it that it has some how removed the excitement and actually struggles to write now. Has that been your experience? I'm asking because I love writing as well and enjoy doing blogs when given the chance but if this more than I thought it would be then I'm not sure if it is for me.
Thanks in advance for your guidance and input.

My Answer:

Making your Art a part of Holy Week

Palm Sunday Haiku

by Dee Stewart

Palm branches waving
Sallow shoots shower The Messiah
Hosanna, Selah.

in honor of National Poetry Month

This week I will be cleaning my room and car in preparation for Maundy Thursday. We will attend Maundy Thursday service and have communion with our Saint Philip AME family. During the week Selah and I will make eggs treats (easter eggs, cupcake eggs, deviled eggs) for the Easter baskets. It's a great way to talk about what "new life" means since eggs are a symbol of that. Of course I watching The Sound of Music don't know why, but I do. lol And I will be writing more poems, good or bad.  What will you be doing this Holy Week?

Dee Stewart is a Christian magazine editor, journalist, publisher of Christian Fiction Blog and runs an arts and literary PR firm DeeGospel PR. She also writes suspense novels for Kensington Books. SOMEONE BAD and SOMETHING BLUE, Book 2 in her Angel Crawford Series releases July 2012.

Black History: Christian Literature Frances Harper’s Iola Leroy

"My dear child, I have not learned my Christianity from them [slave owners]. I have learned it at the foot of the cross, and from this book," she said, placing a New Testament in Iola's hands. "Some of the most beautiful lessons of faith and trust I have ever learned were from among our lowly people in their humble cabins."

IOLA LEROY was originally published in 1892, during a time of black disenfranchisement, lynching, and Jim Crow laws. It is the story of a an American woman of mixed heritage raised to believe she's white until she and her mother are sold into slavery. Iola becomes an outspoken advocate for her people and a critic of race-mixing. Her story offers an important portrait of black life during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

It is the first published Christian novel written by an African American Woman. It does what few Christian novels do now. IOLA LEROY express in both theme and tone the issues that affected early 19th Century American life: Jim Crowism, slavery, women's suffrage, family responsibility, Reconstruction, and faith. Moreover the characters in this story are heavy and weighted in realism. Oftentimes I read newer faith based novels whereby the writer has watered down human reaction to a scene or a natural human response to a dilemma, in order to placate a general Christian audience. Other times, authors change historical elements (revisionist history) to make the story easy to take in .What Harper does is tell the world what she sees and feels and leaves the burden of how she will be perceived on the cross that Christ carried for us.

Dee Stewart is a Christian magazine editor, journalist, publisher or Christian Fiction Blog and owner DeeGospel PR. She is also Miranda Parker, novelist for Kensington Books. Her debut novel A GOOD EXCUSE TO BE BAD released July 2011. The sequel SOMEONE BAD AND SOMETHING BLUE releases July 2012.

Maggie

Scriptural Reference: 1 Samuel 17

Happy New Year! It has been a while since I’ve blogged at The Master’s Artist. The main reason for my absence has been fear of moving forward. In the past few months I’ve suffered medical setbacks, family loss, heart break, and been under enormous stress to complete the edits for my next novel (Someone Bad and Something Blue, Kensington, July 201 2.) It felt like one thing after another was pushing me down. As I write, my life is surrounded by road blocks, stumbling blocks, and insecurities. I’m afraid to fail, afraid to disappoint my editor at Kensington, to not do enough for my family, friends, and clients…I’m afraid of it all.  However, I couldn’t wait another two weeks to talk to you. My heart wouldn’t let me sleep until I shared my struggle with you, because I believe I’m not alone and I need you.

I to have a better year than last, yet I’m still trying to dig myself out of the last year. In my mind I’m still in 2011, trying to fix things. For instance, I have a friend who is terminal. She is in her last stages of battling lymphoma. I don’t want to sleep, because I don’t want to miss these last moments of her being in this world with me. I know she will not be able to experience this entire year with us and there’s a selfish part of me wants to hold the future back…make things stop and live in a snow globe where we’re sealed off and time stands still, at least until I fix things. Find a cure…I don’t know.

But I know my friend and I know our God. He didn’t create me to coil into a blue funk because my friend is going Home. She will always live a big, fun and sweet life.  Life is short for those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ. Maggie will not die and I must write and come back to the world.

Dee Stewart is a Christian magazine editor, journalist, owner of Christian Fiction Blog and DeeGospel PR. She is also Miranda Parker, novelist for Kensington Books. Her debut novel “A Good Excuse to be Bad” released July 2011. The sequel SOMEONE BAD and SOMETHING BLUE releases July 2012. To learn more about Lymphoma Awareness visit http://www.lls.org/

caption (Maggie is second on the left side.)

Seeking Christmas Short Stories

I am seeking Christmas theme short fiction for my December Christian Fiction Online Magazine column.  The Submission guidelines are simple:

• deadline November 21, 2011
• 500 word maximum
• Christmas theme
• stories that share a Christian worldview
• one paragraph bio
• bio pic .jpg or .png format
• submit to deegospelpr at gmail dot com

Dee Stewart is an inspirational book reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine,  contributing writer to Hope for Women Magazine, staff columnist for Christian Fiction Online Magazine, owner of Christian Fiction Blog and DeeGospel PR, an entertainment PR boutique. She is also Miranda Parker, novelist for Kensington Books. Her debut novel “A Good Excuse to be Bad” released July 2011. Visit her online blog tour click this link for tour schedule. This Saturday she will be featured at Authors on the Square sponsored by Atlanta Fulton Public Library.

Posted at 07:05 AM in Dee Stewart | Permalink

D.C. Gospel Music Producer Deborah E. Bradley: The Master’s Artist

Happy Monday!

Although many are spending today gearing up for Halloween, many of us are working on new content to glorify God and celebrate Christ through these holidays season. Today I wanted to share an interview with artist and gospel music producer, Deborah E. Bradley. This month she released her Christmas CD and is also offering a free concert to D.C. local non-profits, who serve the needy during the holiday season

Does my Poster Put You Off?

This month my friend, bestselling author Shelia Goss and I will be hosting a free 3 Day Online Writing Workshop. It is a great opportunity for aspiring authors to learn how to create a workable novel plot, create a character that has enough conflict and depth to carry 300+ pages, and a great continuing education opportunity for published authors. Is is also a great primer to get us ready for NANOWRIMO.

Many agree. Our virtual seats have filled up fast. However, as I combed through the class roster I noticed something troubling. All the students are people of color. None are White.

There’s no wording in our material to suggest this workshop is not for white people. It has been promoted across our networks, which is comprised of 50% white writers. Yet, I’m curious. Why? Is it the poster?

September 11, 2001 Saved My Life

On September 11, 2001 I was home, preparing to die. A few months earlier I was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy and had just returned from my second home, the hospital. My heart function was 15%, enough to get me off heart transplant wait list and back home, but not enough for breathing or living. Dad nursed me at his house. My baby lived across the street with my aunt. I was too sick to care for her. And my ex/her dad...he had become ghost. Not dead, but might as well be. That morning I had planned to stop taking my meds. I was miserable, saw no future, no good one except more hospital stays.

Then I saw that 2nd plane cut through Tower 2. 

8 2011 Christian Fiction Authors to Watch and Read

Ever went into a LifeWay or Family Christian Store and saw the same ten authors over and over? I do, I always do. However, I know that there are many more books that never reach the store shelves. And then there are some books you’re not too sure about, because they’re not featured on the 700 Club or recommended by your church librarian. This month I want to spotlight the brightest spots out there and the books you shouldn’t let get away.

 Catt Chasing 2011 (Urban Christian) Shana Burton

Dee Stewart 2011 Publicist of the Year

On my nightstand sits an award that is huge surprise and very humbling to me. Last Thursday, July 28, 2011 Black Pearl’s Magazine awarded my the 2011 Publicist of the Year Award. Literary Agent Janell Aygerman gave me my award and wrote a touching account of me and DeeGospel PR. I was Godsmacked.

I thank God for this award. I also thank all of you, Ella Curry, my clients, my friends, my family, and  DeeGospel PR.

Related articles

• The State of Black Books (deegospelpr.com)
• A Good Excuse to Be Bad GoodReads Giveaway (deegospelpr.com)