Christian Fiction

I read in a book, once, that a Christian writer is:

~ a Christian

~ a Worshipper

~ a Prophet

~ an Artist

~ a Craftsman

It is my belief that this must be the order of our credentials as Christian writers. After that, must come some God-honouring training in the art/craft and ministry of Christian Fiction Writing.

My first advice to any beginner writer in this genre is to join a specifically Christian Writing group or organization.

Our purpose must be greater than just writing Christian appropriate fiction. Our purpose, as Christian writers, must be writing something that inspires even the secular reader to seek Christ. If the only audience we aim for are those who already know and have the precious gift of salvation, then we have been given the gift of this skill for our own benefit and should expect nothing more than some self-gratification to come out of it.

But, if we give the gift of our talents back to the One who designed them in us, and use this talent to His purpose and glory, we can use it to bless, increase, come along side of, and move those who need Him and still do not know Him.

So, my Christian writing comrades, be blessed, but more, be a blessing through your work.

Coming on this page, we will look into what specific differences there are between Christian fiction and secular fiction. Hopefully, the sharing will strengthen your writing witness. There will be a different Christian author featured, each month. Their stories will be chosen for their encouragement and inspiration to other writers.

Be blessed...but more, be a blessing!

Jude

When the Nile Runs Red has all the earmarks of a great novel—a hold-your-breath plot, larger-than-life characters, with a beautiful thread of hope and valor woven through—all handled with DiAnn Mills’ accomplished voice. A victorious follow-up to When the Lion Roars.

––Deborah Raney, author of Remember to Forget and A Vow to Cherish

“DiAnn Mills is a masterful storyteller who’s written a powerful tale of love, faith, and courage that could have been plucked from today’s headlines. When the Nile Runs Red puts a human face and heart on the suffering in the Sudan. This book is a must-read.”

—Mark Mynheir, author of The Void.

DiAnn Mills Bio

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” Her desire is to show characters solving real problems of today from a Christian perspective through a compelling story.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007. She is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas, the home of heat, humidity, and Harleys. In fact she’d own a Harley, but her legs are too short. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Website: www.diannmills.com

When the Nile Runs Red

Review

Ashley Denis -- Front Street Reviews

I cannot put into the appropriate words how truly amazing this novel was. I felt like my heart was being pulled in all different directions; wanting Larson and Paul to stay safe so they can raise their family, wanting Ben to find happiness and contentment in the few short months he has left to live, and for the Sudanese people who suffer so much everyday; you want nothing but peace for them.

The mix of romance, action, and history, is a perfect concoction to tie everything together in this book. DiAnn Mills allows you to become intimate with the characters and to feel as though you are right there with them suffering in the Sudan heat day after day as they fight to bring peace to the land.

This book is based on real events that are going on in Sudan in 2005 between Southern Sudan and the Northern government in Khartoum. The Northern government called a Jihad (holy war) on Southern Sudan. Dr. Larson and her husband Paul are in Sudan working as a team, but doing two different things. Dr. Larson is there to give as much medical attention to the local villagers as she can. In Paul’s past, he was a Muslim who lived in the north and killed any Sudanese who did not follow Allah, but has converted to Christianity and now spends his life spreading the good word. The two of them are befriended by Colonel Ben Alier, who is leading an army and fighting for peace in the south.

When Larson discovers that she has a little one on the way, she debates whether she should stop putting herself in so much danger and go back to the states. Before she can make that decision, she finds herself in a few tight spots. DiAnn Mills does a great job at causing you to hold your breath as you scan the pages faster to see if Larson will make it out on top and have Paul or Ben come to her rescue.

Ben finds out that there is a mole somewhere in his army who is giving out their phone numbers and Larson and Paul’s exact location, and every move they make. He stops at nothing to find out who that mole is, but can’t find him soon enough. Larson is abducted by the mole and realizes she was fooled by this person all along. Now her life is in his hands, along with Paul and Ben, who later try and save her and end up being abducted as well. Will they all survive?

I highly recommend this novel. You get to take a look into the current events in Sudan, see the love grow and flourish between Larson and Paul, and see the fate of Ben that will have you wipe a tear from your check. This book is an emotional rollercoaster that is worth reading again and again.