Author Archives: admin

With a Ph.D. in American literature, Marc D. Baldwin has been writing, editing and teaching for 37 years. He’s published a scholarly study of Ernest Hemingway and numerous articles in various literary journals, and is president of Edit911, Inc.

How the Gospel Writers Can Transform Your Writing

The Bible presents four Gospels, which despite their commonalities are four distinct presentations of Jesus as the Messiah. Looking a little closer at each one and seeing their unique traits can help transform your writing.

Matthew wrote his Gospel for his people, the Jews. He carefully connected Messianic passages to their fulfillment in the person of Jesus. He wanted Jews to see all the ways that Jesus fulfilled prophecies of the coming Messiah. In doing so, Matthew gives a carefully crafted argument why Jesus is the Messiah. Unique to Matthew is the genealogy through Joseph’s side of the family, connecting Jesus back to the lineage of David, including a unique nod to four women in his ancestry. Even at the end of Matthew, his resurrection account is careful to point out the earliest lies about the resurrection that had spread among the Jews of the day.

Matthew had a heart for his people as he tried to communicate the message of Jesus as Messiah. Matthew had learned of forgiveness and grace from Jesus. As a tax collector, Matthew likely would have been viewed as a sympathizer with Rome, the so-called Herodians of the day. Jesus extended a call to Matthew and others who were known as sinners and outcasts of that day, proving that Jesus’ message of salvation was for everyone. Matthew even ends his Gospel with the passage that we commonly call the Great Commission, commanding the disciples to carry the message of Christ throughout the world, teaching and baptizing as they do.

The heart of Matthew’s message was not just to convince the Jews, his own people, that Jesus is the Messiah but also to move them to fulfill their mission to bless the whole world through God’s special revelation to them. This blessing was revealed to Abraham in God’s covenant with him. But like Jonah, too often the chosen people ran the other way or refused to rejoice when God wanted to bless non-Jews. There are several stories in Matthew that surprisingly reveal God is ministering to non-Jews, including the only telling of the visit of the wise men to see Jesus.

Your passion will be evident in your writing, but are you willing to expand your message in other ways? Do you likewise limit your ministry and calling to those whom you feel most comfortable ministering? Or do you equally welcome and pursue all people? Does your writing empower people to live out their life’s purpose? If your writing liberates and frees others to carry out their life calling, you will have multiplied your effectiveness many times through your investment.

Mark, according to tradition, wrote from Peter’s perspective. It is the shortest of all the Gospels but communicates the heart of the Gospel in simple form to the Gentiles. Mark’s Gospel also uses words of action, such as immediately quite often in transition from story to story. Mark’s Gospel is fast paced, direct, and to the point. Mark also emphasizes the timing of God in revealing Jesus and His work of salvation. Jesus often told others not to tell about Him yet, emphasizing a special timing directed by God that Jesus, as Messiah would be revealed.

Mark shows that good writing can be direct and to the point, fast paced, and still effective. Peter’s work in Rome to Jews and Gentiles alike grew that congregation into the strongest church in the world. Mark was most certainly used in reaching people like these to the message of the Gospel.

Good writing can do the same for you: deliver concepts directly to the point in an effective way that presents others with information, allowing them to act upon it. Like Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, Mark presents readers with the Gospel directly and without apology, giving readers the opportunity to respond. Move your readers to action whenever possible. Present the calling that many will respond with action.

Luke, the physician who traveled with Paul, wrote the Gospel bearing his name. Luke’s Gospel is written to Theophilus and is described as a careful laying out of the facts and truth about Jesus. Luke references the earliest information about Jesus’ birth, the traditional Christmas story. Luke also presents the point of view of Mary regarding the birth of Jesus. There are numerous post-resurrections appearances in Luke as well. One of the fascinating theories about this document is that Luke may have written it as part of the documents representing Paul in his appeal to Caesar. Thus, Theophilus may have been a person involved in the court system of the day, hearing Paul’s appeal for Christ.

Writing that carefully lays out facts and one’s belief will appeal to those who have not heard your message or need encouragement. This approach appeals to those who like things presented systematically and logically. We don’t know if Theophilus or others who read the Gospel believed, but they heard the Gospel message and had opportunities to respond.

Luke also wrote a second volume that we know commonly as Acts. Luke carefully presents the expansion of the Gospel and early growth of the church, ending with Paul’s journey to Rome. Luke describes the early church growth in the face of persecution with missionaries like Paul who presented Christ to the Jews throughout the reach first and then to the Gentiles.

Good writing follows the same path that Luke describes in the beginning of his Gospel. It should carefully lay out the facts and truths about which you are writing. Good research is the foundation upon which your writing is built. Luke also was passionate about his writing and the truth it presented. He wanted others to respond to his writing. He was not afraid for it to break down barriers that stood between Jew and Gentile. Good writing also pushes boundaries and challenges individuals with your passion and truth.

John: The apostle John, the oldest surviving apostle of his day, wrote John. John features seven I Am Jesus taught and seven corresponding miracles. John says that he wrote his Gospel so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ and would have eternal life in Jesus’ name. John indicates that he carefully chose the stories he wrote to accomplish this purpose, remarking that all the books of the world could not contain all that Jesus had done.

John shows that good writing is focused. Like the other Gospels, it is focused on the reader and wants to move him to action. John likewise fills in gaps in some stories that are missing from the other Gospels. For example, we read the sermon Jesus preached after the feeding of the 5,000 plus. Good writing builds upon the knowledge people have and fills in missing gaps of information, motivation, and inspiration. It both informs and liberates.

Writing with a similar focus and passion as these Gospels can make your readers become lifelong followers of your work and the vision you are creating through it!

Write for Your Audience: Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development Can Help You Reach Your Readers

I have often been called a lifelong student: 4 years undergraduate work, 3 years of seminary, and 8 years from start to finish earning my Ph.D. Despite many differences in these programs of study, the work of Erik Erikson was part of each program. Erikson’s work touches on human development throughout the entire lifespan, focusing on key areas of conflict and resolution shaping both human identity and moral development. Educators, clergy, and psychologists use Erikson’s theories alike for his take on human and moral development achieved through key life stages and struggles. Even though these stages are focused on one stage of life, these conflicts continue to be part of the human identity or even ongoing struggles to resolve. Those struggles are listed below along with key insights for how to reach that audience and connect with them through your writing.

Trust vs. Mistrust is the first stage that infants resolve through the caring attention of parents as they meet the basic needs of the infant. If loving, attentive parents meet an infant’s needs, the infant will generally grow to trust those around him. If parents do not consistently meet the needs of an infant in a caring, attentive way, he will view the world with mistrust. The parent largely shapes this point of view of the child’s world according to Erikson.

According to Erikson, those who do not successfully resolve this issue of trust and mistrust will continue to deal with it. Even though many people will love your writing and hang on every word, you can expect some to read with skepticism and doubt. Your approach to your topic should acknowledge and honestly address questions others raise. Be up front in your writing, present clear facts, and give credit where credit is due. That will win over readers who otherwise would not easily become fans of your writing. In marketing there is often discussion about branding a product. Your writing will brand you in a similar way in the minds of your readers as a writer who is either trustworthy or not in how you approach your topic.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt refers to the stage of the toddler, exploring the world around him and emerging as his own self through words and action. The role of the parent is again crucial during this stage. Parents who smother their children—today’s helicopter parents accused of always hovering over their children—can frustrate the child. Hands off parents who don’t set limits can have an equally harmful impact. Children who grow up without structure may not have a clear sense of right and wrong and may even doubt whether they are loved.

Your writing should explore your world and wander as far as you would like into the depths of your imagination. Do not let the rules others impose on you hold you back. At the same time, utilize structure and form, not to smother you, but to transform your writing to reach your audience. Writing that empowers others to act and throw off what holds them back is writing that reflects this stage of development. Many incorrectly label this stage as a search for independence. Other scholars have pointed out that the goal is never truly independence but interdependence. People will need to depend on one another. Personal identity will develop and shapes who you are, but there is always a connection to others that is crucial.

Initiative vs. Guilt is a stage closely tied to the one before it. As a child learns to explore, he also will face obstacles. Toddlers are well known for saying No when they don’t want to do something. Or they are likely to say just the opposite when they are so inclined, “Me do it!” Or “By myself.” This stage is about a sense of accomplishment and pride in what he can do rather than carrying a sense of guilt for not meeting expectations of parents or being able to do things independently. Some parents do things for their children and not let them overcome obstacles or problem solve. These parents are not doing their children a favor by intervening and should let him deal with consequences involved.

This stage is all about the choices people make. We make tons of decision every day that we probably never stop to think about. Other decisions are life altering. The type of questions you raise in your writing will grip the attention of others, intrigue them, and draw them in to read more. Strong characters are defined by the choices they make. Working through complex situations brings realism into the process of decision making as well. Don’t let your writing avoid areas of conflict. Explore those gray areas. Ask the tough questions. Develop characters that are faced with dilemmas that intrigue and confound readers. No one wants to read about a character that has all his decisions made for him.

Industry vs. Inferiority refers to experiences of the school-age years. As children enter the classroom, they begin to see their own abilities, talents, looks, and so forth in light of that entire classroom of children of kids in the neighborhood. This comparison exists in schoolwork, on the playground, through popularity with friends, and in countless other ways. This can lead to children finding exactly what they like and are good at doing. Unfortunately, it also can lead to unfair comparisons, teasing, and bullying. One of the central tasks of this stage is to identify the things you are good at doing rather to feel constantly inferior to other children.

Hopefully, your writing will inspire others to action in a unique way, causing others to break the chains that hold them back from accomplishing what they desire. But those who feel inferior may need a champion who gives voice to what they are feeling. If your writing can help people find some of those ultimate questions about who he is and where his life fits into the grand scheme of things, it will bring another level of success to your readers.

Identity vs. Role Confusion is the one stage of Erikson’s theory that has gotten the most attention. This stage is the one associated with the adolescent years, in figuring out one’s identity as a person. This would include questions about one’s friendships, activities, place in the family, gender, and talents. Either he will form a clear understanding of who he is and what his purpose is in life or will be in a continuous place of role confusion until this conflict is resolved. Commonly people accuse adults of acting like a child or living out his own experience and wishes through his own child. This is evidence of this role confusion that probably has existed since these adolescent years.

You will speak to a segment of the population that will see eye to eye with you or who will be inspired and encouraged by your writing. Take time to nurture these fans, encourage them, and listen to their comments. Consider this your sweet spot and learn to live in it rather than try to be someone you are not. This does not mean avoid being stretched and challenged but know your talents, interests, and passions and live there. Your strong convictions and sense of purpose may awaken within your readers a sense of self that they have long ignored or not thought about in some time.

Intimacy vs. Isolation is the stage that refers to how people choose to invest themselves into the lives of others. Do they choose to marry and start a family? Or do they invest in the lives of others, such as future generations? People at heart are searching for relationship. This stage refers to one’s approach in connecting with others or to withdraw in isolation. Each adult has to decide how to approach and relate to others. Those who don’t have children often find ways to volunteer and invest their lives in others. In that regard, they are creating a legacy through their work and the time and love in the lives of others.

People want connection and closeness. Think of tips for your writing that brings couples, families, and multiple generations together. Build characters that feel like someone you could identify with, and you will have that reader for a lifetime. Encourage writers to take their ideas and vision and follow through to leave an impact and legacy.

Generativity vs. Stagnation involves crises of identity related to work, including the infamous mid-life crisis. This is where accomplishments and failures are examined in light of the person’s work and perhaps in light of the competition of facing a younger generation’s youth and expertise. This is such a difficult stage in so many ways, perhaps because I am personally located in this struggle. When you realize you are at midlife, you naturally want to examine how to spend the second half of your life.

There will always be someone younger, prettier, and more popular in life. As a person grows older, he depends even more on his life experiences and the wisdom gained along the way. In your writing, you should embrace your age, experiences, and wisdom. Pull from that well of experience, and it will add authenticity to your writing. Many people also choose to start over again in a new career. Empower others to follow these dreams and step out to take risks. Those forgotten dreams of yesteryear need not to lie dormant forever!

Ego Integrity vs. Despair is the stage of old age and through the end of life. When you reach retirement and beyond, will you despair and think of all the things you should have done or be satisfied with what you accomplished and how you have impacted future generations? That is the crucial struggle of this age.

Hopefully your writing can link younger and older generations together in amazing ways. It will lead people to reflect on a lifetime of accomplishments but also to make plans with confident to enjoy the gift of having another day to live. A sense of the joy of life can infuse any age! But interaction with and engagement in the lives of youth always seems to inspire the older generations. Don’t ever let your writing be limited by age or other ways we tend to separate people. The older generations hold valuable knowledge that needs to be communicated to both inspire and educate the generations to come.

Review of In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives

If you were to name the most successful, powerful, global, and all-pervasive companies in the world, Google has to be on a very short list. Maybe even at the top of the list.

What other company’s mission is no less than to list and assemble everything ever written into a searchable database stored in the cloud?

Google is at once rated the #1 most trustworthy and admirable company in the world, yet also feared for and suspected of gathering so much information about so many people that they make the IRS and FBI look like your local neighborhood gossip.

In this comprehensive and fascinating book, Steven Levy (www.stevenlevy.com) chronicles the yesterday and today, while speculating on the tomorrow of Google, from its1998 origins to the genesis of its current battle with Facebook (see the latest—as of 5/13/2011—developments here http://on.mash.to/kEzemo and on Levy’s own website).

Allowed unprecedented access inside the Googleplex, Levy conducted over “200 interviews with past and present Googlers, as well as a number of people who could shed light on its operations and practices.”

A highly-skilled and sure-footed writer, Levy tells the spellbinding tale of how Google’s founders–Larry Page and Sergey Brin—“revolutionized Internet search,” created “Googlenomics,” Gmail, and Google docs, and have done so with a conscience.

“Don’t be evil” is Google’s corporate slogan. Some may debate their fidelity to that slogan, but Levy’s book balances whatever economic and business concessions Google’s made with the overall verdict clearly in their favor: Google is, indeed, a company with a social conscience.

Detailing the history of how Google’s dealt with one riveting legal issue after another—“intellectual property challenges, defamation, invasion of privacy, and content regulations”—Levy’s impeccable and insightful investigative reporting makes it very clear that Google’s key players always tried their best to play fair, be honest, and come down on the side of openness and transparency. Even if it hurt themselves, as Google searches sometimes did. Google’s corporate policy of not censoring anything on the net—such as sensitive private information that a search turned up—stood firm even when its own CEO, Eric Schmidt, “had trouble dealing with [the] privacy” issue.

In what is surely one of history’s greatest understatements, Larry Page predicted early on in Google’s development, “There’s going to be large changes in the world because of all this stuff.”

If you Google, you’re being Googled. Take the word apart and you have: Go ogle. Hmmm. Everyone who Googles needs to read this truly eye-opening book.

Review of The Now Revolution

Want to make your online business “faster, smarter, and more social”? You should, unless, that is, you want to be left in the cyberdust, gasping for customers while e-commerce passes you by.

Consider The Now Revolution (http://nowrevolutionbook.com) to be your manual to improving your website, business systems, client base, pitches, delivery, marketing, voice, image, publicity, reach…everything. I could go on and on about the brilliance, practicality, and efficacy of this book. Jay Baer & Amber Naslund know today’s e-commerce as well or better than anyone.

In improving my own business–as well as developing a new startup I’m launching in July–I’ve found this book to be an indispensible, inexhaustible resource. From emphasizing the need to be the Ritz-Carlton in your industry, to advising on how to create and enhance your corporate culture, to sharing invaluable strategies for taking full advantage of social media, their tips and methods are viral-worthy advice.

Do you need some guidance in organizing your social media strategy? It’s here, helping you with “the bigger picture perspective and keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s happening around you….”

Do you want to unify, inspire and rally your employees? Write a Cultural manifesto and “put it up on a web site as a living document that everyone can contribute to and refer to as a Rosetta stone…for decision making and planning.”

Do you need better customer service? Your customer service “lets you break out from the pack, solely by exceeding expectations through nimble, nuanced, timely, relevant response.”

Baer and Naslund are adept at exposing and proposing solutions for just about any and every possible weakness in your business.

“The playbook for…reexamining and retooling your company or organization to make real-time business work for you, rather than against you,” The Now Revolution is full of so many real and immediately doable action-steps, I’ve shipped a copy of it to all of my key employees around the country.

As a writer and editor, I also admire its crisp, clear writing and intuitive formatting. It’s a pleasure to read and a treasure map for any business to follow.

Science & Religion: How Methodological Models Inspire New Ways of Thinking and Writing

In discussing science and religion, several typologies arise explaining how science and religion relate. These typologies often include conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration. This discussion has benefits for the fields of science and religion and gives insight into subsequent writing in those and related fields of study.

Conflict: Many people think of science and religion as being in a state of conflict. In fact, both scientists and people of faith have argued this to be true. Think of the sharp division in sides that emerged during the Scopes Trials for example. The prevailing thought of the conflict point of view is that science and religion contradict one another and are incompatible. Thus, one is right and the other is wrong.

I find that many incoming freshmen in my Introduction to the Bible courses tend to think in black and white terms regarding science and religion. Sometimes a student will speak with great passion, identifying himself as a man of science or a man of faith, implying that science and religion can’t exist together.

No matter which introductory course I teach, we invariably deal with this faith and science discussion near the beginning of the course as we jump into Genesis. I invariably ask the hard questions: Is the creation story incompatible with evolution? Is the only possible interpretation of Genesis 1 that of a 7-day creation? Are there limits to science? Does it take faith to believe in science? Sometimes the sparks fly in this discussion, showing a true unwillingness to budge from preconceived beliefs.

I oftentimes try to get students to examine and hopefully understand the other point of view, even if they are unwilling to change their own point of view. Thankfully, popular culture also provides many entry points into this discussion. Through the past several years, we have used television shows, such as Lost and Fringe, to talk about the nature of faith and belief as well as science and reason.

Benefits: There is nothing like discussion and conflict to help a person refine his beliefs, present his point of view in a thoughtful manner, and to take ownership of what he believes rather than mimicking what others have taught him. Conflict sharpens one’s understanding in many ways. A key is the level of respect and understanding that you show a person of an opposing viewpoint. Questions arise: can you understand and represent accurately a point of view that you do not hold and even oppose? Can you see another’s viewpoint? Can you agree to disagree?

In performing dissertation editing, I sometimes can see clearly the writer’s point of view in the midst of evaluating different viewpoints. Sometimes derogatory language gives that away. As a researcher and writer truly seek to understand an opposing viewpoint, even if you are unwilling to consider it as part of your personal belief system. It will help you grow in your research and writing skills and give you a better understanding of those who believe differently than you do.

Independence: Theories that fall into the independence category generally hold that religion and science are separate realms of enquiry and do not involve one another. Usually this line of thinking explains that science deals with observable facts gathered through the scientific method, developing theories that explain empirical data. Religion, on the other hand, deals with questions of ultimate meanings and moral and value questions that arise in life. These two realms of inquiry are not in opposition; they simply do not overlap and remain separate.

I often point to statements of personal belief that people use in conversation, citing evidence for their belief and how it differs in religious and scientific language.

On a basic level, scientists lean toward statements of “I observed the following” while people of faith make statements that begin with “I believe.” Thus, the fields of study sometimes mimic portions of the human experience and the language people commonly use. I once talked with a doctor who worked in the field of genetic engineering. He basically expressed an independence point of view by explaining that his job was to develop the technology, but that my job was to decide the moral use for that technology and where the limits are.

Benefits: Those who tend to think of religion and science as valuable fields of study, but addressing different areas of knowledge and experience, may be described as compartmentalizing each field of study. Sometimes this is portrayed negatively, especially in our age of quick media polls for or against topics.

The media tends to oversimplify complex issues into sound bytes and may spur on the general public to take sides. However, there is something to be said about letting each field flourish on its own and carry on investigations where the other field of study cannot. This approach to each field of study is much like the experience of a child becoming his own self in a family of other distinct personalities. Each child is unique and special.

As a writer, your voice is unique. You must develop and nurture it no matter your detractors or how much you differ from or are similar to key figures in your area of study. Dissertation writing is unique in many ways in that your writing must review the literature on a specific topic, tipping your dues to the giants whose shoulders your dissertation stands upon, but then to make your own unique contributions to the field through your work. We all tend to label others as to where we think their writing falls into an area or field of study. Resist the labels others try to affix upon you. Be your own unique voice in your field of study.

Dialogue: This typology acknowledges an overlap in interests and fields of study and allows their work be influenced through this dialogue. Thus, there is true conversation occurring between fields. A model of dialogue might say that both science and religion speak to the ultimate truths of human existence, having theories about the problems and answers to human existence and giving insight into that reality.

When I think of models of dialogue, David Tracy’s modified method of correlation always comes to mind. He took Paul Tillich’s method of correlation, where biblical truths speak to the philosophical questions of human existence, and makes the flow of questions and answers a true dialogue. Dialogue is not just one side asking a question, and the other answering it. As information is communicated, it literally changes the conversation, both the answers and questions. That is the true test of models of dialogue. Do fields of study truly allow questions from other fields and allow modification of theories and approaches based on those questions? Is there room for growth? This is the heart of dialogue.

Benefits: Having true dialogue of different beliefs and viewpoints is one of my goals every semester in my Introduction to the Bible courses. Each person, even if he is not of the Jewish or Christian faiths, offers different viewpoints based on his beliefs and experiences. These small class discussions are about topics like creation and evolution, the possibility of supernatural intervention in our natural world, and the central questions of human existence (such as Who am I? What is my purpose? What happens when I die?). This conversation mimics dialogue that occurs between other fields of study. As a writer, you have the opportunity to build bridges and tear down silos and break down barriers between fields of study and explanatory theories. Don’t back down from branching out into uncharted territory.

Integration: The integration typology describes those theories that attempt to unify both fields of study. These theories concentrate on similarities between the fields, focusing on how both fields speak about the world we live in and questions of ultimate concern.

Whether these theories start with the foundations of science or speak of all truth being God’s truth, this person has a predisposition that the two fields of study are interrelated on multiple complex levels. A theory of integration might say that science and religion are really getting at the same truths through different languages. Some say this approach has at its heart Anselm’s concept of faith seeking understanding. They begin with a belief that informs their worldview and shapes how they understand the data and interpret the world around them.

Benefits: When I think of people who are able to see connections that others don’t between fields of study, I think of one of my Ph.D. professors. He always clearly identified differing points of view and how many times people talk past one another by not understanding the other’s unique perspective.

There is a true talent in ignoring differences and focusing on areas of common ground. This professor often pointed out how humans are creatures of personal stories that explain the world around them, assigning meaning and purpose to events. It is natural to have a personal narrative that explains one’s history and background. Similarly people like to explain the history and background of how things came to be, why bad things happen to good people, and what their purpose is in life.

This tendency toward personal story allows people to work on unifying theories that bring together the fields of science and religion. Readers respond to stories in the same way. Don’t be afraid to share your personal story and let your passions influence the direction your research goes. How you put together the field of science and religion is important to your research and can inspire others to keep working through these important issues.

Theological Writing: 6 Ways Tillich’s Method of Correlation Can Approach the Deep Questions

1) Begin with existential questions that flow out of human experience. Some people have different names for these questions, but they are the basic questions of human existence: Who am I? What is my purpose? What happens to me after death? Tillich’s method starts with the questions of ultimate concern that reach to the heart of one’s being.

If your writing can identify first the questions that people are asking and keep your writing in line with those questions, then you will have a greater opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of individuals everywhere. Theological writing in particular has to make sense to an individual’s daily life and provide answers that are practically applicable to the life of the reader. Otherwise your writing may be insightful but not transformational.

So don’t be afraid to ask your deepest questions. Too many times Christian traditions even hinder and discourage people from asking questions, as if they are somehow signs of a weak faith. In reality, the questions always coexist with faith and make faith stronger, durable, real, and life changing.

2) Answer questions of human existence with the revelation of God. Traditionally revelation has been described in two different ways: general and special revelation. General revelation includes one’s conscience, the mark of God’s creative handiwork in the world, and the image of God that all humans carry. Special revelation includes God’s revelation through the Bible and through Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection. Tillich’s method of correlation urges readers to let revelation speak to the deep questions of human experience. Revelation provides answers, comfort, healing, salvation, and encouragement.

In your theological writing, start with and integrate biblical passages throughout your work. If your writing can address questions of human existence in the same way biblical revelation does—bringing healing, releasing from bondage, empowering, encouraging, comforting, and answering—then your work will resonate with a large audience in powerful ways.

3) Human experience is the filter through which God’s truth is understood. This basic concept gives explanation to the great variety of interpretation between people of faith and allows each person to experience God’s revelation in a way that is life changing and practical for his specific life circumstances.

Some writers are so prescriptive or limiting in their writing that it automatically limits or even alienates key audience segments. Writing that is best applies in different ways to different individuals. What are some practical ways to accomplish this? Present illustrations from your experience with which others can identify. This will bring practical application to your writing as well. Also, pull out practical applications from your theoretical discussion. Takeaways like this are valuable for readers and make writing come alive.

4) The form is important in answering the questions with God’s revelation. We all know examples of people who carry biblical answers but do so with vindictiveness or other approaches that cause others distance rather than reconciliation. The form is important in answering questions of ultimate concern. To Tillich, the content of God’s revelation is given but the form changes. Many churches deal with these questions on a weekly basis: How do we continue to appeal to the younger generation? Do we adopt newer, contemporary forms of worship? Do we change traditions completely or update them? Do we modify old forms of ministry and outreach in favor of new ones?

Form is important in your writing as well. Sometimes theological truth comes in unlikely places. Think of the impact that the book The Shack had on the general American public as well as the church. There is no doubt that the author addressed theological issues throughout, but in the context of a novel that held readers’ attention. Look at the impact of popular Christian books such as Randy Alcorn’s Heaven or Dan Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven had on those longing to know what lies on the other side of death or what happened to loved ones when they die. They appealed to readers in a way that caused them to think theologically and deal with questions of ultimate concern but not in a traditional theological treatise.

The most important aspect of this teaching is that answers must address the real questions people ask. Standard, pet answers do not work nor do they satisfy the true longing for knowledge and truth that people have. Seek to deal with the real questions with real answers.

5) Revelation changes one’s state of being. In the words of Isaiah 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Likewise, Hebrews 4:12 describes God’s Word as “living and active.” God’s Word changes, shapes, molds, and brings to God the hearts and souls of people. It accomplishes God’s salvation work. Therefore, this model is not a reaction or accommodation to the fact that life changes. Revelation is an agent of change in and of itself.

Writing that changes lives, not just one’s actions, but who a person is. Now that’s valuable writing! Aim for theological writing that changes the lives of people. In our current culture, academia and the church are sometimes seen at odds, as if their conversations are not about the same topics or ideas. That should never be the case. All people think and speak theologically when addressing questions of ultimate concern. Writing at a theoretical level but does not touch church practice or daily life is missing the mark.

6) Questions change as life changes. There is a reason why some people observe that change appears to be the only constant in life. Change happens. People grow. That’s why a model of questions and answers is consistently needed. Since revelation changes people, their questions naturally change as well.

Writing that lasts is writing that changes people, causing emotional reactions, invoking life change, and challenging presuppositions. Writing that grows as people grown and change will last and continue to be applicable for years to come. Scripture has a way of speaking in different ways to different situations and people.

Want to really dive into Paul Tillich’s Method of Correlation? Pick up Systematic Theology Volume 1 for a fascinating read!

Marketing Your Book (Part 2): Where?

In focusing your marketing efforts, consider where your readers spend time. Showcase your book, your expertise, and yourself in those places your readers are most likely to frequent.

Online retailers Obviously book buyers shop at online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. Amazon offers various tools for authors who want to gain exposure for their books, such as author profile pages, where you can let customers know a little more about yourself, and the Search Inside!™ tool.

The more material you make available to potential readers, the more likely they are to purchase your book (especially if you’re a first-time author), so be sure to take advantage of features like Amazon’s Search Inside tool, Barnes & Noble.com’s See Inside feature, and Google Books.

Facebook: That social networking site With a population of users larger than many countries, Facebook is a perfect place to promote yourself and your book. Set up a personal profile and a page for your book, create and join groups, and actively update your pages. While you’re in a social mood, set up accounts on other popular sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. With growing usage (13% of online Americans use Twitter as of 2011) and integration with Apple’s iOS 5 mobile operating system, Twitter is another platform for reaching potential readers in large numbers.

Online communities These virtual communities allow you to interact directly with people who love books. Some sites cater to a general population of book enthusiasts, such as Goodreads and Shelfari, and others are more specific, such as Figment.com, a site that is popular with writers and readers of young adult books. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Target your search. Look for online communities that are as specific as possible to your genre. Not only will you have more to contribute, but people who are passionate about a subject may participate in several online communities, and so you may find yourself developing relationships across multiple sites.

Participate. Set up a profile page, find or start groups, join in discussions, and comment on others’ blog postings.

Don’t focus on selling. Not every interaction in an online community has to (or should) be about promoting your book. Be yourself and make a real contribution. By participating in relevant communities, potential readers can get to know you and you can learn more about your readers and what they are looking for.

Practice reciprocity. As you develop relationships with group members, consider asking particularly active ones if you can send them a copy of your book to review on Amazon or (if applicable) their blog. If they like your book, see if they will provide blurbs for your website or recommend your book to other members of the group. Be prepared to do the same for others. Good relationships are never one-sided.

Your local media There is a lot of competition out there for coverage in big newspapers; unfortunately, not everyone can make it into the pages of the New York Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer. However, editors of local newspapers and producers of local TV and radio shows are frequently looking for interesting stories about residents.

Publishing a book can be a great local interest story. Send a press kit to local editors and producers, and be sure to follow up. Let them know if there’s a story idea that would be of particular interest to the community. For example, if you’ve written a book on parenting tips, and you’re heading into a cold suburban winter, offer to write a piece on fun things to do with your child at home.

To reach local readers, also consider location-specific news sites such as Patch.com, which reports on local news and events in towns and cities around the country.

–Meredith Hale, Marketing Manager, Baldwin Book Publishing & Edit911, Inc.

How to Write a Novel Book Review (Part 2): The Friction of Fiction

Try to Get It

It helps if a reviewer gets what a novel’s all about. I just experienced someone criticizing one of my novels, An Uprising of Angels, by saying, “This is pure fiction!” As if I’d committed a crime. And she hadn’t even read it.

She was basing her criticism on a press release of the novel. She was apparently expecting the book to be a piece of journalism, and it’s not. It’s a novel.

So I replied, “Yes and no. It’s real people, real life, real events interpreted, dramatized, and shaped into a story.” This reader is a very competent professional journalist, but apparently not enamored of literary fiction. When I admitted it’s fiction and explained some of its literary attributes, her entire tone and attitude changed. We ended up having a very nice email exchange.

Break It Down Into its Component Parts

The essence of analysis is just that: breaking something—a system, a contract, a problem, or a novel—into its component parts.

Here are some of the basic elements of a novel—each with my own quick take on why and how to analyze them:

• The Plot is what happens in the story. In some stories, the plot’s easy to follow. In others, it’s not. Neither approach is right or wrong. Remember, ambiguity is a virtue in fiction.
• The Characters are the people in the story. A useful way to look at the characters is from a psychological stance: What makes them tick? What motivates them? What do they want? What do they lack? Do you like them or not? Does that matter or not?
• Narrative Point of View: Who’s telling the story? The author or the characters? Close or distant? Inside or outside? Action or thinking? How would the story be different if it were told differently?
• The Conflict is the story’s problem or set of opposing forces. You don’t have a story without a conflict. It’s the friction of fiction—if the narrative doesn’t grate, it ain’t great. It’s gotta drive you nuts, enchant you, give you nightmares, or sweet dreams. If it has no emotional effect on you, either it’s no good or you don’t get it. (See section one.)
• The Themes are the “meanings,” morals, lessons, or “messages” we can infer from the story. How can we universalize the story, applying its plot and resolution, its characters’ growth, change, or stasis, to our lives? No theme, no novel. What the hell are you wasting my time for?
• The Setting is the time and place. The most important thing to notice is whether the story could have taken place in other times and places, or whether the setting of this story is the only possible setting for such a story to happen. Then, so what? Point being: where are you in relation to the story?
• Then there’s symbols, tone, style, and numerous other aspects to consider. Gotta do your homework if you’re writing about fiction.

Know What You’re Talking About

Okay, so you’ve gotten at least an M.A. in literature and you’re ready to read the novel carefully and compose a literary analysis (in the form of a book review) that does justice to the hard drive space and printer ink it’s using up.

Yes, that’s right: there’s a lot to learn to really write a good review of a novel. And you’re at a serious disadvantage without the formal education.

I could go on a long tangent here—and I will in another essay—but suffice to say, knowledge is power. That’s Bacon talking. As in Francis. And he was right.

So let’s assume you’ve done your homework. Or if you haven’t, you want to try anyway. Fair enough? Fair enough.

Get a “Read” on the Novel

Regardless of your educational preparation and credentials, you have the right to write what you want to write. So, start, proceed, and finish strongly—by establishing your own “read” on the book. Find an angle and triangulate it: craft a thesis and nail it down with evidence from the novel to support it.

How best to do that?

• Read carefully, taking notes, paying attention to your own gut reactions.

• Trace those gut reactions. Do you feel tense, angry, indignant at any particular scene or line? STOP. Think. Dig deep. What in your life, in your past or present, may be affecting that emotion you’re feeling?

• There’s a funny line in the very funny movie called “Best in Show” when one character, reflecting quietly upon her life, says, “I’m waiting for another message from myself.” As you’re reading the story, is your “self” sending you any messages in the shape of emotional reactions to what you are reading?

• Formulate a tentative thesis statement and refer to specific scenes, lines, action, dialogue, plot points, descriptions—anything and everything from the story to hang your hat on.

Triangulation: Author/Text/Reader

In this empowered environment of Reader-response, the triangular dynamic of the author-text-reader clearly implies that we, the readers, play an equal role in the assignation of significance, or meaning.

After the author writes the story, the text then exists on its own—like a child who grew up and left home. The reader is the world the text entered, never to be the same again.

The Intentional Fallacy

The significance of a piece of writing is not entirely what the author intended. That way of thinking even has a name: it’s called the Intentional Fallacy. The author wrote the text and cut it loose, like a child cut loose from his parents. Therefore, the text stands on its own merit, a free agent, if you will.

Further, the author may not have even been fully aware of everything he was writing or suggesting in his text. We often say more or other than we intend to say. Thus, we, the readers, are full partners in determining the significance of a piece of writing, the text.

Look at it this way, the text means nothing by itself. Until it is read by an engaged, active intellect, it is just inanimate words on a page or computer screen. You, the reader, bring it to life. So, don’t be timid about inserting yourself into the text or insisting upon your meanings.

A Cautionary Word

Despite all of the preceding glowing advocacy for the Reader-Response approach and the triangular dynamic of signification, a cautionary aspect of these philosophies must be noted.

These empowering critical approaches assume a sane, fairly well-balanced, fairly well-informed intellect doing the reading, reacting, responding, and analyzing. In other words, some interpretations are better than others.

Simply because you see it in the text, does not necessarily mean that what you see in isolation or through the lens of your limited knowledge can be universally applied or defended.

Make sure you can support your views with solid textual evidence.

Focus Your Review with a Strong Thesis Statement

That said, don’t back down from a good idea or insight, just be sure there’s more than one “clue” in the text to support your point.

A good, solid academic and scholarly thesis—as well as a commercial or general book review–is a debatable inference about a narrow aspect of the subject—in this case, the novel you’re reviewing

So narrow your subject. The entire story is too much. You weren’t planning on writing a mere synopsis, were you? That’s not a review.

Even narrowing it down to a short summary and a psychological profile of the main character is still too much. A limited statement about the main character is better.

And make it debatable. For example, “In Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, the main character is an Englishman who learns many things in many foreign lands.” That’s a true, factual statement, and that’s why it’s not a good thesis. Why bother to write about a fact?

“In his travels, Gulliver learns that rationalism is overrated and humans must tap into their intuitive emotions in order to survive.” Now that’s a good thesis statement precisely because it is not a fact about the story. It’s an interpretation, an angle, an argument that needs to be supported.

Be a Proactive, Scholarly Book Reviewer

As you’re reading, be formulating tentative thesis statements, looking for evidence to support them. But also, note carefully if there is any evidence in the story that may refute your theses. You cannot ignore opposing arguments. That’s shoddy and dishonest scholarship.

It happens every day, in every business and walk of life, of course. People often ignore evidence, data, or arguments that refute or disprove their own sacred beliefs. Don’t they? But they’re not being honest with themselves or the world when they do. They certainly aren’t scholars. Which is what a good book reviewer really aspires to be: someone who knows a few things and who imparts them with total integrity.

So, try to be a true scholar. Get in the habit, if you aren’t already, of being intellectually honest, with yourself and others. Don’t fall in love with your opinions. Be ready to shed them fast, if and when you find evidence that they are faulty, incomplete, or misinformed.

If you embrace that notion of being a scholar, you’ll read better, analyze better, and write better. And readers of your reviews will quickly come to recognize the difference between you and the charlatans operating with smoke and mirrors, dazzle and flair—all style and no substance.

Marketing Your Book (Part 3): How?

We’ve discussed some general points and ideas to keep in mind as you create your marketing plan. Now on to a few specifics. How will you alert your readers about your newly published masterpiece? And do you need a professional?

There are some things for which you may need professional assistance, and there are other tasks you can do yourself. Obviously, some of this depends on your experience with publishing and marketing, your particular book, and your goals. Let’s take a look on some efforts where you may want a helping hand.

Copy that

Unless you have professional copywriting experience, you are better off having your marketing materials written by a professional.

This service should include your press release, your pitch letter, back cover or flap copy, your book description for online retail sites, sell sheet copy, your website copy, and so forth. (If you decide to write these materials yourself, you should at least have these items proofread.)

Book publicists

If you envision a marketing campaign that focuses on print media, TV, and radio, then you may want to enlist the help of a publicist. A publicist has relationships with various media contacts–ideally ones who review and/or feature books like yours.

If you are considering working with a publicist, here are few tips to keep in mind:

• Discuss your budget and goals with your publicist. Ask your publicist what is realistic for a budget of your size. Make sure your money is going toward efforts that are most likely to produce results. If your publicist feels getting national review attention will be a tough sell, then ask her what she sees as the right plan for your book.

• Perhaps an aggressive social media campaign makes more sense. Or, if you’ve written a book on something topical, then perhaps a radio tour will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

• Avoid publicists who don’t have a specific strategy for your book: sending out hundreds of unsolicited copies to editors who are already flooded with books for review is likely to blow through your budget–but not all that likely to sell your book.

• Look for a publicist who has experience working with books like yours. If you’ve written a novel about vampires and your publicist primarily works with nonfiction authors, then you are probably not a good fit.

• Find out who will be working on your campaign. If you’re looking at a big firm, make sure you speak to the person who will actually be creating and executing your campaign.

• Make sure you are comfortable with this person and he is responsive to your questions. Ask about follow up. Sending out pitch letters and review copies is relatively easy. Following up with editors, producers, and bloggers is not. However, without follow up, the initial pitch isn’t likely to go anywhere.

Create a website

Many of your marketing efforts will direct readers to your website, so it’s important that your site makes a good first impression. Your website should have an attractive, professional design and be easy to navigate. Unless you have experience with web design, you may want to hire an expert to create your site for you. At a minimum, your page should include:

• A “book shot” displaying your book in its jacket or printed cover

• A brief description of your book

• Your author bio

• Links to e-tailers where visitors can purchase your book (or an order page if you are selling books directly from your site)

• Information for retailers interested in purchasing copies of your book

You should also considering including on your website:

• A table of contents (for nonfiction books)

• An excerpt that draws readers into your book and leaves them wanting more

• A link to your blog

• Reviews, endorsements or news about your book (such as speaking engagements or book signings)

• Social sharing buttons for sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as social bookmarking sites like Digg and Reddit

• A way of contacting you regarding media questions, ordering queries, etc.

• An author interview or FAQ page

Discuss all of your ideas with the professional you are considering hiring to create your site. Ask to see samples of her work, and make sure you establish how updates can be made to your site after its initial creation.

Advertise online

You also may want to consider online search advertising, such as Google AdWords. Known as a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaign, this type of advertising allows you to set your own budget and bid on certain keywords that, when users search for them, will bring up ads for your website on Google search results pages.

While you can do this yourself, it will be more effective to have an experienced professional monitor your campaign, making changes as necessary to improve your results.

Do-It-Yourself Marketing

There are certain things that you can, and often should, do yourself. For example, involving yourself in online communities relevant to your book is something you can do best. While you can certainly pay someone to set up your profile and load your bookshelf on a social book site, only you will have the passion and know-how to establish a genuine online presence in these communities, and to build relationships and create discussions that will interest others and make them interested in you.

Remember, being part of a community isn’t just about selling your book; it’s about participating and contributing in your own unique way.

Here are some other affordable and effective ways you can promote your book:

• Customer reviews: Customer reviews can influence a reader’s decision about whether or not to purchase your book. This is especially true if you are a new author. Be sure to send your friends, family, and colleagues copies of your book (or, even better, ask them to buy copies), and to write objective customer reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. Follow these tips when it comes to reviews:

o Keep it real. The key word here is “objective”; if an acquaintance can’t be impartial, then don’t ask him to do it. If readers see a slew of glowing reviews that all look as though they were written by your mother, they are likely to develop a distrust of you and your book.

o Focus on Amazon top reviewers. For maximum credibility, solicit reviews from Amazon Top Reviewers. These reviewers have badges next to their names, such as “Top 10” or “Top 50” reviewer. You can find a current list of Top Reviewers at http://www.amazon.com/review/top-reviewers.

o Do your homework. Many of these Top Reviewers list their email addresses, as well as the types of books they prefer to review; send a brief pitch and offer to send a review copy. But first, check out their reviews, and see just how “brutally honest” they tend to be, and how well-written, thoughtful and fair their reviews are.

o Stick to type. Also consider the types of books they tend to review; someone who generally reviews romance novels may not get your post-apocalyptic zombie saga. To speed up your search, find books that are similar to yours, and focus on Top Reviewers who provided compelling and balanced reviews of those books.

• Alert the media: Once you have a press release, you need a way to distribute it to the masses. PRWeb (http://www.prweb.com/) is an online press release distribution service that releases the story to major news sites like Google News, Yahoo! News and Topix, as well as more than 250,000 subscribers, 30,000 websites and 30,000 bloggers and journalists. Prices range from $80 to $350 per release depending on the package you choose.

• Become an expert: There are websites that specialize in connecting journalists with subject-matter experts who can provide quotes or ideas for stories. This is free exposure that boosts your credibility and gets your name out there. Check out HARO (http://www.helpareporter.com/), FlackList (http://www.flacklist.com/home.php), Reporter Connection (http://www.reporterconnection.com/join/?11526), or NewsBasis (http://newsbasis.com/) to learn how to position yourself as such an expert.

• Workshops and Speaking Engagements: There’s plenty you can do from your computer, but sometimes nothing beats going out and meeting potential readers in person. When setting up face-to-face connections:

o Provide value. Make it worth people’s while to attend your event. If you’ve written a book on knitting, offer a free knitting workshop at your local yarn or craft store. If you’ve written a book on retirement planning, invite members of the local media to participate in a workshop (and give away free copies of your book).

o Consult a speakers bureau. A speakers bureau can connect authors with audiences. Newer authors may want to consider a site such as Maestro Market (http://www.maestromarket.com/), an online marketplace connecting talent with people planning events.

• Back to School: Your relationship with your college or university didn’t end when you tossed your cap in the air. Reach out to your alumni network: Pitch an article or interview to your alumni magazine, announce your book’s release in an alumni newsletter, or consult your university’s speakers bureau about being added to the bureau’s speaking list.

• Be their guest: Reach out to blogs relevant to your subject or genre, and offer to write a guest post. This allows you to reach new readers and grow your reputation, and to create backlinks to your own blog or website. Make sure you approach bloggers who share your passion, and that you provide unique content that offers real value to the blog’s readers (don’t simply pitch your book). You can reach out to bloggers on your own, or join a community like My Blog Guest (http://myblogguest.com/), which connects guest bloggers with bloggers seeking content.

• Solicit reviews: While your novel may not appear in the New York Times Book Review next to the latest release from Jonathan Franzen, there are various websites and blogs devoted to books that can provide thoughtful and engaging reviews of your work. A few of these include Blogcritics (blogcritics.org), The Midwest Book Review (http://www.midwestbookreview.com/get_rev.htm), and Bookslut (http://www.bookslut.com/contact.php). However, there are many others that may be more relevant to your book.

And remember:

o Follow the rules. Before contacting a reviewer, read any book submission guidelines listed on the site, and make sure your book is eligible and that you submit the proper materials within the time frame indicated.

o Be selective. As always, try to assess if the reviewer or site has reviewed books like yours, to give your book the best chance of receiving a positive review.

• Give it away: Promote your new masterpiece with an online contest. Offer to send a free copy of your last book to the first 50 people who tweet about your new one. (A great use of any extra inventory sitting in your garage!) Or send a free eBook to the first 50 people who “Like” your new book’s page on Facebook. People love free stuff–and it’s great way to create buzz around your book.

As you can see, there are many ways to promote your book, and what you choose will be individual to your budget, your experience, and your content. Keep track of other books like yours that are experiencing success in the marketplace, and see how those authors and publishers are promoting their books. See what keywords pop up in their press releases or web copy, and which blogs and reviewers have featured them. But most of all, commit your time to promoting your work, and developing your own personal brand.

Ultimately, the followers you gain and relationships you build will help you to sell not just this book, but many more to come.

–Meredith Hale, Marketing Manager, Edit911, Inc. & Baldwin Book Publishing

Naming Private Ryan

For those of you who write novels or short stories, a great number of resources and how-to guides exist that can help in plotting, characterization, and the other elements of the craft of fiction.

The help is very limited, though, when it comes to choosing the most effective names for your characters. Granted, the choice of characters’ names won’t make a good story bad or a bad one good. What they can do, however, is add significantly to the “feel” of your characters.

Names Affect Reader Buy-In

A name that just seems to fit the protagonist can make a difference in how well your readers buy in to the whole story.

And reader buy-in is what you’re after, isn’t it? Getting your readers to feel like the story is reality even when they know it’s fiction is the fundamental challenge we all face, whether we’re producing another War and Peace or an 800-word short-short for a weekly tabloid. We want our readers to lose themselves in the story and forget for awhile that it’s all made up.

A good name for a character is a small but important part of that. On the flip side, few things can break the spell quicker than an ill-chosen name.

Let’s take an example from the title of this blog. Why was Ryan a good choice for the character? Would Saving Private Jones have worked as well? How aboutSaving Private Martinelli? Ryan has no inherent superiority over the other two names. Jones is such a common name that it would reduce the distinctiveness of the title. Martinelli, although distinctive, has too many syllables for optimum flow. Using Ryan gives the title a cadence that Martinelli, or for that matter Jones, would not.

Different, Pronounceable, Symbolic

There are a number of other techniques useful in getting good names for your characters. In order to avoid reader confusion, it’s usually best to avoid giving two characters similar names or even names beginning with the same letter.

Likewise, make sure character names leave no great ambiguity about their pronunciation. We’re ill at ease when we don’t know how to pronounce a person’s name. Readers are, too.

Some good tools for choosing character names are telephone books (for last names) and baby books (for first names).

You may or may not want to christen your characters with names that either are symbolic or seem to “fit” the character’s personality or occupation.

David Morrell, in his excellent novel on the Punitive Expedition in 1916, Last Reveille, named the older protagonist Miles Calendar to symbolize the man’s age and experience, and named his younger protégé Prentice, alluding to his position as a kind of apprentice to the seasoned Calendar.

If you decide to do something similar with a character of yours, just don’t make it obvious. A policeman named Dick Copper might lead to reader rebellion.

The Extra Edge of a Name

All these ideas, of course, are just my suggestions. Fiction has few hard and fast rules. Finding effective names for your characters, though, can be one of the little things that give your story the edge over its competition.

–Dr. Loyd, Staff Editor, Edit911 Editing Service