Ask the Author: Christine Dillon
Answered Questions (24)
Christine Dillon
Narnia. Travel slowly and enjoy.
Christine Dillon
I have been living in different worlds/countries ... since I was 2 months old, so I don't really notice. However, if I'm to put them in books I will probably use description of temperature, sounds, smells, sights to layer the experience for readers.
Christine Dillon
The idea for this novel came while I was having a half day of prayer about my missionary work (nothing to do with writing). The idea was basically the central idea and a title like 'strange grace, tough love or puzzling grace.' By 2014, the current title was being used and it stayed the same ever since.
People are so quick to label things 'good' or 'bad' and therefore think that God is being 'nice' or 'mean'. The reality is that God is always gracious, it is just that his grace often wears a strange disguise. This is true for many characters in this book.
People are so quick to label things 'good' or 'bad' and therefore think that God is being 'nice' or 'mean'. The reality is that God is always gracious, it is just that his grace often wears a strange disguise. This is true for many characters in this book.
Christine Dillon
The cover designer is more important that the actual cover. I have a friend who has been a professional designer for 25+ years.
About a year ago I found a photo that I loved of a scene in the book and she designed about 15 variations with that and threw in one extra (when I asked). The problem with the beautiful photo was that it was really a panorama. It looked great spread over front and back cover but wasn't going to look like that on the ebook.
When I saw the 'extra' - the eventual cover, I just thought - that's it. The silhouette was one of several. I liked the one that looked a little messy and not quite all together.
Then I let supporters on my closed 'storytellerchristine' group on Facebook vote. Eventually they chose the blue one too.
About a year ago I found a photo that I loved of a scene in the book and she designed about 15 variations with that and threw in one extra (when I asked). The problem with the beautiful photo was that it was really a panorama. It looked great spread over front and back cover but wasn't going to look like that on the ebook.
When I saw the 'extra' - the eventual cover, I just thought - that's it. The silhouette was one of several. I liked the one that looked a little messy and not quite all together.
Then I let supporters on my closed 'storytellerchristine' group on Facebook vote. Eventually they chose the blue one too.
Christine Dillon
I might have two favourites. The 'Pharisee and the Tax Collector' (Luke 18:9-14). I love the shock of it and the emphasis on those whom God accepts.
The other one is 'The rich man and Lazarus' (Luke 16:19ff). I love what it demonstrates of hell. Also that the man there suddenly becomes an evangelist and wants someone sent to warn his family. He's told, "If they don't believe Moses ... they won't believe anyone." Or in modern terms, if they don't believe someone who rose from the dead, they won't believe anyone.
The other one is 'The rich man and Lazarus' (Luke 16:19ff). I love what it demonstrates of hell. Also that the man there suddenly becomes an evangelist and wants someone sent to warn his family. He's told, "If they don't believe Moses ... they won't believe anyone." Or in modern terms, if they don't believe someone who rose from the dead, they won't believe anyone.
Christine Dillon
Firstly, I believe it was God. I was having a prayer half day and the idea for 2 novels dropped into my head. I was shocked and reluctant, realising that writing fiction would be far harder than non-fiction. At that stage I hadn't even been published in non-fiction but I prayed and said, "If this is your idea God, you'll have to push me and give me the strength."
As an oral Bible storyteller I see the power of story every day. I realised there were many people who wouldn't read the non-fiction book on Bible storytelling but who might read fiction and learn from a model of it presented within a story.
There were also some issues that come up over and over again in discipling people. One is the difficulty we have with suffering, disappointment with God ... I wanted to tackle an issue in fiction format.
And I also wanted to tell a story where it isn't 'and they lived happily ever after' in its traditional format.
Fiction is another way to 'multiple disciples one story at a time.'
As an oral Bible storyteller I see the power of story every day. I realised there were many people who wouldn't read the non-fiction book on Bible storytelling but who might read fiction and learn from a model of it presented within a story.
There were also some issues that come up over and over again in discipling people. One is the difficulty we have with suffering, disappointment with God ... I wanted to tackle an issue in fiction format.
And I also wanted to tell a story where it isn't 'and they lived happily ever after' in its traditional format.
Fiction is another way to 'multiple disciples one story at a time.'
Christine Dillon
2002. I had a guest staying with me for 2 months and I apprenticed her in sharing the good news with others and discipling a new believer. She said, "You have quite a method here. I think you should write it down." So she sat me down and said, "Get to it." It was a small book that was self-printed and only available in Chinese about 'leading better Bible study?'
A practice run of sorts. A lot of authors write far more than ends up published.
A practice run of sorts. A lot of authors write far more than ends up published.
Christine Dillon
Hard question.
Probably - learn how to grow your email list. This includes choosing the right email provider and having an automated series of emails to welcome new subscribers and introduce yourself and your work. I find MailerLite wonderful (I was using another company first).
Secondly, make friends with other authors, especially in your genre. It helps in many areas but one of them is that maybe you can do cross-promotions later together and help each other.
Probably - learn how to grow your email list. This includes choosing the right email provider and having an automated series of emails to welcome new subscribers and introduce yourself and your work. I find MailerLite wonderful (I was using another company first).
Secondly, make friends with other authors, especially in your genre. It helps in many areas but one of them is that maybe you can do cross-promotions later together and help each other.
Christine Dillon
Have a few favourites - historical - just like finding out about other countries, times ...e.g. Rosalind Laker.
Suspense, mystery - e.g. Dick Francis, Alistair maclean - like the guessing
Biography - real stories and learning from the choices people made.
Suspense, mystery - e.g. Dick Francis, Alistair maclean - like the guessing
Biography - real stories and learning from the choices people made.
Christine Dillon
I live in Taiwan, so I'm not too convenient to writing conferences. I have attended a week run by my organisation (more a workshop). In late October, I will attend the Omega Christian Writers conference in Australia. Very excited to get to meet so many I've 'met' online.
Christine Dillon
I was forced into it! I'd heard about storytelling but had lots of prejudices against it. I thought it was too simplistic and only for children. I didn't think it could be used with Westerners or educated people.
But there was an internal pressure to 'learn a story'. So in the end I did. It was the positive response of the listeners that convinced me. http://storyingthescriptures.com/stor...
But there was an internal pressure to 'learn a story'. So in the end I did. It was the positive response of the listeners that convinced me. http://storyingthescriptures.com/stor...
Christine Dillon
This is a question close to my heart. I have a whole book and website on this issue www.storyingthescriptures.com
Main tips: -
* Learn your Bible story in such a way that it is colloquial, accurate and interesting (taking note of your voice, tone, pauses ...). The stories in the Bible are well written without us having to DO anything to them.
* Work out how to gain an opportunity to tell your story. http://storyingthescriptures.com/diff...
* Think through an introduction that will make people want to hear your story.
* Enjoy your story - if you don't it is unlikely the listener will!
* Choose stories that might surprise people so that they say, "I didn't know that was in the Bible."
* Know your listeners so you can choose a story or introduce it in a way that makes them want to listen.
* Spend some time on the website. It is packed full of tips, inspirational stories from around the world or people using storytelling and story videos ...
Main tips: -
* Learn your Bible story in such a way that it is colloquial, accurate and interesting (taking note of your voice, tone, pauses ...). The stories in the Bible are well written without us having to DO anything to them.
* Work out how to gain an opportunity to tell your story. http://storyingthescriptures.com/diff...
* Think through an introduction that will make people want to hear your story.
* Enjoy your story - if you don't it is unlikely the listener will!
* Choose stories that might surprise people so that they say, "I didn't know that was in the Bible."
* Know your listeners so you can choose a story or introduce it in a way that makes them want to listen.
* Spend some time on the website. It is packed full of tips, inspirational stories from around the world or people using storytelling and story videos ...
Christine Dillon
Currently I have 3 non-fiction, 3 books of poetry and 2 biblical novels. The novels were the 'practice' novels before the 'real' thing. However, I do hope to eventually publish the biblical novels and at least one of the non-fiction.
Christine Dillon
* Writing and asking for critiques from the kind of people who can explain 'why' something is not the best way to write. Also those who can demonstrate 'how' to improve something.
* Best money was spent on:- Story Genius by Lisa Cron (on planning stories)
- Understanding Show not tell (Janice Hardy)
- Margie Lawson's lecture packets on deep Point of View ...
* Best money was spent on:- Story Genius by Lisa Cron (on planning stories)
- Understanding Show not tell (Janice Hardy)
- Margie Lawson's lecture packets on deep Point of View ...
Christine Dillon
I usually like to be sitting facing a window that looks out on a beautiful view. This is somewhat hard to find where I live in Taiwan.
The best was in New Zealand where I stayed in a place that had big windows looking out on an inlet that had the tide coming in and out. Loved watching the changes there.
The best was in New Zealand where I stayed in a place that had big windows looking out on an inlet that had the tide coming in and out. Loved watching the changes there.
Christine Dillon
Best thing - seeing God provide everything I need when I've needed it. Helping me find resources (online or through people) just in time.
Hardest thing - just the writing and early edits. It has been a MASSIVE learning curve as I had no real idea how to write fiction at the beginning. Creative writing at school was a long time ago.
Hardest thing - just the writing and early edits. It has been a MASSIVE learning curve as I had no real idea how to write fiction at the beginning. Creative writing at school was a long time ago.
Christine Dillon
I had no intention of writing fiction. It seems my intentions weren't important. About 10 years ago I was praying about my work and suddenly the idea for 2 novels were in my head. I said, "If that's you God, then you'll have to equip me to write fiction and push me to do it." Over the years the 'push' got stronger until it became a matter of "will you obey, or not?"
The other thing about fiction is that sometimes it is the best way to convey a message. As a strong believer in the power of story to transform lives, fiction makes sense. The trick then is not to write simply to convey a message. If you do it comes across as 'preachy'.
The other thing about fiction is that sometimes it is the best way to convey a message. As a strong believer in the power of story to transform lives, fiction makes sense. The trick then is not to write simply to convey a message. If you do it comes across as 'preachy'.
Christine Dillon
I'm afraid this question has me stumped. I'm not a huge romance reader. I guess I like some of Jane Austen's couples because they come to appreciate each other despite slow starts.
Ask another question or two!
Ask another question or two!
Christine Dillon
I'm still working on my first novel. The idea came in an unusual way. I was having a 1/2 day of prayer and the idea for two novels was suddenly in my mind with the basic idea and titles. I didn't think I would ever have the ability to write them but jotted down the ideas. That was about 10 years ago. I've been writing and learning how to write fiction over the last 4 1/2 years
Christine Dillon
As I never intend to write anything, I haven't tried to 'push' it. So it's not something I've experienced. So far, I've only written when the internal pressure becomes too much.
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