Words are just words until they are put together to formulate an idea, or as in fictional writing, a story. Comprehension and understanding depends on the cognitive skills, personal knowledge, and experiences readers bring to the process. We all shift our reasons for reading: enjoyment, entertainment, information, and/or enlightenment. Beyond entertainment, a book can initiate thoughts that affirm and enhance one's own perception(s); and other times a book can initiate a new perspective entirely.
A relationship develops between an author and a reader when understanding surpasses mere comprehension, and that relationship is entirely dependent upon whether the reader has a positive or negative perception of the topic or how the author broaches it. Some readers have no desire or willingness to explore anything outside the comfort zone of their own interests. This is why fiction is categorized in genres so readers can select a book according to their personal preferences. (i.e., action / suspense / mystery / thriller / crime / horror, romance, etc.) and reasonably expect the book to live up to or exceed their expectation.
Because of this fact, I am compelled to clarify that Born To Return The Gift and End All To Be All are not technically categorized as Christian Literature. They are considered general fiction and may be found in such genres as spiritual / religious / drama, contemporary, etc. Although both books are spiritually faith driven and do contain Biblical Scripture, they also contain profane language (i.e. f~k) and deal with a few situations in an explicit / graphic manner which understandably is censored by the CBA for the Christian Literature genre.
As I make this disclaimer some will point out that the cross on the cover conveys the perception of Christian Literature. I assure you although that is an accurate perception it's called freedom of expression. After realizing that the original cover of Born To Return The Gift was being perceived as horror, I decided to remove all doubts as to the content. The abstract of pixilated light in the shape of a cross depicts the shades of darkness my characters experienced before unquestioningly trusting the brightest light of all - Jesus.
Unfortunately, bad language exists in this world. Although some people can and do refrain from its use, others have yet to learn restraint. In building my characters I chose to realistically portray them as they are. And no one actually knows what happens behind a closed door. What is worse - reading the actual or having your imagination stirred? I am a Christian who will not confine myself by such censorship as noted above. I also make no apologies for showing realities, as opposed to just telling them.
I realize there are times when a reader is so turned off that they refuse to read anything else by a writer. That of course is a reader's prerogative, but it sure would be nice to learn and grow without condemning judgment. As more readers develop a relationship with me as a writer, I assure you I will never use profanity just for the sake of profanity.
In reading my work I hope you are open to exploring the idea that there is not only a thin line between comprehension and understanding, but also judging and discerning, and judgment and opinion. These are all words often used synonymously and interchangeably, but a dichotomy exists with these words because one can comprehend without understanding; one can discern without judging; and an opinion is not necessarily a judgment.
What do you think?
The following comment was added today to an archived post - "It's Only Fair That I Post This Scathing Review -
I think this reviewer was convicted by her own personal guilt and instead of not commenting on a book she evidently didn't read to the end, she chose to retaliate with negativity and unconstructive criticism. Her lack of comprehension shows in the fact that she never realized she was reading about an African American experience written by an African American. SMH. She read words and never comprehended what she was reading. Also, she failed to understand the use of same names in order to show the contrasts in character. Not only do all African Americans NOT look alike, (Being as unique as any other human being God created.) they have different problems which this so called reviewer failed to see or understand.
Thank you! This is one of the main reasons I wrote this post. I really think it's a shame when someone purposely and maliciously discredits the writing of another just because they don't condone the author's method of bringing darkness to the light. Although her review disturbed me, I kept it moving because it was evident to me that this 'reviewer' had not read past page 42 of a 342 novel. Not only that, her review failed to distinguish that the profane mouth does not belong to the main character - Nyima (Nima) but was a problem of a minor character - Naima (Mena) whose conversations should not even have been the topic of her review.
A relationship develops between an author and a reader when understanding surpasses mere comprehension, and that relationship is entirely dependent upon whether the reader has a positive or negative perception of the topic or how the author broaches it. Some readers have no desire or willingness to explore anything outside the comfort zone of their own interests. This is why fiction is categorized in genres so readers can select a book according to their personal preferences. (i.e., action / suspense / mystery / thriller / crime / horror, romance, etc.) and reasonably expect the book to live up to or exceed their expectation.
Because of this fact, I am compelled to clarify that Born To Return The Gift and End All To Be All are not technically categorized as Christian Literature. They are considered general fiction and may be found in such genres as spiritual / religious / drama, contemporary, etc. Although both books are spiritually faith driven and do contain Biblical Scripture, they also contain profane language (i.e. f~k) and deal with a few situations in an explicit / graphic manner which understandably is censored by the CBA for the Christian Literature genre.
As I make this disclaimer some will point out that the cross on the cover conveys the perception of Christian Literature. I assure you although that is an accurate perception it's called freedom of expression. After realizing that the original cover of Born To Return The Gift was being perceived as horror, I decided to remove all doubts as to the content. The abstract of pixilated light in the shape of a cross depicts the shades of darkness my characters experienced before unquestioningly trusting the brightest light of all - Jesus.
Unfortunately, bad language exists in this world. Although some people can and do refrain from its use, others have yet to learn restraint. In building my characters I chose to realistically portray them as they are. And no one actually knows what happens behind a closed door. What is worse - reading the actual or having your imagination stirred? I am a Christian who will not confine myself by such censorship as noted above. I also make no apologies for showing realities, as opposed to just telling them.
I realize there are times when a reader is so turned off that they refuse to read anything else by a writer. That of course is a reader's prerogative, but it sure would be nice to learn and grow without condemning judgment. As more readers develop a relationship with me as a writer, I assure you I will never use profanity just for the sake of profanity.
In reading my work I hope you are open to exploring the idea that there is not only a thin line between comprehension and understanding, but also judging and discerning, and judgment and opinion. These are all words often used synonymously and interchangeably, but a dichotomy exists with these words because one can comprehend without understanding; one can discern without judging; and an opinion is not necessarily a judgment.
What do you think?
The following comment was added today to an archived post - "It's Only Fair That I Post This Scathing Review -
I think this reviewer was convicted by her own personal guilt and instead of not commenting on a book she evidently didn't read to the end, she chose to retaliate with negativity and unconstructive criticism. Her lack of comprehension shows in the fact that she never realized she was reading about an African American experience written by an African American. SMH. She read words and never comprehended what she was reading. Also, she failed to understand the use of same names in order to show the contrasts in character. Not only do all African Americans NOT look alike, (Being as unique as any other human being God created.) they have different problems which this so called reviewer failed to see or understand.
Thank you! This is one of the main reasons I wrote this post. I really think it's a shame when someone purposely and maliciously discredits the writing of another just because they don't condone the author's method of bringing darkness to the light. Although her review disturbed me, I kept it moving because it was evident to me that this 'reviewer' had not read past page 42 of a 342 novel. Not only that, her review failed to distinguish that the profane mouth does not belong to the main character - Nyima (Nima) but was a problem of a minor character - Naima (Mena) whose conversations should not even have been the topic of her review.
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