Hello, all. Spring is finally here!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the promotional drawing for Beyond Prejudice. The complimentary copy of the novel goes to Derek. Congratulations!
Thanks also to those who answered the survey question. Many of you will be pleased to know that Beyond Prejudice is written in the single viewpoint of the main character, Elizabeth Tyler. The greatest advantage of this viewpoint is that you, as the reader, can understand the main character with greater insight than in any other viewpoint. It can be limiting, however, as the author is confined by what that specific character feels, thinks, acts out. This character has to be in every scene, and in some cases, this limitation can shorten the length of the story to avoid padded prose. What’s your answer for the new survey question?
If you haven’t read the feature article by the Fayette County Newspapers, check it out at http://www.newspapersoffayettecounty.com/ . It was printed in the Elgin Echo the week of April 25 and in the Fayette County Union and Ossian Bee the week of May 2.
Look for blog features of Beyond Prejudice on these dates at the following blogs:
- June 24: Christian fiction reviewer, Diane Estrella, will feature Beyond Prejudice on her blog at http://www.dianeestrella.com/ .
- Week of June 27: Christian author, Sharlene MacLaren, will feature Beyond Prejudice on her blog at http://sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com/ . She also endorsed the novel, and has a new release coming out July 7. You can find out more at http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com/ .
- Week of July 4: Award-winning author, Margaret Daley, will feature Beyond Prejudice on her blog at http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com/ .
Get involved in a chance to win a complimentary copy of Beyond Prejudice when you participate on Margaret Daley’s and Dianne Estrella’s features.
Character Diaries
Elizabeth Tyler, Main Character, Beyond Prejudice
Entry #1
Going to Poston changed my life. It wasn’t just because I had stepped out on my own, out from the shelter of my parents’ home, though. God used my experiences there to challenge everything I had claimed I believed about Him, from trust to the essence of salvation and obedience to His word. I realized, too, how weak I am apart from God’s will and walking in the blessings of His council.
I didn’t intend to lead Caleb on the way I did. It wasn’t fair to him or David or God or even me. Maybe I hurt myself the worst. Caleb was enticing. Flattery and infatuation can blind in an instant, or in this case, slowly, whittling away at scarred emotions and reluctant surrender to a will higher than my own.
Seeing the prejudice tendencies of my nation solidified my love for others in many ways. It caused me to look past what spectators thought and care for what God thinks of me instead. I still grieve over what conditions David and his parents, Midori, Hannah, and Toyo lived in for over two years. But even through the memories and pain I know they must still harbor somewhere deep inside, I am assured of the healing power of His grace that has taken an evil situation and used it to produce faith and the promise of eternal life for those involved.
I can only trust that He uses my weaknesses to magnify His strength, just as He promised.
