So I’m writing this particular entry because of this blog post. Not necessarily the post itself, which is just a review of an independent book, but the author’s response to that review. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s gone viral (there’s a blog all in itself, huh?), but it’s certainly making the rounds with small press and indy writers.

Before I get off on that, though, I want to give a head’s up and a brief report. This week I’ll be leading the first ever SPRING edition of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Writers Retreat to be held at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Education Center (HPMEC). It’s not the first HPMEC Writers Retreat, but the first one in Spring. Why, you ask? Tis simple: the demand for such an awesome environment to escape from the rigors (and hassles) of everyday life and focus on writing is growing and growing. This is, of course, in tribute to the fantastic staff who host it and take such good care of the writers (and their mentor!). The schedule for this version is both condensed and expanded: meaning the days are longer but there are fewer days.

My sessions at the Nashville Public Library system branches at Goodlettsville and Madison this past week seemed to go well. The librarians seemed happy when it was all said and done, and that’s important. Sara at the Madison branch suggested that the event was one of the better attended. The photos here are courtesy of her! I met some cool folks and talked about graphic novels/comic books. Hard to beat that!

Okay, so back to the title topic. For those who didn’t go view the blog, I’ll recap. The site, Big Al’s Books and Pals, is a book review blog. Big Al accepts independently (self-published and small press publishers alike) published books to read and review. As with all reviews, authors aren’t guaranteed a “good” review. I’d love to submit my own book for more reviews, but the few I’ve tried I haven’t had much luck (though I’m hoping to get some reviews over at Goodreads—yes, I’ll keep you posted).

So Big Al posts a review of this book (not gonna mention the book as I don’t want to drive hits to her!—you’ll see why). Says the story was compelling, but that the book was full of typos and the like and thus would make it hard for casual readers (ie, NON-reviewers) to actually finish the book. Wasn’t a glowing review and wasn’t a horrible condemnation. However, the author immediatelybegins to defend herself telling Big Al he read the wrong version (if I read it correctly, the version was SUPPLIED by the author!). She argues with others leaving comments, even swearing at them at one point. Many, many followed that up with an “I’ll never read your book no matter how good it is because you’re a jerk” kind of statement.

Thing is, though, authors must know that the very nature of their work lends itself to criticism (“criticism,” as a reminder, is not inherently a negative word). It’s something they should prepare for. It’s something I even talk about sometimes in workshops or retreats—obviously partly because my job is often to extend criticism throughout. In a nutshell, I always say (and try to practice what I preach, as well) listen to all criticism—the good and the bad—and place it all into a big pot. Stir it up and learn from it. Some of the criticism an author receives will be well informed and on target. Some of the criticism an author receives will just be hot air. Regardless, it is someone’s opinion—and obviously someone who TOOK THE TIME to read that author’s work. So give them the courtesy of their opinion, thank them, and then ignore it if you wish.

It really isn’t that hard to do.

Just wanted to let everyone know Lions, Tigers and Bears volume III is on the way to the printer with an in-store date of early June. You can get a copy through your friendly, neighborhood comic store or over on Amazon (who also has several of my other books on sale right now for 20-50% off).

Howdy everyone! This is my first official post on CCAS! Really excited to be here. I was browsing online and found this group which combines two of my favorite things! God and comic!!! COOL!

Here's a brief intro of myself. I was raised in Japan but lived in the States since college and on. I currently work but draw cartoons on the side. I currently am drawing two webcomic series called  AMERICAN OTAKU and  ABSTRACT BEING. Please check them out if you have the time.

I like draw comics, read manga, and watch saturday morning cartoons. Yes... did I fail to mention that i am a HUGE Geek? ;)

Well, I am very blessed to be here today, and I hope to make friends & participate in fellowship through this unique media :)

God Bless!

Hello everyone,

I pray all is well. Normally I post for the attribute challenge at www.rsquaredcomicz.com, but WordPress is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Today's attribute is God and Jesus as elevators...

One of things I've been noticing more and more about my Christian walk is that things always work out for the better when I put God at the forefront. Sometimes, however, what "better" means to me is different than what it means to God. As a result, there are times when I feel like things didn't work out, when in actuality they did. I just had to look at the situation through God's lens, not my own. God's goal for me is clear: to use every experience I have to elevate me to become a better version of myself. In particular, to become the version of myself He calls me to be. Another way to put it is that as long as I acknowledge God's Lordship over my life, the times that I fall are still making me better, because I am falling upward.

Today's scripture comes from Romans 8:28, where Paul sums up this same notion:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Until tomorrow, stay blessed and encouraged!

 i live in Hawaii and i was writing a blog on my webcomic when all these Tsunami things started happening. heres the blog:

so as i write this we are in tsunami warning. they are actually evacuating people in Hawaii. pretty scary stuff. i live in high ground in Hawaii so i dont worry about the water but it is frighting.   okay we just had an earth quake right now as i was just typing this and now  sirens just went off  a horrible sound. gotta go..

Share shareshare

Hello everybody who's a member and visitor of the christian comic arts society!

I'm very very very excited that I discovered this website! Since like Winter 2009 I have a vision for a christian experimental comic magazine for an older (means 16+) audience. First it was a one man project, now we are a core team of five people (including a magazine layouter/print worker and till now just one comic drawer and three assistants). The name of the magazine is "Emblazor", it's thought to be entertaining as much as to develop drawings/comics about serious topics, such as abortion, homosexuality, drug abuse etc. Containing the message of God of course! The magazine will be free, we won't sell it, it'll be distributed on streets, in busses, trains, in the red light district, in churches and so on!

That's all quite rough, but the will is there and I saved some money to print it quite cheap (100-200 issues for the beginning), now I need some artists who aren't afraid of spreading the gospel, who got their own style and a heart for drawing for Christ!! The first issue will be about abortion, so, if you'd like to join in, please write me, proof it, if it's the right way, talk with God about it! :)

I really enjoy this place here and I'm very curious about what will happen when people stand up for Christ, to worship him with their gift of drawing!

Be blessed and I hope to get some messages from you! ;)

Michael

I just purchased a book and somehow my heart resonates with it with unusual enthusiasm, so much so that I've been posting about it on Facebook and my blogs.

So why not here?

The book I'm talking about is Slave, by John MacArthur. Those of you who are familiar with his works know that he is an expository preacher. In his new book, MacArthur gives us a clear understanding of how first century slavery functioned, and what the apostles meant when they called themselves slaves (not servants) of Christ, and what Jesus meant when he calls us His slaves (such as in the well-known phrase: "Well done, good and faithful slave [doulos].").

This book is surprisingly easy reading, after having read some of MacArthur's other works. The chapters are short too, and the book is not very long. But what I found most fascinating is how this concept of being a slave of God ties so much of the New Testament together, and provides a very close analogy of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. In MacArthur's words, "Servants do a job. Slaves are owned."

Here's the promo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t3rJijxmKk. This is one book every Christian needs to read.

anyone working on the animation industry in the USA probably knows this character design genius:

Stephen Silver

you can check out his site here:

http://www.silvertoons.com/

and got to his various links

he seems like a nice guy and is very generous with his tips etc. he has some videos to watch and lots of samples. he also teaches a character design clas at Schoolism.com. another artist I blogged about Cedric Hohnstadt has taken his class - it was a lot of work. in his blog archives, I believe CH has some materials on what he did in the class. lots of drawing.

Stephen Silver is not to be missed.

Here's another great Christian artist/Illustrator to check out. very professional. great web site.

here's his main web site:

http://www.autumncountry.com/

and his blog

http://heathmcpherson.blogspot.com/

great character design, cartooning, backgrounds etc. be sure to check out his Biblical art section on the web site.

there's plenty to learn from his material.

Marching orders…

Being in an inquisitive frame of mind,

I sent off an email to ‘my’ personal prayer team, saying:

- “I feel that God is asking me to do stand-up in the non-church sector,

But I don’t know how to go about it…”

the sentence was barely written,

not even sent yet, when:

Driiiing!

I get an invitation to a comedy festival in the south of France

in two months’ time.

After the show:

Jesus’ garden

we don’t go into the forest much these days because my leg’s broken

(but I don’t hold that against it)

Surrounded by a thousand smells and birdsong, I’m sitting in the garden with Jesus. We listen to the plants growing, while the sunrays that he made for this little corner of the universe flood all we can see with a light that’s both cool and welcomingly warm at the same time.

(Wow, this dialogue is awesome!)

That day, I was talking to him about a show that

had had a real impact on the town’s teenagers,

but at the same time had disappointed some Christians,

who were expecting something better.

Discouraged, disheartened, dispirited, disdited (I know, that doesn’t make sense, but it rhymes )I just wanted to give up.  

Bang! a sudden thought came to me:

- “If I asked you to do this, it’s because I believe you’re capable of doing it…”

- “Tenthousandthunderingblunderingtyphoons! But of course!”

I got up, I revised it, I said ‘come on, shake a leg’(shake a leg, geddit?)

- “I can do it, I have to!”

The show was a complete success.

That day, in the garden,

I grew in maturity.

Alain

Want to see another outstanding Illustrator and Character Designer who's a christian? surf over to:

http://www.alcornstudios.blogspot.com/

and check out Miah Alcorn's blog

he can do it all. cool backgrounds, great character design, drawing skills galore.

what's not to like?

Here is an excellent character designer you might want to check out. super pro, and his blog is awesomely full of all kinds of great links, and tips for illustrators, character designers etc. he's a very neat christian guy, and you can buy materials of his also. superb draftsman. not to be missed.

Blog:

http://cedrichohnstadt.wordpress.com/

Main web site

http://www.cedricstudio.com/home.html