Fiction, Fame, and Film . . .
(Before I write anything else I’d like to thank Amy for allowing me the privilege and honor to “speak” to her blog audience about my second novel The Famous One. I appreciate her generosity in sharing her “pulpit” with me.)
Many people desire to write a book. Some think their lives worthy of memoirs, others want to charge into make believe to write that novel no one can put down. Other people love to escape into a film—noir, comedy, romance, adventure, science fiction. Most people enjoy fiction and/or film.
Few experience fame. With the Academy Awards approaching this Sunday evening, we often observe the various demonstrations of fame and fortune displayed in sometimes radical showmanship, dress, conduct, and flair, but rarely do we see a lot of humility. Oh we listen to the lists of thank-yous, the abusive political statements, or the dramatic exclamations and tears of a few, but we rarely hear acknowledgment given to the One who designed their talent and planted it in their hearts.
In The Famous One an ordinary, lonely boy grows up in a home where his parents struggle with financial problems and each other and offer virtually no guidance to their four children. Their youngest son, Joey Parr, captivates female attention at an early age and yearns for love, stability, and a solid family. Slipping effortlessly into smoking, sex, alcohol and drugs, he feels the emptiness of his lifestyle and relationships as a constant reminder to his disconnect from real happiness. With no idea how to find what he truly wants he lives his life reading his favorite detective novels, watching movies, and holding down a job in a grocery store. Until a Hollywood director approaches him with an opportunity to read for a small role in his film ...
This story is written in three parts. The first part of Joey’s life is chronicled in the omniscient point of view—which simply means the reader is observing his life almost through a narrator’s eyes. Think fictional biography. This point of view shifts as he ages and becomes the “normal” third person story most people are used to reading.
I always caution readers that this is not generally a novel for those who like sweet romances or Amish tales or books which don’t include the lifestyles of the lost in any detail. While this story is by no means graphic, it is frank, probably considered “edgy” or “raw” to some readers, but it is ultimately redemptive. If readers need to know what others have experienced from this novel, I would refer you to this post on my blog:
http://hopeofglory.typepad.
A small portion of this novel is semi-autobiographical. Having spent a good portion of my life “in the world”, I know firsthand what it’s like to be “lost”, empty, and searching for meaning in a meaningless maze of secular philosophies. This story was spawned from an actual intense burden of prayer for a specific actor which lasted for approximately two years. Running parallel with that experience I wrote this novel.
Finally, I also tell readers this is a self-published novel. It is well over the “acceptable” word count for today’s CBA fiction. I used a very professional and respected custom-publishing group who produced an attractive book equal in appearance and physical quality to any soft cover novel (Pleasant Word, a division of WinePress Publishing Group).
For those of you who are intrigued by fiction, fame, and film, check out Joey’s story in The Famous One.
(Note from Amy: Visit Nicole's blog here and buy her book here!)
2 comments:
Sounds great! I am gonna check it out!
I'm halfway through this book, and so far I definitely recommend it. I want to know what happens to Joey.
I can see how Nicole may have had a hard time finding this novel a home in a traditional publishing house, being too "racey" for Christian publishers, and too Christian for secular publishers. However, in my opinion, this is the type of Christian fiction the world needs. Real characters living in the real world, facing real challenges as they seek Him.
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