In secular fiction there seems to be a lot of the “sensationalism” factor. Whatever will grab readers’ attention, implement it. If it’s shocking, say it. Off-color? Write it. A little violence? Add it. Owning one’s actions? Well, heaven forbid! The accountability component just doesn’t seem to be there sometimes.
In some of the stories I’ve read, it may take reading the entire book before a character gets his/her comeuppance, if ever. Of course, because there are millions of stories written from multiple view points, I realize that others’ cups of writerly tea just simply aren’t mine, and mine are most certainly not theirs.
Coming from a Christian standpoint, however, I believe it’s imperative that we convey how closely choices, responsibilities, and repercussions intertwine. As Christians, God grants us free will and He allows us to make our own decisions. Now, ideally we consult our Heavenly Father beforehand in those, but of course, that’s in a perfect world.
I’ve mentioned before that’s why I like to read (and write) Christian fiction. As a reader, I’m challenged to “press on toward the prize.” As a writer, I’m impressed to show characters at their worst as the Holy Spirit nudges them to be their best.
It’s important that Christian fiction authors write about flawed and imperfect characters because those are the people we identify with. Without conflict, problems, and drama there would be no story. But, on the other hand, how we choose to use the bells, whistles, and “baubles” to tell our stories should always be considered. To portray sin without consequences is not only an injustice to our readers, but it’s a sad testament of our faith.
Now, do I think every Christian fiction book must offer some moral take-away? Well, yes, I personally do believe that. (We owe it to ourselves, the lost, and most importantly, the Lord.) Should writers feel guilty if the bells and whistles and baubles thing is how they tell a story? Nope, not if it’s done appropriately, giving God the greatest glory.
I write about folks who are working through real pain and addressing real hurts. I write about relationships–some on the rocks and some lounging in the sand. Sometimes I feel like pulling out all the stops, but sometimes, it’s just as effective to deliver the goods gently, concisely, and without a lot of preamble.
To tell a good story is an art. To pen a great book, the masterpiece. Blue jeans and diamonds never looked so good!
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When making a book selection, what factors affect your decision the most? (I’m not referring to cost or marketing gimmicks today. Is it the genre? The author’s “voice”? A Christian viewpoint? Perhaps, even the bells, whistles, and baubles?)
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Blue jeans and diamonds… . I love that phrase. If it’s a Christian romance
novel, I look for an interesting plot to go along with the love story. I like a
mental challenge. I also glance through the book and read a page here
and there sampling the writing style. Does it flow smoothly? Then I will
probably buy it. 🙂
Author
I, too, look at the plot and initially dissect the writing style, Tanya. And I want to make sure that sin is never glorified–there has to be a recogntion/repentance factor for me.
I agree with that, completely! 🙂
I used to read the back cover, and flip to the middle of the book and read a bit. I guess what I would look for was what you call the writer’s voice.
When an author speaks to our writers group, I make a decision based on their presentation of their material.
And now that I’m meeting authors online, I order books sight unseen! I’ll let you know how that works out.
Author
You know, Patti, I’ve found that while authors do create fictional characters, much of the time they embody at least a little of those very traits they attach to their “pretend” folks. For instance, since I’ve created a little fictional town nestled within the Ozarks’ foothills, I’m more apt to throw in the lingo/dialect that’s unique to this area, not to mention culture, heritage, traditions, etc. It’s a big part of who I am, so that’s the way I tend to write.
Hi Cynthia. I read your comment on Rachelle Gardner’s blog that God created the Ozarks at first. I didn’t find that passage in Genesis, but I guess you know ..:). Now about Christian Fiction I have two questions.
First, in real life of a Christian married couple there are many intimate and erotic moments , but from what I understand you can’t write about it in Christian fiction. Why?
Second, in a verions of my contemporary women’s fiction novel, Emily is a young Christian American woman who likes to quote from the Bible and she talk about it with other non-Christian women in my novel. Does that count as a Christian fiction if one of the charter is Christianm while the rest are not?
Thanks and best wishes from Canada, and I hope to visit the Ozarks one day.
Author
If you’re writing with the Christian market in mind, “Giora”, then you must adhere to stricter guidelines set forth by the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishing Association) and CBA (Christian Booksellers Association), as well as each of your individual target publishing houses. As you navigate around on their websites, there are usually mission statements, as well as their Testaments of Faith. Intimate sexual content has no place in Christian fiction, though some authors do write what is considered “edgy Christian fiction” where various situations are illuded to. In these situations, scenes must be depicted tastefully, keeping Christ in mind and pointing out that poor choices by Christians AND non-believers lead to consequences. There has to be some redemptive value to the scene, in other words. (And in Christian fiction, for married couples, you may take them to the bedroom door, but it’s not acceptable–or necessary–to show graphic details. While we get what happens, to dissect every little thing would be diverting our main goal from the glorification of Jesus Christ.)
I don’t know enough of your book to comment on the second part of your question, except in general terms, but just to throw a Christian character in a book doesn’t necessarily constitute Christian fiction. Ask yourself these things: Does my story point others to Christ? Does my story seek to glorify God’s kingdom? Is the salvation message apparent–either directly, or indirectly?
I hope this helps! Thanks so much for your comment/questions. And if you do visit the Ozarks one day, you’ll understand why we often refer to it as “God’s country” in a tongue and cheek sense, of course. It’s very beautiful here.
Thanks Cynthia, and it helps. But let me continue and you , or any of your blog readers, can respond if you or them wish to do so. Once the married couple get behind the closed door, can they chat in bed about the meaning of Corinthians 7:3-5 in their marriage life?
In my novel, Emily (the young Christian woman) is not put in the book just to have a Christian character. Her presence is crucial to the story line. Something unexpected happens that allows her to fullfill the dream of a young Chinese woman. Not believer will call it Luck, but she’s convinced that it is a Miracle or Guidance by Jesus. When she meets the young Chinese woman to talk about the Miracle, she read to her the releavant passages from the Bible to explain what happen. The young Chinese woman who is open to the idea that a Miracle from above happened is open to let Emily teaching her about Jesus. The only question to ponder is if Jesus provides miracles to those who didn’t accept him yet, because they never heard about Him.
P.S. if you wonder about my first name, Giora, .. I was born 6 miles from where Jesus was born, or from where God came to earth in a human form.
Yes, I think Christian fiction should definitely include flawed characters! Nobody’s perfect, right? We’re all sinners and Christ died for our sins – we’re forgiven, but should try and live our lives according to God’s example, the best that we can.
Author
You expressed my sentiments also, Cecelia. And even as Christians, we “miss the mark” on a regular basis. Asking for forgiveness, turning from our sin, and striving not to repeat the error(s) of our ways are the most profound lessons…Thanks for commenting!
Author
Giora: To the first part of your reply–I don’t set the ECPA, CBA, or Christian publishing guidelines. If you’re targeting your work with them in mind, I stand by what I say. You must adhere to their tenets, testaments of faith, and their governing principles for the work they publish. All I can suggest is that if you feel your work meets their guidelines, then I would encourage you to submit.
Being born six miles from Bethlehem must indeed hold special meaning for you.
I have to confess to choosing books based on the cover art and the back blurb. If those grab me, I’ll usually read the opening paragraph or two. Honestly, I’m a sucker for great cover art!
Author
The cover art is certainly what grabs our attention initially, Sarah. And it’s certainly the icing on the cake when the story “delivers” too.