Often times, writers who pen Christian fiction are labeled by the secular world as an “odd lot.” We might be viewed as bores, prudes, or “holier-than-thou.” And for those of us who write faith-based romance…well, let’s just say that adds another colorful adjective to the mix.
Ironically, many of the detractors of Christian fiction would seem to be the very folks who’ve yet to read an inspirational novel of any kind, be it romance, suspense, mystery, mainstream, etc.
And believe it or not, it doesn’t impress me when someone proudly proclaims, “Why, I wouldn’t be caught DEAD reading that stuff!” or “Goodness, I haven’t read a book in TEN years!”
And it certainly doesn’t impress me when one makes comments like that and then follows them up with “…So, how do you get published anyway?”
I choose to take the high road and just smile politely because I realize that these are the people who aren’t going to have to worry about it. “Getting published” is the last thing these folks will be thinking about if they are indeed “caught dead.” (If that happens, there’s probably only one book that they’ll wished they’d read anyway, and it won’t be mine.)
Nevertheless, as Christian novelists, we never know who might pick up our books, read our books, and be exposed to the salvation message through our books.
As I write, I strive for these elements:
- Good mechanics
- Tight plot
- Strong story
- Satisfying resolution
I don’t write just because I love it (although I do!) I write to offer hope and encouragement to those who are hungry for God’s goodness. I write to bear witness of God’s ability to change lives. I write to share the Truth in fiction.
Traveling down the road to publication isn’t easy. It’s not for the faint of heart or for thin-skinned individuals. I’m still negotiating the path myself. But there is one thing that is non-negotiable and that’s God’s Word from where I draw my inspiration.
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What drives you to write? Do you think Christian fiction is garnering a new respect from the secular world?
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Note: In celebration of my upcoming 100th post, this Friday I will hold a random prize drawing from the comments left on this week’s blog posts. The prize will include a restaurant gift card and some other writerly things. I’ll announce the winner next Monday.
Comments 12
I write because I want to inspire people in a world that often drains them and leaves them feeling empty. I remember reading T.D. Jakes first fiction book and thought “Oh my..he is preaching through his story!” Then I heard Tommy Tenney speak about “One night with the King” and how he was doing “sneaky preaching” in his stories/movie. I decided I wanted to do that too. So now I write inspirational romances. I will also inspire people to eat healthier and exercise more often in my new blog. I’ve been inspired by many different authors and now it’s my turn to share.
Author
Because of today’s everpresent difficulties, I do believe more people are gravitating toward the “light” in search of hope. For us to be a bright spot in their day and willingly share the light is indeed a high calling.
Blessings to you, “Princesspamee,” as you inspire others.
You made me laugh out loud–your comment at the end of the fifth paragraph. Will your next book be a comedy? Thanks for brightening my day.
Author
Patti, I do seem to inject a bit of humor in all of my work–and usually, without trying… 🙂
In my humble opinion, it’s hard to say whether the secular world will ever
render to Christian fiction the respect it’s due. Wh have a great Christian
radio station here in St. Louis, Joy FM (listen online @ http://www.joyfmonline.org/
trust me, you’ll love it!). A little over a year ago, the listener supported
station bought one of the best signals in the area, leaving a severely
subpar signal behind. It quickly grew to the top 3rd or 4th station in the
area. The harder rock station still poked fun at Joy Fm and said that pastors
were forcing their congregations to buy the thousands of Joy FM bumper
stickers they were seeing around town. They insisted no one wants to listen
to Christian music. Way wrong.
I suspect it would be similar in the writing community. Who would really want
to read Christian fiction? Little do they know… what we know. 🙂 I guess
the sales numbers will have to be the proof. Even then, there would probably
be excuses blaming that people need hope in light of the state of the world
and country… . Let them say what they want, and may curiosity get the
better of them. 😉
Author
We, too, have a fabulous Christian radio station (“The Wind” FM) in our area, Tanya, and it blesses lives on a daily basis.
Christian fiction has changed so dramatically in the last several years, and it’s wonderful to see so many once-taboo subjects tackled in a Christian format from a spiritual perspective.
I think Christian fiction gets a mixed bag of feedback, probably just like any genre. The one thing that always bothers me is to visit Amazon, look at a Christian book’s feedback, and see a one-star review that says, “If I’d known this was a Bible-thumping book, I wouldn’t have wasted my money.” I understand that everyone has different beliefs, but it doesn’t make sense to knock a book based on that fact alone. Then again, if I see that type of comment in a review, I know it’s just my kind of book. 🙂
Author
Your last line made me smile, Sarah. 🙂
I agree–those reviews bother me, too. I would hope that I would always be objective enough to judge a story and writing on its own worthy merits and not diss it just because it might not be what I would normally read. Not seeing the “forest for the trees mentality” is sad in any arena.
I don’t “write,” exactly. I mean, I do…but it’s all in my two blogs. But what drives me to write those, is a need to express myself. I don’t do it well vocally (unless you put a guitar in my hands and a mic in front of me). I initially started writing my devotional blog a couple of years ago, and it was solely for me. I simply put it online to have a place to keep it that didn’t take up room on my own hard drive. But since then, I’ve learned that, by sharing my devotions on line, other people have been inspired. Not a huge number, just a handful. But that’s okay. Perhaps someday, I’ll actually try to do some “serious” writing. Although I’m not sure I’ll ever be entirely serious about anything. 🙂
Author
If you “write” two blogs, then yes, you DO write. And if you’re doing it simply to express yourself without the goal of publication, that’s fine, too. Writing “releases” us. It’s cathartic, self-challenging, and a fabulous way to excercise the mind. It can also be the Holy Spirit’s way of communicating THROUGH US to others who so badly need to hear the salvation message.
God’s obviously using your words to minister to others, “Bickley.”
Thank you for the encouragement! I do hope that the things I write might reach the eyes of someone who needs the inspiration.
I always forget to sign my name on these…I’ll try to remember to do that.
Jeff 🙂
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