What’s the Right “Tone” for Christian Fiction?

Photo Credit: UGArdener/Creative Commons

I love to read! (Of course, I would. I’m a writer. Makes good sense.) And since I write contemporary Christian romance, that’s one of my favorite subgenres to read within the Christian fiction market. I like the “tone” and the spiritual message woven throughout these stories.

I also like the sigh factor. The one that happens after a couple survives life’s hurdles, and eventually, the man and woman find their way back to each other. The folks in these stories (the ones that are keepers) aren’t perfect or predictable, and neither is their relationship. They see each other at their worst, but because they’ve grown in Christ, they look forward to His best.

This isn’t to say I won’t read other things. As a writer, I realize in order to grow my craft and expand my horizons, it’s necessary to be well-read.

Being a savvy reader:

• Improves my own writing
• Tells me what’s selling or what’s languishing
• Causes me to think in new ways
• Generates new story ideas
• Stirs my creative fire

As I’ve said before, I’m not a prude. After all, real life is meat and potatoes and not all gravy. Drat.

Real Christians sin. We fall short.

A dear pastor-friend once put it this way:

 I’m just a beggar telling another beggar where I found bread.

Don’t you just love that? So true!

However, there are some things that hold no interest for me. For instance, I’m not a Fifty Shades kinda gal.

And I don’t care for continuous swearing and relentless profanity. I find them off-putting. Just a personal preference.

Also, profaning my Savior’s name makes my skin crawl. Can’t help it and I make no apologies.

I do appreciate the fact that Christian fiction is evolving. Since Christians deal with the same issues that non-believers deal with, I’m thrilled we’re addressing those things within a spiritual framework.

While the CBA has specific guidelines regarding Christian fiction and other retail products, the tone or “feel” of spirituality might differ from publishing house to publishing house. While one might have stringent views of what topics are acceptable to tackle, other houses might extend more latitude.

In other words, there’s something for everyone and for every taste.

What’s the right “tone” then for Christian fiction?

Some things that I consider as I read (and write):

• Does the story feel contrived? How believable is it?
• Is the spiritual thread evident?
• Is the story too “preachy”? Does it seem condescending?
• Do the characters (eventually) recognize the sin in their lives? Has repentance and redemption been addressed?
• Is restoration a realistic expectation given the type of story? (If reading or writing romance, then I would expect a strong probability of HEA–happily ever after. If I’m reading women’s fiction or another format then I want to see a come-to-Jesus-meeting or a significant life-change/turnaround by the last third of the book.)

One of the best page-turners I’ve read in a long time is William Sirls’s The Reason. Written by a début author with an inspiring testimony, this story left an indelible imprint. I read this book over a year ago, and the message of hope, faith, and truth still resonates. You should check it out.

The beautiful thing about Christian fiction is the enduring hope we’re left with at the end of the story.

I suppose that one sentence might sum up everything in a nutshell.

******

What’s the right “tone” of Christian fiction in your book?

What types of stories would you like to see more of?

PLEASE SHARE

Considerations that set the stage for a great Christian novel (Click to Tweet)

What makes a Christian novel a page-turner? (Click to Tweet)

Does the tone of Christian fiction always resonate with readers? (Click to Tweet)

Photo Credit: UGArdener/Creative Commons

Blessings Always,