Christianity in writing

[writergirl4god]

I write contemporary Christian fiction novels. It's not easy - as has been mentioned here, the genre is often stereotyped as cloyingly sentimental or overly preachy, and I want to stay away from that kind of writing (I don't like to read it, either). Also, I deal with current issues so presenting non-Christian circumstances without glorifying them can be tricky. My characters are 'real' - they fall and fail and struggle with their faith, as I think most of us do at some point. But I've been told by a Christian agent that my work is 'edgy' for the genre, so although the goal is to be a published author, whether that will happen remains to be seen. I work hard on my craft, and God can open any door, right?

 

[LadyNRA]

I write contemporary Christian fiction novels. It's not easy - as has been mentioned here, the genre is often stereotyped as cloyingly sentimental or overly preachy, and I want to stay away from that kind of writing (I don't like to read it, either). Also, I deal with current issues so presenting non-Christian circumstances without glorifying them can be tricky. My characters are 'real' - they fall and fail and struggle with their faith, as I think most of us do at some point. But I've been told by a Christian agent that my work is 'edgy' for the genre, so although the goal is to be a published author, whether that will happen remains to be seen. I work hard on my craft, and God can open any door, right?

The trick is to get the agent to appreciate that edginess. I dislike preachy books myself. Show me 'faith' through action and deeds, principles and morals, not through constant scripture quoting or as you said cloying sentimentality. I love reading about 'real' people (which includes people with physical imperfections as well as spiritual and moral ones). Many of the people I create or write about in fanfiction are flawed in some way. So I know where you are coming from. My biggest issue is finding a plot to get started on something original. I can write, it's latching onto that good plot idea that's the problem. With fanfiction, I have no difficulties creating story ideas (well, fewer difficulties anyway) but much harder to create something totally new.

 

[writergirl4god]

The trick is to get the agent to appreciate that edginess. I dislike preachy books myself. Show me 'faith' through action and deeds, principles and morals, not through constant scripture quoting or as you said cloying sentimentality. I love reading about 'real' people (which includes people with physical imperfections as well as spiritual and moral ones). Many of the people I create or write about in fanfiction are flawed in some way. So I know where you are coming from. My biggest issue is finding a plot to get started on something original. I can write, it's latching onto that good plot idea that's the problem. With fanfiction, I have no difficulties creating story ideas (well, fewer difficulties anyway) but much harder to create something totally new.

Yes, if I could find an agent that likes the edginess that would be great. I know that agents have a tough job - they have to take on projects that will sell, and Christian agents also have to take into consideration that some things just won't fly in the CBA, so I do understand to some extent. For example, a book with crude language and explicit sex scenes isn't going to get picked up by a Christian publisher. But I'm not doing any of that - the reason that the agent thought it was 'edgy' was because that first novel deals with divorce. And the topics are getting progressively edgier as the novels progress. (I'll be starting my third one soon)

Plotting is hard for me too sometimes. I tend to start with just an idea; expanding that into an entire novel is a challenge. I'm not very familiar with fan fiction though. Is that where you take another author's characters and write new stories with them?

Hope your writing is going well!
- Jess

 

[liesje]

I write contemporary Christian fiction novels. It's not easy - as has been mentioned here, the genre is often stereotyped as cloyingly sentimental or overly preachy, and I want to stay away from that kind of writing (I don't like to read it, either). Also, I deal with current issues so presenting non-Christian circumstances without glorifying them can be tricky. My characters are 'real' - they fall and fail and struggle with their faith, as I think most of us do at some point. But I've been told by a Christian agent that my work is 'edgy' for the genre, so although the goal is to be a published author, whether that will happen remains to be seen. I work hard on my craft, and God can open any door, right?

Divorce doesn't seem that edgy, as long as you're not glorifying it. It's a very real part of many peoples lives, but I suppose most Christian publishers are looking for squeaky clean stories in which no one can object to anything. Which is probably why much published Christian fiction is very, very tame. (When I was at school my English teacher called it 'B-Grade sentimentalist Christian fiction ) I think it's a shame, because I love to read about real people with all their faults, not sterilised characters whose 'main faults' are very minor. Ah well. And yes, God certainly can open any door.

 

[jason taylor]

Only in the sense that the main characters are in fact Christians and that Christianity is an innate part of their world . I am trying(very slowly and not all that successfully) to get a saga-like Space Opera series that happens to contain Christianity rather then a specifically Christian one.

 

[sicarii67]

Christian fiction is really a sad genre. I think there are some talented writers out there but if you deviate from little house on the prairie, you are Edgy. How can christians redeem the craft of novel writing when no one can take them seriously ? I have quickly put away the idea of getting into a christian publishing house and am looking seriously at self publication. Even Amazon is offering a platform for self publishing.

I know, the scams and the vanity stuff. Thats not what Im talking about. Unless you become a best seller, you will basically get a 500 dollar check and about 10-15 percent royalties. The biggest thing I have heard from writers is that the publishing house will not truly promote your book for you. If you are new, you are obligated to publish. You may not get a straight pipeline into christian bookstores but heck, I dont even shop there anymore. I get my stuff online.

I cant believe that publishing houses havent tapped the market of Male readers for fiction. Why ? because most males wont read little house on the prairie and are bright enough to know when they are being preached at. Men want gritty, nail biting stories. Action. If christianity is played out in real life amidst sinners then why shouldnt our fiction reflect that. If I create a character who is a sinner, drunkard, drug addict, etc that is going to speak more to reality than a sinless hard working farm man republican. I like hearing from other christian writers but the reality, imo, if you want to write, write what you want and market and sell it yourself. If your product is good, you wont be ignored for long.

My novel is about War. Now how in the heck am I going to present a realistic War novel even though it centers around christian beliefs and conflict over mans inhumanity to man and fall into the guidelines of the CBA ? It aint happening and Im not changing.

 

[liesje]

Christian fiction is really a sad genre. I think there are some talented writers out there but if you deviate from little house on the prairie, you are Edgy. How can christians redeem the craft of novel writing when no one can take them seriously ? I have quickly put away the idea of getting into a christian publishing house and am looking seriously at self publication. Even Amazon is offering a platform for self publishing.

I know, the scams and the vanity stuff. Thats not what Im talking about. Unless you become a best seller, you will basically get a 500 dollar check and about 10-15 percent royalties. The biggest thing I have heard from writers is that the publishing house will not truly promote your book for you. If you are new, you are obligated to publish. You may not get a straight pipeline into christian bookstores but heck, I dont even shop there anymore. I get my stuff online.

I cant believe that publishing houses havent tapped the market of Male readers for fiction. Why ? because most males wont read little house on the prairie and are bright enough to know when they are being preached at. Men want gritty, nail biting stories. Action. If christianity is played out in real life amidst sinners then why shouldnt our fiction reflect that. If I create a character who is a sinner, drunkard, drug addict, etc that is going to speak more to reality than a sinless hard working farm man republican. I like hearing from other christian writers but the reality, imo, if you want to write, write what you want and market and sell it yourself. If your product is good, you wont be ignored for long.

My novel is about War. Now how in the heck am I going to present a realistic War novel even though it centers around christian beliefs and conflict over mans inhumanity to man and fall into the guidelines of the CBA ? It aint happening and Im not changing.

I do see what you mean. I've pretty much stopped reading Christian Women's Fiction now and started reading the classics. I find that because of CBA guidlines the characters can be very two dimensional...their main faults are tiny things that compared to real life aren't worth worrying about. (Then again, I've come across some terrible self published Christian fiction.) As well as that, Christian fiction sells because it is Christian, even if the writer is only mediocre. There are some quality Christian Fiction writers. Have you ever read Redeeming Love by Francince Rivers? It's probably more of a ladies book, but that one is a whole lot more edgy than most.

Probably my main problem though, is that in a lot of Christian fiction the Christianity feels like it is tacked one, as though because the author is Christian they must mention God so many times. If it can be woven tightly into the story, so much the better. Often it's not.

 

[sicarii67]

I think the market should move towards a more loose interpretation such as inspirational fiction. Quite frankly, I think the industry has cut its nose off to spite its face. They are ignoring a whole gender of people, men. I enjoyed Paul Meier but I picked up a book by an award winning novelist about an infantryman in ww 2. It was so cheezy that I skipped pages and pages. Ive got a collection but when it comes to weaving a good action adventure story, especially military, CBA has NOTHING to offer. The book was His truth is marching on.