Outside the CBA

[sicarii67]

eems there is a small burgeoning market for more realistic christian fiction that breaks the CBA guidlines. Issues that might involve language, sex and violence as a means to deal with a subject in ficiton.

Im no lover of dirty humor, gratuitious sex scenes or random uncontextualized violence but I dont think that Christian writers will Ever get any serious treatment or recognition until we crossover to the mainstream. Meaning that to spread christianity in literature, we must be able to tell stories that embrace reality and lead the reader to have something invested in the story. I dont ever intend to try to submit to CBA but I do intend to include insprirational themes and a christian message to realistic books. It seems now that a person must be a top seller to even make writing financially feasable to make it in CBA. Young writers have to market themselves even in the major publishing houses. Whats the difference except distribution.

Whats your opinion on this

 

[keith99]

I'm curious, what are the CBA guidelines?

I'm willing to bet a totally accurate Biblical Translation would fail on both Language and Violence. God says some rather earthy things at times.

As to that other market, I think it is a good thing. Gosh darn it (yea this site has a CBA side to it) there are many characters who should swear like sailors (sailors for example).

I am not Christian, but there are many Christian values I agree with and a more realistic, less preachy kind of Christian book that puts those values out to the general world seems a good thing to me.

Assuming of course it is well written, poorly written ones can make those same good things seem laughable.

BTW does CBA have different standards for non-fiction? I've read quite a bit regarding D. Bonhoeffer and before the story ends there is a lot of rather nasty violence. (Though strangly the most haunting thing is a note, I believe from his brother Claus, say he does not fear death but can not stand the hate filled afces of the Judges).