I
tell you this not to debate gun control (please, no), but to demonstrate how
desperately this world needs Christian fiction. People are hurting. They need
to know they’re loved. That Jesus loves them. Yet while many of these people
may never read a bible or darken the door of a church, they might pick up a
book. And what if that book offers them hope by pointing them to The One who
can truly save them from their struggles?
Unfortunately,
some people have a misconception of what Christian fiction really is. So, let’s
set a few things straight.
Christian fiction isn’t preachy.
Yes, there may be
scripture references or people thinking/talking about their faith, but don’t
expect to be hit over the head with a sermon.
Christian fiction is real
people facing real problems. Things
may not be graphic, but they shouldn’t be sugar-coated either. Life’s issues
affect everyone. Including Christians.
Christian fiction isn’t
boring. What kind of
stories to you like to read? Mystery? Romance? History? Thrillers? You can find
them all within Christian fiction.
Now granted, there are many things these hurting people need or could benefit from. But the bottom line is that they need Jesus. For
many people, reading is an escape. Christian fiction offers a look at life
through the lens of faith, allowing the reader an escape that speaks truth. And
for someone who’s feeling hopeless, that can be not only eye-opening, it can
change their life.
Now
I’d like to hear from you. What are your thoughts on Christian fiction? What is
it that draws you to it? Have you ever found hope in a book?
Writers,
why do you write Christian fiction? Are you thinking of those who might be
impacted by your words?
Hi Mindy:
ReplyDelete"Christian fiction offers hope. If it doesn’t, then it’s not Christian fiction."
I really like your definition of Christian Fiction. In fact, I very much support Love Inspired for providing inspirational fiction without saying it is Christian. I think there are many people who will read inspirational fiction who would not buy something labeled Christian fiction.
What I want to see in Christian fiction are examples of how living a life according to Christian values leads to a better life. This is where offering hope comes in.
Thanks for your post today. I really enjoyed it.
Vince
Thank you, Vince. And I've never thought about the word "inspirational" that way before, you make a very good point. It removes any stigma. Thanks for pointing that out.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Mindy. You summed things up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe same way that reading books touched and shaped my life as a kid, then a young woman... that's what our books do now. And while it's amazingly wonderful, it's also sobering....
But then straight back to wonderful!
Thank you for this and I'm going to follow it up next week with The Power of the Pen...
Because this is too great a thread to let go.
Ruthy, I will be looking forward to your post next week.
DeleteHi Ruth
DeleteWhenever I read 'The Power of the Pen' I think of the opera critic who said of Leoncavallo that "he had only one Pagliacci in his pen."
Then I think that writers don't write with pens much anymore.
So how about a new cliché for the phrase 'the power of the pen' that is both alliterative and computer age woke?
How about the "Woesome Power of the Word Processor"? (Woesome is considered archaic which carries its own irony when sued to create an up to date cliché replacement.)
Hi Mindy. I'm at the point where I kind of don't want to read anything except Christian fiction. A so-called secular book seems to be missing something to me. When things go wrong for a character I wonder why they don't pray about it. But, my agent says that the market for true Christian fiction is almost non-existent. Publishers are looking for "clean-reads" minus all the praying, faith stuff. That makes me sad. I don't particularly care for the books where the main theme is about one of the characters getting saved, but I do love the ones where faith is just a natural, normal part of life and wholly embraced. Love Inspired is a great place to find this, especially if the book is by Mindy!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Cindy. I hear what you're saying about something missing in secular books. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to go through life without God. I mean, He's always there. I don't have to carry my burdens or try to figure things out alone. What a heavy burden that would be. No wonder people are hurting.
DeleteCindy, LI and LIS stories are so popular! They're two of Harlequins best selling lines so there is a huge, huge, huge market for Christian fiction...that includes a faith element! Tell your agent. :)
DeleteI look at CF books as able to plant seeds of truth in readers' hearts.
ReplyDeleteBecause we get to walk in a character's shoes for a while, we have an opportunity to see through someone else's eyes. My favorite books are the ones that let me see a slightly new and fresh perspective about God's character and His principles.
Samantha, you are exactly right. Planting those seeds of truth is what Christian fiction is all about. Seeing life from another perspective gives us all hope.
DeleteMindy, I'm so sorry for your granddaughter and those poor kids who had to experience that fright. And now the college students on the UNC campus. Yes, our world needs light and hope.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I really loved that you said: "... allowing the reader an escape that speaks truth."
I mentioned Monday that I think offering readers an escape and entertainment can be a really good thing. But I love even more that the escape might also speak truth, as you said. Thanks for sharing today.
You're welcome, Missy. We do live in a crazy, mixed-up world. The truth is, indeed, what people need. And if it's in an entertaining form, then it's even better.
DeleteHi Mindy, I also loved your post. I believe as Christian authors we need to do all those things: be storytellers, truth-tellers, entertainers, and definitely NOT be boring! My own personal goal is to have one of my books end up in a hospital waiting room and be read by a non-believer and be of some comfort to them. The first real Christian book I read as a young teen was "Christy" and I must've read it at least ten times in high school. I read it whenever I was going through a hard time at home. I needed to know that her glimpse of heaven was real and that book gave me hope. So, you're quite right, we need to give others hope and truth. I believe that's what we're all called to do as writers. Thanks for the reminder today!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, thank you for sharing your story of how Christian fiction impacted you. I LOVE that!
DeleteEven as Christians we need to be reminded we have hope, and I needed that reminder this week, so thank you again!
DeleteYou're welcome, Laurie!
DeleteThis. This right here: "For many people, reading is an escape. Christian fiction offers a look at life through the lens of faith, allowing the reader an escape that speaks truth." This is exactly what I want to provide for my readers! Mindy--you've nailed this! What a wonderful post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurel! It's always good when I can actually make a point instead of running around in circles. Ah, the benefit of the written word. ;-)
DeleteChristian fiction is my new best friend. I had gotten so tired of all the profanity, vulgarity, etc in regular fiction, even though I do still read some. But I've made a list of authors to stay away from. Christian fiction just makes me feel so much better when I read it. Your post is so true Mindy. We all have struggles, but putting the Lord first makes everything better! And the people who may not attend church or read the Bible, may find some comfort reading these books. I love them!
ReplyDeleteDana, you just boosted the confidence of every writer here! THANK YOU for encouraging us.
DeleteYou're very welcome! It's all true.
DeleteI'm worried about our world and it's lack of values and virtue...both hallmarks of a Christian life. I truly believe that's the problem these days. No God, no values, no virtues. They go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteYes to what you said about Christian fiction! I enjoy reading about folks who share my worldview, folks who turn to prayer when times are tough, folks who hold themselves to a higher standard. Yes, Christians sin...often...but we know forgiveness awaits us if he turn to the Lord. That's the hope that comes through in our stories.
Amen, Debby. I think a huge void was created when they took God out of the schools.
DeleteI so agree, Mindy!
DeleteHi Mindy & Debby:
Delete"No God, no values, no virtues."
It might be better if that statement were true. Millions today do have values called moral relativity, social awareness, social justice, and resistance to opposing views.
A good part of a generation believes that all religions are equal but having no religion is best.
Why?
Because some religions preach against abortion and homosexuality. Such preaching is now called 'hate speech' and must be stopped.
In a recent poll many college students said they would amend the first amendment so that 'hate' speech about gays or abortion, or against the 'settled science' of global warming could be restricted by the government.
They also believe it is virtuous to prevent speakers who are conservative from speaking at college campuses even to the extent of being violent.
No values would be a step up.
No values would likely make a person ambivalent about other's values. It would forster a 'live and let live' view of life. But what we see today coming out of a great many colleges are those with 'the truth, the virtuous ones, acting out against those with opposing views.
Christian values have never been more in need.
Church schools, Christian homeschooling, and Christian fiction all promote Christian values. These efforts deserve our support.
Vince
I'm so glad your grand-daughter is okay. Such unsettled times we live in.
ReplyDeleteI write Christian fiction because of the Hope that lives within me. I love that we get to shine a light in the midst of the darkness...not our own light, but THE Light.
Amen, Erica!
DeleteMindy, your comments are spot-on! The world needs Jesus now more than ever before and we, as writers, can offer it to them in a non-threatening way. It is the perfect combination - Christian fiction!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Edwina. :)
DeleteMindy, this was a great post. I love Christian fiction because I like to read clean books without vulgarity. I also enjoy the clean reads that don't have the faith element, but I miss that, too. I will also read some of the current bestsellers if they have a good story line. Many times, though, I think how it could be different if it was an inspirational read. I could never write those types of books, so Christian fiction is what I write.
ReplyDeleteThe first exposure I had to Christian fiction was Janette Oke's When Calls the Heart series.
I think mine was the Love Comes Softly series. Loved those books!
DeleteSandy, for the longest time I thought Christian fiction was only books like Janette Oke's. I'm so glad to see how much it has grown and that it covers so many genres. It's a blessing, indeed.
DeletePerfectly said, Mindy. Anything that we as Christians offer to the world should have something worthwhile in it. The Gospel still has power and God is still speaking. And if He allows us to be the one to reach the heart of someone who needs Him--wow! What a privilege that is.
ReplyDeleteGlynis, even if we're just part of the process. Planting those seeds or watering them. Like you said, it's a privilege.
DeleteI like Christian fiction because it can show me how others respond to situations and find hope and strength through God's help, His Word. I love it when characters 'hear' His voice. I want to be open to hear His voice in my life.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Anne. :)
DeleteThank you, Mindy - - you summed up Christian fiction beautifully. We never know how someone's life might be impacted from reading our words, so I try to always pray that the Lord would guide me as I write.
ReplyDeleteI love to donate Christian fiction books (especially some by favorite authors!) to our local women's shelter. I figure that maybe someone who needs an encouraging message of hope and God's love for us will read one of those books.
Thanks again for sharing this (sorry I'm a day behind!).
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo, donating those books to a women's shelter is a terrific idea. Matter of fact, I REALLY like that idea. I might have to see about doing something like that on my end. Thanks for the idea.
DeleteI like to read books in inspirational fiction because I know I'm not going to be filling my head with images that aren't conducive to my walk with God. I do stray from the genre but it's hard to find decent mainstream stories that don't include graphic scenes I'd rather have simplified. :) I write the genre because I want to use the gifts God has given to glorify Him. Any time I can use my talents for Him I try to do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mindy! (And I hope your granddaughter is okay...)
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, I know just what you mean about those images than can get stuck in our heads. I'm a visual person, so that's a huge thing for me. Besides, I'd much rather watch people fall in love than fall into bed. Falling in love is a journey and always sweeter in the end.
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