Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
Here at Books & Such, we represent many different kinds of books, but we specialize in books for the Christian market. Almost all agents specialize—some represent mostly romance. Some specialize in mystery, thriller and suspense. Some agents specialize in healthcare and self-help titles. Specialization allows agents to become experts in their genre or category, staying on top of trends and requirements.
So, we specialize in books appropriate for the Christian market, or books that express a Christian worldview. This way, we can be “experts” at what’s going on in the Christian sector of the publishing business.
What makes a book “Christian”?
Sometimes it’s not so easy to define what makes a book fit into the Christian section of the market. At the most basic level, the book is written through a Christian worldview, a way of looking at the world filtered through the truths taught in the Bible. It assumes a sovereign God who created everything and everyone; it assumes we are answerable to God for our thoughts, words and actions; it assumes we have need of salvation and redemption and that it comes only through the person of Jesus Christ.
In Christian fiction, some books overtly express elements of Christianity in the story, integrating things like prayer, conversion, church. Other books don’t include overt references to Christianity but they are clearly written from a Christian worldview, adhering to Biblical principles and usually expressing some aspect of redemption, God’s unconditional love, or honest grappling with faith.
Christian fiction can have non-Christian elements, but they can’t be without consequence or some kind of opinion that comes through in the prose. If your story features exotic dancers (read: strippers), it can’t glorify their lifestyle or make it look like it’s a value-neutral activity. In general, you want your story populated with real people who struggle with real life issues; and you also want to reflect an effort for believers to live in ways that glorify God.
Of course, this can get sticky when you get down to details. Can a Christian character get a tattoo? Get a divorce? Can the believers in your story go out for drinks? It will always depend on how you handle that element of the story—and on what your publisher thinks. Your Christian readers will definitely have opinions!
Christian non-fiction is usually overt in its use of Biblical principles to teach a particular subject. For example, I’ve received quite a few queries about leadership books. The Bible contains numerous teachings that apply to leadership, so for us to represent a leadership book, it would need to contain specific Biblical tenets. When we consider a memoir, it’s usually a person’s faith journey and their wrestling with the spiritual side of life, perhaps in relation to another life issue such as an illness or an addiction.
What do you think? How would YOU define a book that fits the Christian market?
Jennifer Major
I’m pretty sure I was there when ‘Sir Gibbie’ was hot off the presses.(Okay, maybe not that old, but I did have Beegees albums.)
I’ve read some books published by Christian publishing houses that made me wonder what made the book “Christian”. The leads were just a little too friendly unlit the moonlight. Oh, and they said grace.
For me, a Christian book should be obviously not unChristian. The reader should understand by the end of chapter one that a Christian message. There should be something about the heart and soul of the book that sets it apart and has regret,for it to be over, mixed with some measure of healing at the last page.
When she read my WIP, my mom suggested I put more praying into it. I thought I’d covered that all right. 😉
sally apokedak
I loved the Bee Gees! And I loved Wee Sir Gibbie.
Jennifer Major
*under…not unlit.
Sue Harrison
Thank you for a thought-provoking post, Rachelle!
My ultimate test for defining a Christian market book is pretty much me-centered, because most of my reading continues to be a self-centered activity, for joy and for learning. (And I hope people read my books for the same reasons!)
My definitive moment comes when I ask myself – did I experience spiritual growth or refine some area of spiritual insight/understanding because I read this book?
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Great measuring rod, Sue.
Caroline @ UnderGod'sMightyHand
I really like that question as a tool of measurement, too.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Rachelle,
Perhaps I shouldn’t get into this discussion since neither of my WIPs are designed to be overtly Christian fiction. However, I know that I have a strong Christian worldview and that that is reflected in my writing. The main theme of one of my books is unconditional love, reconciliation, healing and forgiveness. The other book is a fantasy with fairies, dragons and unicorns, but its underlying theme is learning how to listen to what your soul is truly being called to do. The villain is a dragon / seducer / Satan-like character. None of this started out as intentional, but as I wrote, I realized that I have strongly Christian themes coming through in my writing. It’s a reflection of who I am in my core. Because of this, and because I know without question that I am a Christian, I was a little taken aback by some of the sticky details that you mentioned under “Christian Fiction.” I understand your statement that a Christian novel cannot be neutral about a stripper’s occupation, but when you mention tattoos, divorce and going out for a couple drinks as being potentially problematic, it made me want a definition of the Christian market. Let me be clear. I don’t have, nor will I ever have, a tattoo. I am not married, but always have felt that promises to God shouldn’t be taken lightly, so divorce should only be in extreme circumstances (for example, an abusive relationship). Still, I would not condemn anyone who got a tattoo or a divorce, especially since people have a right to make mistakes. I have friends who are Southern Baptist, Church of God and Mormon who do not drink alcohol, but I and my friends of other Christian denominations see nothing wrong with alcohol drunk in moderation. You asked what defines a Christian book. I’m wondering what defines the “Christian” market. Is it narrow? Is it only aimed at certain types of Christians? And since I’m a Catholic, I have to ask, would a book written by a Catholic be accepted in the Christian market? I have encountered people who, when I’ve told them I’m Catholic, have responded, “Oh. I’m Christian.” A response, that in all honesty, always makes me shake my head in wonder.
Since you asked what defines a Christian book, I’m wondering if The Lord of the Rings, the Silmarillion and The Chronicles of Narnia would qualify or not. Tolkien set up a universe in which there was one God, choirs of angels, and an afterlife. The Lord of the Rings (if you read Tolkien’s appendixes) has fallen angels and five guardian angels. Frodo goes through a journey in which he fights against an evil that is trying to corrupt his soul, he has to climb a mountain in an environment that is distinctly hellish, he falls, but he is redeemed, and ultimately he sacrifices himself for the good of the world. Finally, he says goodbye to family and friends and, at the beckoning of his guardian angel, leaves (Middle) Earth to go rest in peace and live with the angels forever. It seems pretty Christian to me, but of course, the problem is it has wizards in it (actually they’re angels according to Tolkien, but I know some people get their backs up as soon as they hear the word “wizard.” ) Harry Potter was banned here in Florida when it first came out, although I think it is another book that has strongly Christian themes (Harry willing dies so that evil will be destroyed–then he’s resurrected!). One of my favorite childhood books, The Witch of Blackbird Pond–which won a children’s literary award–is now banned not only from public schools here in Florida but also from public libraries. Why? Because of its title. There are no witches in the book. An unpopular older woman is accused of being a witch. She is not. She is ostracized by the community and the one young woman who reaches out to her is ostracized and condemned as a witch too. The book is about prejudice and has incredible lessons to teach, all of them Christian in their worldview.
So I am wondering if a “Christian” book is defined as “Christian” only if it passes muster with a specific portion of Christians and whether or not what the rest of us who are practicing Christian believers believe and read matters or not.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Christine, you bring up some interesting points, and I am eager to hear the answers.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Thanks, Cheryl. I’m genuinely interested in the answers.
Sue Harrison
Christine, I believe it’s risky to allow others to define our Christian parameters, but many Christian readers who do not read outside the circle of “Christian books” are allowing publishers to make the decisions concerning the definition of Christian fiction.
Margo Carmichael
I like these standards because we are told not to lead anyone astray. We can debate what that means, too, of course. Plus, I try and fail often enough, but try to live by the promise Jesus gives, that if we obey Him, He will love us and show up in our lives. And I desperately want more of that. So I hope my writing reflects that, and when my characters don’t, there are consequences. The challenge is not to make their failures attractive before the reader gets to the consequences.
Michelle Lim
This is a huge topic, Rachelle. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ultimately what can be marketed as a Christian book is highly dependent on the publishing house that will print it. We are at their discretion a bit.
My personal opinion is that fiction can have great life values and not be CBA. What I look for in a CBA novel is that it pushes the character on a spiritual journey. Whether they start a total nonbeliever or a Christian facing hardship it is important that they are challenged with truth that points them to God.
Anyway, my ten cents. This topic will no doubt have lots of variation in answers.
Jeanne T
This is such an interesting topic, and I’m enjoying the conversation here. For me, I think part of what defines a Christian novel is that main characters either come to a place of understanding what it means that God loves them for the first time or they come to understand truths about God and begins to live them out through the journey of the story.
I don’t think I’ve explained what I’m thinking very well, but I hope it makes sense. 🙂
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
It sounds clear to me, Jeanne, and I love the broadness of your definition. 🙂
Jeanne T
Thanks, Christine. 🙂
Caroline @ UnderGod'sMightyHand
Great point with these questions regarding Christian fiction: “Can a Christian character get a tattoo? Get a divorce? Can the believers in your story go out for drinks? It will always depend on how you handle that element of the story—and on what your publisher thinks. Your Christian readers will definitely have opinions!”
I imagine quite a few fine lines and strong opinions exist on a variety of topics within Christian fiction.
To me, there’s more of a variety within fiction (than nonfiction) and what’s labeled as “Christian.” Certain genres within Christian fiction will be very blunt in expressing aspects of faith, whereas others might be allegorical (like, as some may consider, the Narnia series). How much do you think is based on opinion of individual readers and how much is based on publishing labels?
Interesting discussion already in the comments!
Camille Eide
I’ll try to express my take on this in a way that makes sense and isn’t too narrowly defining, though I am keenly aware of my limitations. One being it’s early and I’ve only had half a cup of coffee. 🙂
There are Christians of many varying denominations, there is a large & growing Christian market made of of widely diverse peoples, whose tastes in and desire for books vary even more, and there are countless writers of faith with countless unique stories to tell.
As a writer, I am challenged to be true to myself, to voice my heart & soul, and know what I alone have to say. And as a Christian, as long as I have breath, I have an additional challenge: to make Christ known. With whatever means of communication he has placed at my disposal (and there are countless means), whether it be my spoken words, my written words, my life & actions, my storytelling, etc. You can’t very well introduce a loved one to others in one meeting in a way that tells everything there is to know about them. Besides, “knowing” Christ is a life-long pursuit for us all. As with anyone you know and love, there’s no one way to introduce Christ to others, and there is no one instance that can possibly do a just, complete job of making the acquaintance.
I think we should make the distinction that there are Christians who write fiction, using their God-given talents to create art & beauty, and there are Christians who write “Christian fiction,” a specific type of story that, in one of many, many beautifully diverse and countless ways, makes Christ known.
From a character actually knowing/meeting Christ, to a biblical principal at work in someone’s life. From a full-on overt Christian message with a clear gospel presentation, to an entertaining story quietly laced with a subtle, resonating sense of redemption or reconciliation. And everything in between.
What gets tricky is when we flawed humans—which we all are, Christian or not—filter our understanding of “Christian Fiction” through our own personal convictions and life’s calling rather than through a the bigger picture of a biblical view, in which we find not limitations and rules, but wide open doors of endless creative possibility. Don’t get me wrong: the Bible gives us One way only to eternal life = Christ, period. But through an understanding of the Bible, written by the Master Artist & infinitely creative Creator, the ways in which we can make Christ known are absolutely limitless.
This of course is only my limited attempt to express my limited opinion, so for what it’s worth. 🙂
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Thank you, Camille. I think you’ve put this beautifully, especially “the ways in which we can make Christ known are absolutely limitless.” I agree completely.
Jeanne T
Nicely said, Camille!
Janet Ann Collins
Camille, you’ve boiled it all down to what matters. Thanks.
Jessi Gage
Excellent points, Camille. I especially liked:
“I think we should make the distinction that there are Christians who write fiction, using their God-given talents to create art & beauty, and there are Christians who write “Christian fiction,” a specific type of story that, in one of many, many beautifully diverse and countless ways, makes Christ known.”
Some commenters here have mentioned the publisher’s role as gatekeeper for the Christian Fiction genre. This is true for any genre. As a writer who has had many rejections for a Christian-themed yet gritty and unconventional romance, I encourage anyone struggling to find representation not to lose heart. Write what you love and what speaks to you. If you can’t find an audience with an agent or the Big 6, consider a small press. Sometimes they’re willing to take a risk on a narrower market than a big publisher might. And there’s always indie.
sally apokedak
Very well expressed. It sounded like two whole cups of coffee had already made their way down your gullet.
Brandy Vallance
Eloquently said, Camille. I completely agree. God uses a wide spectrum of stories to reach many different people. What might not speak to one will be just the thing for another. I loved your analogy about introducing Christ to others.
I also love what Rachelle said, “In general, you want your story populated with real people who struggle with real life issues; and you also want to reflect an effort for believers to live in ways that glorify God.”
As I was writing my first book (and was having moments of apprehension because some people might not approve) I made it my mission statement to portray real people with a real God. That’s not an easy task because it makes you vulnerable. And it’s scary.
I often think about how many parts of the Bible aren’t necessarily G rated (Song of Solomon, the story of Tamar, Lot and his daughters, etc.). But many people just choose to ignore that. Somehow Christianity has merged with the words “nice” and “passive.” I think that’s very far from the truth.
One of the best Christian fiction books I ever read was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (a retelling of Gomer, a prostitute, and the prophet Hosea). I was blown away by the strong, honest story. It reminded me a lot of my deceased mother’s life story.
I’m so glad Francine didn’t dilute the story she felt she had to tell. I know she puts a lot of prayer into each of her stories and that’s so important. I’m not saying we purposely need to write stories on the fringe, but I feel that we need to let God take us where He wants us to go. That may not feel safe, but the power in story often happens outside of our comfort zone.
I recently had something happen to me twice. I was talking with two pastor’s wives on two different occasions. I asked them what Christian authors they liked. They both said, “Janette Oak,” but there was something unspoken in their eyes. I told them I really enjoyed Francine Rivers. At that moment their entire countenance changed. “I LOVE Francine Rivers,” they both said. There was relief all over their faces.
Those experiences have given me pause. I knew they both initially told me Janette Oak because it was the safer reply. They didn’t want to be judged. Please understand I am not saying anything against Janette Oak. I think she writes wonderful stories. I thoroughly enjoyed Love Comes Softly. However, my point is that there is a difference in the seasons in our lives and the stories that can be used to speak to us in those seasons. I think that we need to be careful not to impose our personal standards as gospel.
As Christian writers, the Bible and the Holy Spirit should be our guide. And, hopefully, an agent full of wisdom and discernment. 🙂
Cheryl Malandrinos
Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Rachelle. Anything that I have read that is marketed as Christian fiction is strongly Christian, meaning faith is openly a part of at least some of the characters’ lives. Prayer and church attendance typically play a role too. I have, however, read a few Christian fantasy novels where those elements shine through without being so overt.
I had to consider how I would market my upcoming book, because it isn’t a Christian story, but it still retains Christian values. I opted to write it under a pen name and will market it as a secular project, though it wouldn’t surprise me if many Christians found it to be a Christian story.
All of you ladies keep me on my toes when I come here. Thanks for that.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Cheryl,
I’m sure your Christian values will shine through in your writing no matter how the book is labeled. I know you mentioned your pen name before, but I don’t remember it. Be sure to let us know when the book comes out and the name under which you’ve authored it.
Blessings. 🙂
Lindsay Harrel
To me, a book in the Christian fiction market must contain hope. It can address tough issues, and even grapple with those smaller (to me) issues of occasional alcoholic beverages and tattoos–without even necessarily giving a definitive answer, by the way–but by the end those big issues have to be seen in the light of God’s grace and the hope we have in him.
Brian Taylor
I think you have thoroughly defined the subject so that those who may have had questions of whether or not what their project or market really is as stated. “Knowing,’ as they use to espouse in the animated series GI Joe, ‘is half the battle.”
Charise
This is a discussion I have had over many a cup of coffee and writer lunch. It seems there are what writers consider Christian Fiction.
And then there are the Publishers. Also, reader which I assume drive the publishers. (Aside: I do think there is a mass group of tattooed, divorced, cocktail appreciating readers not being provided for by CBA.)
I think I write Christian Fiction. I do not consider it a ministry. I do not felt called to do so. I do not divide my stories into secular and spiritual categories. My writing is the story of that character and what happens in her life within the pages. Because I am a Christian, my writing voice is also Christian. If there is prayer or conversion in the story, it is there because it is part of the story. It is not there as a lesson or affirmation of faith for the reader. I write of my culture, and my culture is Christian.
Whether my stories “fit” in Christian Fiction- as a publisher defines it- remains to be seen.
Becky Blanton
Apparently anything overtly Biblical or with strong Christian overtones of any kind is considered Christian. My book, “The October Abduction of Thomas Martin,” is a novel based on true events and biblical history of UFOs and the prevailing belief that UFOs are demonic. One of the main characters in the book is a cowboy who called “The preacher” because of his conversion and insight into what UFOs are after he and his father are abducted by aliens. The book includes references to shamans, the paranormal and even has atheist and agnostic characters in it, but the theme is that UFOs are demonic…The story line revolves around what happened to the abducted rancher, the search and the events and insights of the main character, a reporter. But my agent called it a “Christian” book, although I can almost guarantee none of the big christian publishers would agree….so I’m in limbo with it. It’s getting great reviews on Amazon (they’re not all my friends either!)
Peter DeHaan
If not for the fact they’re in the Bible, a lot of those stories wouldn’t fly in today’s “Christian” market.
Carol J. Garvin
This is a wonderful and enlightening discussion. My dilemma has been to decide where one of my novels should be marketed because it falls on a line between Christian fiction and secular fiction written from my Christian worldview.
Some secular agents indicate they aren’t interested in repping anything remotely “inspirational” while others suggest anything considered “edgy Christian fiction” isn’t for them. ::sigh:: Cheryl’s response gives me hope there is a solution out there. I’m trusting God to lead me in the right direction.
sally apokedak
Of course, this can get sticky when you get down to details. Can a Christian character get a tattoo? Get a divorce? Can the believers in your story go out for drinks? It will always depend on how you handle that element of the story—and on what your publisher thinks. Your Christian readers will definitely have opinions!
And that’s as it should be. It’s between the author and the publisher. The Christian reader should have opinions and should write negative reviews, even, of books that are glorifying sin, in her opinion.
And then she should go and find other books that she likes. There are scads of Christian books that offend me, because they don’t line up with my theology. I don’t have a hard time telling people to reject what these books are selling (I did three posts on The Shack), but I sure don’t want people to stop publishing them. We need to have books we don’t agree with. When we are forced to wrestle and think, our faith is strengthened.
What I’d love to see is some Christian books that reflected the strong opinions that Christian readers have. Books with more depth. I’d like to see people go to a Baptist church and engage in credobaptism or go to the Presbyterian church and engage in paedobaptism. I wish CBA writers could mention baptism and the Lord’s Supper without offending half their readers. The thing I have disliked most about the CBA books I’ve read is that every character seems to go to the community church, and at the community church there are no strong opinions about worship or prayer or the sacraments. So the churches in the Christian novels feel more like the corner bar or the Elk’s Club.
The worship in the Christian novels I’ve read is about an eighth of an inch deep. It’s pretty much nonexistent. That’s what makes CBA books feel shallow, I think. Not the absence of cursing and drinking. It’s the absence of strong opinion and the absence of deep worship and deep issues of faith.
And why is rich, historical worship nonexistent? Because Christian readers get angry and threaten to boycott if the publishers dare put in anything the readers disagree with. So the publishers have to pander to the lowest common denominator. We all believe Jesus saves. Beyond that the disagreements start. So we can never get beyond Jesus saving.
And we all suffer because we can only have shallow books. Anything worth writing and reading is going to offend someone.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Sally, thank you for your honesty. So, perhaps those books “worth writing,” the ones that have depth and confront moral and theological issues–and the complexity of those–should be written by Christians, published by an entity other than the CBA and put on the contemporary fiction shelves (in the case of fiction) or the theology shelves in the case of non-fiction rather than on the “Christian Literature” section of bookstores (or the online version of that). They would reach a broader audience that way and might touch the hearts of some people who wouldn’t go near the “Christian Literature” section if they were paid to.
You’re right. Readers will always have opinions–and they are entitled to them. I just have issues with exactly what you talk about in your second-to-last paragraph. Christian literature should not be held hostage by a minority of Christians. The resulting constraints lead to a cookie-cutter product that will mostly be purchased by people who already believe exactly what those books say because they’ve dictated what the books must say. That rather defeats the point behind spreading the Good News.
Heather Day Gilbert
Hmmm. I have to believe this post might tie in with the raging debate about appropriate language in the CBA.
Personally, I totally agree w/Lindsay Harrel–hope and WORLDVIEW define a Christian book. This can be applied all the way back to those old classics, like Hardy or Dickens.
However, in the CBA, there are stricter standards. You could delineate those standards better than we could, Rachelle, since you know what publishers buy and what’s marketable.
I don’t know where the line is drawn on touching (no below the neck? is that still true?) in Christian fiction. I think it’s perfectly appropriate to include sins the main characters struggle with or unsaved characters. It’s all in how you present it. I think the Bible should always be our guide as to what we write, and HOW we write.
Which is why I feel very strongly that vulgarity and titillating sex scenes (think SHADES OF GREY–no, I haven’t read it and won’t) have no place in Christian fiction. We can get the ideas across without emulating the world as we do it. I don’t think I represent the minority of Christian fiction readers here. Most Christian fiction readers I know would reject a book if they found certain curse words in it or anatomical parts described in a vulgar way.
Yes, the CBA should be gatekeepers. If they have no standard, then what standard are we holding up as Christian writers? Might as well write for the ABA. Which might be a better fit for some of us, in the first place. This is something we all have to debate. Crossover books are particularly hard to place. Edgier language/situations could warrant a place in the ABA, yet if our worldview is obviously Christian, the ABA will often reject it.
Tricky stuff.
Becky Doughty
Hi Rachelle,
I’m always tickled when I hear echoes of a message reverberating off distant walls. I am doing a series on my blog right now called “Ministry or Malarkey” and the whole point of it is an exploration of this genre we call “Inspirational Fiction” and/or “Christian Fiction.” It seems to be a cyclical hot topic as the market shifts and changes and comparing today’s definition or description of Christian fiction to what it was even five years ago is very illuminating.
One of the most important things I’m learning is that it really doesn’t matter what a genre label “means” but instead, where my writing fits. There are a zillion categories and labels, genres and sub-genres out there and if I’ve written a good book, then my job is not to force is to fit a label but to find a label that fits my writing. Requires me to listen, research, and pay attention to what the gatekeepers are into rather than trying to convince someone that he or she wants my book when there isn’t any evidence that they do. If a story is written well, then you can bet your bobby-socks that there’s a genre out there that will be the perfect match.
Great post again!
Margaret Piton
I think a Christian book is one where moral issues are treated seriously, and where Crhistian characters are believable. They may be flawed, like my corrupt detective Oleg Laverov, but they are real people with real problems.
Rebecca LuElla Miller
It seems to me writers write for two broad reasons– to paint either what should be or what is. Readers, in turn, read for hope and inspiration or for awareness and understanding.
I can’t help but believe there should be room in Christian fiction for both kinds of books.
It appears to me that more and more publishers are making room for the books that reflect culture and offer awareness of the sin and sorrow of society. These books may not always get to the hope and inspiration stage. The sad truth is, not every sinner comes to repentance, not every sin results in a consequence in this life. In reality, these books don’t intend to offer hope and inspiration anyway. They are about showing the way the world is.
My concern for these is that “the way the world is” includes God, even though the majority of the people neglect or ignore Him. The challenge, then, for the “gritty” books is to find a way to show God too.
An author who does this beautifully, in my opinion, is Kay Marshall Strom, especially her books set in India.
Becky
Golden Keyes Parsons
This is a subject which is so intriguing to me, and one about which I find myself speaking at seminars and workshops. I even taught a class on it last fall at Baylor University. I find it interesting because I feel many of us who write Christian fiction really have not thought through the issue. Is there even a need for the Christian fiction genre? What makes Christian fiction Christian? I pose that question to open the classes that I teach. It is a thought-provoking question and one that raises much discussion.
I think as believers we are called to write good fiction, told from a biblical worldview with God’s redemption woven into the story. That does not necessarily always add up to a “gentle” read.
I don’t find it surprising that there are differing opinions on what constitutes Christian fiction. After all, as believers, we find it difficult to agree on theology. I think there is a place for gentle reads, but I also think there is a place for more realistic, grittier, edgier work. In my opinion, just because one’s story might address the question of evil in a more confrontational manner should not be grounds to be rejected in the CBA. After all, do we not want to reach out to the unredeemed and not simply preach to the choir?
Of course, the conundrum for the Christian author is how to do that without offending the reader’s sensibilities to the point of sin.
It is a question not easily answered :)But one with which I believe we need to wrestle.
Thanks for posting this and making us think.
Golden Keyes Parsons
Nikole Hahn
It’s nice when Christian fiction can speak to our values and struggles, like Terri Blackstock’s Covenant Child. I like the realness in stories.
Eileen
I clicked onto this blog “What defines a Christian book?” precisely because I was wondering exactly what genre the book I’m writing would fit into. I was extremely pleased when I read Rachelle’s instructional opinion, that said, “In general,you want your story populated with real life people who struggle with real life issues; and you also want to reflect an effort for believers to live in ways that glorify God.” By those standards, I realize that my story will probably fit into this genre. As Christians, we are living “in” the world, though we are not “of” the world. My fictional characters grapple with issues such as faith, truth, death, disappointment, infidelity, love, prejudice, forgiveness, self worth and self-examination, just to name a few. There are believers and non believers in my novel, just as they exist in the world we all live in. I’m not going to stress over where my story “fits”, but rather, I’m going to focus on the message. My desire is that everyone will be able to relate to some, if not many, of the situations and see things with new eyes, perhaps for the first time. The born-again, evangelical message is demonstrated through one character’s life and thoughts, but other characters, even family members don’t share those beliefs. Isn’t that what a Christian’s life is like? Aren’t we all sinners saved by grace? A fictional “Christian” book should appeal to both the believer and non=believer, if properly handled. In my opinion, a definition of a Christian book should include, ( but not be limited to ) the ability to speak to the heart,to be relevant and real, to cause you to re-examine your thinking, question or reaffirm your faith and bring you closer to the truth. Thankfully, I believe my story adheres to these qualifications. Where an agent or publisher assigns your prose is surely not as important as the content, quality or purpose of the story. As long as I can appeal to the masses with real life characters and struggles that we all face, I’ll consider myself successful. If I can get people to see that Christians are “real” people, just like them, but changed by saving grace, I’ll be satisfied in whatever genre I’m assigned to. As for me, in a nutshell,the definition of a Christian book is that it’s real, relevant and biblically sound. Within those parameters there’s plenty of room for creative endeavors. Thank you, Rachelle, for your web site, blogs and links. Your advice and instruction are invaluable. I’m so glad I found your site. Thanks again.