Isn’t that how it goes at those recovery meetings? My name is ________, and I’m an alcoholic.
Not that writing Christian fiction is equivalent to an addiction, but to me, it feels like a confession.
I’ve covered the reasons why I’m hesitant to embrace the “Christian fiction” label and know that there’s lots of others out there who share my concerns (see: The New Demographic: Christians Who Don’t Like Christian Fiction). Nevertheless, I am feeling more and more like I need to raise my hand, rise to my feet, and just admit: My name is Mike, and I write Christian fiction.
So what precipitated my “confession”?
For one, I’m completing final edits on The Telling (May 2012, Realms). I am very excited about this book and, once again, thankful to Debbie Marrie and Charisma House for publishing it. Which brings me to my third novel, as yet un-contracted, and this question…
Who is it aimed at?
Thus, my conundrum: I will have two books published by a Christian publisher and marketed as “Christian fiction.” I interact with Christian readers, write (unapologetically) about faith and spiritual themes… but I don’t want to write just for Christian audiences.
(Not to mention, I’m still unsure what’s supposed to define Christian fiction.)
So I’m writing my third novel and asking, ABA or CBA? General market or Christian market? More spiritual themes or less spiritual themes? And, trust me, those decisions are huge.
Thankfully, my agent did graduate studies in Psychology. She reminded me: Every writer has their niche, and every niche can be criticized. And, well, she’s right! If I went to the ABA, I’d probably find something to bitch about there.
Like any addict, er, confessee, I’ve got a long way to go. My issues run deep, and have taken years to develop. I’m still unsure of myself, and have many questions and doubts. But I’m trusting there’s a Power greater than myself in charge of this business. And my career. So…
deep breath
My name is Mike, and I write Christian fiction.
*clap clap clap* We’re proud of you, Mike.
I’ve come to a realization that I don’t want to write fiction that doesn’t in some way reflect, honor, or promote Jesus. Call it Christian fiction, call it what you want, I don’t care. Writing a novel takes so much time and effort. I don’t want to spend all that time focused on something other than the one who provides meaning in my life. Without Jesus in the mix all else in meaningless, so what would be the point? Luckily I’ve come to this meeting before hitting rock bottom. My name is Jessica and I write Christian fiction.
I agree with your sentiment. While there are many great works of literature that do not have a Christian undertone and/or are not Christian, for me, I only care to write about what God desires me to share.
“Without Jesus in the mix all else is meaningless” I like that!
My name is TC and I write Christian Fiction.
Now if only someone would print it (wink).
Mike, I’ve suffered the “slings and arrows” of those who download one of my novels when it’s a free e-book offer, then trash it and me because it’s “Christian fiction.” But I make no apologies for it.
When I go to the grocery store, I’m a Christian buying groceries. When I was practicing medicine, I was a Christian doctor. I don’t write about conversion scenes and altar calls, but I write about how a Christian handles life. And I expect to catch some flak for it. Kudos to you for being open about your situation.
My name is Richard, and I write Christian fiction.
Does writing a novel for the general populace negate having spirtual themes? Just a question.
Absolutely not, Jonas. An acquisitions editor once told me that Dean Koontz was writing some of the best “Christian fiction” out there. Koontz is general market. But making a decision for ABA or CBA will definitely affect how explicit one can be with their religious themes. While some authors are criticized for being too “Christian” in their work (an ABA charge), others can be charged with being not “Christian” enough (a CBA charge). So there’s give-and-take on both sides.
Hey, I like what our mutual agent has to say. It’s very similar to what I told some high school students when I went back to speak at my alma mater last month. “No matter what you write, from Harlequin romances to the most serious literary fiction, someone is going to scorn and mock you for it. So write what you want, and don’t worry about that. Let the cow chips fall where they may.”
Thanks for commenting, Rosslyn. You’re right, every genre invites its own critique. I recently talked to someone in the horror genre who talked about some ongoing controversies w/in THAT industry. So, yeah, let “cow chips” fall where they may.
Awesome Rosslyn! Very good advice 🙂
Hi, my name is Jill, and I write . . . oh, for heaven’s sake, I don’t know. I don’t think my books would work in the CBA. But congrats to you for coming to a conclusion, which can be very difficult for some people. I’m envious of people who know things instinctively, who don’t fret the particulars. Anyway, the CBA needs writers like you.
I was reading Madeline L’Engle’s book about writing called Walking on Water, and I found this passage that exactly addresses this problem:
“If I understand the Gospel, it tells us that we are to spread the Good News to all four corners of the world, not limiting the giving of light to people who have already seen the light. If my stories are incomprehensible to Jews or Muslims or Taoists, then I have failed as a Christian writer. We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.
“If our lives are truly “hid with Christ in God”, the astounding thing is that this hiddenness is revealed in all that we do and say and write. What we are is going to be visible in our art, no matter how secular (on the surface) the subject may be. Some of those angry etchings of Hogarth, depicting the sordidness and squalor and immorality caused by the social inequities of his day are profoundly incarnational, for they are filled with anguished pity for the thief and the prostitute and the scum of the earth, and this compassion is Christ’s.”
Wow, wonderful quote, Kessie. Thanks for sharing.
Kessie, I love her , thanks for sharing the quote
Tongue in cheek mode on.
Christian fiction is quite clearly fiction that has accepted Jesus Christ as its Lord and Saviour and will go to heaven when it dies. After all, there will be Christian bookshops there, won’t there?
Tongue in cheek mode off.
Hi Mike, my name is Tim. We’ve encountered each other before in these support groups and like two (dare I say it) passing middle-aged men we both are a bit of a curmudgeon. And as curmudgeons can, we’ve butted heads at times as well. But we do so because this writing gig is more than a passing fancy for us. We know time is marching on and there is none to spare on anything that lures us away from our goals. My hat is off to every Christian writer who makes whatever hard decisions he or she needs to make to write and publish the stories God wants them to write.
My vote goes to what shall now be known as The Rosslyn Elliott rule.
Let the cow chips fall where they may.
And if that’s not a good epitaph for my tombstone, I don’t know what would be. 😉
Thanks, Tim!
I published an upper MG / lower YA fantasy novel for the general market last year that got simultaneously criticized by some ABA bloggers for being too Christian and by some CBA bloggers for being not Christian enough. Do I get some kind of prize? 😀
My name is Rebecca, and I write fiction from a Christian worldview. Making that obvious enough to satisfy all of my Christian readers yet subtle enough not to annoy any of my non-Christian ones is a balancing act I have yet to perfect, but frankly I’m not even sure it’s possible–or desirable.
And Kessie, that quote from L’Engle is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it.
Rebecca, I’ve heard about your Faery Hunters series. The girls in my critique group love it. Yes, I suppose that’s a good example of not being able to please everyone.
Rebecca, I’m going to check out your books. I really enjoyed an essay I found linked on your website about why you write for the general market.
And yes, I think you deserve a prize. I’ve even heard of Christian novels being criticized for not being “Christian enough.” Those are usually the books I like the most. Gives the readers room to think about the issues being explored in the writing.
Thank you, Heather (and Mike too, for your comment above!). I hope you’ll enjoy the books as much as you enjoyed the essay!
Hey, I’m checking out your books too, now. ^_^
Your agent is completely right about all genres having their issues. More than Christian fiction, I read general market mysteries. There are some authors who deny they write mysteries because of how literary fiction looks down on mysteries. And most mystery authors resent how they are looked down on by literary authors.
I read mostly in the cozy genre, and almost everyone who writes there is looked down on by the “real” mysteries writers who write PI or police procedurals or thrillers or noir. Anything but light cozies.
I’ve wondered what a “light cozy” is, until I read up on it and realized Agatha Christie is the “queen” of light cozies. To which I say, those are the only type of mysteries worth reading! That woman was the master! And yes, I did want to name my daughter “Agatha,” so I’m not entirely unbiased.
Love it! Thanks for the post!
My name is Joe and I write Christian non-fiction.
Had to be one in the group with a slightly different confession, right? ;^)
I am a lot newer to this than you are, and am writing in a completely different genre, yet I feel I sort of understand where you’re coming from.
As an engineer, I have written technical papers for many years, yet never thought of myself as a writer…just as an engineer who sometimes writes.
Now, I find myself writing Christian non-fiction, and having just a tad bit of trouble calling myself a “writer” or an “author.” I tend to be more like, “Hey I teach this Sunday school class… and by the way, I’ve written this book… oh yeah, and it’s published, now…oh, and I’ve started this blog thing you might like…”
Also, I’m still new enough to all of this that I have not yet sorted out exactly what niche I fit in. Christian Non-Fiction is rather broad, and while I don’t intend to cover the whole gammit, I also don’t want to box myself in.
So, my name is Joe and I write Christian non-fiction…
My name is John, and I wrote Christian fiction for the CBA.
Now my name is still John, but I’m a Christian who writes fiction for the general market.
Same guy, different focus.
And there you have it. *G*
Mike, I am with you brother. It is so confusing, especially when you are starting out and wondering who you will become.
so here is my recent confession, My name is Lyndie. I am a Christian, yet I write fiction.
My name is Jo and I write. What gets published remains to be seen.
This is an excellent post – the cow chips and the salvation prayer for Christian Fiction had me rolling.
In a recent conversation with the Lord, He spoke this into my heart: ‘You are the church in your home, the church at the grocery story, the church on the road.’ When we direct all of our communication to the already saved, we miss out on encouraging the unbelievers who desperately need it. We must fellowship with believers, but be the dwelling place of the Most High God to everyone.
So, as Christians, our writing will reflect Christ, no matter what our target audience is. Seriously, I am now compelled to look at a Dean Koontz book to see what I’m missing.
Thanks All!
JO, good advice for us all to remember. Thank you for sharing what God revealed to you.
Hi Mike- I’m a uh Christian, a writer, photographer and artist. Right now I’m writing a devotional Christian blog with illustrations (photos and art). Plus I have a photo blog for my photography business. I sometimes feel like people will want to see me write Christian comments on my photo blog. But it’s purpose is for my photo business… and you need to be professional in photography. It links to my Christian blog, so they can see I am a Christian. Not that devotions aren’t professional, it’s just in photography the photograph is on trial more than the photographer. It’s all so confusing isn’t it? I think I dream of writing a classic someday- one that has Christians in it- but may not be classified as Christian. A book that’s good for all generations. But it sounds to me like the difference is in who’s publishing the book. Is that right?
If that’s the only difference, I wouldn’t worry about it. These times are hard in publishing. I had a photo published in a local newspaper they said they couldn’t pay me, but I could use them as a reference in my portfolio which is huge. When I finish my first book I’ll let whoever wants it publish it : ) Oh yeah agent…
So… I’d say write from your heart to the glory of God! And publish in the Christian market- nothing wrong with that at all. In fact we need stories with depth and meaning. I was into Christian Romance for awhile but then I realized they all end the same : ) And I got bored with it.
Interesting. Having written two novels which were probably too Christian in viewpoint for secular markets, and too “real” in situations for the Christian market, I’m trying to decide what I want to write next. Do I want to restrict myself to the “box” of Christian fiction, not mentioning any touching below the neck (please tell me that’s an OLD rule), thus getting a debut novel in the door? Or do I want to take out mentions of my MC’s beliefs (or lack of them) and try for secular?
Whatever I write, I write for God’s glory, but I agree w/your previous posts, that God’s glory often shines brightly in those most dirty/dire of situations. That said, I might just limit myself to the box this time, to try to hook an agent who’s on-board w/my mission.
Heather, I sympathize with your conundrum.
It’s difficult when we write something that can be considered too secular for Christian publishers and too Christian for the secular markets. There has to be a niche there!
Here’s a question I’m pondering…. Can a writer have a Christian blog and write novels for the ABA?
Good question Heather. I have no clue what the answer is, but I think ultimately if you are following Gods path for you, you can’t go wrong. Also, think of all the secular readers you will draw to your blog when your book gets published! Could be a great witnessing tool.
Heather, that’s actually one of the questions I batted around w/ Rachelle. I write a lot about theology and faith issues on this blog. Always have. When I look at my current audience, it consists mostly of folks who relate with those subjects one way or another. I don’t have a problem toning some elements of my blogging or novels down to reach a larger audience. But at some point there would have to be an overlap of our Christian worldview w/ our novels and blogging. Frankly, I think it would be difficult blogging openly about Christian themes while forging an ABA audience. Not saying general market readers can’t handle explicit faith, but if your books aren’t faith-driven, then those audiences could be turned off by an explicit “Christian” blog.
My blog is pretty dead at the moment due to two years of intense deadline pressure, but in the past I’ve blogged openly and at length about Christian subjects, as you can see here (http://rj-anderson.livejournal.com/tag/christianity). And if I’ve ceased to do so lately, it’s only because I’ve ceased blogging regularly at all, not because I’m worried about offending my readership. Indeed, I’d like to write more along those lines if I could find the mental energy to do it: my 2005 essay defending C.S. Lewis’s handling of Susan in THE LAST BATTLE (http://rj-anderson.livejournal.com/176635.html), which ends on an explicitly Christian note, is my most-read and most-commented post of all time.
Heather- My thoughts are that I am a Christian. I shoot photos and pray for God to show me where the good shots are (and He does). If someone is offended by that, or wants me to shoot something a Christian wouldn’t, I’d rather they know and not ask. If I wrote a book, I would do a separate blog for books, than my inspirational devotions. I would advertise the book on my other blogs, maybe with a small cover image. When I get to painting again, I’ll have a separate blog for that too. And include links to all my blogs. Sort of like chapters in a book- it all relates but is different.
These are all great answers, and I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
I also blog a lot about faith issues. I simply can’t help myself, really. It’s my life, and I love Jesus. My worldview fits in fine on my blog and in my everyday life. However, I find it difficult to fit my Christian worldview into the CBA market. So, I find myself caught in this back-and-forth debate on whether to follow these rules to write books that nonChristians roll their eyes at or try to reach a wider audience with more general themes while never leaving a Christian worldview.
(I’m sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings with the rolling eyes comment, but everyone needs to face the reality of what most nonChristians think of Christian fiction. If you look in the Amazon Christian book reviews, you’ll see that it goes way beyond eye-rolling.)
Its really a pure shame that it has come to this: Christians concerned about “what exactly they are writing” and to whom.
I am so happy about this post, Mike. As for me, as I stated one time before(forgot which post), whatever is in you will manifest anyway.
Just tell the story.
Erica