Blogger: Mary Keeley
Most writers and bloggers are averse to broaching controversial issues. We would prefer to avoid polarizing subjects because we want to be popular, and writers surely don’t want to lose followers, especially readers. But the truth is people love controversy. We only have to recall the newsy items our eyes were drawn to on our browser this morning for confirmation. This topic came to my attention from several different directions this week, prompting me to bring it up with you for discussion today.
Sooner or later you will face conflicting views in comments on your blog or among your social media followers. Maybe in reviews of your books too. You might be challenged to defend your faith and the Christian worldview you weave into your books. Is avoiding polarizing issues altogether the best course of action? If so, your book might be received as a pleasant respite from all the real-time wrangling. On the other hand, avoidance of contentious issues of the day in both historical and contemporary fiction or in your nonfiction book may render your book irrelevant. A book that doesn’t relate accurately to the world your readers live in or want to learn about may have a short lifespan.
God gives us direction in the fifth chapter of the Book of Matthew. Since he never does anything without purpose, it is noteworthy that Jesus follows his teaching on the Beatitudes with verses declaring we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He admonishes us to not lose our saltiness or hide our light under a bushel.
In other words, we are to engage rather than avoid. Embracing tough issues may actually enrich your book and enlighten readers. A successful example is Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol. Using his own demeaning experiences as a child and his compassion for the poor, Dickens wanted this story to illuminate their plight. He found a perfect way to accomplish this: contrast the devastation of poverty and injustice on children with the happy traditions surrounding Christmas. That heartwarming season in Old England provided a plausible opportunity for a redemptive conclusion. This little, emotion-packed story not only influenced social reforms, but the book has never been out of print. Proof that, if done well, books that engage with controversial issues can have long-term success.
“If done well” is the tricky qualifier. Here are some tips on how Christian writers can be salt and light as you engage in controversial subjects, without offense to other viewpoints on an issue.
- Use a journalistic approach in your nonfiction book. Ease into your discussion by presenting all sides of the conflict evenly and without bias. Your readers will sense you are fair and trustworthy.
- Offer thought-provoking insight. Approach the topic from a different angle or by using anecdotal or personal experience on the subject to prompt readers to view the controversy from a perspective they might not have thought of before. Charles Dickens did this brilliantly in The Christmas Carol.
- Create characters on all sides of the controversy that readers can sympathize with. It shows you are respectful of others’ views. Readers will want to continue reading to learn and understand. Be salt and light, but in humility and kindness.
- Be the voice of reason. Adopt a peacemaker approach.
- Humor eases tension. A witty comment that pokes harmless fun at the whole topic often serves to reduce the stress of the moment. But be sure the object of your fun relates to the topic and not those holding the opposing view.
If you have found yourself in the middle of a discussion on a controversial topic, what did you do? Do you have any tips to add to the list? Name a literary classic or a more contemporary book that deals with a controversial topic. How well do you think the author handled it?
TWEETABLES:
Engaging with readers means you’ll face controversial topics eventually. These tips will help you. Click to Tweet.
Christian writers should engage in, not avoid, controversial issues. These tips will help you. Click to Tweet.
I agree with everything you wrote here, Mary. We can’t change the world if we avoid all controversy. The goal of my writing is transformation–of individuals, not politics. On my blog, I sometimes apply God’s Word to current events. I’m planning to close out this week by connecting “resounding gong or clanging cymbal” to the upcoming Presidential debate. I’m not feelin’ the love.
*I don’t preach, “vote for my candidate.” I urge folks to look to God for direction.
Shirlee, that’s the best approach for sure.
As a Christian writer, I especially appreciated this article. The very fact that we write from a Christian perspective makes us automatically controversial. Thanks for your perspective in this article and reference to scripture. God bless.
You are welcome, Shawn.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.” – Edmund Burke
Might do well to remember that WWJD includes breaking up furniture, chasing people around with a whip, and Death Row.
* Christianity is not the place for cucumber sandwiches and Earl Grey sipped with raised pinkie. Jesus is a double shot of Jack, no ice, and pepper jerky.
* And if you don’t like it, may I suggest a quick retirement to the ladies’ lounge where mango cordials can be belted down in the glow of High Adventure.
* We need Hard Men of the True Faith, and neither plumbing nor orientation matter. Want a controversy? Starvation – politically-motivated denial of food – gives the world a Holocaust of Children every year. Yeah…18,000 every day. Kids. Starved to death. The opening scenes of “Black Hawk Down” are not fiction.
* WWJD? You tell me.
Andrew, believe me, I understand your passion over such terrible injustices in our world, but let us never underestimate the power of the pen.
Yes, Mary…it’s actually the power of the pen of which I speak.
* If I could ask for the community’s prayers, it’s been about the worst 24-hours yet.
Umm, I like Earl Grey. And by “like”, I meant I pretty much drink ONLY Earl Grey. I like to think the evening after Jesus flipped the tables in the market, His disciples handed Him a cup of hot EG and left Him alone to enjoy it.
It is, afterall, the drink of kings.
But cucumber sandwiches? BLECK.
What an interesting topic, Mary. And good. I’m seeing that some of the blog posts that go viral address controversial issues. I’ve been amazed at the sheer number of opinions shared on a post that takes a side on a given topic, when the post is written well.
*As for books that deal with controversial topics . . . Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes would be one. I admit, I haven’t read it yet. I posted something about it on Facebook a few months ago (my mistake for posting before I read it), and I received a number of comments on both sides of the issue it delves into. People who read it said it was very well written. Some people (mostly who saw the movie) were dismayed by the message supporting euthanasia. I also admit, I shouldn’t have posted something online before actually reading the book. I am going to read it; only becauseI haven’t had time to do so yet. 🙂 I’m interested in discovering the story for myself.
Euthanasia…anyone who tries to euth me is gonna meet Jesus first. Guaranteed.
* Takes forty-one muscles to smile, seventeen to frown, and three to pull a trigger. Are we clear on the concept?
Andrew, you make me smile. And Jeanne … I totally missed your post. My cousin took her daughter to see it. They were giving me a recap. My cousin totally missed that it was about euthanasia, but her high school student “got it.”
Grinning. One of the great things about you, Andrew. 🙂
Shelli. I have yet to see the movie, either. I definitely plan to read the book because I want to know how the author wrote such a powerful story (from all I’ve been told). It would be interesting, as Mary shared, to see this issue tackled with a Christian worldview that weighs both sides of the issue. I keep thinking of Kara Tippetts, and the young lady who chose death about a year ago, Brittany, I believe was her first name.
Jeanne, that book is a great example. And Christians are confronted with a human view of euthanasia vs. God’s. Do you think we’ll ever see a story about that controversial topic from a Christian perspective so as well? The key will be superb writing that is sensitive to both sides.
True, Mary. It would be a challenging book to write. But, it would be powerful, if well done!
Mary, I could write one. It would be called ‘Stroke Of Grace’ (which is the translation of coup de gras).
* There are some things you don’t leave friends to face. Kipling put this spin on it –
“When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains
and the women come out to cut up what remains,
just roll to yer rifle an’ blow out yer brains
and go to yer Gawd like a soldier.”
* But it will never be written, because only someone who has been there can wield the emotion. But it’s far too much of an invasion of the privacy of death, and too much a heartbreak to the living.
I agree, Mary. If we do not engage others through our writing, then why write at all? You asked about a book that deals with a controversial topic and I immediately thought of Francine Rivers’ “The Atonement Child,” a well-written, thoughtful story about the subject of abortion.
Great example, Toni. Thank you. Sensitive and beautifully written.
Toni, I LOVED that story. It so ministered to me at a painful time in my own life. Francine Rivers did an amazing job with that story.
When people ask what I write, I tell them. When they say “wow, I’ve never heard of that…when was that again?” I tell them dates and details. usually, this is when their body language tells me whether or not they’ve taken the bait. If they shift their weight to one foot and tilt their head, and then struggle to form a word? I wait, and then finish with a shot out of the park. “Did you know that over 9500 Navajo people were taken captive in 1864? Or that slavery was alive and well in the Southwest long after the Emancipation Proclamation? Or that half of all Navajos were still held as slaves after 1868?”
By merely being a Canadian writing about Native American history, I’ve already created a stir.
Tips? Act and speak with grace. Know and respect the culture or topic of which you write. Do not, EVER, make it about you or claim it as ‘yours’.
I recently read Phillip Meyer’s The Son about a Texas family and their explosive history. From Comanche captivity to the shocking ending, I was not sure at all what I thought of the book. Of course, I soaked up the Comanche part, and was literally holding my breath through parts of it. Rough stuff.
The thing is, Meye didn’t have to make up anything, it’s all there in the history books.
But one thing I’ve learned from my countless discussions with Native Americans? That the history books are missing a huge chunk of history.
How’s that for controversial?
Yup, that is controversial, Jennifer. Accurate historical stories are controversial when they expose ugly acts that were ignored or covered up. As Christians, our goal for telling the story should be to bring healing.
Absolutely. Which makes for an intense writer experience. Thankfully, God is in all the details, knows ahead of time what will happen, and has laid His plans in place. Which I won’t be able to mess up, no matter what.
For a contemporary book that is controversial, I offer my own: “The Candy Store Generation: How the Baby Boomers Are Screwing-Up America”. The little I’ve heard from the 31 people who bought a copy, or the fewer reviews on Amazon, is mostly positive. In it I deal with secular issues, not faith; and mainly financial issues, not social. Published July 2012, I went out on a limb with predictions for the 2012 elections, based on my analysis of how my generation would vote. I was eerily correct.
.
Sorry for the advertisement, Mary. Delete if you want.
I recently tried to explain to an Anglo who now lives in the South why a Christian shouldn’t be an aggressive supporter of flying the confederate flag when most of the county sees it as an anti-black statement and not a statement of support for states’ rights. What turned the tide was pointing out what his position was going to do to his effectiveness in sharing the gospel when people misinterpreted him. He really does love Jesus and has a wonderful missionary heart.
I’m expecting some flak with my more personal author website that I’ve just brought up (linked here for the first time.) I’m calling it “The Beauty of Truth,” and the concept of there even being such a thing as universal truth is controversial now. But if we followers of the man who said he was “the way, the truth, and the life” won’t open the conversation about what truth is, who will?
“…if we followers of the man who said he was ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ won’t open the conversation about what truth is, who will?” That’s it in a nutshell, Carol.
I never mind controversy, as long as the heart has pure motives. For me, controversy always gives me a tummy ache. If I write something controversial, it’s because I feel God leading me to speak out, but I’m usually pushed there kicking and screaming. I’d rather avoid it altogether. And usually when I go to comment on a controversial topic … I write … then I backspace. “Shelli, stay out of it,” I’ll hear. “Yes, Sir.” 🙂
I love that you brought up the heart behind the controversial writings, Shelli. That’s an important factor. I tend not to like controversy, but when God leads me to write (and post) something, I’ll do it. With TONS of prayer. Following God’s lead is crucial, isn’t it?
Shelli, there is more than one way to respond when confronted with controversy. Sometimes words are important and sometimes a quiet example is more compelling. This can be true for characters in a story or for us in real life, don’t you think?
Definitely, Mary. 🙂
An excellent article, Mary. This quote in particular seems important to me:
“Create characters on all sides of the controversy that readers can sympathize with. It shows you are respectful of others’ views. Readers will want to continue reading to learn and understand. Be salt and light, but in humility and kindness.”
When writers do that, we must be able to see and understand both sides of the argument. We must be able to put ourselves in the hearts of those who disagree with us, so that we can authentically show what they believe. So not only will our readers be wiser because they’ve read the book, we’ll be wiser for having written it.
Loved your thoughts, Robin!
Amen, Robin. Well said.
This is an important topic to address, but it is not an easy one to implement. I’m a peacemaker who doesn’t like friction. I do like a good debate, though, where the debaters articulate a position in a well-versed way without the arrogance. If we can write in such a way where we give voice to our beliefs by employing a reasoned approach without scolding or condemning those who disagree with our position, then I believe we become true authentic voices, who speak with measures of truth and grace.
I agree, Norma. Delivery and tone are so important.
Great post, Mary. Another example of controversy handled well (and creating a classic) is To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee addressed the topic of racism brilliantly by showing the issue through the eyes of a young child just learning about humanity, culture, and right and wrong. So powerful, and yet gently and poignantly done with Lee’s unique approach.
Yes, Jerusha. Scout is to To Kill a Mockingbird what Tiny Tim and Scrooge are to The Christmas Carol. Similar approach by both authors.
Thanks for the post, Mary!
Nearly all of my novels delve, to some degree, into controversial issues — Islam, radical Islam, worldview clashes, defense of the Christian faith, the right to defend self and family, the proper role of government, and other Constitutional issues in the US. But it wasn’t until one of my characters ranted about Karl Marx missing the mark that some readers interested in reviewing my books said, after reading one of them, they wouldn’t review it. It violated their personal beliefs. It’s fine if they decide not to review a story based upon their political inclinations. But I will still expose unscriptural ideas that arise as issues in my stories. Those of us who write stories in a contemporary setting are finding it’s difficult to avoid the polarizing issues present in our culture and our society. There are simply too many of them and more are being dredged up all the time.
For me, controversial topics are not necessarily Christian vs. non-Christian. I do seem to manage to address something controversial in everything I write, and while some of the characteristics may address the issue from a Christian worldview, I don’t try to put a Christian spin on an issue unless it is totally that–like salvation/redemption. Even so, as I write cozy mysteries, I’ve wondered if I was overstepping the genre line by even addressing issues. Then I read Murder, She Wrote: Domestic Malice by Donald Bain (and Jessica Fletcher). I thought he did the job quite well without stepping over that cozy line. I didn’t have any compunction about addressing issues in my latest book, though, which is anything but cozy. And while I have very strong opinions on the issues raised, I tried hard to do what Mary said in point three: Show multiple sides of the issues through characters with whom readers could sympathize. And that’s what works best for me as a reader, too. Kind of like showing vs. telling on a different level.
Something to keep in mind, Sylvia, is that in the Bible God has spoken to virtually every area of human life and endeavor. Therefore, a Biblical/Christian worldview is going to touch on many, many things in your story. It’s good for us as writers to examine the foundation of our Biblical worldview before we ever start writing and determine what our position will be on each area — our Christian philosophy of writing, if you will. That has helped me a lot in determining, not only how I’ll handle and issue, but even what I choose to write about. And it’s given me confidence as I’ve handled those issues.
Oh, I definitely have an opinion on most everything, Harry! Ask my family. 🙂 My dad is a retired Baptist preacher, and I’ve always teased him that the reason he was such a good preacher was because he had to convince me first before he ever got into the pulpit! I could tell when I was pushing his limits because he would start popping his big toe. Seriously, though, one thing my parents drilled into my siblings and me was that we should question anything anybody told us. Imagine their dismay when we questioned them, too! The training was good for us and them, I think. I also think it made it much easier for me in philosophy classes than it was for some of my friends who had never questioned–or believed–or sometimes even heard–anything. What I believe does permeate my writing, and I do believe I’ll be held accountable for every word I write, but I try not to be heavy handed with it. Thanks for the encouragement!
Andrew, I wish you had the strength to write Stroke of Grace. Sometimes it takes something that profound to get the point across.
Sylvia, I will think about it, but it’s a tough one. The ‘action’ had a very short lead-in and took place very quickly; the rest is afterstory of learning how to live with those memories that cannot be tolerated, but whose actions were necessary and would be done again.
* It’s that horrible dichotomy that is one of the coldest and darkest corners of survivors’ guilt. Not a place to which I’d like to return. To say that God’s grace made my survival possible would be accurate, but not in a CBA way. With me he worked through Zen, and a clearing of the mind and soul. Not to ‘invite Jesus in’, but so that I could find at the deepest point of my being a still reflecting pool, mirroring a changing sky, yet not holding to the changes.
* Zen is why I am not one of the 22 combat veterans who kills him-or-herself every day. Zen built the door that eventually admitted Christ.
Andrew, I’m sending you an email–at least I hope it’s your email address!
Sylvia, I will look for your email. You can find mine through my blog (click on my name here). I have it listed down the page where I talk about the books.
* Aw, the heck with it. it’s tempusfugit02 (att) gmail (dottt) com
I looked for an email address on your blog but couldn’t find it. Sometimes I can’t see what’s in front of my face, and yes, I do need to get new glasses! What I thought was your email wasn’t, so I sent you PM on Facebook–just before your comment popped up. Let me know if you don’t get it.
Sylvia, I will check FB; my computer is old and the connexion is slow, so it may be awhile until I see it, but please feel free to email me with the address given.
* And please pray for me. My oversight caused the death of one of my dogs, and I am ready to eat a bullet. They are in my care; I failed.
I have been praying, Andrew. I’ll add this. I’ll also copy the PM and send it via email.
Thanks, Sylvia. I am devastated.
Andrew, I’m so sorry about your dog. But please don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault you have so many limitations.
Hello
I am interested in knowing if an e book I have written about a controversial subject can be printed and read without malice or the potential for person to use as a way of suing the author
Please inform as I do not know
I live in Canada and I am a novice and have no agent nor can afford one
Please let me know if their are people who evaluate and scrutinize the written word
Thank You