Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Last week I came across an interesting post on a Christian fiction discussion group. The writer opened with “I am in the process of writing a disturbing book. The Lord laid it on my heart that our country is headed in a dangerous direction, and the church needs to be warned of what may lay in our future. I think most Christians agree that things are going from bad to worse in America. The message I received from God is to project where our country will be fifteen years into the future given the current rate of degradation into sin.”
He continues, “As a result of this mission, the book contains depictions of evil people engaged in evil deeds. . . While I am striving to stay within the bounds of decency, I must nevertheless remain faithful to the subject matter, which is the nature and practice of evil. Consequently, parts of the book contain references to heresies, sexual perversions and abuse, questionable language, and condemnation of people living out these lifestyles. . . It is shocking–and deliberately so.”
I asked his permission to address this here and he graciously gave his permission. I’d like to talk about the concept of “writing real” because it is a struggle many writers express. Let me just address this today from an agent’s point of view– a commercial point of view– not taking into consideration the fact that this writer sees this book as a mission. I’m not comfortable arguing with someone about the task to which he feels God has called him, so I’ll leave that to another discussion.
Problem #1: If this writer sat across from me at a conference and presented his book in this way, the first thing I would say is that the market does not want what we call issue fiction. If a writer starts out describing the social problem the book addresses– “it’s a book about abortion,” or “it’s a novel that addresses the issue of over consumption”– an editor’s or an agent’s eyes will glaze over. A novel is about characters. Writing real is about developing a compelling story around those characters. The writer who sits down and begins spinning a story about characters understands fiction. For a writer longing to address an issue, nonfiction is the appropriate vehicle.
Problem #2: This book could not be sold in the CBA (Christian) market. No matter how many times authors will argue that evil cannot be shown without graphic situations or that bad characters cannot be written without appropriately bad language, the fact remains that the buyers of Christian fiction trust that the publishers are going to give them a hopeful read, free of profane dialogue, graphic sex, and graphic violence. I could write a whole book about this subject. I get so weary of writers taking about “pushing the envelope” and going on about how simplistic Christian fiction is. It’s a sophomoric argument. It’s far more simplistic to let a character spout an expletive than letting the reader see the subtle, complex acts that cause that character to explode in anger. Some of the most exquisite fiction ever written falls within these confines.
Problem #3: This book could not be sold into the general market because it is about the failure of the church and the nation. It is about sin. In talking about the content the writer describes “condemnation of people living out these lifestyles.” Yes, graphic sex, language and violence is okay in some ABA circles but to call it sin is seen as judgmental and intolerant. As described, this book is too Christian for the ABA market.
A number of writers might answer this writer’s question with the advice to “write what God has put on your heart.” Or, “It’s important to write your passion.” But I would argue, as writers, we have to decide at some point whether we’re writing for publication. If we are, then we need to write within the strictures of the market. That’s what I call writing real.
Let’s discuss this further in the comments section below. I’m guessing many might disagree with me and others will offer sage advice for this writer.
I am inclined to call fiction “real” when the characters respond to the people and circumstances like real people respond. I always want the reactions of the characters to be believable, give what real people might do. (That’s a problem for me with many novellas, where characters change much too quickly to be believable.) I don’t believe that requires foul language or graphic portrayals of evil acts even when evil acts occur in the plot. There’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed, but different Christians will draw that line in slightly different places. Those who only want a sweet story won’t like where more realistic stories draw the line.
*I’m writing romantic historical fiction, so I’ve immersed myself in the culture of my period. It was a harsh time, when human life was very cheap, but people were still motivated, as they are today, by wholesome desires for love and family and spiritual meaning as well as unwholesome desires for wealth and power and revenge. To portray the period as if it were as humane as Victorian England or Amish culture wouldn’t be “real,” but I’ve found it possible to write with historical accuracy while staying securely within the CBA boundaries I find in comparable historical novels. What could be more real than a true-to-history novel about the real power of Jesus to transform wounded people into healthy ones and the role a faithful follower can play in helping that happen?
*I don’t expect my novels to penetrate deeply into the general market, but I do expect that a Christian who bought one could share it with a non-Christian friend as an emotionally satisfying story of fictional people overcoming real-life difficulties because God changed them like I’ve seen him change real, live humans.
Well said, Carol.
It seems to me that if God is indeed behind the message, the circumstances can be presented in a manner that conveys the evil without glorifying it. The Bible itself is our example. Take David and Bathsheba–the sin is obvious, but not graphic.
* I can see where dialog would be a problem. But sentences overflowing with profanity will likely detract from the message. When I meet up with such people in real life, I ache to interrupt, “Quit with the extra words and just get to the point!”
Well said, Shirlee. Reality does not control the skilled writer. The skilled writer controls fictional reality. You don’t have to show everything, even in dialogue, to be “real.”
Can I say “Amen and amen” to that Jim.
Absolutely, Jim. The key word is skilled. I love the way a skilled writer handles all of these things. It’s a joy to see. You may have read a book that felt very sensual and yet when you went back the door was firmly closed on anything overt and the skilled writer created the sense with nothing more than the back of his hand slowly moving down her face.
I agree, Shirlee. I had an English teacher who said profanity was a symptom of a poor vocabulary.
We’ve seen so many PG-13 movies where profanity is added to push up the rating to attract more audience. All it does is cheapen the whole without improving any of the parts.
There are movies in which the profanity was tuned down to get a PG-13 rating, rather than an R. Saw one recently in which that was specifically mentioned in the director’s commentary on the DVD, but can’t recall the title.
* The people who do the Marvel Comics films do an excellent job with a minimum of profanity…and sometimes it’s played to comic and subtly moralizing effect. Ina recent fil, the ‘Iron Man’ character utters a scatology, to which Captain America immediately replies, “Language!”
* In a similar vein, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator had to be taught to swear, and delivers the result of his learning completely deadpan, which really shows the silliness of swearing.
I agree, Shirley. It becomes so repetitive it does nothing to let us see the character more fully. And you may have three different characters constantly using the same harsh expletive instead of giving each character a unique voice. Lazy.
I see profanity as a shortcut to building the character by letting the reader’s imagination fill in the blank within his or her comfort level. Something like: “Without missing a step, he exploded with an ugly expletive that made her wince.” Much more telling than a simple *#!@**, right?
Since I write cozy mysteries and suspense, I deal with these issues every day, simultaneously combining elements of light (friendship, faith, and humor) and darkness (murder, greed, and deceit) to entertain my readers. By definition, cozies cannot include graphic descriptions of violence and sex. However, in this genre–as in all genres–if the story is crafted well, it engages the reader’s imagination more than graphic CSI descriptions or gross profanity. This approach also stimulates thoughts about the ever-present battle between good and evil and the reader’s own struggles to
conquer her own demons.
And it takes exquisite writing skills. I have to tell on Rachael. Her editor came to me and said, “If I could just clone Rachael. . .” It takes great skill to write within these parameters.
Awwww, shucks, Wendy. (Am I a wordsmith, or what?) LOL.
Personally I would not pick up a book like that to read. If I’m reading non fiction, I want to be inspired, challenged, encouraged to make changes. I want guided, not chastised.
If I’m reading fiction, I want to be able to lose myself in a great story and be able to connect with the character or even become the character for the hours I spend in the book.
Right now I have several books going including Dick Van Dykes memoir My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business, Nicholas Spark’s Dear John, Robin Carrol’s Torrents of Destruction and James Scott Bell’s Conflict and Resolution. These books are either entertaining, educational or inspirational.
I encourage any writer to write their passion, but to temper it with compassion, love and a humble spirit.
The truth that writers hate to consider is that we are in the entertainment business. Successful writers understand this. Readers pick up a novel with the expectation of that old Calgon commercial– Take me away.
Yes! So if a book beats me over the head with a thinly disguised sermon, I’m probably going to quit after a chapter. I have such a long list of books to read and many, many on my kindle I haven’t had time for.
I don’t like graphic bad. I love when a writer says, “and he cursed.” I don’t want to see the word …. I get enough of that from TV, etc … I don’t want to put the words in through another format. They are just words, I know … and who made them bad? But … we all know what we put in our heart is what will eventually come out. And particularly with kiddos, I don’t need that coming out of me. Kids will get in trouble if those words come out of them in the wrong/right location. The same with graphic scenes … I appreciate when the writer skirts around it. You know the incident happened and your heart aches and sinks as you read the words, but you don’t get all the details. But that’s just me. 🙂
Shelli, I took Linguistics classes in college and I understand many of the “bad” words were the Anglo-Saxon ones while the upper classes preferred those from the Latin or French languages.
How fun, Janet.
I’m with you Shelli—skip the gore. 🙂
Wendy, yes…and no.
* I have seen violent death, and have probably been in more gunfights that most people have seen weddings. This is not a point of pride; it’s a witness to obscenity.
* To portray violence and murder in a sanitized form is to reduce it to an element of entertainment. I have a huge problem with murder mysteries of any sort, because they take as their thesis something that is so vile, and so terrifying, even from the point of view of a fictional character, as to be an adjunct to a power I would not care to name.
* There is no need to describe the minor blasphemies of bad language or sexual immorality…but to gloss over killing as a plot device kills the compassion we owe to one another, and to our Saviour.
* I ask you pardon for my passion; the memories hurt.
Andrew, I hear you. I struggled with how to justify writing murder mysteries until I heard an old radio interview of the late P.D. James. She spoke of justice and the need for things to be made right. Yes, I get that—it’s what motivated me to write my first manuscript. It was inspired by several disturbing events where the perpetrators got away. But in my manuscript they didn’t.
Here’s a post I wrote in response to the words of P.D. James.
Blessings as you write what God has moved you to, dear brother.
Whoops, I forgot the link. Here it is: https://greenlightlady.wordpress.com/tag/p-d-james/
Wendy, yes…when justice is the focus, it works. But I’ve read stories in which the focus was cleverness, and the ‘chess game’ of sleuth vs. antagonist. In such stories, killing becomes a plot device, and is somehow OK…because, often, the victim somehow ‘deserved to die’.
* The old ‘Colombo’ TV dramas often used this, and the premise makes me cringe.
Especially if they skirt around it with flair– letting us look at small snippets that allude to the big picture. I think it is far more effective than, say, describing the brutal aspects of a murdered body to say something like, “He focused on the hand, noticing a trail of blood dripping down the wrist and off the fingers onto the leaf mold of the forest floor. He wondered who had held that hand when it had been warm and full of life.” Other than give a descriptive paragraph about a corpse, that quick sketch hinted at the violence but humanized the victim. Much more effective.
We might take a page from Kipling –
* Headless, lacking foot and hand,
horrible I came to land.
I beseech all women’s sons,
know I was a mother once.
* Describing death is not entertainment. It’s a holy witness, for which we as writers will be held accountable.
Excellent article. Thank you so much for sharing the truth about the publishing industry and our job as writers. In fiction, it is all about the characters!
Thanks, Malinda.
Hmmm, what would Jesus do? The once popular slogan keeps running through my mind… and while we don’t see the wrist bands anymore, the meaning behind the message is strong, thought provoking and not without conviction.
*Jesus was God in human form. He displayed all levels of emotion including anger and he told stories in parable because God’s people needed things explained in a way they could relate to given that period in history.
*It’s no different today. Writers need to let their characters tell the story in a way that’s relevant to that particular time period, but I think using emotion to touch a readers heart will leave a better impression than graphic words and violence.
*I read Shirley Jackson’s short story, The Lottery, when I was in grade school. I don’t recall any stones actually being cast, but I’ll never forget the way my chest constricted at the end.
That’s the magic we’ve got to find as writers– that ability to connect with the readers’ emotions.
Excellent article. I come from a time when most books were writtten without profanity, sex, or violence…unless you count Sherlock Homes, Agatha Christie, or Edgar A. Poe as violent. I write, buy and promote Christian Fiction for a reason–I prefer things that are wholesome and uplifting. When I come across something labeled ‘Christian fiction’ and it has any of the above I feel betrayed. I know how the world is; I know how the world should be. Dumping more garbage into a cesspool doesn’t make the cesspool better or go away.
You’ll notice that the books that changed our lives never had gratuitous sex or violence and rarely language that caused us to be uncomfortable.
I agree with Kathy’s comment above. When presented with the opportunity to choose chastisement by a writer of fiction, my reply echoes that of Melville’s immortal scrivener…”I would prefer not to.”
* The reason, so amply elucidated by you, Wendy, and the other commenters, is that there are no real characters; the story becomes a dance of straw men about the maypole of the author’s idee fixe. Worse than chastisement comes the boredom.
* Regarding bad language, there’s no need for it in fiction at all. I’m something of an expert at its extemporaneous use (I can go into auto-Tourette quite easily), but profanity in fiction is laziness. My WIP is set in Viet Nam, and I feel that I can convey the atmosphere quite well, in its humour, pathos, horror, and bathos, without blasphemy or scatology.
* There are exceptions; almost every veteran of Guadalcanal (including chaplains) referred to it as “that ***ing island”, and the name became enshrined in Marine lore. If you have a character who’s a veteran and refers back to his experiences there, you can’t use a euphemism. Not because it wouldn’t be real, but because it would be out of character, the character shaped by experience.
* Regarding the CBA/ABA dichotomy, there seems to be silliness on both sides; ABA presents a world bereft of its prime mover, while the preponderance of happy endings in CBA ignore the fact that the majority of grace is by classical definition found in tragedy. Happy endings are nice, but they miss the dread and loving stillness of God’s presence when one’s personal defeat is made manifest.
* And in the end, reality is perception.
And let me say that happy endings are not required in CBA– that was my simplification of what inspirational readers seem to look for.
Julie Cantrell is an author who sparkles when it comes to writing about issues through the lens of GREAT story. Her latest, The Feathered Bone, tackles spousal abuse, human trafficking, and suicide in a way that’s compelling, moving, and ultimately hopeful. And she does it within the strictures of Christian fiction. I’ve never wanted to throw a book across the room so badly and yet the STORY made me read faster. Breathtakingly well done.
I love that you give us an example of someone who does it well.
I understand refraining from blatant sermonizing in fiction (it’s not art. It’s, well, a lengthy sermon, which has its place). I also understand the need to communicate without graphic sex and violence, eschewing gratuitous profanity and choosing to write without cynicism. But I have one question: What about Flannery O’Connor? She’s my hero(ine) because she is so devout yet unflinching. She writes with electricity and humor and–without apology–portrays her characters’ raw humanity. We are repulsed and feel compassion for them at the same time. I know she was a master and we can’t all be her, but we can try. I think she poses a real problem for those who want to scrub stories for the sake of sales… I know there’s a line there. I just don’t know where it is.
Hannah, I was just thinking along these lines…and there’s perhaps a deep issue here, that CBA at times presents a self-reinforcing and skewed view of Christianity, the famous ‘Christian Bubble’.
* The reality is that Christians are seen as clannish, goody-goody, and intolerant of even the slightest missteps. It’s a famous saying that the Christian army is the only one that shoots its wounded. (Not true…so do the Taliban.).
* As an example…look at Rev. Charles Stanley, whose divorce was not his fault, and who can only hold his pastorate if he doesn’t remarry. What kind of message are we sending to the world?
* CBA, if it lives up to its name, is supposed to be a welcoming hand…but I have the awful feeling that it’s becoming a wall.
Sad, but true.
I don’t agree with you, Andrew. You are not reading the books I’m reading. For instance Sarah Thomas’s Miracle in a Dry Season (which was inspired by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand). In it, her church people are the ones who are intolerant.
I stand corrected, apologise, and withdraw my comment. If it’s possible and convenient to remove it, please do so.
Hannah, Flannery O’Connor wrote before the demarcation between Christian and secular. There was no CBA and the ABA had no problem with a realistic faith arc. Oh that those days would come back. . .
When choosing fiction to read for pleasure, I’ve never said, “What issue would I like to be confronted by next?” I choose what I hope will be a whopping good story. If along the way the story opens my eyes and heart to an issue, that’s a blessing. But I don’t ever remember hoping to be confronted at the outset. The exception is when I’m researching a particular issue and read a novel dealing with that issue as part of my research. But that is a tiny part of my fiction reading. I’m more likely to turn to nonfiction resources for that.
Exactly, Jenny. And in my own pleasure reads I actually avoid certain plot issues– child kidnap and sexual abuse, specifically.
On the language issue, I spend a lot of time around unbelieving friends and associates, and even so, very seldom do I hear bad language thrown around casually. Once in a while I do encounter someone who uses profanity in place of punctuation, but that is very rare. So the idea that books must include it because that’s how “real people” talk doesn’t fly with me. A phrase like “a spew of profanity assaulted her ears” tells me everything I need to know.
You’re right, Jenny. And many fiction writing sources state that profanity actually distracts readers. I feel it cheapens the writing. A good writer can create “real people” implicitly, rather than explicitly.
Yes! Distracts and cheapens. Exactly.
Jenny, I think it depends on context…there are settings, both military and civilian, in which profanity is indeed both punctuation and an all-purpose adverb. The language is scatalogical rather than blasphemous, and while it may offend the sensibilities of a listener, it doesn’t in any way imply impiety.
* That said, there’s no need to use it in fiction…but “a spew of profanity assaulted her ears” may say things about both characters involved that are, perhaps, unintended.
Yes. You can do a lot with describing reaction to the unspoken swear word that helps reveal character on both sides. Think of the fun of something like: “A knee-jerk expletive slipped out before he saw her eyes widen and focus on someone standing right behind him. Her father! He slapped his hand over his mouth and tried to keep the flush from rising to his cheeks.”
I’m with you. Luckily I have friends who have impressive vocabularies and don’t have to resort to one-syllable, low rent expletives.
Excellent points, Wendy, and I completely see your point about a book like that not being appropriate for either CBA or ABA. Quite frankly, I don’t need more reality. I get enough of it through the news and FB. The beauty of most CBA books is the goodness and the hope that they convey. I am far more moved and inspired by reading about good Christian characters handling the conflicts they encounter with grace and courage and prayer than I am by profanities and evil.
I go back to my plumbline from Philippians 4; Whatsoever things are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent praiseworthy. . .
So glad to read this post, Wendy. I published my first novel last September and have been waiting in prayer to determine if submitting a query is the direction God wants for me as an author. But I can relate to what the writer is feeling. I am a Christian, but my book is definitely for the secular market. The only thing is that from the beginning, I have been led to write with one piece of a chapter in mind-a chapter that was written through prayer to inspire a reader to simply say, “Huh. Good point. Never thought about it that way.” But still, as you mentioned, my writing focuses upon the characters and why they are who they are. Their experiences, the fuel for their passion, and how they have been affected by the world in which they live is what drives the story. The plot is not dependent upon my personal beliefs or agenda. And I agree that profanity should be left out, or kept to an absolute minimum, and that depictions of evil should be written in an appropriate context and with a degree of skillful finesse. And, yes, an author must decide where his or her book belongs and remain dedicated to that.
I’m glad you are spending time chewing on the content of your book, Jaxon. Sometimes we so caught up in the words and the sentences we don’t take time to look at the whole “experience.”
Thank you, Wendy!
Wonderful post today, Wendy! I have nothing to add – you said it all. 🙂
High praise from you, Rachelle, but I don’t believe it. You always add further wisdom. It’s why I treasure you as a friend and colleague.
Wendy, thank you for this insightful post. As an author of issue-driven fiction, I agree that story and characters must come first. Fiction is all about showing rather than telling–and we show best when we create characters who engage readers. And when characters are realistic, they will have issues. I’ve written novels that deal with gritty issues, including childhood sexual abuse and adultery. While graphic details are a very real part of those real-life scenarios, depicting them in the novel would, I believe, detract from the power of the story. They also have the potential to wound or re-wound readers who’ve lived those experiences themselves. As writers who are Christians, don’t we follow Christ’s mandate to love others by caring about our readers and the material we provide for them? It’s possible to write about real issues, and do so beautifully in a way that honors both God and our readers.
I’ve read your work, Ginny, and you do a wonderful job of presenting the issues without giving so many details that I can’t get them out of my mind. I think that’s the issue. If I read something that is so graphic that I can’t get it out of my mind/heart, that’s a problem for me.
You have never done that. Thank-you.
Thank you, Susan. 🙂
If writers want to understand how to walk this balance they should read your books, Ginny. INVISIBLE was one of the most moving books I’ve read. I was deeply affected by this book and when I came to the last page I had trouble even remembering where I was and trouble reentering my world. But you know this because when I finished I wrote you a shameless gushing fan girl letter. :-0
Thank you, Wendy. I should have printed and framed that letter for days like today when the words refuse to appear on the page. 🙂
Well said, Wendy.
This book would need to be self-published and the passion the author feels could be directed into marketing it. I suspect there are some readers who would want to read it–but no publisher would want to take a chance on a book that doesn’t fit onto a specific genre/market shelf.
My “eyes glazed over” as I read the first few lines of the discussion earlier in the week. Seriously, I’m dealing with heavy stuff in my own family right now, and I’m not interested in reading more dark drama. I read to learn, to be inspired, and to relax (When I do read heavy—it’s memoir—which I love).
Turning on the nightly news keeps me sufficiently aware we’re in end times. Jesus can return anytime now, and that’s more than okay with me.
In the meantime we’re to encourage one another and remind each other of the glory that’s ahead, while we shine His Light so others may also be saved.
But, like I said, there may be a niche market for that kind of novel, though I agree with others, here, the language needs to be clean, and the characters need to win our hearts so we’ll care about the rest of the book.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Good advice, Wendy Mac. This author can indeed self publish and, especially if he speaks on the subject, sell the books from his own website, back of room sales and the online bookstores.
I so appreciate you dealing with this issue of writing real. I recently was asked to critique a piece of work by a writer who wrote extremely real…so much so that I was uncomfortable and stopped reading about 1/3 of the way through. When I told her I wouldn’t finish reading it she tried to explain why it had to be so graphic. For me, this was totally inappropriate.
Thank-you for this information and encouragement in what we write. I believe as believers we need to write for God’s glory. If God cannot look at sin, He would not be able to read what this writer wrote and thus, it would not glorify Him at all.
And not only that, we are responsible before the Lord where we take our readers, even our sensitive readers.
I have a client who ghosted a powerful memoir that included carefully and artfully written descriptions of childhood sexual abuse. It was important to the telling and she did an exemplary job. But she had to hear the raw stories. She ended up having to seek a stint of counseling to deal with the pictures in her mind.
I ran into a similar issue last weekend when our 18 year old was planning to go see Deadpool. Now, our 22 year old went, said it was raunchy, stupid, and funny, “But don’t go see it Mom!”
Why did it matter that 22 year old could go and not be bothered by it? Because, he carries a badge. He’s been at violent crime scenes that have yet to be evaluated by the forensics team. He has seen truly horrific amounts of violence. He could easily brush off what he knew to be a stupid movie.
But 18 year old? The quiet leader at school, the highly respected missionary, the start hockey player? What I said to him was “No. I don’t care if you’re eighteen and can make your own decisions, is this a film you can say to your friends ‘ As a Christian, I’m fine with the message of this movie, I support what they’re doing and saying, and I can stand up for my decision to see it and not be affected by it in any way.” 18 was MAD at me. I challenged him repeatedly to give me a good reason that he could keep his reputation at school for being the Good Kid and not have people call him out for being a hypocrite. I told him that is was up to him, but I thought he was making a rotten choice.
My husband thought I was over-reacting until I told him it had nudity in it, and tonnes of profanity.
Instead of Deadpool, Mr 18 went to his friend’s house and watched a documentary on Mt. Everest.
Score one for Mom. Score a bigger one for 18, who chose to do what was right.
In my work, I deal with murder, slavery, rape, torture, ethnic cleansing, abuse, PTSD, and theft. To name a few.
In one scene, a slave is branded. An act that is meant for animals, but is repulsive and horrific on a human. Do I say that a man is branded? No. I wrote it in such a manner that the reader can figure it all out.
Yes, God has put what I write on my heart. But it is my responsibility to move my reader in such a way that he or she takes what God has laid on my heart and carries it outward and hopefully acts on it.
If I pollute what God has given me, I am disobeying His command and soiling the gift He’s given me.
In two of my books (for children ages 8 – 11) I had to write massacre scenes. The historical child characters actually witnessed the events. I tell you, nothing stretched my writing abilities more. My books are long term bestsellers and embraced by homeschoolers. Massacre scenes. You wouldn’t credit it, right?
Such a great post, Wendy. Defining “writing real” is difficult. And sometimes, “writing what’s on our heart” does not equal “writing something publishable.” Maybe this writer needs to evaluate the motivations for writing what he’s writing in the way he is and what he hopes to have done with his work, once it’s complete.
*It seems to me there are ways of “writing real” that will resonate with many readers. When we can write something readers will relate to in a way that makes them feel what the character feels and makes them think—and we can do it without the profanity and graphic images—then, I think we’re on our way to writing real.
*And I agree with what you said about readers of Christian fiction are not looking for graphic violence, sex or language. As Shelli mentioned, I believe most of us want a read that will edify our spirits and challenge us to grow in our relationships with the Lord. We don’t need a nicely wrapped package with a perfect ending, but we don’t want a read that leaves us feeling dirty when we’re done with it. Okay, maybe I am only speaking for myself on that.
*Anyway, I’ve probably gone on long enough. 🙂
Well said. “. . . sometimes, ‘writing what’s on our heart’ does not equal ‘writing something publishable.'”
In thinking about this, and reading the comments…well, PTSD has come roaring back. God isn’t here. But I am.
* Worse than writing Real is writing False. Writing Real can be inconsiderate; writing False is treason.
* People – and animals – don’t die immediately from a bullet to the heart, and not always to the head. They cry out to live. Fiction can make violent death clean. It’s a lie, a vicious lie. The kind of lie that can make a society comfortable with abomination.
* There are no Hallmark moments here. There is no “dying speech” in the heart of a man who knows he will not see home again.
” Usually, there is a despairing wail…”Mama!”
* That’s reality.
And I’m guessing it takes every last bit of your writing skill to write these scenes so rather than revel in the physical reality you let the reader see the complex layers of emotional reality.
A writer can write within the strictures outlined above and write real– breathtakingly real.
I don’t know, Wendy. I’m too lost now to say.
Hello, I always enjoy BAS’ blog postings and I particularly enjoyed this one. I agree with the statement that writing fiction is at its barest and most primal form, the art of writing stories about characters… those that will entice readers to continue reading, page after page.
I believe that there’s a market out there, somewhere. for all writing, both good or bad, from Ernest Hemingway to E.L. James. As a Christian myself, though, I would simply suggest that this author spend time reflecting on his potential market of readers, given the extreme dichotomy of his content…. even if he does feel in his heart that he was told to write it.
And even more dangerous is what it can do to a writer’s soul to spend the year or so it takes to write a book immersed in this evil.
He says he will be dealing with “the nature and practice of evil. Consequently, parts of the book contain references to heresies, sexual perversions and abuse, questionable language, and condemnation.” What’s to protect the author from the effects of, say, researching sexual perversion? As I read this I worry for him. Too many serious Christians end up with frightening addictions they never sought.
If God truly told or inspired that person to write that book in that way to convey that message, then the publishing means is irrelevant. They should just go ahead and self-publish, and trust God for sales.
>>In my writing, I want to sow seeds, not harvest where others have sown. Hence I write mostly general market stuff. Rather than write overtly Christian things, I just try to underpin the story with a Christian worldview. After I’d had a number of books and stories self-published, I analyzed my own writing, and realized I was writing about the Virtuous Man. Not much market for that in the ABA, and my works aren’t Christian enough for the CBA.
Are you sure that your works aren’t “Christian enough” for the CBA market?
Much of what we hear now is that CBA publishers are seeking books that come out of a Christian worldview but are not overtly Christian. (Of course if your style includes violence, language and sexual scenes they are not for the CBA.) But don’t think that a “Christian” novel needs to have altar calls and all the characters “coming to faith.”
There are no altar calls or church services (well, maybe one service in one book), though I mention that people attend church. Nor are there any swear words. There are murders, however. And, it seems to me that, to show overcoming of temptation, you have to show the temptation. All sex takes place “off camera”, though is clearly implied.