What is Christian Fiction?

Posted on June 19, 2013 by

BooksI’ve talked about Christian fiction in passing on this site, and maybe I’ve even written a post about what it is (I don’t remember and I’m too lazy to find out), but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to look at the definition of this genre again. Particularly since I’ve discovered there is still some confusion about what it is.

The best definition of Christian fiction I’ve ever seen was provided by Francine Rivers: If you pull out the Christian thread from the plot and the story crumbles, it’s Christian fiction. There are a lot of Christians who write fiction, for both the secular and Christian markets–James Scott Bell, K.M. Weiland, Debbie Maycomber–but not all Christians write Christian fiction.

You can write about Christian characters involved in space exploration or whatever, and if you pull out all your references to Christianity and the story still stands, you’ll have a terrific Sci-Fi that’s clean enough for the Christian market, but you don’t have Christian fiction. Leaving the Christian thread in allows you to shoot for publication in the Christian market; leaving it out can make you a candidate for both markets, depending on your publisher.

It’s the same with any genre. You can’t pull out the romance thread from a Romance novel and expect the story to survive. You can’t pull the crime to be solved from the mystery novel and still expect the story to stand. Christian fiction is a genre. If you pull Christianity out of a Christian Romance, and the story stands, it’s more about the romance than it is about Christianity/God/salvation/redemption/restoration/etc.

Like I said, Francine Rivers provided the best and strictest definition of the genre, but the complication arises when we want to differentiate ourselves from the secular market as we’re promoting ourselves and our works. I adore Brandilyn Collins novels. Collins writes “seatbelt suspense” for Christians to enjoy. Her characters are Christian and engage in Christian activities, but you can pull all that out and still have a fabulous suspense novel. No sex, no language, no gore, no filth. Just an excellent adrenaline rush. But to differentiate her from Sandra Brown, for instance, her work is called Christian Suspense. In this case, the term is used to identify who her market is, who her readers are. She writes to entertain Christians who, like me, love suspense novels.

The question for some budding Christian authors is where the line is drawn between secular and Christian fiction. Virtually every subgenre is open to the Christian author, every topic, every problem facing mankind. You want to write about witches? Do it. Vampires and other undead? Go for it. Prostitution, drugs, murder? Open play. Have fun.

But in the end, who is glorified? Christian fiction as a genre uses Christian principles to draw characters away from their hell-bound path, and God always gets the glory.

As for the content–how graphic you want to be, what kind of language you choose to use–that’s a matter of personal choice. Whatever you’re comfortable signing your name to, go for it. But if you’re hoping for publication in the Christian market, do your research and learn what their limits are. You may be better off looking for a secular agent/publisher.

Posted in Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Tosca Lee’s Masterpiece

Posted on June 17, 2013 by

demonEvery time I write a review of a book I think is exceptional, I tend to gush. So now I’ve found one that truly is stunning, that others pale beside, and I’m virtually at a loss for words.

Don’t let the cover or the title of this book fool you–it is most definitely Christian fiction, by the strictest definition of the term. It isn’t on the level of those vampire or “living dead” books. At its base, it’s theological, philosophical. Amazing.

This novel is not only vividly, compellingly written, it’s also stunningly feasible. “Thought-provoking” doesn’t begin to cover it.

The story, at its most stripped-down, basic plot, is about a demon who takes on various human forms and appears at different times to tell his story to an editor at a publishing house. And it’s about the man to whom he tells his story.

But that’s not doing the novel justice. The story is about the creation, the fall, the history of mankind, the salvation offered through God’s only Son. It’s about the battle of principalities and powers, and hatred and love. It’s about God’s enduring, unfaltering love for us.

And, just as Lucian tells Clay the story is about him, ultimately it’s about you. You and the decision you must make concerning your eternity.

Posted in Reviews of exceptional books | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn

Posted on June 14, 2013 by

The HarbingerMessianic Jew Jonathan Cahn wrote one dynamic wake-up call for the United States. He takes Isaiah 9:10, a proclamation Israel made after being attacked by Assyria, and illustrates its application to America from 9/11 forward. The parallels he presents are astounding–and they’re wrapped in the style of a novel.

So let me say this right off: Cahn is no novelist. If you’re looking for a good story about prophecy fulfillment, keep looking. This one ain’t it. Cahn’s style drove me bonkers, and I found myself skimming to the point I’d sometimes miss important things and have to go back.

However, if you want to know some of the striking parallels between Israel’s prideful moment after their attack and our prideful moment after the 9/11 attack, you won’t find a better book.

Cahn points out something that many Americans no longer believe: The USA began as a Christian nation, based on Christian principles. The historic evidence of this fact is so overwhelming that only a redaction of history could blind people to its truth. Therefore, our history has been redacted. And the corrupt versions have been taught for so long, they’ve become “truth” to those who swallow whatever is spoon-fed them. (Rough words, perhaps, but I’m angry about the denial of our Christian roots when proving their existence is so easy.)

As a Christian nation, dedicated to God as the “New Jerusalem” at Plymouth Rock, we’ve enjoyed God’s protection for centuries. Have bad things happened to us as a nation? Yes, but you can see God’s hand in all of our victories.

However in the last several decades, His existence has been denied and He has been kicked out of all public forums. As a nation, we no longer honor His word or His ways, so we shouldn’t be too surprised that He has taken away His hedge of protection. September 11, 2001, is the first true sign that we are no longer in His favor, but only a discerning few recognize it. The same discerning few who recognize the signs of the times we’re currently in and the implications of things to come.

After the attack, two political figures used Is. 9:10 as a proclamation and promise that we will rebuild. Valiant and encouraging words spoken by representatives of a prideful nation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to rebuild, wanting to show our enemies we can’t be defeated. But the failure to turn to God during our most grievous times only ensured the removal of His hedge of protection around us. Had those two politicians read the verses before and after Is. 9:10, they may have chosen more humble words of encouragement.

All this and more can be found in Cahn’s book–and for this reason, I can recommend the book. It’s yet another call to “Wake up, America!”

 

Posted in Reviews of exceptional books | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by

chili rellenosSee that? It’s a chili relleno–a poblano pepper usually stuffed with meat and cheese, battered and deep fried to gain a wonderful crunch. After that crunch comes the gentle sting of a mild pepper, followed by the full-bodied glory of Mexican spices.

I’ve been cravin’ one of these for the longest time, and now I can have one!

You heard right, my friends. I have now been released of all binding food restrictions–well, almost all–and am free to eat even Tex-Mex! Praise the Lord and pass the salsa!!!

The only restrictions I have right now, and they’re only for a year, are certain high-fiber veggies and fruits–can’t have ‘em raw, but I can have ‘em cooked–and nuts. No nuts whatsoever, but I can have peanut butter. I can live with these restrictions. Beats the tar out of a liquid diet, and even a Crohn’s diet!

fried stuffed avocadoWhich means that I can also have this: a deep fried stuffed avocado (beginning to see a pattern here?). Nothing beats this beauty of crunch and cream, spice and sweet. And cheese, cheese, cheese!

In case you haven’t caught on yet, I’ve missed Mexican food something awful, and I can’t wait to pop something into my mouth that has a touch of cayenne, a dash of cumin, a bit of chili powder. For those who fret about me going spicy too soon, don’t worry–there’s a difference between an upset tummy (which I may or may not get, but I doubt it) and full-blown Crohn’s. I can have spice, but not high fiber foods right now. And I intend to have spice!

Yeeeee-haw! Got a tortilla?

Posted in Personal | 12 Comments

The Joy of Normal

Posted on June 10, 2013 by

Dottie 3This is Dottie, my BFF’s granddoggie, a cute little party-colored Cocker Spaniel with an incredibly sweet disposition. I took this pic at my house last year when she was just a few months old. This year, she’s just a little bit bigger, but she’s at her full size. One happy bundle of love–and it was all I could do to keep from sending everyone home without her.

Her family used to live across the pond from us. Her grandma is my best friend. I was there when her human mom, the youngest of the family, was born; her aunt and uncle call me “Crazy Aunt Linda.” I love it. The family moved away many years ago, but one of my joys is when we can all get together again. Stacy and Chris are already grown and gone, so I don’t get to see them often, but Sweet Sarah comes with her mom about once a year. A drunk driver left the kids without a dad and BFF without a husband in 2010. It was rough, but they’re getting along.

So why am I writing about them? Because they came to see me! Squeeee!

Sharon and Sweet Sarah came last Wednesday and stayed until Friday, when they met up with the other kids for a reunion of Sharon’s extended family, then Sunday, they came back here–all of them, including a boyfriend and a girlfriend!–for lunch and catch-up time before heading back to Central Texas. We grilled hamburgers and visited all afternoon. My stars, that was delightful. I get the warm fuzzies every time I think of the fact that the kids didn’t want to leave this area until they’d seen Uncle Billy and Crazy Aunt Linda.

While they were at their reunion Saturday, MSB and I hit the farmers market and spent a ton o’ money–fresh green beans, new potatoes, yellow squash, onions, and tomatoes, not to mention local honey, three kinds of jellies–frost grape, jalapeno, and mayhaw–and a big ol’ bottle of homemade blackberry wine (which I can’t have until I get off some of my meds. MSB says I’m missing out. Darn it.).

We ran some other errands, then went out for lunch at Cotton Patch. Of course, I couldn’t finish my entire meal in one sitting, but at least I was hungry enough to give it a try. What I accomplished Saturday was considerably more than what I was capable of just a week before, and I don’t know what the difference is, unless I actually am building up a little more strength and stamina. It’ll take time, I know, but it’ll happen.

Meanwhile, it’s just wonderful to be able to sit here and write about what would be mundane to everyone else. Visiting with friends, going shopping, doing whatever needs to be done, is normal for other people. Nothing has been normal for us in a long time. Even when we could do things others do, we always had to consider my “condition” and make accommodations. We still have to consider how quickly I tire, but I did good Saturday. And for a while, we were able to forget . . .

There’s something comforting about the mundane, about “life as normal.” Today, I feel joyfully comforted.

Posted in Personal | 8 Comments

The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

What an incredible gift to have–to be able to sculpt the face of someone God wants you to meet long before you do. You never know what your mission is, what you’re to do when you meet this mystery person, just that God has a job for you. In The Soul Saver, a supernatural women’s fiction novel by Dineen Miller, Lexie Baltimore has that gift, and it leads her to meet a pastor who understands her pain over losing a child and her frustration over having a husband with whom she cannot share her faith. She doesn’t know yet whether Nate Winslow is her mission, or she is his.

The widower Nate develops an attraction to her and tries to drive a wedge between her and her husband, who is becoming more and more distant from her as he pursues his career goals. Hugh also becomes more belligerent toward her religion, which makes Nate more attractive to her.

What she doesn’t know, and what Nate constantly battles, is that he owes the devil a favor for saving his daughter after she and his late-wife were in an accident. The favor is to split up Lexie and Hugh so the demon Tobias can win Hugh’s soul more easily–without Lexie’s influence. To make sure Nate remains compliant, Tobias sends his daughter to the hospital with a life-threatening condition. Consumed with guilt and feeling cut off from God, Nate is torn between tearing apart a husband and wife, or losing his only child.

So much is wrapped in this story: the need for strong prayer support, the invisible battle between principalities and powers, the pain and loneliness of a mismatched marriage. Dineen is the author of Christian novels, and The Soul Saver is the definition of what that genre is–a novel whose story would collapse if the Christian thread were removed. Many Christians write novels, but not all Christians write Christian novels. This one fills the bill. It’s scripturally sound and full of wisdom, particularly addressing the mismatched marriage. This one’s a five-star keeper.

Posted in Reading, Reviews of exceptional books | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tiime to Catch Up

Posted on June 3, 2013 by

me in gruene tooFirst Monday in June, and I’m just now getting back to my Place. It’s been a bizarre roller coaster ride since April, the last time I did anything here, but I reached the point where I was just tired of writing about my ailments. Now, though, I’m happy to say that we are definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and this time it isn’t a firefly.

I’m not entirely well yet, but I’m on the Humira and am definitely seeing positive results. However, after being ill for over a year and having jelly for muscles, it’s going to be quite awhile before I’m strong enough or have enough stamina to do much. Yesterday, we went to Lufkin to go to both WalMart and Sam’s, then out to lunch at Cheddar’s. Well, I managed WalMart, MSB had to Sam’s, and I was too tuckered to eat at Cheddar’s so I ordered a to-go club sandwich.

But we got to go to the church handbell concert last night. I love handbells!

Work has suffered a bit. The Cat Lady’s Secret has now been rejected by everyone we’ve submitted it to. I can think of a number of reasons, but I believe the main reason is that God knows I’m just not well enough, even now, to do what’s necessary to promote a new release. So, while He’s saying “No, for now,” I’m working on another with my writing partner Brad. He’s hoping we’ll be finished by the ACFW Conference in September. I’m hoping too—quite a bit of work left to do on The Simulacrum.

I’ve also put some thought into how easy it would be at this point to just fade out of the field, like the players fading into the cornstalks in Field of Dreams. There are several aspects of this career that I don’t like, and not having to do them holds a certain appeal. I’ve had my fifteen minutes of fame, and I can tag the phrase “award-winning author” to my resume if ever I decide to get a “real” job, so maybe it’s time to disappear from the scene.

And sometimes I argue the other way. Hang in there, keep writing, keep networking. Who knows which side of me is going to win this internal battle.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Personal | 24 Comments