As Christian fiction authors, we have a job to do: to bring about the obedience of faith throughout the nations. The way we do that is to illustrate Christian principles in action through the stories we write. This is our calling and our worship.
As believers, we approach both personal and universal problems from a Christian perspective; so whenever we’re presenting human frailty and folly, we’re to have in mind a scriptural solution. This is what makes “Christian Fiction” Christian; it’s what makes our works different from everyone else’s.
Does this mean that our works must be chock-full of sunshine and daisies? Of course not. Granted, I’ve seen reviewers who ding authors for presenting anything other than Phillipians 4:8-worthy stories. These stories are necessary, too. The world doesn’t offer the kinds of things we’re to meditate on, so we must create them.
But those aren’t the only forms of Christian fiction we can present. We can, and many do, present life with all its dirty, gray, and sometimes downright black realities. Hard times come, sins and temptations abound, life is crazy and confusing. Because we study the craft, we are equipped to write about such things, and because we study the Bible, we are equipped to lead others out of the darkness into the light. And because we get tempted and fail and sin and repent and return to our “first love” over and over—because we live—we are uniquely qualified.
Faith authors aren’t to skirt the issues, but to present them boldly, then illustrate God’s way, His glory—His light in the darkness. Whatever the plot, whatever conflict and challenge the character faces, when we settle it all with scriptural precepts, we are offering alternatives to the world’s way of responding to the same set of circumstances. That’s our job.
Let’s be fearless in obedience to our calling.
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Wow! Well written, Linda!
I’m not what would be considered a “Christian Writer” but I am a writer who’s a Christian. I guess I’ve not gone the specifically “Christian” direction because I have experienced so many sappy “Christian” books in a variety of genres. (By the way, your’s weren’t sappy. 😊 )
Maybe the sappy factor is starting to change, I hope so. I’ve actually been wondering if I should give writing a specifically “Christian” mystery a try.
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If all you’re finding are the “sappy” novels, then you need to write me for a list of excellent, more thought-provoking alternatives. Sappy is good sometimes. It fits the Ph. 4:8, but I couldn’t take a steady diet of it either. Sometimes, I enjoy reading how other authors handle real problems through their study and interpretation of Biblical principles.
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Great post, Linda. There is every possible variety of Christian fiction. Something for every taste, be it milk or meat. As for me, I’m more of a “1 Peter 5;8” type of Christian fiction writer. Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but definitely not sappy. Writing Christian fiction is, in my humble opinion, a calling. And once you’ve gotten the call you can’t ignore it. (Pearl?) Enjoy your posts, Linda!
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*Great* verse to work by, Lynne! Thanks for sharing it!
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Hear, hear! 🙂
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Thank you Linda and Lynne 😊
Sappy for me was that in many of the books I read (past tense) the Christians always had the right answer to every question and at least one unbeliever had to get saved before the end of the story. It usually felt so contrived. In my 40 some years as a Christian I’m yet to have the privilege of leading someone to the Lord (not proud of the fact, but fact it is) and I’ve only experienced a handful of situations in church of it being announced that someone had accepted Christ – so it always seems so farfetched to me to always have at least that one person, often more, come to the Lord in all those books.
Do y’all think it is meant to encourage the Christians reading the books to talk/witness more? Meant to encourage us that our own experiences aren’t the norm but that people really do come fairly easily to the Lord?
I don’t know. That was something that usually pulled me out of the story.
I really do feel like I should try writing a “Christian” mystery, I just don’t know if I can keep it to the expected formula.
Is there a formula? Is there something Christian publishers – and I guess readers as well – expect and will refuse a book that doesn’t follow it?
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Goodness, that’s a lot in that package!
Yes, often times sappy novels are contrived. They’re usually written by newbies who don’t know how to finesse their works, but sometimes you’ll find experienced writers forcing in salvation scenes or scenes where everything turns out right through some sudden movement of God. However—wow—your church experience seems odd. Even at my small church, we have two or three baptisms a month and on occasion, they’re adults.
As for writing Christian mystery, read some. Familiarize yourself with the gene. Brandilyn Collins, Dee Henderson, Coleen Coble. If you don’t read Christian fiction at all, you don’t realize that salvation isn’t the only principle represented. Study the genre and other authors before you try to write a mystery. The Christian aspect of it should be organic.
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Great points, Linda. Yes, once called to write Christian based stories, God won’t let us off the hook, just ask me sometime about the lions. 😉
You are also so right about Christian literature covering a wide gamut of topics and with different degrees of intensity, something for everyone’s taste. I like Christian thrillers and mysteries. I know I will have a heart thumping, nail biting read without the foul language and X-Rated sex scenes of the secular books.
I’ll also add in a few romance authors. They’ve come a long way from the ones that used to make me gag over the overly sweetness of the characters and story premises. Your books are good examples of stories on the lighter side which inspire and stay true to life. In other words, the characters and story are believable. Glad you were called to write Christian fiction. We readers benefit. 🙂
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Yes, the sweetness in Christian romance turned me off it too. I love Hallmark movies, but I read very few Christian romance novels. Although, I am finding some authors I love: Kathleen Y’Barbo, Cindy Huff, Janice Thompson, and Betty Owens, for instance! I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones who crossed my mind.
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Hello!
I just wrote my first Christian Fiction novel, Twiceborn, that is set in the 16th century of France specifically located at the beautiful Palace of Versailles.
I have a chapter available on my website. Would you be able to read it and email me with any feedback/comments? http://www.jprobinsonbooks.com
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I’m sorry I didn’t have time to read your chapter, JP, but the site is beautiful, very professional. I pray God blesses your efforts!
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Thanks Linda. Sign up and you’ll get the free chapter to read at your convenience. 🙂
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