At times it feels like an argument without a viable solution. I understand where both sides are coming from, but I'm not sure everyone is ever going to meet in the middle.On the one hand, there are lots of folks who feel that in order for a work of fiction to be labeled 'Christian' it must be squeaky clean. These readers want to know that if they pick up a book marked 'Christian' it will be safe for them to read without offense. Okay ... I get that. The dilemma arises when we try to define what constitutes 'offensive' material. Different people have different levels of tolerance for things like sexual content, profanity and the like. I know people who consider the words 'shut up' as swearing. (Seriously - I know people like this ... and if you're one of them I apologize in advance.) I had one woman explain to me that she couldn't read my book PLAY IT AGAIN because it contained the word 'hell'. That is certainly her prerogative.
For myself, I don't mind a bit of mild swearing (like 'hell' and 'damn') if it is used to make the dialog more authentic. I don't go over the top and use anything worse than that, but I will read a book that contains more profanity if its a good story and these words add to the characterization. Interestingly enough, my fourth book WIND OVER MARSHDALE which has been contracted by Astraea Press and due to come out this fall, needed some changing because Astraea does not allow any form of swearing including 'hell' and 'damn' - and they are not even a Christian publisher. Naturally, I complied.
However, if books deemed 'edgy' do not label themselves as 'Christian', some readers may feel duped when they read the book. I had one reader comment that my book MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER was too religious for her taste. (Even though in the back cover blurb it references the fact that the heroine finds fulfillment in 'the arms of God'.) Everyone gets saved at the end, and she felt this was unrealistic. For my part, I know that this isn't so. My own family is a case in point, where all five siblings became Christians as adults.
It's a case of 'you're damned if you do and damned if you don't'. (Oops! Did that offend someone? Somehow 'darned if you do ...' doesn't have quite the same ring to it ...) Labeling our books 'Christian' is limiting because many people who might otherwise read and enjoy them will not pick up a book marked 'Christian'. Not labeling them means those who do want to read good redemptive stories might not find them. It's why I think there is room for the Christian market to expand its tent pegs to include an 'edgy' component. If books are labeled as such, those that are afraid of seeing controversial content can avoid the book, while others who enjoy a bit of spice (like me) can still find books that have some moral quality.
What I don't appreciate is when one camp or the other insinuates that they have an exclusive line to God's heart / will / blessing. It's like claiming that only one denomination constitutes true believers and the rest have it all wrong. (You know what that equals - a cult.) Personally I think we've all got it wrong to some degree, because the body of Christ is, after all, made up of human beings. We're fallible and until we get to heaven there's bound to be something askew with our earthly attempts at godliness.
In any case, I think there should be room for all. Christian fiction, like Christians themselves, is broad enough to encompass all types. It doesn't mean everyone has to read or even like everything. (I do not like Amish romances, for instance.) That doesn't mean all Amish romances should be banned. Obviously a whole lot of people like them, so who am I to argue? Similarly, certain folks need to take off their self made halos and allow a broader spectrum of Christian fiction to exist, without recrimination.
I invite your feedback. Seriously. I've got my helmet on and everything. :)
A blogger I follow, Mike Duran, just blogged about what makes Christian fiction. I did a blog post myself on it (I'm linking to the post for my URL).
ReplyDeleteMy take is that on the most basic level, any fiction written by a follower of Jesus Christ is Christian fiction. Even from Catholics (like me) or Mormons.
Many readers want tame Christian fiction that follows the traditional rules, no hells and damns and so on. I think they should have it, but I don't think all Christian writers should have to follow those rules.
Two writer friends of mine have used the f-word one time each in a book. In one case I think it was uttered by a bad guy, in the other I don't know who said it, but there WAS a zombie in the room at the time....
As the secular publishers become more hostile to traditionally-believing Christians, and friendlier to atheist authors who indulge in anti-Christian rants, Christian fiction has to broaden out to accommodate the Christians who will be trying Christian fiction as a substitute for now-hostile secular fiction.
I've never thought about arguements on this issue...probably because I've only now just started reading edgier Christian fiction, after years of reading almost exclusively secular fiction. I must say, the edgier stuff is refreshingly real.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was neat that romance publisher Desert Breeze uses "sweet", "warm", "hot", etc to rate their books. That way you know exactly what you're getting. Maybe other Christian publishers should do the same, and not just for romance.
"We're fallible and until we get to heaven there's bound to be something askew with our earthly attempts at godliness."
ReplyDeleteI love this line! You're right, Tracy. We're so confused by the dichotomy between our desire for goodness (I think it's a hunger for God) and our tendency to be naughty. I'm so thankful for the place where they both come together (the cross), and willing to live with the insecurity until God's solution to the problem is fulfilled (with the coming).
While not everyone is going to like my books, I do embrace some criticism. If people are fired up about something, they read it. And they know my name. ;) Now, I don't want to cause any kerfuffle if I can avoid it, but there are going to be people who enjoy what we write, who are blessed by it. It's a bit sad that as Christian writers we need a thicker skin than if we were in the secular market.
ReplyDeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. My take on it as a Christian pastor is that you should consider who you want your book to reach. If you want it to appeal to only those Christians who live in the "Christian bubble" then you want your writing to be squeaky clean. If you want to reach the world for Jesus you have to make some moves in their direction and at the same time lift up Jesus. I can imagine how Peter must have talked when Jesus first called him. There is a huge number of people out there who know nothing of the Lord who wouldn't bat an eye at some edgy language and may even feel comfortable with it but then be touched by the Christian message of your book.
Be encouraged
Bob Saffrin
Great piece, Tracy - you are writing on a subject that hits home. At my last critique meeting with a group of Christian writers, I was told that I'd need to take the word "damn" from the two places I'd used it if I wanted a Christian publisher to accept my short story. The thing is that the characters who use the word are not Christians, and 'darned' (as you point out) doesn't sound authentic coming from them. I thought there was a move among Christian publishers (Waterbrook comes to mind) to be more accepting of less squeaky clean material so as to reach those who don't want to be "preached at"...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the great comments that you've left so far. I agree that some kind of labeling system might be in order to help readers make informed choices. I also follow Mike Durnan's blog, Nisa. it is one o fmy favorites. He doesn't shy away from issues.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! Yes, I've had reviews of my books from both sides of the fence. Amazingly, the smallest things offend both camps. If you have any spiritual message whatsoever, non christians feel like they're being tied up and preached to against their will, and if you have a swear word or realistic scene of violence or something, some in the other camp accuse you of trying to destroy the moral fiber of America.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing we can do is write what we are meant to write. We can't write to please other people because as they say, "you can't please all the people all the time" In fact, sometimes you can't please any of the people:)
Well Tracy My response was so long I made a blog post. You can check it out on http://alongcameastory.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, everyone. When it comes down to it, most seem to agree that we are accountable to God for what we write, and I totally agree. However, let's not condemn those that don't conform to our own specific calling. Unity is not the same thing as uniformity. the body of Christ is as diverse as it can be and this is reflected in Christian fiction as well.
ReplyDeleteWrite what your conscience says would be approved by God. After all it's always between you and Him.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine anyone who'd look at shut up as a swear word...
ReplyDeleteMy friend Norma writes in the mainstream, and one of her books she originally wanted to call A Cold Day In Hell. It was vetoed by the marketing chimps, who felt it would go over badly in the Bible Belt. She's suggested I use it for a future book.
Believe it or not, its true William. (Shut up!) I think A cold Day in Hell is a fantastic name and very clever. I'm surprised someone hasn't used it yet.
ReplyDeleteA significant portion of our Bible is the Old Testament, which contains some of the earthiest stories I've ever read. Some of those stories speak to the nature of man and some to the character of God.
ReplyDeleteWhile Christ ushered in a new era, His coming did not change the character of God. Christ Himself had a bit of edginess. I'm betting that He he didn't stage overturning the tables in the temple as a teaching moment. I'll wager that those who witnessed His rude outburst smelled the sweat of effort on His body, heard the roar of outrage erupt from His core, saw the fire of anger redden His face and felt a host of emotions--righteous indignation, alarm, shame, even offense.
When writers go out on the edge to make a point, they are hoping that if a reader trips over an offending word or image they will keep their balance long enough to appreciate what is really being said.
Thanks for addressing this issue and inviting dialogue.
Well said, YosemiteSyd. (Cool user name too)
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