tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post7297283371302177600..comments2024-03-18T08:33:25.907-04:00Comments on Inkwell Inspirations: Who Reads Christian Fiction?Lisa Karon Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02175430876079208723noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-57345030485895739792012-02-11T02:41:21.442-05:002012-02-11T02:41:21.442-05:00You're sweet Suzie, but I know I ramble too, m...You're sweet Suzie, but I know I ramble too, my essays are proof of that, and I think I'm a little likt you when I'm nervous too. <br />Ramblers should stick together:)Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-45807147635470515702012-02-10T14:36:08.924-05:002012-02-10T14:36:08.924-05:00Anna, I don't think you ramble on without sayi...Anna, I don't think you ramble on without saying anything important. On the other hand, I <i>know</i> I tend to ramble on quite often. I should not talk or blog when I'm tired or nervous. Those are the times when my tendencies to ramble are the worst, and the times I tend to get myself in trouble.Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-78186377277545333452012-02-10T12:26:39.532-05:002012-02-10T12:26:39.532-05:00Surprisingly enough I think some Historical novels...Surprisingly enough I think some Historical novels can actually allow more scope for writing Christian idead into stories than others. <br /><br />Those set in the Medieval times are a good example. In Deanna's medieval Chastelayne Trilogy all the major characters talk of hell as a literal place, and believe people go there if they have not repented. <br /><br />That may seem preachy but Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-23331282992864794902012-02-10T12:18:26.454-05:002012-02-10T12:18:26.454-05:00Aw shucks, normally I ramble on and most of what I...Aw shucks, normally I ramble on and most of what I say is not much help to anybody. I was just saying what I think and I am glad you found it helpful. <br /><br />I know it can be hard to our convictions which tend by thier nature to be unpopular, and it must be hard to tell a good story at the same time.Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-75322213316840149262012-02-10T11:56:31.022-05:002012-02-10T11:56:31.022-05:00"The book was not 'preachy' but hones...<i>"The book was not 'preachy' but honesty of the characters about core Christian teachings was not compromised either."</i><br /><br />Therein lies the dilemma of the Christian writer - how to encompass truth into our books in a way that rings true without compromising Christian values. <br /><br />I think, Anna, you may have hit on the answer to that dilemma when you said, theSuzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-81523084114897933652012-02-10T11:38:06.291-05:002012-02-10T11:38:06.291-05:00I think I agree. In one of my posts I mentioned ho...I think I agree. In one of my posts I mentioned how some Christian authors aviod 'negatives' such as the neccesity of repentance and focus only on the 'positives' like love. <br /><br />I think that this though can be just as contrived and implausible as the opposite extreme, because it may seem as though that author it trying to hard to 'please' everyone, and not being Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-49065272008358355492012-02-10T09:45:02.204-05:002012-02-10T09:45:02.204-05:00This is just a theory I'm working on, but ther...This is just a theory I'm working on, but there seems to be some sort of algebraic equation for what works in Christian fiction. Somehow the more flawed and real and honest your characters are, the more you buy yourself the right to forthrightly address spiritual issues. Dare I say, even preach. <br /><br />I'm thinking of Michelle Sutton's Never Without Hope as an example. There is Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-31559795408764340462012-02-10T04:57:27.742-05:002012-02-10T04:57:27.742-05:00I think the above raises another issue, and one th...I think the above raises another issue, and one that I as a non-writer am probably not qualified to address.<br /><br />Some Christian authors, in an effort to perhaps make thier books more 'popular' ignore or edit out some of the more difficult or seemingly 'negative' aspects of Christianity such as sin and the neccsesity of salvation, and instead seek to focus only on the 'Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-82034730291287656242012-02-10T04:44:35.868-05:002012-02-10T04:44:35.868-05:00One of the things that I really liked about Deanna...One of the things that I really liked about Deanna Julie Dodson's novel 'In Honor Bound' was the way that her characters were honest about sin, and what was right and wrong. <br /><br />When one character saw his brother doing something that was wrong he was not afraid to tell him so, even though he knew his brother might not recieve that truth very well, and might become angry. <br /Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-63907556057022852672012-02-10T04:38:17.636-05:002012-02-10T04:38:17.636-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lystraladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613146718945413930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-22151858850510688292012-02-08T20:03:30.169-05:002012-02-08T20:03:30.169-05:00Great post.
You're so right in that we have t...Great post.<br /><br />You're so right in that we have to realize who our audience is. And not all books are for everyone. Not ANY books are for EVERYone (except the Bible, of course).<br /><br />We each have to write what God lays on our hearts and let Him decide who it's for. It's wonderfully liberating.DeAnna Julie Dodsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006564626571868446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-78989207812311817972012-02-08T20:02:57.304-05:002012-02-08T20:02:57.304-05:00The best "conversion" scene I ever read ...The best "conversion" scene I ever read was in Embrace Me by Lisa Samson. The woman spontaneously asks to be baptized in a freezing lake. It's very symbolic and emotional. Not just some little repeat after me kind of prayer.Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-31879438338510417862012-02-08T19:40:33.160-05:002012-02-08T19:40:33.160-05:00Interesting discussion to an interesting post.
I...Interesting discussion to an interesting post. <br /><br />I think the main issue with conversion scenes is that one person's conversion may not ring true for all Christians. While I can recall a conversion moment, the preparing of my heart to accept God's grace took place over a period of time--God patiently hammering away my objections and drawing me toward him.<br /><br />To share all Barbara Earlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02446880500278578170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-32499799591288414822012-02-08T19:40:01.010-05:002012-02-08T19:40:01.010-05:00Here's a CRAZY thought... if we write books ab...Here's a CRAZY thought... if we write books about love -- how to demonstrate love, walk in love toward our enemies, receive love, and choose love over selfishness, etc. -- are we not writing the ultimate in "Christian" books? <br />Just a thought I'm debating. <br /><br />Great post, Jen! As always!Niki Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10419436634375255412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-80501650797712053422012-02-08T13:37:00.793-05:002012-02-08T13:37:00.793-05:00Glad to see you all here, ladies. My personal writ...Glad to see you all here, ladies. My personal writing style is also more along the lines of showing my characters' faith (or lack thereof) and how they deal with life. I don't know about you, but I personally have never read a convincing conversion scene. Perhaps it's because opening your heart to the Lord is such a personal, intimate thing. I'd love to know if anyone's read aJennifer AlLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18178922554247015759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-81804550676243437442012-02-08T11:35:47.318-05:002012-02-08T11:35:47.318-05:00I think I need to clarify my comment. I still read...I think I need to clarify my comment. I still read romance, and I love books with romance, but I buy less and less of the books where H and H meet on page three and spend all their time thinking about each other.<br /><br />I do love books with "real" people and "real" issues. In real life, most Christians have problems. It's how they might deal with those problems that Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-9410361894619180122012-02-08T10:30:51.596-05:002012-02-08T10:30:51.596-05:00I love books that grapple with issues of faith and...I love books that grapple with issues of faith and spirituality head on. I'm not talking preachy books. And I'm not looking for a conversion scene. I'm talking about books that look at true faith and how it changes people. I think this could minister to a Christian and challenge and guide them in their faith, or to a nonChristian, who would get to see the true inner workings of a Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-43741892308913419752012-02-08T09:31:53.435-05:002012-02-08T09:31:53.435-05:00"Giggly romance". I love that expression..."Giggly romance". I love that expression, Annette, and you've perfectly summed up what I couldn't figure out how to say. I have noticed that I've bought less and less "romance" and more and more what I would term women's fiction. I wasn't really sure of the reason, but I think it's because I want something different and unpredictable. <br /><br />I do Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-64059106344708155682012-02-08T09:17:01.051-05:002012-02-08T09:17:01.051-05:00I just want good stories, inspiring and yet dimens...I just want good stories, inspiring and yet dimensional characters. So often Christian fiction rubs me the wrong way because it seems the focus is on a giggly romance. I prefer a theme that is original, something I didn't expect, and that when I finish the book I won't forget the journey I too took with the story.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09693346981997723405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-26833289443509448352012-02-08T08:54:25.386-05:002012-02-08T08:54:25.386-05:00I write for the non-believer. I write for that one...I write for the non-believer. I write for that one person who is going to read my book and find a message in the struggles of my characters. So, I know that if my work is ever published, it has to be able to entertain first and foremost, and yet, be ready to plant a seed. <br /><br />If 500 Christians read it and enjoy it, great. If one non-believer gets it by way of a loan, or curiosity, or a Debra E. Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17853387871623424853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-1624265323992659832012-02-08T08:14:58.320-05:002012-02-08T08:14:58.320-05:00Good job on the post, Jen.
I fall into the camp ...Good job on the post, Jen. <br /><br />I fall into the camp of showing not telling in this case. I started by writing for the secular market because I wanted to show that Christians live with all the emotions that non-Christians face, but have Someone to turn to when life disappoints or tries to drag you down into the dregs of society. <br /><br />I saw a TV show once where a gang member was toldAnita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07759232889762510956noreply@blogger.com