Christian fiction
Dec. 19th, 2008 04:31 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderHi, community.
Someone just joined this community which made me feel that I should contribute to making it a bit more active.
So here's something....I often hear Christians (me included) complaining about Christian fiction. I know what my own complaints are - often it's cheesy, portraying Christianity in a shallow way, and it seems there is a required ministry message that is almost always poorly written. Still, I read it. I like knowing the character is probably going to approach things from a Christian perspective.
I guess what I'm wondering is what would be the "right" way to write Christian fiction for those of you who don't like it? I often wonder how I would incorporate faith if I wrote a book. Sure, I can write a character who isn't Christian at all, but as a Christian it would be tempting to write from a perspective that I know and live. But how do I do that in a way that doesn't just seem silly? How does one write that in a way that can be appreciated by Christians and nonChristians alike? Does it always have to be allegory?
I suppose I'm also wondering if you have read any Christian fiction that you think was well done. If so, why do you say that?
Someone just joined this community which made me feel that I should contribute to making it a bit more active.
So here's something....I often hear Christians (me included) complaining about Christian fiction. I know what my own complaints are - often it's cheesy, portraying Christianity in a shallow way, and it seems there is a required ministry message that is almost always poorly written. Still, I read it. I like knowing the character is probably going to approach things from a Christian perspective.
I guess what I'm wondering is what would be the "right" way to write Christian fiction for those of you who don't like it? I often wonder how I would incorporate faith if I wrote a book. Sure, I can write a character who isn't Christian at all, but as a Christian it would be tempting to write from a perspective that I know and live. But how do I do that in a way that doesn't just seem silly? How does one write that in a way that can be appreciated by Christians and nonChristians alike? Does it always have to be allegory?
I suppose I'm also wondering if you have read any Christian fiction that you think was well done. If so, why do you say that?
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Date: 2008-12-20 04:18 am (UTC)I don't like it because it's so cheaply written. Everything's cutesy and tied up in a bow, and everybody's witty. Christian chick lit is no different from mainstream, except there's no bad language or sex. But I don't know anybody who lives the way those silly, vapid girls live.
I also cannot STAND how so much of it centers on Amish characters. What in the world is that all about?! It's like nobody in history ever had a compelling story who wasn't Amish. Give me an historical novel set with the Scottish Covenanters or the Puritans, and then maybe I'll read it! I don't need to read about some demure and proper girl churning butter!
Argh! :)
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Date: 2008-12-30 03:11 pm (UTC)