Christian fiction

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Hi, 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?

Comments

[bellawilfer.livejournal.com]

I have been reading Christian fiction for awhile now and the one thing that keeps me interested - despite the badly written books that I have read - is one thing: Christian fiction is usually clean. As a teenager, my parents were pretty darn protective of me and that transcended to what I read. I could usually pick up a Christian novel and know that I wasn't going to have to deal with language or descriptions of sex.

Some authors are definitely better than others. I really like Brock and Bodie Thoene's books - at least the Zion Chronicles and Covenant books (and Twilight of Courage, although I haven't read it in years since I can't find our copy anywhere!). Oh, and the Shiloh Trilogy.

Another recent author I rather like, but just for a light, fluffy read, really, is Rene Gutteridge. My Life as a Doormat is one of those books where it all comes together nicely in the end, pink bow and all, but it is hilarious and actually hit this introverted and non-assertive person close to home.

I've enjoyed some of Lynn Austin's books, as well as Francine Rivers. I don't like some of the preaching that The Atonement Child does (and it does end too idealistically), but I found her books fairly well written.

Other authors... George MacDonald, definitely - and I appreciate the editing that Michael Phillips did. ;-) JRR Tolkien. C.S. Lewis.

Ill-written Christian fiction has been around for YEARS. It isn't just in recent times that it's gone downhill. For instance, look at Elsie Dinsmore and all the other Victorian books that are quite melodramatic and Just Not Great Lit.

Another thing to remember is that before Janette Oke and the rest, for some time there really wasn't a Christian Fiction genre. It's still growing. We need to hold writers to a higher standard, but we do need to keep in mind that a lot of people who read it aren't looking for great literature. There's a reason why there are so many series and books about the Amish. A lot of women liked Beverly Lewis's work. Overkill now, yes, but...

[ruthieroo.livejournal.com]

Great comment, I very much agree!

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

I agree - the cleanliness is what keeps me interested, too. I can feel pretty safe picking up a Christian fiction mystery or something, whereas there might be lots more disturbing scenes in nonChristian (though not always, of course).

Hm, I'm intrigued by the Gutteridge book. I'll have to add that to my list. :)