Yesterday we introduced you to the new novel by Gina Holmes, Dry as Rain. Today I’m thrilled to have Gina stopping by to tell share her passion for writing Christian fiction.
Welcome, Gina!
What It Means to me to Write Christian Fiction
What do you think of when you hear Christian fiction? It seems to mean something different to everyone. There are those who think of only prairie romance, or fluff novels full of little substance, or novels written by authors who couldn’t make it in the “real world” of fiction, (I had a friend who was trying to get her secular novel published, that said if she couldn’t get a contract, she’d throw a few Jesus references and a scripture or two in and take it to the CBA, (Christian Bookseller’s Association)—um, good luck with that plan.)
Many people seem to think the term simply means fiction minus the curse words and flesh, aka “safe” fiction.
While Christian fiction did get its start with Janette Oke and romance, it has come a long way to diversify in recent years. Boy has it. If you like speculative fiction/horror/fantasy, you now have Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee, Erin Healy, Frank Peretti, Mike Duran, and a whole lineup from small publisher-Marcher Lord Press.
If you love the serious, literary fiction, have you read Charles Martin, Athol Dickson, Chris Fabry, or even my own, Crossing Oceans?
Women’s Fiction: Carla Stewart, Erin Valent, CJ Darlington, Cynthia Ruchti, Christa Allan, Deborah Raney.
Suspense: Terri Blackstock, Joel Rosenberg, Ronie Kendig, Brandilyn Collins, DiAnn Mills, Colleen Coble.
Biblical: Francine Rivers, Tosca Lee’s Havah, Jill Eileen Smith
Lad lit: Ray Blackston and Michael Snyder.
This list is certainly not an exhaustive list of genes or authors, (not even close), but you get the picture—there’s lots to choose from!
Those who think Christian fiction is subpar and stick their noses in the air, either haven’t read broadly or else they haven’t read it at all. Those who think it should be simply a book devoid of offensive words are really missing the boat.
Like many other Christian fiction authors, I found Francine Rivers’ bestselling novel, Redeeming Love to be the tool God used to show that I could change lives in the genre without simply putting on a literary mask and pretending that my character’s lives were without sin. This novel also taught me to take off the Christian mask in my personal life and to be who I am boldly—to BE a real Christian, rather than LOOKING like a real Christian.
In my latest novel, Dry as Rain, the main character is a nominal Christian who commits adultery. He is a liar, he is a thief, (adultery and fornication is a form of thievery in my book), he is flawed and he is very wrong.
The second chapter of this novel shows him waking up in his mistress’ bed. Gasp! I don’t show the act “on stage” but I do show the aftermath. Our so-called hero has a thorn in his side, a weakness for the flesh and a deep, God-shaped void that he tries to fill with money, sex, career and everything but faith. This is not safe fiction, and I’m okay with that.
My goal has never been safety. I want to write about people who fall, but get back up. Who sin, but are forgiven. Who have real struggles with real sins like I do.
I want to point to the hope of redemption, to the love of God, to the truth of the Christian life and the consequences of sin.
Showing sin, in all its temporary pleasure and its long-term consequences is what the Bible does. It is about as “unsafe” as a Christian book could be. There is violence, sexual sin galore, alcoholism, you name it. Are all these sins committed by the bad guys? Ha! King David killed a man just to have his beautiful wife, Noah was a drunk, Paul was a persecutor, Thomas was a doubter, Peter denied knowing his savior to save himself… and on and on.
Jesus offended with His teachings and so who am I to shy away from doing the same? Truth should be the goal, not safety. At the end of the day, it is the letter from the sinner who writes to tell me they realize they are not too far away from God to turn back which lets me know I’m on the right path, not the one from the Pharisee who commends me on a novel that doesn’t offend.
Love Gina's voice because it's real. Backed up in my reading but can't wait to get to Dry As Rain. Loved Crossing Oceans.
Love the premise. We need more books like this.
As a Christian fiction author I read your blog with interest and agree entirely. I have long contended that GOOD fiction does not need the graphics or the curse words.
Your book sounds like something I would be interested in reading. So, in the near future, I will be visiting my local bookstore or your website to puchase a copy.