Into the Fire

The biz. Publishing. Christian publishing. All of it.

There are some basics about novels. Plots, characters, themes. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, symbolism, imagery, metaphors. Topics/subjects/genres. Formats, titles, chapters titled or numbered, lengths. Italics, capitalization, bold print.

Some of these basics are inherent in the definition of a novel. Others are matters of choice, of creative decisions, of subjective appeal. However, some of these have been deemed undesirable by the professionals.

Those of us who write novels have our favorite authors. Sometimes our favorites are similar types of writers who stay within a single genre. Others of us like diverse styles of writers and multiple genres. A few of us stick with CBA authors and books, and others rarely read Christian fiction, and still others read many of both.

Within the pages of these novels we read are some things we absolutely marvel at—true artistry, a painter of words, layers of story, and we’re intrigued. Not only that, he or she has possessed not only our interest in the story but an almost reverence for the telling of that story. A captivating writer has succeeded in taking us away for the length of time we invested in the novel. A superlative experience.

Then sometimes we trudge through the pages with little interest until some of us quit and discard said novel while others of us vow to read on, draining the last hope of being satisfied from the final page.

As authors, some of us are dedicated to playing by the rules, refusing to use italics in more than a meager amount and striving even to avoid that. And heaven forbid you ever see the use of BOLD print or capitalization or one too many exclamation points! Oops! Amateur!

Other authors like to mix it up. Use a major dose of italics, different fonts, double-dashes, sentence fragments, an occasional ALL CAPITALS, and the taboo adverbs, telling a lot without always showing, strange formats, longer stories. I don’t think it’s just to be rebellious either. I think it’s to provide variety, to change things up once in awhile, to get away from the boring uniformity, and make the reading experience more interesting.

And, really, what is the problem with any of it? It’s a story. It’s a creative piece of writing. Why does it have to look all the same?

If it detracts from the reading of the story, then, yes, rethink the methodology. But if it provides a unique format, something which compels a reader to get involved and pay attention without distracting them, what harm is there in it? Just because something varies from the norm doesn’t make it unprofessional or amateurish or even wrong. It simply makes it different.

Who says that all novels must look exactly alike anyway? I know: agents, editors, and pub boards. And while I have no problem with producing uniform novels, I do have a problem with those who produce them insisting these are the only kinds of novels which speak of professionalism and quality. That borders on smugness.

There are as many types of readers as there are writers, maybe more. I’m willing to say a fair amount of them can handle something a little different on the pages of a novel. A few more italics, an extra exclamation point or two, bold print, or whatever. It’s about the story, after all, not the special effects. Some enhance, some detract. Readers and writers alike prefer all kinds of different things. We’re certainly not all the same. And to insist there is only one “professional” way to present a novel to readers sounds pretty smug to me.

God, help me to stay steady and productive, to not get bogged down by inconsequential drivel. Help me to keep you as my focus, incentive, and inspiration. With your leading and direction and my obedience, I cannot fail. Thank you for your love and grace, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Kristy Dykes is undergoing radiation treatment. Please visit her blog “CHRISTIAN LOVE STORIES” and read about her experience, faith, and joy during this life and death experience. A true servant of God, she is handling this in an amazing and admirable way. Please pray for Kristy Dykes.*