Important or Entertaining?

May 10, 2009

The goals of authors remain diverse. Even among authors who are Christians. In fact, Christians seem to struggle over the things which baffle others. Some rebel against being called a “Christian author/writer”, preferring to be called “an author/writer who is a Christian”, or even “one who writes for God”. Forgive me if I think the label is irrelevant.

It’s the motive that counts for me. Some authors desire to write “important” fiction. Others are content to write entertaining fiction. Within these two categories nearly every genre can be found. And while “entertaining” and “important” are not mutually exclusive, sometimes the motives are. “Important” fiction implies there’s a heavy-duty message, topic, theme, or event imparted within the pages of the story. The very idea of an “important” novel requires a “must read” tag at the end of the description. However, it can be just as probable to find that same tag applied to a wonderfully entertaining book.

Think about the novels you’ve read. Recall your favorites. Do any of them fall under the “important” label? How ‘bout the usual “entertaining”? Any qualify for the “both” label?

I’ve read some very entertaining novels which served up meaningful pleasure. Worthwhile reads for sure. But important? No. I haven’t read as many important novels, but when I have, they’ve usually qualified for the entertaining label, too, but not always. I once read a difficult novel due to the subject matter and hence the content. The author chose not to disguise the seriousness of the story, and because of that I couldn’t recommend the novel to most people specifically because of the topic.

When you consider your own writing, what is your goal? Important? Entertaining? Both?

If you answered “important” or “both”, what does that mean for you? Got examples?

Father, I would be willing to suggest that oftentimes what we consider “important” to us might not be to you. We can place value where there is no value. Lord, I just want to write the stories you have for me to tell—that’s what is important to me. Help me to do just that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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8 responses to “Important or Entertaining?”

Bill

May 11, 2009

One of the most important books other than the Bible that I have read is Will Durant’s “Caesar and Christ.” It has informed my faith in many ways. Because I love history, I also found reading it to be entertaining. My sense is that most people aren’t entertained by such works of history. So, I’m wondering if the difference isn’t so much with the work itself, but with the preference of individual reader.

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Nicole

May 11, 2009

In speaking of fiction I would agree that most people wouldn’t consider “chick lit” for example to be “important” writing. However, it is still possible for such a novel to minister to a reader while making them laugh or cry because of the specific elements in the story which point out or deliver an area of personal trauma, healing, or faith builder through a potentially humorous approach. Others might regard such work as silly or ineffectual.
Good point, Bill.

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Dayle

May 11, 2009

I am convinced that readers don’t want to be entertained-they want to be moved. At least primarily. In other words, they’ll take entertaining because books that move us are relatively rare.
Robert Liparulo comes to mind. His books entertain me and I’ll keep reading them and recommending them, but in all honesty, I’m always hoping for more.
The books I remember are the ones that moved, enlightened, or impacted me in some way.
Tosca Lee’s Demon, Koontz’s Watchers are examples.
Also, as a writer, there are books that are so well done, you have to love them. Lee’s Havah for example. Other novels that have impressed me in their execution are Dickson’s Winter Haven and Koontz’s From the Corner of His Eye.

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Nicole

May 11, 2009

I think there are readers who just want to be entertained. Being “moved” is a surprise, a bonus. Mark comes to mind–I don’t think he looks or writes “to be moved”. Mark? Am I right or wrong here? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that goal in reading.
You’re more of the literary type of reader, Dayle. For you to consider a book in the upper level of value, i.e. importance, you have to be moved and impressed by the writing according to your standards.
I think Robert’s first two novels had some very moving parts and passages, and I know he is capable of achieving that “importance” thing, but he’s well aware of what he’s aiming for and who his primary audience is.
I would agree Tosca’s Demon . . . a memoir is an important and entertaining novel. Havah was extremely difficult for me to read because of my own life before Christ. So, entertaining would not be my choice of words for it. Yes, I would attach important to it, too.
While I appreciated the story and the writing in Winter Haven, I would not categorize it as important.
One of the most important and entertaining but not in the tradtional sense of the word is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. In fact, it might be the most important novel I’ve ever read. It is a classic already.

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cindy

May 11, 2009

I write because I want to reach people. I’d like to be able to minister to them in some way but also entertain. The trilogy I am working on right now has elements of a very serious topic but is still entertaining and that’s just fine by me. Primarily I want to be able to reach people but if what they get out my book is simply a few days of enjoyment when they need the down time or rest from stress I still think it’s worthwhile.

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Nicole

May 11, 2009

Excellent approach, Cindy.

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Mark H.

May 12, 2009

Nicole, you’re right. I don’t need to be “moved” every time I read a story. Sometimes, it’s good enough just to be in suspense, or slapping my knee in laughter. I don’t think a good story necessarily has to be deep and profound. Sometimes we just want to escape.
In my writing, I think I primarily try to entertain. Sure, I’d love to have a profound message that moves the reader, but I guess I feel like if I have something to say, it’ll come out as part of the story. Sometimes I feel like writers try so hard to be meaningful that their writing comes off as preachy, pretentious, or both. And I’m not sure that I’m capable of illuminating life’s truths to the reader in a way they’ve never heard before.

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Nicole

May 12, 2009

I think the literary crowd expect both from their novels, and if not “entertaining”, then definitely they want “important”.
Like you, Mark, I have no problem with any reader who desires to escape and be entertained. After all, a novel is a story.
As a writer, I must confess my objective is to “move” people but only because they can somehow relate to a character or situation which transports them into a reality they can “live” for those moments spent reading. I can wish they’d somehow come out of the experience inspired, realizing something fresh about the human race but more importantly the Lord, and I can only hope they can take home to their hearts or minds some meaningful something–but then not because of me, but because of the Lord in me.

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