Into the Fire

Those who know me from this blog realize I’m a champion of Christian Fiction. When I say there are some brilliant Christian authors in CBA publishing, I’m not kidding. We have masters in every genre and more to come into the ranks of publication each year. We also have very average writers and a few not-so-great ones which is the case with the general market as well.

No one enjoys promoting favorite authors any more than I do. It’s so delicious to read a good novel. Now good is a word which differs with each reader, but the experience of enjoying an author’s work is both refreshing and inspiring.

I read in the thriller (political, horror, legal, etc.) genre and occasionally in the romance genre, some women’s fiction, P.I. and police procedurals, literary, and some uncategorized genres in the CBA. Most of you know I rarely read historicals and sci-fi, no Amish/Mennonite/bonnet books, prairie romances, some romances, and no fantasy.

As writers we all know there will be a few, some, or many who don’t prefer what we write and, unfortunately, how we write. Different tastes. Some people with great skills will be criticized because someone who isn’t their intended audience reads their work and decides they hate the book. Not only does the person hate the book, they elect to advertise their aversion to all Amazon review readers. Such are the risks of writers.

The Christian publishing industry expands with toe-testing the waters and standing on the shore. It’s difficult to grow your audience at any level of performance. The risk is exacted on the bottom line. Risk-takers will tell you that you can rocket into big money or sink into bankruptcy. And many do both before their risks are concluded. And not just once.

Some people think when you love something, you should make it appear flawless. Nothing is flawless. Most all of us seek to improve ourselves and our lives through the instruction and power of the Holy Spirit. More than one editor in the Christian publishing industry has lamented the decision making process of producing literature, wishing the implementation of spiritual insights could be more prevalent in the selections.

When believing in someone or something, in order for the belief to have substance, the flaws must be viewed and considered. Honesty addresses the flaws because of the desire to wield or influence improvement. We are all flawed, but we cannot achieve perfection on this earth. Only God is perfect. So we monitor our celebrations, our criticisms, and our progress with what we know, what we’ve learned, and what we hope to achieve and try to balance it all with discernment. Not always an easy task.

Unlike some, I celebrate the role of Christian fiction in the marketplace. It’s important to write for those who love the one true God and believe the only way to salvation comes through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Those who read a lot of CBA novels know the myths of salvation scenes appearing in every novel, of scripture verses being quoted by holier-than-thou characters, and of squeaky clean goings on adorning the pages are indeed mythological. Not to say those novels aren’t published and promoted under certain imprints. The objective of my criticisms involving the industry revolves around a somewhat snobbish inflexibility to address those people who read Christian Fiction but have to search for a less formulaic approach in particular genres and for those who’re willing to read CBA fiction if only they’d reach out of their standard fare to include them. By that I’m not talking about graphic sex and frequent use of f-bombs. I’m suggesting the characters who experience sin both in the world and in the faith must include a stronger reality to appeal to an unaddressed audience.

Lord, you came for all of us. You’re no respecter of persons. Thank God. Help us demonstrate that incomparable fact. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.