Into the Fire

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

There’s clean . . .

 

. . . and there’s not so clean. “Clean” can often be used as a synonym for “safe” in literature. “Safe” for me is a misnomer because of its application to certain works of fiction. “Clean” on the other hand means or suggests a lot of things in writing.

 

In no particular order, the word clean in the broadest sense often refers to stories without cussing/swearing and/or explicit sexual situations. It’s also used to describe a certain type or style of prose which consists of lean writing techniques and very little variations in common language usage. Light on descriptions and grammatically correct typifies “clean” writing.

 

I’ve said many times I’m not a fan of Hemingway’s writing. Never liked it. The leanest writer of contemporary fiction that I do like is that of Brandilyn Collins. Even though I prefer her early suspense novels which were longer and not so lean, I’ve enjoyed her most recent novels. The staccato brand of writing suits her stories, and it’s her unique style of rat-a-tat-tat word usage that makes it all work.

 

Getting to the “clean” reference in subject matter. I’ve exhausted this topic here. Sexual attraction, tension, interaction, etcetera, all of it. However, I acknowledge the delicate, intimate, and private nature of tackling sexual issues in fiction, especially Christian fiction where many readers wish to escape the banality of its depictions in secular or general market literature. I’ve always maintained that readers should have a choice of what they want to read. And Christian readers do. To a point. There is a multitude of “clean” fiction from which to choose.

 

Again, there’s clean and there’s squeaky clean. Squeaky clean does not fulfill the role of good fiction for a lot of us readers. We see the contrast of this kind of story to the way life is really lived for many people, and we don’t react well to the unbelievable aspects of squeaky clean when applied to romance novels.

 

And there’s not so clean—at least according to those who read squeaky clean and delight in it. I don’t write for them. And neither do I enjoy their brand of literature. But I’m glad they have it to read because my choices in this arena are slim and none. That’s why I write what I do.

 

 

God, you give me words. What can I say but thank you? I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

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2 responses to “There’s clean . . .”

  1. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    You know, I find it very difficult to articulate my reading desires/tastes and sometimes it’s a fine line. I prefer clean fiction, which to me is a book that doesn’t rely on the crutch of the “F” word or explicit sex. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m trying to find books that DON’T dwell on romance, so to me it’s a moot point whether the romance is “squeaky clean” “clean” or “erotic”.
    The gray area for me in what constitutes clean is level of violence. I grew up reading westerns (Zane Grey) and they had violence in them–people die in life, whether in a gun battle or from cancer, so I don’t shy away from the use of violence in fiction.
    But sometimes books, as well as movies, go overboard with violence. For example, I took today off work to go to a Cordage Workshop (to learn how the ancient Indians wove Yucca fibers for rope) but the class got cancelled (HOW RUDE!) so I was contemplating going to the movies today.
    I narrowed the choices between “The King’s Speech” (not into British history but at least it’s not another tiresome remake or some stupid film that’s supposed to be funny beause of the sexual inuendo) or True Grit.
    I’m wary of “The King’s Speech” because it is rated R. Now why in heaven’s name does a movie like this have to be rated R?
    Then I watched the movie trailer of True Grit (another remake) and it seemed to have the same problem most recent western films have had–obsessively dark and violent. There IS a way to portray violence without being so dark and hopeless.
    It is exactly the same problem with books. You have a customer willing to plunk down their money, but who has a set of standards they must adhere to. Finding books and films that meet those standards is like pulling teeth. So it’s absolutely no wonder to me why I read so little fiction and go to even fewer movies.
    I’m just about to finish reading James Scott Bell’s “Try Dying” which was published with a general market publisher. Now of course I had the advantage of being familiar with his work already. But the point is, this book (at least now that I’m about 80% through with it) is the right mix of clean for me.
    For historicals, I’ve all but given up and instead am beginning to go back and read the old books like War & Peace. And just began reading Michener’s Chesapeake (not far enough in to know what his writing style is like but I like what I’ve read so far).
    In short, it’s almost as time consuming trying to find fiction to read as it is writing fiction. And given that constraint, I think I ought to just give up and stick to working on my own stuff.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I know I speak to a different audience than you, Brenda, because I do write love stories heavy on the romance. However, just to be clear: I don’t write erotic love stories. I write “real” when referring to sexual attraction and action. No graphics.
    I love that “Try . . .” series by James Scott Bell. Truly outdid himself with those. And you’re right: it’s a perfect blend.
    I can imagine you have to go back in time to find the right mix for what you like. Most of today’s thrillers for example don’t go lightly with the violence. As far as historicals go, if you go back far enough, violence was brutal and torturous. Current history as far as Islamic laws and terrorists, and the current regimes such as is found in Libya and some other African nations are as violent and torturous as any.
    As I said, I don’t begrudge those who prefer “clean” fiction. I prefer not to read a bunch of cuss words–I can handle the level in Vince Flynn novels.
    I guess I resent when “clean” usurps reality.

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