Into the Fire

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

Sex sells . . .

 

. . . everything and everywhere but in Christian publishing. It's true but I'm being a bit facetious here.

If you've ever worked in this world outside the sanctity of the church office – and truthfully there are no guarantees there – you've had to face the power, appeal, and manipulation of sex and its innuendoes. Yes, I know. In recent times you can get written up and/or fired for taking sexual liberties in the work place. HR – and why in the world is this designation called "Human Resources"? I mean, what other kinds of resources would there be for where humans are employed? – will take you to task if you look wrong, say wrong, or do wrong in any area of conduct which can remotely be referred to as sexual harrassment.

So what it is it about sex that dominates advertising, sports, literature, you name it? Well, gee. You think it might be that normal people notice the attributes of other people? You think it could be that those same people might or might not enlist a moral code in how they handle "noticing" the attributes of other people? You think it's possible that if you present a product in an attractive package, it might draw attention to said item?

Okay. Most of us are wise to the wiles of advertising and don't necessarily judge a product by its sensual appeal, but who doesn't remember the Marlboro Man? If he's before your time, your loss. More recently, who hasn't noticed the leggy Charlize Theron in the Jadore ads? Oh yeah: Jadore is the perfume she's selling in case you missed that, guys.

The point is this: if you ignore the sexual attraction in stories which pertain to love and romance, you really are writing fiction – as in unrealistic, not truthful, and certainly not believable, at least in my world. Innocence can still be apparent in that attraction, but desire is inevitably present. Or lust is.

The reality of sexual attraction originated with our Creator. Corrupted by sin doesn't lessen its appeal or its power.

I'm not advocating including sex in Christian novels because "sex sells". I'm advocating an honest inclusion and approach to something that's prominent, powerful, and poignant in relationship. Bringing a godly remedy to true romance is a beautiful and necessary challenge. Can we just get real in this area?

Father, we've corrupted all the beauty, but in you we can celebrate the purity of intent and the joy of the intended gifts. Thank you for your love and all that you've given us to enjoy. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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2 responses to “Sex sells . . .”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I do see what you mean. Or at least I think I do. Sometimes you pick up a book and the relationship and emotions are almost sterile. Christian writers can be guilted by other Christians into not acknowledging true, deep emotions such as desire or lust. Emotions that literally rattle you inside and make you feel something. I can see how it’s a quandary–walking that line between powerful sexual attraction in a story and crossing over into tempting others.
    And it’s not easy to find a balance. In a book I’m working on now, there is a scene between a young woman (a teenager really) and a man, both from another time period and another culture, who ultimately get carried away in their physical attraction (but it’s a cornerstone that drives that and the successive book). It’s not graphic (especially not by today’s standards), yet as I was writing it my guilt alarm was shouting at me to stamp out any sense of deep emotion of the moment. I’m going to have to go over that scene carefully and get the input of others when the time comes to make sure it is both tasteful and honest.
    But when you think of it, this is just a symptom of the overall problem writers struggle with–letting their passion–whatever it is, bleed onto the page.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Excellent reply, Brenda. And I’d love to check out that scene if you need a reader response.
    Graphics are rarely necessary and certainly not in the sense of secular inclusion. I can see maybe one or two instances where they could conceivably serve a purpose, but similar to the unlimited use of foul language, it would be rare. Most quality writers can get the impressions, the feelings, the heightened sense of the “event” there without graphics.
    Do we feel guilt or conviction in writing a scene? Guilt because someone is going to be offended or conviction because we’ve crossed the line and the Holy Spirit is issuing a warning? There is simply no way we can please every reader. No way we can keep some from being “tempted”. It’s our heart’s desire to write what we believe is real and true in the sense of actuality. Not to tempt anyone. Oftentimes that temptation is in the hands of a reader. As readers, we must know and understand our limitations and not select stories – or quit reading stories – that serve as a potential garden for our illicit delights. We, as readers (and writers) have that responsibility.

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