I have recently noticed some Christian authors are backing away from the “Christian fiction” label. Some writers don’t want to write “Christian fiction” or at least are reluctant to call their novels that. Some believe they can reach a wider audience by avoiding the label, and others have just had so many bad experiences with reading Christian fiction in their past that they just have no interest in writing it.
Okay, just to get this out of the way, I certainly am not trying to say that Christian writers should only write Christian fiction. My debut was not technically Christian fiction, and neither are the vast majority of my short-stories and poems. Neither do I think God doesn’t use non-Christian art to his glory. I’m an advocate for both.
Here’s the real problem, and I think it’s important. When I find out why these Christian authors are avoiding the “Christian Fiction” label, I discover their reasons are often based on false assumptions. Myths. I’m going to break down the five big ones here, as far as I understand them.
Let’s get to it.
Myth #1 Christian fiction is a genre
A lot of authors, myself included, really dislike the idea of limiting themselves to a genre. We want our freedom and flexibility. We don’t want to get strapped down to one genre and be expected to write that for the rest of our lives.
What if I told you Christian fiction is not a genre? Neither is YA or MG. Christian fiction is an audience label. It can be contemporary romance, spy thrillers, who-dun-it mysteries, space opera, historical war stories, and, yes, even cyberpunk dystopia set in near-future Budapest. The term “Christian fiction” defines the expected audience.
Now, a Christian audience will expect a few things. Probably no ultra-graphic content or excessive language. They’ll also probably appreciate it if at least some of the main characters are Christians, and that Christian values are presented in a positive light, but beyond that, the genre is entirely your choice.
Myth #2 Christian fiction is preachy
Yes. Badly-written Christian fiction is often preachy. So is some non-Christian fiction, actually. But preachiness is not and 100% should not be essential to Christian fiction. It’s actually a writing flaw to be avoided. Nobody really wants to read that.
Saying you don’t want to write Christian fiction because it’s too preachy is like saying you don’t want to write YA fiction because the characters are too whiny. Yes, a lot of YA characters are annoyingly whiny, but who controls that? The author. Who controls the tone of Christian fiction? Also the author.
So, rather than calling out the bad writing in Christian fiction and saying you can’t write it because you will suddenly acquire the same lack of skill if you try it, maybe you could be a part of the solution and start writing non-preachy Christian fiction. It is possible, and you are that good.
Myth #3 Christian fiction must have a salvation plotline
There needn’t be a salvation story included at all. This is absolutely not an essential part of Christian fiction. In fact, I think we need more Christian fiction that focuses on all the crazy stuff that happens after conversion. That’s something we really need to see.
I’ve noticed a flaw in a lot of contemporary Christian thinking these days. There is an unspoken lie out there that all that really matters in the Christian life is “that moment” when you “get saved.” We’ve put so much stock in the alter call that we turn around and neglect new believers—and mature believers—in favor of going out and grabbing for more and more of those “decisions for Christ” that can be tragically transient. Christian readers really need to see the rest of the story. It’s a journey. It doesn’t end with walking out the door.
People seem to think you have to set up a Christian story like you would plot a romance. She’s lonely, she meets the guy, they struggle, he proposes, she finally accepts, ding-dong wedding bells, the end. Christian fiction can, and should be showing more of the narrative. It should expand to include all parts of the Christian spiritual journey, not just the very brief event of accepting Jesus.
Which leads into our next myth.
Myth #4 Christian fiction is an evangelism tool
This one is controversial, but the more I think about it, the firmer I take my stand, here. I do not believe Christian fiction should be created as an evangelism tool. I’ve talked about this on this blog before. I just don’t think it’s worth it to orient your whole novel around trying to convert your reader (who is most likely already a Christian) and potentially losing all interest and nuance as a result. The work of a Christian novelist is not to storify Romans Road or whatever your favorite get-‘em-saved formula is. Our goal is to create a deep, compelling, and enjoyable work of art that happens to be pretty bold about the truest thing in the universe.
I strongly believe that Christian novels have a purpose separate from a gospel tract. There is so much power in art, and so much good work to be done in this world. Use your imagination. That’s what authors do best. Explore new scenarios and learn how to confront the lies and difficulties of living through your writing. There are so many themes, so many ways to uplift and empower your fellow Christians.
Christians have so much more growing and learning to do after they convert. Christian fiction can help them. And it can help them in a fun, interesting, engaging, world-changing way.
Myth #5 Christian fiction is limiting and irrelevant
As I’ve kind of already stated, I don’t think Christian fiction should be limiting at all. I would love to see more authors who are dissatisfied with the current offerings of Christian fiction get to work broadening the field of options. There is so much that hasn’t been explored, but that doesn’t mean exploration is impossible. You have a chance to create something new.
You don’t have to write Amish, historical, or contemporary romance with a pat little massage and a quick conversion scene. Write in any genre that calls your name. Write what you love the most. Create the flavorful, non-preachy, hard-hitting, actually creative Christian fiction you’ve always wanted.
“Irrelevant” is one of those dreaded words when it comes to creating something for the world at large. I don’t think the risk of Christian fiction being irrelevant is actually that high. I think if the world thinks Christian stories and themes are irrelevant, that’s kind of a sign that the world doesn’t know what is relevant. Your Christian story matters. It can help someone. Don’t be afraid to put it out there.
The fact is, we really need some young blood in Christian fiction. We actually could kind of do with an all-out revival. For those of you who grew up hating Christian fiction because it was generic, preachy, lacked substance, lacked variety, and just overall never spoke to you—I feel you. Some of my least favorite novels I ever suffered through have been Christian fiction. But that is not because there are unavoidable problems with the whole category. It’s because of the above myths. Too many authors continue to believe them and write accordingly.
So many times have I come to the end of a really good secular story and paused to think, “Man, it was great…but there was something missing.” We, as Christian authors know exactly what the missing piece is. We have the power to put it in.
Christianity needs to keep its voice. The world is so full of antagonistic voices. I’m seeing more and more ugly twisted depictions of Christianity in mainstream fiction. We need to keep speaking for ourselves—speaking for God, through our art.
So, if you feel called at all—and if these myths, or others have been holding you back, it’s time to blast through them. You have a mission. You can write Christian fiction and make it amazing.