There are as many opinions on this topic as the proverbial noses on faces, so what I hope to accomplish here from our guests is less "preaching" about what it means to write "Christian fiction" or "religious fiction" and more about the generic "how-to's" - realizing that even the how-to's will differ from person to person. I'm pleased to have Teric Darken provide our very first article, along with a recent video of him speaking about his book and explaining why he took the liberties in writing it as he did. ~Ed.
The Ever Controversial "Christian Fiction" Novel
by Teric Darken
How To Go About Scripting Your “Christian” Novel:
1) Seek divine guidance. Pray about it; there’s no better place to start. God promises to give direction to those who ask.
2) Write about what you know. In doing so, the other cardinal rule, rule number three, will almost always handle itself.
3) Keep the story plausible, credible, believable. Consider how characters act and react within various scenes and dialogue. How would a rebellious college freshman speak around his friends at a wild party? How would he act around a female he’s trying to impress, or when it’s just him and her alone under the moonlight? What will it do to your story when you compromise essential story elements to please your “Christian friends”? Does the ordinary person live like they’re behind stained glass windows 24-7? Nope. Do Christians still mess up and say things they shouldn’t? Of course they do.
4) Make sure your facts are straight. If you’re scripting in issues that you haven’t experienced firsthand, study them before you write about them. [Editor’s Note: see the related article in this issue, Becoming A Mastermind.]
5) Get feedback on your manuscript. I recommend doing this with fellow authors whom you know and respect – and will give you honest feedback about your material. With my most recent book, Wickflicker, I submitted my story to two authors – friends who would be completely honest with me. One suggested a change of scenery/description for one chapter; the other suggested I reconsider some language/scenery as well as my primary audience for the book.
6) Be prepared for “friendly fire.” Christians can be very particular about what they read, write and watch. And though we all serve the same God, we don’t all serve him in the same way. Some write for the saved and churched, others, like me, tend to script for the lost, the wayward, the disenfranchised. I’m not fond of “clinical” stories, where everything is right all of the time, or the bad is so sanitized it really isn’t so bad after all. Others prefer those types of stories. And Christian readers aren’t afraid to sound the alarm if the story isn’t to their personal taste – no matter how professionally scripted the storyline is.
What Not to Do When You’ve Done the How-To’s and Some People Just Don’t “Get It”:
1) Don’t get your knickers in a twist – take a moment (or a day or two) and cool down. The mind tends to work better when not operating under a hothead.
2) Keep the matter private between you and the disagreeing person. There’s no need to get other parties involved in a “he said, she said” match. That’s simply not charitable.
3) Don’t rant and rave at the one who disagrees with you. Be polite as you ask questions as to why he/she didn’t care for the story.
4) Never name names in public. Gossip isn’t cool, and as you gossip, you’re only showing yourself to be a gossiper.
What To Do When You’ve Done the How-To’s and Some People Just Don’t “Get it”:
1) As mentioned above, take the time you need to chill out and stay cool.
2) Prayer is always an option, and usually a good one.
3) It’s okay to engage privately if you know the person to some degree (such as a Facebook friend), but remain polite. (Note: Do not engage standard reviewers of books, such as an individual who hosts a standard book review site. Unprofessional.)
4) Is it okay to let off steam or explain your point of view? Yes, just keep the venting healthy. I chose to do this through posting a message on YouTube. Why? Because I care. I spoke about the controversy surrounding Wickflicker – without pointing a finger or getting angry – and I explained in greater detail my purpose for the book and its intended audience so future readers could decide for themselves.
5) Find a “support group.” Find an online group you can share with and glean from. Others have been through the same issues, and they’ll have words of wisdom to offer. I’ve found on my journey of authorship that I fit in with other Christians who write what some call “edgy” Christian fiction. Wouldn’t you know it: there is a group on Facebook (Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers).
6) Be F.A.T. Faithful, Available, Teachable. Be faithful to what you feel you have to do. Be available to communicate with both fans and critics; correspond with both sides in a courteous manner. Stand up for what you believe in, but always remain polite while doing so. Be teachable: Learn from others, especially from those who have been through the same issues that you’ve encountered.
7) Don’t give up. Keep honing your craft, improving, and most importantly, letting your love, hard work, and excellence speak louder than your words ever could. ~BE
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Leave a comment for Teric?
1) Don’t get your knickers in a twist – take a moment (or a day or two) and cool down. The mind tends to work better when not operating under a hothead.
2) Keep the matter private between you and the disagreeing person. There’s no need to get other parties involved in a “he said, she said” match. That’s simply not charitable.
3) Don’t rant and rave at the one who disagrees with you. Be polite as you ask questions as to why he/she didn’t care for the story.
4) Never name names in public. Gossip isn’t cool, and as you gossip, you’re only showing yourself to be a gossiper.
What To Do When You’ve Done the How-To’s and Some People Just Don’t “Get it”:
1) As mentioned above, take the time you need to chill out and stay cool.
2) Prayer is always an option, and usually a good one.
3) It’s okay to engage privately if you know the person to some degree (such as a Facebook friend), but remain polite. (Note: Do not engage standard reviewers of books, such as an individual who hosts a standard book review site. Unprofessional.)
4) Is it okay to let off steam or explain your point of view? Yes, just keep the venting healthy. I chose to do this through posting a message on YouTube. Why? Because I care. I spoke about the controversy surrounding Wickflicker – without pointing a finger or getting angry – and I explained in greater detail my purpose for the book and its intended audience so future readers could decide for themselves.
5) Find a “support group.” Find an online group you can share with and glean from. Others have been through the same issues, and they’ll have words of wisdom to offer. I’ve found on my journey of authorship that I fit in with other Christians who write what some call “edgy” Christian fiction. Wouldn’t you know it: there is a group on Facebook (Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers).
6) Be F.A.T. Faithful, Available, Teachable. Be faithful to what you feel you have to do. Be available to communicate with both fans and critics; correspond with both sides in a courteous manner. Stand up for what you believe in, but always remain polite while doing so. Be teachable: Learn from others, especially from those who have been through the same issues that you’ve encountered.
7) Don’t give up. Keep honing your craft, improving, and most importantly, letting your love, hard work, and excellence speak louder than your words ever could. ~BE
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Leave a comment for Teric?
Teric Darken is the author of the supernatural thrillers: KILL FM 100, U-TURN KiLLuR, and Wickflicker. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
religious education, has served as a staff youth minister, played in Christian
rock bands, and is a motorcycle enthusiast. The author resides in the United
States and serves his city as a lieutenant on the fire department. Visit with
the author on Facebook, www.tericdarken.com, or at
www.tericdarken.blogspot.com.
Editor's Note: Unbeknownst to Teric, I downloaded and read the sample chapters of Wickflicker on my Kindle last week, and was more than a little impressed. The writing was smooth, developed, honest, and it held my attention - everything a book should do and be. I well may purchase a softcover edition in the next few weeks. I need to read the rest of that book.
Editor's Note: Unbeknownst to Teric, I downloaded and read the sample chapters of Wickflicker on my Kindle last week, and was more than a little impressed. The writing was smooth, developed, honest, and it held my attention - everything a book should do and be. I well may purchase a softcover edition in the next few weeks. I need to read the rest of that book.
