Comments on: What makes “IT” Christian? http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/ Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:48:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: AngelaBenson.com » Blog Archive » Writing “The Amen Sisters” http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-549 AngelaBenson.com » Blog Archive » Writing “The Amen Sisters” Tue, 03 Oct 2006 05:17:28 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-549 [...] A while back when we were talkinga about What makes IT Christian? I promised to write a post about the writing of The Amen Sisters. Because of the subject matter of the book, I was determined not to sensationalize it. That meant The Amen Sisters was not going to be about the acts of a pastor gone wild. I was determined not to focus on the misdeeds of the pastor but the impact of his actions on those around him. For me, that was a more complex story, a more interesting story. I bet you can imagine the drama showing the pastor’s unpastoral actions would have brought to the book, but that was not my book to write. [...] [...] A while back when we were talkinga about What makes IT Christian? I promised to write a post about the writing of The Amen Sisters. Because of the subject matter of the book, I was determined not to sensationalize it. That meant The Amen Sisters was not going to be about the acts of a pastor gone wild. I was determined not to focus on the misdeeds of the pastor but the impact of his actions on those around him. For me, that was a more complex story, a more interesting story. I bet you can imagine the drama showing the pastor’s unpastoral actions would have brought to the book, but that was not my book to write. [...]

]]> By: Dera Williams http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-548 Dera Williams Mon, 11 Sep 2006 05:22:07 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-548 I like the way you break it down Angela; intelligent and clear. I see the biggest problem is the label "Christian fiction" whereas some books are automatically tagged so because they take place in a church setting or a pastor is the main character. Some of the authors of these books find themselves pigeonholed whereas they are just telling a fiction story. Then you hear the complaints from "Christians" that these books do not portray Christian values or gasp! they are commiting blasphemy. On the other hand, some of the Christian publishers are so rigid, conservative and unyielding, it is a turnoff and I can understand why some authors feel confined. When it's all said and done, I supposed the writer has to find her/his place and just write the best story they know how to do. I like the way you break it down Angela; intelligent and clear. I see the biggest problem is the label “Christian fiction” whereas some books are automatically tagged so because they take place in a church setting or a pastor is the main character. Some of the authors of these books find themselves pigeonholed whereas they are just telling a fiction story. Then you hear the complaints from “Christians” that these books do not portray Christian values or gasp! they are commiting blasphemy. On the other hand, some of the Christian publishers are so rigid, conservative and unyielding, it is a turnoff and I can understand why some authors feel confined. When it’s all said and done, I supposed the writer has to find her/his place and just write the best story they know how to do.

]]> By: Sigrun http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-547 Sigrun Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:29:23 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-547 Glad to see you back and blogging. As for the subject, I'd been thinking some of the same things you have. I can remember some of the books in the Inspiration line of either Harlequin or Silhouette in the 1980s. Some of them never even mentioned God or Christ or the Christian message in any way. I wondered why they how they were even inspirational. I found one author only who really made me think about what the Christian life is like. Some authors, I must admit, I didn't get around to reading. I found though, that even the books for the "secular" market, you could tell which authors were Christian, e.g. Margaret Ripy (Daley) and Arlene James. Other authors claim to be born-again Christians and yet their books don't reflect this in the least. I really wish I knew where my copy of "The Amen Sisters" is so that I could make my journey through it when you explain your intentions while writing the book. Maybe I'll see if there is a "gospel" church here that might have a copy in its library which they wouldn't mind lending to me, even if it's for a fee, refundable or not. Hmm, maybe I can ask my pastor. Since he retired, he and his wife have gone to various churches to hear different pastors. Our new head pastor is quite different in his approach to sermons and I know Richard doesn't want to be always underfoot to "oversee" him. I'll give him a call. I'm just looking at Patrica W's last few words that I can see above the portion I'm writing on and I totally agree with her. For a long time, I could never figure out what was meant by the French term "explication de texte". I finally figured out what must be at least part of it: the "journey" that the character(s) take(s). I couldn't remember the book at first but it's "The Plot Thickens" by Noah Lukeman. I believe he's an agent if I remember correctly. The journey he talks about can be a physical journey but more than that, it's what Patricia also mentions in her comment: working through some difficulty or change that needs a "character journey" where you start out at a point of distress or hope and go through to find a resolution, in our case, a resolution with God's help; something that the character goes through to reach a better understanding of herself and God. I must admit that I gave up on one Christian book I was reading. Since I'm single and this woman was more or less in a crisis over her Christian husband possibly having an affair, her aging process, her excess pounds, her empty nest, I really didn't have a single thing to relate to. I'm growing older and am definitely older than this character was by a goodly number of years, I just couldn't stand her constant lamentations. It's one of the few books that I started but could not finish. I had my own very real woes at the time and could not relate to hers at all. I skimmed through the book to see how she learned to deal with her problems, that the "affair" was all a figment of her imagination, and that yes, she did grow and find new peace after her agonizing. As for the aging: I don't know if it's still true but I read somewhere that North Americans have a cult of youth (my words here). Everybody has to look at least 10 to 20 years younger than they really are. Europeans, this article said, are much more likely to accept growing old. I must say that I've never held on to my youth and in a way I'm proud of my age, but then that may be a reaction to having people always think me a lot younger than I really am, though I think that's no longer true. And certainly that aging comment is not true for every North American. Many people do age gracefully. But others fight it tooth and nail. Maybe I was being a "little" judgmental about this as I read that book. However, it was mostly her belief that her husband was cheating on her that bothered me. But then, I'm certainly in no position to judge how I might react. Glad to see you back and blogging. As for the subject, I’d been thinking some of the same things you have.

I can remember some of the books in the Inspiration line of either Harlequin or Silhouette in the 1980s. Some of them never even mentioned God or Christ or the Christian message in any way. I wondered why they how they were even inspirational. I found one author only who really made me think about what the Christian life is like. Some authors, I must admit, I didn’t get around to reading.

I found though, that even the books for the “secular” market, you could tell which authors were Christian, e.g. Margaret Ripy (Daley) and Arlene James. Other authors claim to be born-again Christians and yet their books don’t reflect this in the least.

I really wish I knew where my copy of “The Amen Sisters” is so that I could make my journey through it when you explain your intentions while writing the book. Maybe I’ll see if there is a “gospel” church here that might have a copy in its library which they wouldn’t mind lending to me, even if it’s for a fee, refundable or not. Hmm, maybe I can ask my pastor. Since he retired, he and his wife have gone to various churches to hear different pastors. Our new head pastor is quite different in his approach to sermons and I know Richard doesn’t want to be always underfoot to “oversee” him. I’ll give him a call.

I’m just looking at Patrica W’s last few words that I can see above the portion I’m writing on and I totally agree with her. For a long time, I could never figure out what was meant by the French term “explication de texte”. I finally figured out what must be at least part of it: the “journey” that the character(s) take(s). I couldn’t remember the book at first but it’s “The Plot Thickens” by Noah Lukeman. I believe he’s an agent if I remember correctly.

The journey he talks about can be a physical journey but more than that, it’s what Patricia also mentions in her comment: working through some difficulty or change that needs a “character journey” where you start out at a point of distress or hope and go through to find a resolution, in our case, a resolution with God’s help; something that the character goes through to reach a better understanding of herself and God.

I must admit that I gave up on one Christian book I was reading. Since I’m single and this woman was more or less in a crisis over her Christian husband possibly having an affair, her aging process, her excess pounds, her empty nest, I really didn’t have a single thing to relate to. I’m growing older and am definitely older than this character was by a goodly number of years, I just couldn’t stand her constant lamentations. It’s one of the few books that I started but could not finish. I had my own very real woes at the time and could not relate to hers at all. I skimmed through the book to see how she learned to deal with her problems, that the “affair” was all a figment of her imagination, and that yes, she did grow and find new peace after her agonizing.

As for the aging: I don’t know if it’s still true but I read somewhere that North Americans have a cult of youth (my words here). Everybody has to look at least 10 to 20 years younger than they really are. Europeans, this article said, are much more likely to accept growing old. I must say that I’ve never held on to my youth and in a way I’m proud of my age, but then that may be a reaction to having people always think me a lot younger than I really am, though I think that’s no longer true.

And certainly that aging comment is not true for every North American. Many people do age gracefully. But others fight it tooth and nail. Maybe I was being a “little” judgmental about this as I read that book. However, it was mostly her belief that her husband was cheating on her that bothered me. But then, I’m certainly in no position to judge how I might react.

]]> By: Patricia http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Patricia Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:30:48 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-546 I'm with you. I want to see people live their faith, whether new in the faith or longtime believers. I don't think that every Christian fiction work has to speak to both non-believers and believers. The only book that does this well, to my knowledge, is the Bible. Depending on where someone is in God, from non-believer to lifetime Saint, the challenges and issues change and what that person needs from God is different. Different books will speak to different needs and that's okay. I can appreciate all of them although they may not speak to me equally. Recently I had a mini email discussion with someone on the point of "real". It seems that if a Christian comes across as too nice/good, then the book is not realistic. I've read book reviews where the reviewer makes a point of noting that the heroine is not "goody-goody". Yes, everyone has his or her own weaknesses but having a nice personality and being a generally good person should not be equated with being unrealistic in Christian (or any) fiction. What would make a book about this character unbelievable is if there is no faith challenge that they have to work through. If everything is hunky dory all the time and the person is a great person, where's the character growth? Patricia W I’m with you. I want to see people live their faith, whether new in the faith or longtime believers.

I don’t think that every Christian fiction work has to speak to both non-believers and believers. The only book that does this well, to my knowledge, is the Bible. Depending on where someone is in God, from non-believer to lifetime Saint, the challenges and issues change and what that person needs from God is different. Different books will speak to different needs and that’s okay. I can appreciate all of them although they may not speak to me equally.

Recently I had a mini email discussion with someone on the point of “real”. It seems that if a Christian comes across as too nice/good, then the book is not realistic. I’ve read book reviews where the reviewer makes a point of noting that the heroine is not “goody-goody”.

Yes, everyone has his or her own weaknesses but having a nice personality and being a generally good person should not be equated with being unrealistic in Christian (or any) fiction. What would make a book about this character unbelievable is if there is no faith challenge that they have to work through. If everything is hunky dory all the time and the person is a great person, where’s the character growth?

Patricia W

]]> By: Angela http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-545 Angela Fri, 01 Sep 2006 01:37:06 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-545 Rhonda, congrats on finishing your book. You go, girl, and don't put anything under the bed. Now's the fun time. Trust me. :) I have a confession to make, y'all. I wish the term Christian fiction had never been used. There. I've said it. Now I feel much better. Trina, I sorta agree with you. I think Christian fiction can be for non-believers or it can be directed towards believers. I also think a book targetted for Christian readers can touch non-believers; likewise, a story targetted for non-believers can touch Christians. I'm just not sure the term, Christian fiction, is the right label for either type of story. I hear you, Charlotte and Dee, on real people, but the problem I see is that people are different so what may seem real to one reader may not seem real to another. What do you think? Ms. Brown, thanks for the encouraging words. Keep coming back. We like hearing from you. Rhonda, congrats on finishing your book. You go, girl, and don’t put anything under the bed. Now’s the fun time. Trust me. :)

I have a confession to make, y’all. I wish the term Christian fiction had never been used. There. I’ve said it. Now I feel much better.

Trina, I sorta agree with you. I think Christian fiction can be for non-believers or it can be directed towards believers. I also think a book targetted for Christian readers can touch non-believers; likewise, a story targetted for non-believers can touch Christians. I’m just not sure the term, Christian fiction, is the right label for either type of story.

I hear you, Charlotte and Dee, on real people, but the problem I see is that people are different so what may seem real to one reader may not seem real to another. What do you think?

Ms. Brown, thanks for the encouraging words. Keep coming back. We like hearing from you.

]]> By: Dee http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-544 Dee Thu, 31 Aug 2006 05:45:17 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-544 That wanting to write real stories about real people refrain is one that is still heard among Christian authors and, to be honest, I’ve said it myself. Only recently have I begun to ask myself exactly what the refrain means. I’ve heard that the characters in some Christian fiction were/are unrealistic because the people were/are too perfect. More recently, there’s the refrain among African-American authors and readers of Christian fiction that CBA Christian fiction does not speak to the reality of their lives. So now we have CBA fiction, where CBA has somehow become code for “white” and gospel fiction, code for “black.” [Okay, Dee, kick me if I’m misusing your term.] Until I clicked the link included, you had me confused for a minute. I was like, what quote did I make? LOL. On the topic of the "perfect Christians" in CBA titles. Not only are they off-putting for non-Christians. After struggling through them, I've been known to check my membership card to make sure I was still a Christian. LOL. That's why we're thankful for authors like you who keep it real. Peace, Dee That wanting to write real stories about real people refrain is one that is still heard among Christian authors and, to be honest, I’ve said it myself. Only recently have I begun to ask myself exactly what the refrain means. I’ve heard that the characters in some Christian fiction were/are unrealistic because the people were/are too perfect. More recently, there’s the refrain among African-American authors and readers of Christian fiction that CBA Christian fiction does not speak to the reality of their lives. So now we have CBA fiction, where CBA has somehow become code for “white” and gospel fiction, code for “black.” [Okay, Dee, kick me if I’m misusing your term.]

Until I clicked the link included, you had me confused for a minute. I was like, what quote did I make? LOL.

On the topic of the “perfect Christians” in CBA titles. Not only are they off-putting for non-Christians. After struggling through them, I’ve been known to check my membership card to make sure I was still a Christian. LOL.

That’s why we’re thankful for authors like you who keep it real.

Peace,
Dee

]]> By: Charlotte http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-543 Charlotte Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:00:02 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-543 I like Christian fiction and the first question I was asked when I said that, was what's the difference between a 'christian' love story, and any other love story. My reply is always that a christian love story involves three people; God, a man, and a woman. However, there are other combinations because christians are REAL PEOPLE with real life problems too. I like Christian fiction and the first question I was asked when I said that, was what’s the difference between a ‘christian’ love story, and any other love story. My reply is always that a christian love story involves three people; God, a man, and a woman. However, there are other combinations because christians are REAL PEOPLE with real life problems too.

]]> By: Trina http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-542 Trina Tue, 29 Aug 2006 18:40:49 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-542 Hi Angela, I think that one of the objectives of Christian fiction should be to reach non-believers as well as encourage existing believers. Traditional Christian fiction was very contrite and mired with 'holy rollers', regurgitated scriptures, and random sermons. Those types of novels repel non-believers. The Amen Sisters is a very good example of successful Christian fiction because the characters are REAL. Christians make mistakes, are not perfect, and grow with God everyday, and that is how you crafted the characters in The Amen Sisters. As you mentioned, Christian fiction should also show characters' growth through Christ in their lives, their thinking, and they way they deal with obstacles. I'm glad that you broached this topic. Some book club members and I were speaking about this very subject earlier today. I hope to see more Christian fiction novels that push the envelope more and show the benefit of a relationship with God and a heart that tries to follow His commands...but gets back up and tries again if you fail. Kudos, KaTrina Love Abram Atlanta, GA Hi Angela,
I think that one of the objectives of Christian fiction should be to reach non-believers as well as encourage existing believers. Traditional Christian fiction was very contrite and mired with ‘holy rollers’, regurgitated scriptures, and random sermons. Those types of novels repel non-believers. The Amen Sisters is a very good example of successful Christian fiction because the characters are REAL. Christians make mistakes, are not perfect, and grow with God everyday, and that is how you crafted the characters in The Amen Sisters. As you mentioned, Christian fiction should also show characters’ growth through Christ in their lives, their thinking, and they way they deal with obstacles. I’m glad that you broached this topic. Some book club members and I were speaking about this very subject earlier today. I hope to see more Christian fiction novels that push the envelope more and show the benefit of a relationship with God and a heart that tries to follow His commands…but gets back up and tries again if you fail.

Kudos,

KaTrina Love Abram
Atlanta, GA

]]> By: Mrs. Mary M. Brown http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-541 Mrs. Mary M. Brown Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:55:45 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-541 I am reading "The Amen Sisters", and is enjoying the book so far. I can say there are alot of "things I have been though myself. I found the Lord on Oct. 23, 2005. The way I feel now is like I should have came to the Lord sooner. This book has showed me that I was once in a "church" where the pastor was doing all types of things and noone seem to be botherby what's was going on. it'slike all the women was worry about where was the paster so to speak!!!!! I will contuine to read the book I pray that you contine to write because the Lord can use all of our talents for His glory!!!! It was He who gave us our talents!! I am reading “The Amen Sisters”, and is enjoying the book so far. I can say there are alot of “things I have been though myself. I found the Lord on Oct. 23, 2005. The way I feel now is like I should have came to the Lord sooner. This book has showed me that I was once in a “church” where the pastor was doing all types of things and noone seem to be botherby what’s was going on. it’slike all the women was worry about where was the paster so to speak!!!!!
I will contuine to read the book I pray that you contine to write because the Lord can use all of our talents for His glory!!!! It was He who gave us our talents!!

]]> By: Sonya http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/2006/08/28/what-makes-it-christian/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Sonya Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:48:16 +0000 http://theamensisters.com/wordpress/?p=49#comment-540 I guess I understand a little better now. I was confused with the different authors and their style of writing. I just have a problem with christian's cursing in their stories and I know they are trying to tell the story from point A to point B. Does that may since or am I off the subject? I do notice a big difference in our White sisters and brothers in christ, some of if is a little different. I guess I understand a little better now. I was confused with the different authors and their style of writing. I just have a problem with christian’s cursing in their stories and I know they are trying to tell the story from point A to point B. Does that may since or am I off the subject?

I do notice a big difference in our White sisters and brothers in christ, some of if is a little different.

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