Right before I went to the ACFW conference I was told by one editor and one mult-published author that my stories would be a tough sell because of their edgy content.
Then, I went to the conference and received tremendous enthusiasm.
Recently, someone left a comment under the posted chapter of my first novel, Saving Eden. You can go the the blog (see links) and read it for yourself.
The basic idea of the post was, you got a contract on this? (Which btw I haven't yet.) How'd you manage that? You mention suicide, a possible occult involvement, a woman leaving her marriage, etc. CBA doesn't do that type of thing.
Well, do they? Kathryn Mackel's stories sure do deal with subjects that are risque, no? Ray Blackston's character in Flabbergasted goes to church to pick up girls.
I thought I might get your thoughts on this. How edgy do you think CBA is headed? Do you like the edgier stuff or are you more comfortable with the CBA you grew up knowing?
Personally, I love the direction the CBA is headed. Christians get depressed. Christians get divorced. Christians toil with sin.
You think my story premises are a tad too much? I'd love to get some of your ideas on this.
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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
How Edgy is Too Edgy?
Hi Gina,
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the CBA is slowly and carefully moving toward this direction because that is the direction the market is moving. And not just books. Have you looked at the line up on the Sci-Fi channel and USA? Supernatural is in, BIG TIME. And personally, I think it's also a reflection of the times we live in. There's very little middle ground left. The sides, good and evil, are becoming more defined. People are searching for answers now, because Christian or not, they sense it. So, what are we going to give them? What better time for Christian writer's to be heard in very real and edgy stories people can apply to their real-life situations.
Thanks Dineen. I think you're right about sign of the times. I sense that fully. The line drawn in the sand. Choose you this day who you will serve. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteIn the real world -- and the real Church, not the one in Oz -- sin and suffering and darkness are there. As long as the CBA refuses to address those issues, and embrace characters struggling w/ those issues, it will remain out of touch with mainstream American christians and isolate people it should be reaching.
ReplyDeleteI bet Frank Peretti felt the same way when his novel was rejected over a dozen times. Demons? That's well ... demonic. I think as long as we're sensitive, and not writing edgy or risque just to write edgy or risque, then we have to be faithfult to what God's called us to do. The important thing is not letting others talk us out of our calling. You'll ALWAYS have people who disagree with you and the direction you take in your writing. Only you can know if you're being obedient to your Lord and writing His words.
ReplyDeleteYou're heart's in the right place, Gina. It's clear on these pages.
Yes, well, I meant to write "Your" not "You're" in that last line.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see others trying to push the envelope. Believe me, lots of Christians are ready for this, and that's why they gave up on Christian fiction years ago. Slowly, we're trying to convince them that Christian authors (and publishers) will deal with real life. Hopefully, the Christian bookstores will get behind it too.
ReplyDeleteThanks all. That's encouraging. It gets discouraging sometimes when I mention the title of my novel and the eyebrow goes up. A tough sell. Can't hear that enough, can you? :) But, I've got the best agent possible to make it happen. And even more important, I do believe I'm writing what God has called me to. I am such a weeney though needing constant reminders that I'm on the right track. Insecure writer. I'm such a cliche.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Your title makes eyebrows go up? Ever thought of changing it so you can hook 'em in better? Just a thought. Then people might be more likely to let your words speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, CJ. The title really is true to the book. I tried to picture myself in a bookstore browsing at the titles. Romance, literary, women's fiction, then I see "The Demon Chaser". Hmmm. I'd pick it up, cautiously glance at the back copy. The tag line is "She wanted to serve God, she didn't know she'd have to go through Hell to do it." Hmmm. I'd buy it. I'd hate to have a title that misled. Let's see, "Valencia's strange adventure?" Unsuspecting housewife picks it up, reads it with a hot cup of tea and then bam! The demon rears his head in the first chapter. 3rd degree burns and a lawsuit. Jut kidding. I don't know. Maybe the title hurts it. Anyone have any opinions on the title?
ReplyDeleteWhoa, let's not lump all CBA into one basket. People have been writing "edgy" (about tough topics including homosexuality, rape, demons, abuse) for years. It's just a matter of handling the subject well AND finding the right publisher. The publishing houses are quite different, each with their own mission and standards.
ReplyDeleteSo let's not give in to the tendency to make blanket statements. A little investigation will show that anything is possible in the CBA, with the right writer and the right publisher.
Yea, it's a tough call regarding titles. One thing I do know, publishers change them all the time. I really like my titles too, but in the back of my mind I try to remind myself they could change. If it resonates with you, I say, "Go for it!" Only you can know.
ReplyDeleteAnd just so you know, the title doesn't turn me off. In fact, it kinda makes you take a second look. Demon what? :-)
True Angie, thanks. I reread my post and it did sound like I was stereotyping. I reworded a bit. There is some fantastic CBA fiction out there and it just gets better and better. I'm so glad others have paved the way for what I can write today.
ReplyDeleteOne of the ideas I'm hoping to get out there is Christian fiction is so much more than people think. I believe one of the ways we can get that message out is by sharing our CBA fiction, the particularly excellent books, with our secular reading friends. I pass on my books at work. Friends who've never heard of Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, Deb Raney, Angela Hunt, etc. read the books and say, huh, this is really good.
It benefits us all to promote the great biblical worldview fiction, not to mention the ministry it is.
I have to second what Angie said, Gina. There is a market for what you write--from the publishing side, and the reading side. My first book deals with some rather brutal subject matter, and my publisher (a CBA publisher) hasn't made a single request to "tone it down."
ReplyDeleteI have to say, many of the barriers we see in CBA publishing are perhaps self-imposed barriers, or perhaps barriers no longer there. We should all write what we feel compelled to write, and trust it will find the right home--be it CBA or ABA. After all, we, as Christian authors, need to acknowledge that God is in complete control of everything.
Even the CBA. :)
That's probably very true, Tony. I think the barriers the commentor of Saving Eden, mentioned were true at one time and may still be true with certain houses or certain editors but times are a changin. Good thing for us.
ReplyDeleteCBA needs more good writers, that is the bottom line. I dont think there is anything new in the CBA that hasnt been written about before (ie sex, marriage issues, sci-fi and the list goes on). Its how you present it is what the CBA is going to take a risk on or not. I worked in a Christian booksotre and I can not tell you how many books I was AMAZED people bought and thought was "the best thing ever".
ReplyDeletealisa
Gina, you know enough about what I'm writing to know that I think your story premises are wonderful. And, based on what the editors at the ACFW conference told us, supernatural suspense is in ever increasing demand.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the supernatural elements in my writing are a vehicle in which to carry the message. I want my stories to be about the challeges we all - Christian or not - face in today's world. I want to show how to face these challenges using Christian principles, and the consequences of doing otherwise.
I can think of no better way to show how brightly God's light shines than though contrasting it against the darkness of evil.
Will our writing be too edgy for some? I'm just as sure of that as I am that romance novels are too fru-fru for me. :)
Thanks Alisa for that. Wayne, I've told you before, you're going to be big!
ReplyDeleteGina, don't let anyone stop you from writing what God has put before you to write. He wouldn't give it to you if He didn't want you to write it. So just do it. With a willing and open heart and let Him worry about the publishing houses and CBA.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is some edgy stuff out there in the CBA. It's just not talked about as much.
Thanks Heather. I'm not in danger of giving up at this point. Though tomorrow I may be. I do ask God time to time though why he couldn't give me an uncontroversial sweet romance to write instead of stories about demon possessed witches :)
ReplyDeleteLOL Because everyone and their mother (and grandmothers) write those uncontroverial sweet romances.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has to write the tough ones... why not you? I don't know you well... and I've been lazy so haven't actually gone and read your chapters that you have up but just from your blog here and your emails, you are the person to write these books. So when you come to the point that you think about giving up... you make sure you post it here on the blog so we can all smack you around :-)