On this Saturday, after Mike Duran's thought provoking article,
The Unsafe Writer, I wish to issue a challenge.
When people say that CBA fiction (Christian fiction) isn't that great, is too safe, etc., I think, what the heck are you reading?
As with anything,there is good and there is not so good. And taste is a very subjective thing, no?
My challenge for those who don't think CBA measures up to the ABA: Try again. Try something different. Get recommendations and see what you've been missing.
I read CBA books that were eh. Same as I've read ABA books (secular) that were eh. Good thing I didn't pick up one CBA novel that I was lukewarm about and give up on it all together.
As you know, I just finished Don Brown's,HOSTAGE
and loved it. I don't have different standards for CBA or ABA books. I just liked the story and his writing.
I'm in the middle of Robert Liparulo's, COMES A HORSEMAN. Think CBA is too safe, hah! It's not for everyone, but if an edgy thriller is up your alley and you don't mind a bit of gore...check it out!
Francine River's books are the best pieces of writing I have ever read and that includes anything in the ABA. Think Christian authors can't write? Think they can't tackle tough subjects? Another big hah! Read REDEEMING LOVE and get back to me.
Another excellent book that beats anything I've read in the ABA is Randy Alcorn's, SAFELY HOME. Not only is the writing excellent, but the book is the most challenging and inspirational thing outside the Bible I've ever read.
There are so many other books I could mention. And there are so many other authors whom I have yet to read, but I keep hearing I need to...and I plan to. I only recently discovered the CBA in the past two to three years and I'm busy trying to catch up.
So, that's my challenge to those of you who have tried some CBA fiction and turned your nose up. Try again!
My challenge to those of us who already know what great stuff there is out there:
Get the word out!
A house divided cannot stand, right? I'm tired of CBA fiction being shoved in the last row at the big bookstores, under the label, "Religious fiction". Why aren't these great books put out with the mainstream where someone might actually pick it up?
Our light is being hid under a bushel...and I want to let it shine! (Stop singing and listen.)
Let's get the word out about how great these books and authors are.
After I read Redeeming Love, I bought several copies and gave them out. Christmas is coming up. Give CBA fiction. The really, really, good CBA fiction.
Finish a particularly good book? Pass it on! I'm passing my copy of Hostage on to my friend and asked her if she likes it, which of course she will, to leave a review on Amazon.
You all are leaving Amazon reviews when a book does it for you, right?
Let's all work together to let people know that CBA fiction is as well written as anything secular, but so much better because in it there is reason, there is hope.
The great commission is meant for everyone, and this is one way we can lead the lost to truth... and support our sisters and brothers.
BTW, Alton Gansky's new fiction blog has got some great tips for writers. Go visit him and leave a comment to let him know you liked it. www.altongansky.typepad.com
Great challenge, Gina! I've read voraciously all my life - 3-4 books a week. The thing I like about CBA fiction is that it isn't full of all the graphic sex, lying and cheating, and the characters are more realistic to me. They handle life's issues more honestly. Too many ABA authors write to titillate the senses. That's where they lose me. I admit there is a lot of good fiction in the ABA, but more and more I find it to be raunchy.
ReplyDeleteCBA is stepping up to the plate with good, hard hitting fiction that represents life's issues from a Christian worldview with characters responding in same.
I try to offer real characters, warts and all. People the reader can identify with, then show them reaching their goals and overcoming their problems by using truth and Christian values - without preaching.
And that's my two cents' worth.
Thanks Ane. I agree with all the above, espescially about your book. Your novel is most excellent. You deal with tough subjects in an entertaining and edifying way. If the publishers get wind (pun intended) of your novel, they're going to be fighting to contract you. As the Wind Blows, rocks!
ReplyDeleteHey there Sally. I've got two boys and we do get most of their reading material outside the CBA. I think that most of the children's fiction is safe enough in the ABA. Maybe that's why the CBA is slow to make a big niche for themselves? I don't know. Jacob loves the Captain Underpants and Tree House books. Thanks for sharing the above titles.
ReplyDeleteRegarding CBA YA novels, there's Frank Peretti's Cooper Kids Adventures series, and also the Veritas Project series. Both are great.
ReplyDeleteSigmund Brouwer has some excellent stuff aimed for boys, but girls would enjoy it too. The Mars Diaries series is one of them, but the names of the others are escaping me at the moment.
Bill Myers has his Forbidden Doors series and many other YA books.
Of course, the lines blur a little here. Are we talking middle-grade or older? Barb Huff has the On Tour series for boys and girls in their early teens, which are also excellent.
Nancy Rue, Angela Hunt, Christopher P.N. Maselli ... the list goes on!
Speaking of ABA YA fiction, have any of you read Running Out of Time? I loved the premise of that and couldn't put it down.
Viva la Christian fiction!
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, Gina. Here's the thing.....unless we go forth and let everyone know about CBA fiction and how it's changed in the past decade, readers don't know. Let's spread the word!
ReplyDeleteNow, that's what I'm talkin' about!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'd love to hear y'all's ideas on how we might spread the word more efficiently. Not preaching to the choir. Most of us know that CBA fiction has something for every taste, but how can we let others know? Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteWe could have one book a month that we vote on to promote. We all give a copy to a friend, or for those who have blogs, you could mention something on your blog. Interview the author. Write reviews. I think some other folks were doing something like this where they'd do a virtual book tour online. Not sure the exact specifics of that though.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Gina. Thanks for the vote of confidence! You've said what I've been trumpeting for years!
ReplyDeleteAngie Hunt
CJ, as always you have fantastic ideas. I love that suggestion! I think that's perfect. There is a network out there of blogs doing similar. I don't want to pick a friend's book simply because they're a friend. I want to pick the best of the best. And maybe a book that isn't selling so well that should be. I've got a couple of books I'm reading. Maybe one of those will be it? I'll post next Saturday and see if we can't get some ideas of really great books. Thanks CJ!!
ReplyDeleteAngie, thanks for the blessing. Lord knows I can use it. Let's keep the trumpet sounding!
Glad you liked some of those ideas, Gina. They were just off the top of my head, so if anyone else has some insight, feel free to share. I thought of something else that might be fun. Have any of you been to Book Crossings? http://www.bookcrossings.com
ReplyDeleteIt's where you release books into the wild and track their progress. Really. Check it out.
Great. I'll check it out! I'm a crossings member or at least I used to be. Great club. Releasing books into the wild? Sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteCJ (and others) - We do indeed have a Christian Fiction Blog Tour project going, currently with more than 40 blogs signed up--although monthly participation is usually about two dozen blogs, for various reasons. This month, as a matter of fact, we're doing Robert Liparulo's "Comes A Horseman," and next month, we're doing Randy Mortenson's first "Landon Snow" YA novel. Find out more at http://www.tlhines.com/syndicate.
ReplyDelete