Why Fiction?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

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Christian writers are often posed the questions:

“Why fiction when you could be writing nonfiction?”
 
“If you feel writing is a ministry, then why are you putting your time and effort into fiction?”
 
“A real Christian would be writing something with real sustenance, not fiction.”
 
When I first started writing in 1996, I swallowed my displeasure with those questions and composed a gracious response that sounded like I was playing defense for a losing team. 

Not any more. I’m proud of what I do, and I'm not ashamed of my purpose. After years of following my passion for communicating the written word through story, I simply term the individual questioning my life’s work as a “low information reader.” They mean well. 

"Isn’t nonfiction the means by which people learn how to live life to its fullest and better themselves?"

Not necessarily.
 
How many abused women purchase books about how to prevent a beating? Do those women reach for information on a retailer’s shelf about abused victim’s legal rights, or counseling, or finding courage in the midst of pain?
 
How many victims of human trafficking find freedom by asking their captor to buy them a book about overcoming trust issues or how to escape an inappropriate relationship?
 
How many addictions were resolved by forcing the sufferer to read a book about drug abuse?
 
How many marriages were saved because a woman shoved a counseling book into her husband’s face? 

How many relationships survived because a man insisted his wife read books about how to cook, clean, child care, etc?
 
You get the picture. 

It’s unlikely any of the above examples found solace, peace, answers, escape, or courage in a nonfiction book because they were either too frightened to be found reading it, or they simply weren’t interested. But that victim could read a novel about abuse, human trafficking, an addiction, or a failing marriage and learn how someone changed and grew into a better person. 

A novel provides hope and inspires the reader to make needed changes.
 
A novel is a non-threatening environment that offers sound solutions to real problems. The abuser, the captor, the addicted person, or the unfaithful spouse will not feel exposed when their victims engage in a novel. 

The writer plants the seeds of change and subtlety challengers the reader to grow beyond her own world.
 
If the suggestion of using story to change dire circumstances sounds familiar, then you’ve read your Bible. Jesus used stories to convict, teach, and comfort the people to whom He ministered. He orchestrated a means of entertainment through culture to reach the people of His day. Story still meets a psychological or spiritual need in 2016, and I believe story will be a means of helping people until this earth ceases to spin.
 
I challenge the novelist to explore the passions of her theme and premise. Don’t be afraid to tackle the tough issues with grace and truth within the pages of an excellent story.
 
Now I ask you: Why do you write fiction?

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.