UPDATE: Should "Christian Fiction" be labeled Christian

There was someone else out there, writing the exact same message I was. Only he did it in a much better and profound way. Read Mike Duran's response to the Rachelle Garnder post on labeling Christian fiction.

Novel Rocket: Why We Should NOT Label Christian Fiction: Anyone who thinks the debate about Christian Fiction -- what it is and what it should be -- is getting old, should check out literary agent ...

Book Warning Labels: Should "Christian Fiction" be Labeled as Christian?

I came across an interesting entry on another blog last week and it’s been kinda ringing in the back of my head. Rachelle Gardner (rachellegardner.com) posed this to her readers last week:

There has been a controversy brewing underground for awhile now, ever since publishers started promoting books by offering a limited-time free download. Many of the Christian publishers have done these promotions, but whenever Christian novels are promoted on Amazon as free downloads, many people download them without realizing they’re Christian. They start reading and when they realize it’s “Christian” they become enraged. They feel like they were hoodwinked somehow. And then they leave 1-star, angry reviews on Amazon. 

My initial reaction was ok, well they read something they didn’t like. They didn’t like the theme. Is it really necessary to drop the 1 star bomb on an author because they are non-Christian? Rachelle continues to say this:

I know a lot of Christians think it’s a real shame that people are responding this way. But I have to say, I’m not surprised. To understand what I mean, just imagine if the tables were turned. You are a Christian and you download a free book (or worse, pay good money for a book), which you then discover contains a storyline that strongly promotes the Muslim faith, clearly saying Islam is the one true faith and without it, you’re doomed. I imagine you’d be upset. You’d feel disrespected as a reader. You’d feel tricked into buying something that goes against what you believe; you may even worry that simply reading it was dangerous for you.

I still don’t necessarily agree with that. There have been times when I have picked up a book, started reading it and just didn’t like where it was going. I just put it away or gave it to someone else. I don’t think hoodwinked is a right word. Surprised maybe but no one put a gun to your head to buy the book. The whole point about reading a book is because you don’t know what it’s about. You want to see what the author has planned for you as the story progresses. You may or may not like it. That’s why the book market is so vast – it’s a process of elimination. And when you find one that really tickles your fancy, you're excited about it!

I guess I’m on my soapbox this morning because I have some Christian images and some Christian ideas/themes. But it’s not a blatant sermon saying that if you don’t believe in Christ, you are going to hell. It’s a different way to see angels and demons (and things in between) and how their eternal battles are felt in the real world. It’s (or is becoming) a bit more fantasy as I write/edit but a great journey is the main basis of the story. A story of a girl going in adulthood who needs to determine where her life is going; whether she is going to tap into a gift predestined to save the world.

I don’t want my potential readers be turned away from a story because some angry people who simply see the word heaven and decide that I’m preaching to them. I want to craft a story that appeals to everyone – Christian and non-Christians.

I’m interested in what you guys think. Do you agree with Rachelle – if there is a remote idea of a religion in a book, do you want to a warning before hand?

Friday's Music: Say Yes...to Love, Passion!

So in the spirit of the yes received and the R&B mood I've been in (I blame Chester Gregory for that...look him up - fantastic person and awesome person I met this past weekend), I wanted to play an oldie but a goodie. Y'all remember this song?

This song represent the sultry feeling I want my characters to feel - a palpable and undeniable feeling that you need to say yes to this person. The person who has caught your eye and raises your temperature. That makes your heart beat a bit faster. The anticipation of seeing them again. The adrenaline that rises at their nearness. The tingling sensation that flitters across your skin at a simple brush by their hands.....

Yes. All you gotta do is say yes!

Love this song. Do you have a particular memory this song incites in you?

Wednesday's Prompt: Don't Touch Me There!

While out at a bar, your old high school sweetheart approaches you and gives you an unexpected kiss right on the lips. This causes you to have one intense reaction that will lead to a very memorable night—but not for good reasons.


(c) Writer's Digest 2012


I'd Love to see responses! Let me at'em!

7 YESes was the Name of Game; Free Giveaway too!

I've returned from the ever wonderful Writer's Digest Conference  2012. All fantastic thought but first what's the magic number?

You know why? I had 7 agents say that they are interested in seeing my work. Seven is absolutely my favorite number (the fact that I was born in the 7th month has no...ok it has some bearing on it. But not all!)

Ok, let me back up. Kris, how was the conference?

It was fabulous! Met some amazing authors like myself, trying to breaking into the business, writing as if it was the only thing keeping them sane in this crazy place called life. It was so refreshing to find others who thought books, fiction was one of the greatest gifts God could ever give us. Within hours of meeting each other, we were helping each other out, perfecting our pitchs to agents.

The speakers were fantastic - two absolutely favorites Donald Maass and Chris Baty (founder of NaNoWriMo). Maass knows exactly how to bring out the best of ideas out of you. After literally 20 minutes, I thought of a brand new hook and twist for my novel (working on furiously now). I have been told Maass is a big deal....well he kinda is. 

Baty was just a great speaker - no need for lofty, I know better attitude. Just in-your-face, I've been there, I am there, gun it type of attitude. I loved it and I can't wait to read his up and coming projects!

Ok back to the agents. Yes, 7 agents have expressed interest in reading my materials. I won't discuss who they are but I just giddy that my idea is sell-able. Now I just need to finish, edit, pass it to my review group, edit again, edit a third time and then possibly send it in by ...oh let's say first week of April? That sounds about right. 

If you have been keeping up with me, you must be thinking, um...NaNoWriMo kicked your butt. What makes you think you can do all that? WHY???

I  tell you why...because I am completely invigorated. Because I literally cannot stop daydreaming about my book. Because I have people on my ass looking for work if it is not delivered on time. I always seem to do better when people are expecting something from me. 

TWO THOUGHTS - 

1. If you ever have a chance to go to any writing conference (especially with Writer's Digest) do it!

2. Find people like you who will keep you focus and offer you help. Their help will be instrumental in your success. As much as we like to think we can do everything on our own, it makes it a much better experience with others beside you!

FREE GIVEAWAY

I mentioned that Donald Maass is absolutely a God-send to anyone trying to write. Well as an author of many books helping the wayward author, his absolute best is The Breakout Novelist. 

All four of his pivotal books in one. FIRST PERSON to leave a comment I will send them a copy free of charge.

Ok...back to work!! :)

xoxo

Today's Music: Bust it with B!

Just enjoy it. Love the intro!

What Makes a Book Hot?

I fell across an interesting blog this morning, rachellegardner.com (great information on getting an agent) and in her latest entry, she talked about what makes a book good, great or hot.

“With a hot project, the agent can immediately think of several editors who would like it. It doesn’t need much editing or reworking. The proposal is nicely done and doesn’t need to be rewritten. The author appears to have long-term potential. This project looks like a sure thing. It’s also likely that other agents are considering it.

Making good business decisions means we jump on hot projects. Other projects… those we like but they aren't hot… usually have to wait until we have more time to assess them, and more carefully weigh the likelihood of selling this project and how much time it might take.

A project that’s very good (or even great in some respect) may still present challenges. The genre might be tough to sell right now. The market might already be glutted with that particular kind of book. If it’s fiction, it might show incredible potential but still need a lot of work. The agent has to weigh whether they’re able to put that kind of work into an author, or whether they need to recommend they get their writing up a notch, then come back. If it’s non-fiction, the idea and the writing might be stellar, but the author might have a small or non-existent platform, meaning a lot more work to sell it, plus a bigger chance that it won’t sell at all.”

Now I would like to think that the 3 book series I am working on is a pretty good thing. But I know I am treading unknown waters. I have no idea what is really considered a sure or hot thing. I would like to think that my epic paranormal romance book will appeal to a wide audience, young adults and adults alike.

I would like to think that my main female character will resound with readers and they will understand her fear, trepidation and fascination with this new world she embarks on – a world that encompasses her destiny.

I would like to think that my main male character will curl readers' toes from his virile masculinity, his depth and his staunch protection of the main female character; that they will be fascinated that that even after death, the soul wages battle within itself constantly, keeping itself from falling into further darkness.

I would like to think that readers will like to see a new view of what really happens when you die, what are the truths to what others have guessed and how they will be able to make their own imaginative assessment.

I WOULD like to think that my writing will elicit all these things…But that just might be me. The test will be this Saturday at the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York. I’ll be able to pitch my work. I guess the worst thing to come out of this would be no one bites on my bait.

But then again, as they say, if you knock and no one answers….KICK THE DOOR DOWN…or something to that effect. I may have taken liberties with that last one.

Oh…if you were wondering how’s my progress…progress is progress J. Until til next time!

Today's Music: Rock Out People!

I just wanted to throw this in here. I'll add something a bit more substantive later on today. Much is going on. But until then...I'll be shuffling!