One of the things I love to do while writing is to incorporate real life things into my books. I’m talking everything from real life incidents that have happened to me (I’m looking at you, mouse-incident-in-tent as featured in Muskoka Blue), or places I’ve visited (hello, Chicago Art Institute with a starring role in Checked Impressions), or issues I’ve faced (like Lavinia in The Elusive Miss Ellison: judge people, who me? never!) or even real life missions organisations, like Mission Possible for Future Generations which my friends started in the Philippines that I featured in The Breakup Project. I think having real and relatable characters and plots and settings really helps readers invest in a book, and I love getting feedback that says a reader identified with a character, storyline, or felt challenged by God through something raised in a book.
Incorporating fact into fiction can be a really good thing.
Until it’s not.
For some years now I’ve been aware of a tension between Aussie Christian authors who wish to write realistic Christian fiction with all the gritty underbelly of life, and those who wish to appeal to a more conservative market and provide safe stories deemed appropriate for everyone aged ten to 110. At times it’s almost felt like one side despised the other. (You write romance? Oh…)
Trying to walk the fine line between these at-times polar opposites in content and style can be tricky to negotiate. Not just because an author runs the risk of being perceived as ‘getting it wrong’ and veering away from their target audience and scoring one star reviews from upset readers. But also because they risk putting other authors or bloggers or even editors or publishers off-side by wishing to pursue things away from the status quo.
I saw this a few years ago when one of my historicals was described as too dark and depressing (hello: it was talking about depression). I’ve seen it more recently when some authors objected to a side character drinking alcohol in one of my contemporary books. I’m sure as I continue writing I’ll see more objections: too religious, too worldly, too gritty, too unrealistic, another Pride and Prejudice reference, too Aussie, not Aussie enough, too fluffy, too real, etc etc. Hey, such comments are probably already there in some of my reviews, but I don’t read many reviews because otherwise I’d be too scared to write anything.
My books have been called unapologetically Christian, and I’ve tried to keep things fairly real and not wrapped up in ‘fluffy faith feels’, and have explored topics in my historicals and contemporaries with everything from abortion to depression to suicide. I included cocktails in the aforementioned book a) because I like them (I don’t like wine or beer), and b) I enjoy the way the TV show Sweet Magnolias portrays female friendships, which often involves these friends gathering for Friday night catch ups. For me the emphasis was always about the friends, not what they were drinking, and my beta readers (some of whom don’t drink) never red-flagged it as an issue.
I guess I’m perturbed by this cancel culture, because if Christian readers can’t cope with a character drinking alcohol, then how are we going to present ourselves as relevant to a lost world when there are far bigger issues as stake? I have friends in ministry who have children who are gay. What does it say to them when their stories are cancelled by the religious conservatives? Where are the books helping them to navigate this issue in this often fraught world?
Now I’m not saying that all Christian books need this level of grit, but neither do I think Christian fiction needs to play pretend to the extent that we never see Christians drink, or swear, or struggle with inappropriate thoughts. I think there is a danger in only presenting a world of billionaires / dukes / cosy cats / football stars where everyone is handsome and beautiful. Sure, there’s a place for escapist fiction but if that’s all we want to see from authors then I fear for the relevance of Christian fiction.
Everyone has an opinion. And everyone, just like Prince Harry in Spare, sees things from their own perspective. So I understand that if I try to write fiction that feels real to me, or is based on my own experiences or those of people I know, then chances are it may come across as a little too real for some, and not real enough for others. But fair warning: I’m not interested in creating fluffy, overly-sanitised pieces of fiction just to appeal to the narrow-minded and most conservative out there. I’m doing my best to write books that are the kind I want to read, with a blend of fact and fiction. Grace-filled books that entertain with humour, that point to answers that can be found in God, that reassure and comfort through stories of hope and love.
I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the tightrope of trying to keep everyone happy. Simple answer: no book will please everyone. One of the (many) blessings of indie publishing is the chance to try new things, to not feel pigeonholed by a publisher’s expectations. I love that I can have a go at writing things that might not fit a specific genre. (I was told there isn’t a huge market for Christian sports romance – I’m finding out there’s at least enough readers out there for me.)
I saw a post in a Facebook group recently that asked whether other readers give an author a second chance if they read one of theirs and don’t enjoy it. Among the many comments was a helpful one about checking the ‘Look Inside’ feature on Amazon to see if it was the writing style or the content that was the issue. Fair enough if you don’t like the writing style, but panning an author’s complete works by reading 20% of one? Come on.
So maybe a particular book isn’t your cup of tea. That’s okay. But ripping the book (or author) apart on social media or cancelling them without giving them a chance to offer their side of things seems rather harsh to me. I understand that not everyone will like what I write, but if you don’t, then please be kind. You don’t know how God might be using these very same words to touch another person’s life.
Sometimes life can seem weirder than fiction. It’s the job of an author of fiction to blend those factual real things to create stories that readers will relate to and hopefully love. And it’s the job of a Christian author to follow God’s leading into blending fact and fiction and creating the kinds of books we feel He wants from us.
So let’s chat: how real is ‘too real’ for you as a reader? Have you ever come across an author’s note in a book where they’ve explained a scene and you’ve realised what you thought was fiction was actually real? If you’re an author, what’s a fun ‘real’ thing you’ve incorporated into your fiction? If you’re a reader, what’s a fun real thing you’d love to see used in a book?
I agree with your perspective! Christian books that are all sunshine and rainbows miss a big part of Christianity: navigating a fallen, harsh world and our own sinful desires. They always fall just a little bit flat because…they are.
For me, if any scene in a book could be “rated R” in the movie world, then that’s too gritty. For example, an author could write about a violent attack in general terms, enough to get the gist across of what happened. But I would prefer to not have all the gore detailed. Or give me a good kissing scene but don’t describe someone’s physical arousal. Basically, I think it’s okay for an author to write about hard content but in a PG-13 way.
(I’m just remembering that you’re Australian, not American, so your rating classifications are different. So maybe you can write about hard content in a PG or M way, but not MA 15+ or R, if I got that right.)
I don’t think any topic should really be off-limits, because we come across lots of hard stuff in life. But HOW it’s written about is the key, I think.
I agree. Things don’t need to be spelled out to get the point across. How a book is written is definitely key.
Well said!
So since I’m not one to hide, I’ll be up front about the fact that I’m one of the hosts of a podcast that recently declined to have an episode dedicated to Carolyn’s book because of the alcohol use. And it’s fascinating to me the difference in how our conversation was perceived by Carolyn and myself.
Drinking in books has never been an issue for us on the podcast. We’ve recommended many books that have casual and responsible alcohol use by believing characters. We are fully okay with the idea that many modern Christians drink responsibly. We are also okay with the understanding that many modern Christians drink irresponsibly and that drunkenness (something the Bible warns about) is a real issue and disease that hits believers and non-believers alike.
The side character in Carolyn’s book didn’t just have an occasional drink The opening chapter has her sloshed out of her mind and looking around for more tequila at a New Year’s Eve party. That would be all well and good if the believing characters had been concerned and looking to take care of this woman and maybe help her see that excessive drinking wasn’t the best thing. Instead, they were very much “haha, look she’s drunk again. Isn’t she so cute. We can count on her for all the drinkies.” And that continued through the book.
What would have made a drunk, believing character acceptable (to the hosts of the podcast and, I believe, to the wider pool of readers of Christian fiction) was someone, somewhere, mentioning (or even just thinking) that hey, that type of behavior isn’t really what God wants of us and maybe we should see how we can help our friend.
In fact, when I reached out to Carolyn, I specifically said that I suspected (and hoped) that she was setting up the obvious alcoholism to be part of that character’s faith arc when it came time for her book, but that I was sad that no one to date had any sort of problem with it. Because it wasn’t a side character having one or two responsible drinks. It was drunkenness and a clear situation suggestion that alcohol was necessary for fun to be had with no one stepping up and saying hey, let’s think about this.
That’s what we objected to.
Bring on the books that address alcohol misuse and Christ’s redeeming power to cure, heal, and fix the relationships that are damaged. Bring on the books that demonstrate modern Christians living for Jesus with an occasional glass of wine.
But let’s not mislabel what happened.
I think that’s a gross misrepresentation to say any of the characters were of the “haha, look she’s drunk again. Isn’t she so cute. We can count on her for all the drinkies” frame of mind. And concern from other characters was expressed later in the book. As mentioned, none of the beta readers noticed this as a problem, even the non-drinkers. I guess readers will have to make up their own minds about whether this character’s actions constitutes drunken behaviour.
And for other readers, please note, this issue is a tiny portion of a book and chiefly concerns a side character. Drinking is not what the book is about.
But even so, the point remains: do we include scenes that can represent aspects of real life or do we hide it?
As a reader I do find this post very negative and directed at people.
“.I’m sure as I continue writing I’ll see more objections: too religious, too worldly, too gritty, too unrealistic, another Pride and Prejudice reference, too Aussie, not Aussie enough, too fluffy, too real, etc etc.”
I can see myself mentioned not by name but everyone knows I dislike Pride and Prejudice which means that is my opinion and if I don’t want to read books with references to this that is my choice as a reader and it means I am not your targeted audience. Also readers all have different expectations and want different things in a book and again not every reader is your reader.
“I guess I’m perturbed by this cancel culture, because if Christian readers can’t cope with a character drinking alcohol, then how are we going to present ourselves as relevant to a lost world when there are far bigger issues as stake? “
Again I am one who doesn’t like drinking in a book unless its serves a purpose, an occasional drink with a meal I can handle. If someone is drinking to excess unless it is to highlight the issues with excessive drinking I don’t want to read. My mother grew up with an alcoholic who wasn’t a nice drunk. I have friends who have suffered at the hands of an alcoholic spouse and partner. So again I am not your reader. Also I am a conservative Christian. I don’t drink but I won’t tell another person they can’t drink but its my choice if I read books with drinking. Have I written a review saying don’t buy the book cos it has drinking in it NO I haven’t.
“Now I’m not saying that all Christian books need this level of grit, but neither do I think Christian fiction needs to play pretend to the extent that we never see Christians drink, or swear, or struggle with inappropriate thoughts. I think there is a danger in only presenting a world of billionaires / dukes / cosy cats / football stars where everyone is handsome and beautiful. Sure, there’s a place for escapist fiction but if that’s all we want to see from authors then I fear for the relevance of Christian fiction.”
I again don’t like swearing so I won’t buy a book if I know its got swearing in it and again I am not saying I won’t read a book where Christians have a drink, being drunk is different, and inappropriate thoughts is normal. I actually am not a fan of billionairs, dukes and football stars as I don’t relate. Yes I love cats and love seeing a cat in a book but what book has a cat as the hero? I also don’t live everyone being handsome and beautiful as it really is in the eye of the beholder. I like plus size women and men who are not gym junkies.
“I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the tightrope of trying to keep everyone happy. Simple answer: no book will please everyone. “
This is where I fully agree no reader is going to like every book or genre but that’s the beauty of readers. Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone liked the same thing. Write to your audience and don’t worry about pleasing those who don’t read your books.
On the FB group I commented there too. Why do you have an issue if someone reads a sample of a book its only about 3 chapters its not 20%. Isn’t it better for a reader to check a book to see if they like it or not. I have read samplers where after the first few pages I know Its not a book I want to read. Better than have a reader buy the book read a few chapters then return it for their money back. I don’t review a book based on the sampler. I didn’t see others in the say thread say they did.
In saying ripping a book or author apart on SM without a chance to give their side is unfair so is ripping or blaming a reader for not liking a book especially if they haven’t said the book they are referring to. I have been accused of making an author want to stop writing from not liking a genre. I have been publicly criticised on my own wall saying I am tired of references to Mr Darcy in books and last year he was in a lot of book besides your own. It works both ways.
“Sometimes life can seem weirder than fiction”
Now that’s the truth with an issue happening right now in my town if it was in a book people wouldn’t believe it but it is happening and is true. So yes often we think that could never happen then it does.
Great discussion Carolyn. So much food for thought there. Bottom line is we, as writers need to prayerfully consider the more gritty elements we feel led to include and brace for reaction. But if we believe God can be glorified in the telling of the story, and we go with His Grace, He will keep us in His Peace.
This is a great post and opens up great discussion and space for people to give their perspective. I’ve read just about all your books, Carolyn (I’m playing catch up to some of the newer ones still!) and can honestly say I’ve seen God glorified in them all. You present God’s redemption beautifully to characters that look very flawed (like us).
As someone who appreciates both escapist and real life fiction, I love having all facets of life and experience in storylines. Not everyone is the same and that’s okay. But at the end of the day, if we’re being led by the Spirit on what to write, He will use it for His glory and will place it in the right hands to read it.
Great post and something worth discussing in a loving, open way.
I have personally enjoyed Carolyn’s books and have been very deeply touched by God through some of them. I understand that we all have different standards, expectations etc, but what one person may be offended by, another may be deeply impacted by. God has made each of us unique and I think there comes a time that if a book doesn’t fit what we are after, we need to say, ‘Well, that book wasn’t written for me.” That doesn’t mean God won’t use it to touch someone else. We need to be careful not to dishonour someone or their ministry because we don’t relate to or understand what their calling is.
I see the same issue in churches. Some members of the congregation dismiss or criticise a minister because the sermon didn’t say what they wanted it to, or didn’t reach them personally, or the minister doesn’t have the same passion, skills or convictions they do. And yet I’ve seen what one person dislikes in a sermon or preacher, deeply touch another person. It’s the same with songs choices etc.
I love that our God is big enough to allow us to be unique and that He speaks to us all in different ways through different people.
May we show grace and love in all we do and say. May every word we write and speak be our worship, bringing glory to Him.
Carolyn, I hope and pray you will continue writing what the Lord has called you to. May you be encouraged that God is using your work in ways you may never even know until you reach heaven.
Absolutely agree with this. And that respect and lack of dishonor should be something that applies across the board – even to people for whom our books are not the right reading material.
Yes, absolutely. It goes both ways.
Beautiful words,
I also agree that this is a topic worthy of honest and kind discussion.
I have read all of Carolyn’s books so far and God has used them in my life (in one way or another) for encouragement as well as revealing things in my life that need to change for me to be more like Christ. As someone who has been going through some difficult trials lately, I can say that whenever I open one of her books I know that there will be solid biblical truths that God will use. I definitely cannot say that about some of the other “Christian” books on the market. As a more conservative Christian, do I agree with absolutely everything? No. Does that stop me from reading her next book? Absolutely not.
I agree with Jenny’s post above. Shouldn’t we address disagreements in a more constructive and loving way than the world does? Adopting a cancel culture mentality is not speaking the truth in love or showing God’s mercy to others. Trying to understand the situation and giving someone the benefit of the doubt is more biblical.
Dear Carolyn, please don’t give up the work that God has given you to touch people’s lives. He is using you still in spite of any criticism you receive.
I pray that we will learn to be more like Christ and show grace and kindness to everyone we encounter, especially those of the household of faith.
I’m a bit late to the discussion but wow! what a great post Carolyn.
(And a beautiful reply from Jenny Glazebrook which I probably can’t really add anything to.)
I have been thinking about this issue of authenticity in writing lately. It can be tricky.
Here’s one for you … how do I write characters from lower socio-economic communities without throwing in the F-bomb? :o)
A writer once said to me, “study people, as all writing is about people.” Keep writing authentic characters, Carolyn. God has obviously given you a gift and as others have said, you’re blessing many people through your writing.