It’s Iola here. Welcome to our Australasian Christian Writers Tuesday Book Chat, where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week.
Today’s question is:
What themes, topics or genres would you like to see less of in Christian fiction? Why?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group. Or, if you’re feeling wordy (like me), write a blog post and link to it in the comments.
Let’s chat!
Author
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Iola Goulton is a New Zealand book reviewer, freelance editor, and author, writing contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist. Iola lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand (not far from Hobbiton) with her husband, two teenagers and one cat.
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Secret baby stories. I struggle with this storyline especially in Christian fiction when both parities are Christians. (Yes I know Christians are not perfect). I struggle with the idea that move forward a few years the heroine comes back or hero comes back and they meet again and then fall back in love and realise the child is theirs.
I have seen a couple where the story was a bit different, one light suspense they were married but the hero disappeared presumed dead to protect the heroine as he was an agent and in danger and the only way to protect the wife was stage his own death. This worked.
I also hate the theme more in Chick Lit but the heroine is almost 30 and still single and feels her life is over cos she isn’t married and is desperate to find a husband. The way they come across is that if you are not married by 30 there is something wrong with you.
I agree – it’s hard to do a secret baby well in Christian fiction (and even in general market fiction – what’s her excuse for not telling him?).
Yes, it would be good to see more single older women who are happy in their own lives and don’t need a man to “complete” them (well, apart from Jesus!).
I’m a realist by nature. I do read contemporary Christian romance and the majority of the couples have model looks. Likely, most of the readers don’t. I can’t see why we can’t tone down the perfection.
Usually, I base my stories on people I know. My first novel, the couple are good looking
in real life, but I haven’t focused too much on that. The relationship attraction is based on character qualities.
My second in the series is about a woman in her late forties. Although she looks young for her age, she’s aware of the increase of wrinkles, grey hairs, and how easily it is to put on weight. I think readers will be able to relate and laugh along with her.
I can definitely relate to your new character. I’ll look forward to reading it!
Serial killers. I like a good mystery, but multiple murders like that really bother me.