(Editor's Note: We are pleased to reprint this post first published at Delia Latham's blog.
What makes Christian romance "Christian"?
Writers, please understand before you try to write an
inspirational romance: Placing
characters inside a church building on Sunday mornings, or having them say
grace before a meal does not make a novel inspirational.
inspirational romance: Placing
characters inside a church building on Sunday mornings, or having them say
grace before a meal does not make a novel inspirational.
If I had to sum up the essence of inspirational romance in
one word, I'd use "relationship." The major difference in a secular
romance and an inspirational one really is that simple: the emotional connection (relationship) between the hero and heroine,
and between the characters and God.
one word, I'd use "relationship." The major difference in a secular
romance and an inspirational one really is that simple: the emotional connection (relationship) between the hero and heroine,
and between the characters and God.
Aside from the stringent expectation of quality writing,
certain additional standards exist in the world of Christian fiction. A writer
hoping to place a manuscript in this market would do well to become familiar
with those finely drawn lines and stay well within their borders.
certain additional standards exist in the world of Christian fiction. A writer
hoping to place a manuscript in this market would do well to become familiar
with those finely drawn lines and stay well within their borders.
I can point out the right direction. You'll have to choose
the roads.
the roads.
1. The sensuality
meter
meter
I was once challenged by someone who felt the words
"Christian" and "romance" conflicted.
"Christian" and "romance" conflicted.
"You cannot write about romance and call it a Christian
book," he stated. "Christians don't partake in romance, at least not
until after they're married. And no one wants to read about that stuff between
a husband and wife. What's the point?"
book," he stated. "Christians don't partake in romance, at least not
until after they're married. And no one wants to read about that stuff between
a husband and wife. What's the point?"
How sad, this inability to distinguish between sex and
romance!
romance!
Let me try to make it easy.
Romance is the wooing of another's heart and the emotions involved
in that courtship.
in that courtship.
Sex is the physical consummation of a physical attraction (no
relationship necessary).
relationship necessary).
In a Christian romance, sex is off limits for the unmarried
hero/heroine, and takes place behind closed doors for married ones. What's
left? Relationship.
hero/heroine, and takes place behind closed doors for married ones. What's
left? Relationship.
That said, eliminating blatant sexual activity is not the
be-all and end-all of an inspirational novel. What is important is the interweaving of the characters' spiritual
journeys into their lives—and that includes their romantic overtures.
be-all and end-all of an inspirational novel. What is important is the interweaving of the characters' spiritual
journeys into their lives—and that includes their romantic overtures.
Physical attraction should be a part of the story, but it
will be communicated through emotions instead of hormones. He may notice the
way the heroine's dress accentuates her curves, but he won't focus on those
curves. He'll be drawn to her sense of humor, her generosity, her sweetness of
spirit. Neither is she blind to how he looks in those hip-hugging jeans, or the
way his muscles bulge when he ropes that heifer. But her emotional reactions
will supersede any physical ones. She'll be moved by his gentleness with an
injured animal…touched by the respectful way he handles an annoying elderly
neighbor…moved to tears by his love for children.
will be communicated through emotions instead of hormones. He may notice the
way the heroine's dress accentuates her curves, but he won't focus on those
curves. He'll be drawn to her sense of humor, her generosity, her sweetness of
spirit. Neither is she blind to how he looks in those hip-hugging jeans, or the
way his muscles bulge when he ropes that heifer. But her emotional reactions
will supersede any physical ones. She'll be moved by his gentleness with an
injured animal…touched by the respectful way he handles an annoying elderly
neighbor…moved to tears by his love for children.
2. Christian protagonists
A Christian romance will focus on two relationships:
the one developing between the hero and heroine, and
the one between those characters and Christ. (This one must be clearly defined, either from the start of the
story, or by the end of it.)
story, or by the end of it.)
It is acceptable to start a book with a protagonist who
doesn't know or is estranged from God, but that spiritual rapport will grow and
evolve throughout the storyline and must be reconciled by the last page.
doesn't know or is estranged from God, but that spiritual rapport will grow and
evolve throughout the storyline and must be reconciled by the last page.
3. Dealing with sin
In real life, Christian people live with and among
non-Christians. So it is within the pages of a book. Contributing characters
may smoke or drink, get pregnant before marriage, have abortions, cheat, steal,
lie…even murder. That's life. These characters' non-conformity to a godly
lifestyle adds color to the storyline.
non-Christians. So it is within the pages of a book. Contributing characters
may smoke or drink, get pregnant before marriage, have abortions, cheat, steal,
lie…even murder. That's life. These characters' non-conformity to a godly
lifestyle adds color to the storyline.
It is crucial, however, that the main characters either stay on the straight path or find it.
4. Preaching
Ultimate challenge: Do
all of the above without turning the story into a sermon. Readers read for
entertainment and escape – not a class on Christianity. Any message the author
wishes to deliver must be woven seamlessly into the storyline. The reader should not be aware of any
spiritual lesson…until it's already learned.
all of the above without turning the story into a sermon. Readers read for
entertainment and escape – not a class on Christianity. Any message the author
wishes to deliver must be woven seamlessly into the storyline. The reader should not be aware of any
spiritual lesson…until it's already learned.
What makes Christian fiction Christian? The differences aren't many, but mighty. I like to think of it as
giving my readers a touch of Heaven in an earthly tale. Why wouldn't I write on
this side of the line?
giving my readers a touch of Heaven in an earthly tale. Why wouldn't I write on
this side of the line?
——————————-
Born and raised in a place called Weedpatch, Delia Latham moved from
California to Oklahoma in 2008, making her a self-proclaimed California
Okie. She loves to read and write in her simple country home, and gets a
kick out of watching her husband play Farmer John. The author enjoys
multiple roles as Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and
friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords. She loves to hear from her readers.
California to Oklahoma in 2008, making her a self-proclaimed California
Okie. She loves to read and write in her simple country home, and gets a
kick out of watching her husband play Farmer John. The author enjoys
multiple roles as Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and
friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords. She loves to hear from her readers.
You can find Delia's books at the Pelican Book Group web site. Delia also writes with fellow author Tanya Stowe
