Marji Laine

I Love a Good Mystery!

Christian Fiction

by 15 Comments

Katie Ganshert is a debut author whose novel premieres in May 2012

Is this term an oxymoron? Christianity itself has the Truth as it’s ultimate foundation. Fiction, by it’s definition means the opposite of truth. Why would anyone want to make Fiction about Christianity?

Ephesians 5 urges us to “make the most of every opportunity.” Not surprising that our God is a Master at that, and fiction writing is no exception.

I am typical for most women my age in that I love to read novels. (Particularly romance and especially a good mystery.) I learn about different types of people and enjoy the way they deal and rise above their circumstances. I know the stories aren’t true, but they draw me in because something within them relates. Whether the main character reminds me of myself in some fashion or the situation in which she finds herself captures my attention, her story becomes real because it could be.

Keli Gwyn is a debut author whose novel premieres in July 2012.

And inviting God to have a place in that story brings the similarities all the more clear. I’m fallen, but redeemed and made holy by His Grace and Christ’s sacrifice. I relish experiencing that sensation again and again while I empathize with the heroines of the books I read as, broken, they reach for an adoring Father who has been there all along just waiting for the chance to show them the depth of his love.

That’s what I want my writing to do as well. Inspire readers to the realization of God’s adoration. Those that understand all that He has done for us need reminding – I know I do – and encouragement in the truth. Those that haven’t experienced that kind of relationship don’t need me to preach at them. But if they can see a real submission to the Father’s love from a book character in which they see themselves, maybe they can also be aware of that same love that wraps around them everyday.

Faith-Driven; that’s my kind of Fiction.

Your turn: What’s your favorite book or which author has your attention at this point – and why???

Author: Marji Laine

Marji is a recently "graduated" homeschooling mom whose twin girls have blessed her by sticking around the nest for a little longer. She spends her days directing the children’s music program at her church and working with the authors of Write Integrity Press to put out the best possible version of their books. Raised in suburban Dallas, she got her first taste of writing through the stories of brilliant authors of their day, Mignon Eberhart and Phyllis A. Whitney, and through stage experience. After directing and acting in productions for decades, Marji started writing her own scripts. From that early beginning, she delved into creating scintillating suspense with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all.

15 thoughts on “Christian Fiction”

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  1. Janet Sketchley
    2012/April at 1:05 pm

    Hi Marji, eye-catching blog! I like Christian fiction because it includes the God dimension in our lives. One of the things about fear is that the “what if [fill in the blank] happens?” makes us imagine ourselves facing it alone. That’s terrifying. But God would be there with us. I need to be reminded of that in fiction, not in a cheesy or preachy way but in a way that keeps me focused for whatever’s happening in my own life. God is there too, and that makes the difference.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012/April at 11:55 pm

    CS Lewis is by far my fave. I love his non-fiction works as much as I do his fiction. Grew up on Narnia. Its my greatest inspiration for writing. – @SirKozmo

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    • Marji Laine
      2012/April at 12:47 am

      I loved the Narnia books as a girl, but I didn’t get them. Fell in love all over again in college and my kids have been brought up with them too!

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  3. Keli Gwyn
    2012/April at 11:31 pm

    What a great post, Marji, one packed full of truth. I like the fact that Christian fiction shows us how having the Lord in our lives can make a difference as we witness characters wrestling with spiritual issues.

    Katie’s book is an awesome example of a moving story of God at work. She did a masterful job of weaving in the faith elements. I highly recommend Wildflowers from Winter.

    Thanks for mentioning my book, too. I’m honored. My hope is that readers who long to experience the Lord’s presence in a deeper, more profound way will relate to heroine, Ellie, as she wrestles with the same issue.

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  4. Sybil Bates McCormack
    2012/April at 10:36 pm

    HI, Marji! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to read much of anything lately. I’ve been so busy with the current ACFW course after putting in the usual hours at work that I haven’t had the time. That said, I’m really enjoying Melanie Dickerson’s work these days. Perhaps I’ll tackle a historical one of these days. You never know. Hahahaha! God bless you!

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  5. Audra Silva
    2012/April at 8:36 pm

    Jesus taught in parables which are story…I think stories can help clarify certain things like various faith elements.

    Right now, I’m reading An Eye for an Eye (Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 2) by Irene Hannon. I’ve entered a lot of reading challenges, and set one up myself for Spring, to get me reading more. Seems I got out of the habit a bit. 🙂

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    • Marji Laine
      2012/April at 12:53 am

      Is Eye for an Eye a Military suspense? Sounds like it. If you like that genre, try Ronie Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series! Riveting! Powerful writing!

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  6. carriellewis
    2012/April at 5:04 pm

    Marji,

    A great, great post. Let’s take a look at your opening question in a slightly different way.

    You said Christianity is about truth and that is a true statement. But the opposite of truth is not fiction; the opposite of truth is ‘lie’. A person either tells the truth or tells a lie.

    The opposite of fiction is neither truth nor lie. It’s non-fiction.

    So when I talk about Christian fiction, I’m talking about something that is not Christian non-fiction. In other words, a story written from a Christian perspective or about Christian characters, but that is not a non-fiction work (biography or autobiography).

    For a long time, I didn’t write because I couldn’t reconcile the idea of a Christian ‘telling stories’. Since that’s what fiction writers do and since my real life was so dull as to be next to invisible, I saw no reason I could write as a Christian and stay true to my faith.

    Then I realized what I explained above and it suddenly became clear!

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    • Marji Laine
      2012/April at 5:09 pm

      Excellent way to put it, Carrie! So glad your epiphany connected so well to the article!

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      • carriellewis
        2012/April at 5:37 pm

        Marji,
        Thank you. I still need to be reminded of this every now and again…. Particularly when the story juices aren’t flowing all that well.

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        • Marji Laine
          2012/April at 5:57 pm

          Oh, I get that. It is part of the reason this article came out. I’m trying to refocus my blog (inspired for the last couple of months, but brought home by the ACFW lessons) to the purpose of writing it and my writing in general! But God is good and PATIENT with me to keep sending the message until I get it!

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