True. Christian fiction does have something of a bad reputation. But, accepting that you are indeed writing Christian fiction and good Christian fiction, wouldn't non-Christians think you're trying to preach at them? Cecil, would white readers think you're trying to preach to them or even to malign them? Frank, the same question.
CW: Some will, some won't, based on their own issues. One white reader told me I should have put more drug use in my first book because it reminded him of a dystopian story he read years ago where people got high all of the time. People are going to read into things what they want to read into them. All I want to do is tell a good story.
FC: A fiction author’s first job is to entertain. Nobody reads fiction for a sermon. If it's not about character and setting, people will stop reading. If a reader cannot identify with judgmental characters, yeah, they will feel maligned. Communicating Christ's love, reaching people where they're at in life, is all about the Golden Rule — do unto others.
Folks can be very uncomfortable with stories that deal with religion and race.
CW: That's probably why those are the good stories. Cannibalism and murder also disturb people. And let's not forget about sex. Shall we stop writing about things that humans are prone to do? If we do, we'll bore our readers.
FC: I'm hoping my novels will cross over to seekers, but the Underground series is doomed to sit on religious fiction shelves, away from the eyes of sci-fi readers. I pray the end-times sci-fi concept captures interest and catches on. At book signings with other authors, I will take any opportunity to cruise the sci-fi shelves and talk to readers about Christian spec-fiction — most are very surprised that it exists and many immediately want to know more about it.
Do you consider your enterprises successful? Relatively speaking, that is. Do you have many readers?
CW: I have few readers. I want more. I'd like to be able to make a fortune from my enterprise. But, despite the few readers I go on because I know there is at least one magazine, mine, that is about black people in sci-fi/horror/fantasy settings.
Article comments
1 - Constance
Good article. I may have to put aside my own stigma over Christian spec fiction and check out Frank's new book.
2 - Frank Creed
Carole--
Thanks for a great interview. Looking forward to working with both you and Cecil in the future.
Constance--
I do hope you read and enjoy.
Faith,
f