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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Preach It, Baby! Uh, no. Don’t. Just Don’t.

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

Preaching belongs in a pulpit, not your next novel. I think this is why Christian fiction has a bad rap. No one wants a preachy book. via @chautonahavig

One of the best compliments I get is when someone sends me an email or leaves a review that says, “I like how your books are clean and point us to Jesus, yadda yadda yadda, but are not preachy.”

So what’s so bad about preachy Christian fiction?  (I’m a Christian fiction author, for cryin’ out loud.)

Forget that, what is “preachy” fiction?

In case preachy Christian fiction isn’t obvious, I’m going to define it my way.  Pretending to write a novel when you really are just trying to get someone to see something your way. Preachy doesn’t have to be about God, either. It can be political, historical, sociological, scientific…

And why is that so wrong? Well, aside from the arrogance of it, and aside from the “bait-and-switch” aspect of it–I mean, really, it’s a lie.  You promised a story.  They got a sermon wrapped in a storybook cover. It’s deceptive. Aside from all of that, it’s wrong because as authors, deep down we know our readers don’t appreciate it.

I spent a long time trying to figure out why I’ve always tried to avoid it. I mean, it’s just one of those things that you innately know–like “don’t use grammar wrongly” or “refrain from pretension, and eschew the excessive use of descriptive words that modify verbs.”  😉  Yeah.  That.

Then it hit me.  Cardinal rule for novelists–the first thing your editors find and send back for rewrites. Show, don’t tell.

Preach It, Baby! Uh, no. Don't. Just Don't.

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That’s what’s wrong with preachy Christian fiction. 

Preachy Christian fiction breaks that cardinal rule. You’re telling rather than showing.

It’s why people seem to resonate with Willow.  She lives her life.  She doesn’t spout off to the world as to why they need to be her.  She just lives.  And her life shows the beauty of it.

Then people, like Ralph, are drawn to it.  It’s showing not telling.  If I had pontificated about the superiority of Willow’s semi-electric-free living and told the world how amazing she was rather than let readers see it for themselves, I wouldn’t have emails that come in almost weekly saying, “I want that life.”

They want it because they see the fruit of that life in her, not because they were informed that they should think it is something they should want.

Look, characters might preach in a book

They might be that kind of person who can’t help but teach and preach all the time.  We all know people like that. That’s not what I’m talking about.  By writing characters like that, I–or any author for that matter–am/is just writing realistic characters. They might be storytellers who hear something and say, “That reminds me of a time…”  I’m never like that, of course. 😉  But when things seem contrived and set up only to show a point, when the narrative goes off on a soliloquy–gag–you get the picture.

Themes are one thing.  Every book has a theme. Even if the author doesn’t intentionally use one, themes emerge. Fiction teaches.  That’s not preaching. That’s just the byproduct of a good story–you learn.  But when the book spends more time manipulating characters into behaving in ways with the obvious intention of trying to convert the reader to a different viewpoint, the story stinks.  Showing why people think or act in certain ways is one thing.  That’s the point of fiction.

But if people want a sermon, they’ll find a preacher to do that preaching.

I’m not a preacher.

So, I’ll keep writing.  I’ll keep cutting out scenes that, while not intentionally preachy, tell far more than they show.  First, because it’s better writing that way.  But also, because in doing so, I avoid the appearance of preachy.  And while it’s not “evil”, it’s almost as bad.

And when I want to get my sermon on, I’ll blog… like this.  Or, like THIS.

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Comments

  1. Stefany says

    February 7, 2015 at 3:43 am

    Haha! That’s whatI tell my friends when I recommend you…”she’s a Christian author, but her books aren’t preachy.”

    I am so disappointed with books when the story is going along so well, then the last 10 pages are a sermon given by the hero/heroine, and the hero/heroine’s romantic counterpart repents because of their sermon. Not realistic, folks! And really, why do those authors always think that the only reasons people lose faith are death of a family member or having given in to premarital sex as a teenager? Or that people who weren’t born into Christian homes don’t want to become Christians because they don’t feel worthy of Christ’s grace? Those scenarios are overused and way too often, unbelievable.

    I love how people in your books are from all walks of life and circumstances and have more depth than that.

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    February 6, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Love it. Love your books. I am constantly inspired by your characters to be a better person, and encouraged to draw closer to the Lord. Have I been convicted? Yes! But instead, opened my eyes through a story or dialogue. And, receiving a birthday card from you made my day. Thank you for sharing your heart and imagination with us. Your novels are a gift!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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