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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.

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
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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
byChautona Havig

Before I began the interview with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel’s Song, I kind of went crazy and left it in to give you a chuckle. But Naomi and I chat about her upcoming release, why she chose to write about Ezekiel, and what areas she focused on. Listen in and hear her heart for the Word and for stimulating readers to love it and live it.

Oh, and that song I couldn’t remember? Well, I found it after a BUNCH of hunting on YouTube. Here you go!

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

Has Ezekiel Always Confused You? How about a Little Fictional Clarity?

There’s SO much to write about in Ezekiel, but after talking to Naomi Craig, I feel like I got a pretty good grasp of where she’s taking this book without feeling like I don’t need to read it now that we chatted, and that’s always great. Naomi shows service in the temple, how Ezekiel could have had a mentorish relationship under Jeremiah, and even what kind of woman his wife might have been.

Personally, I love the “Darcy-ish” meeting where he totally insults her and accuses her of being an idolatress. Let me tell you something. I cannot wait to read that! Seriously!

God had Ezekiel do a lot of weird things, and I always wondered how he managed some of it, but Naomi brings out possibilities by focusing on this wife that we don’t know much (anything) about. How cool is that?

Naomi also gave us a couple of glimpses into what’s coming next!

She’s #TeamBlue in the Keeping Christmas novella collections, writing about Herod’s palace and the wise men’s appearance looking for “the King of the Jews.”  And… from a scribe’s perspective!  How cool is that?

Also… next up is a book about a woman in Ephriam’s lineage who built three cities. A woman credited with the building of these cities!  I cannot wait! I love how Naomi focuses on how strong Biblical women were. So often we think of them as downtrodden and little more than cattle, but God shows how much He loves His daughters in the Word, and He definitely allows them to shine. We saw that in Naomi’s debut novel Rahab’s Courage.

Ezekiel’s Song by Naomi Craig

A prophet’s heart broken, a woman’s joy gone. What does Yahweh have planned for His people?

On the brink of Jerusalem’s demise, devoted priest, Ezekiel, sees the insincerity of Judah’s worship. Despite his efforts to call the people back to true worship of Yahweh, priests, artisans, valiant warriors, and royals are exiled to Babylon. When God gives him messages of continued judgment for the people in his homeland, his heart breaks. How can he minister to the people from so far away?

The presence of the Lord is tangible when Shiriel sings in the temple, and her voice prepares the hearts of many to worship. When she is exiled to Babylon, her faith is shaken. Does the Lord’s presence extend beyond Jerusalem and His holy temple?

Ezekiel is struck mute and paralyzed as he begins his prophetic ministry, and Shiriel devises a plan to get the Lord’s message back to the unfaithful people of Judah. Shiriel struggles with discontentment as serving the Lord looks nothing like she’d imagined. Can she provide for her family and carry out her husband’s ministry when her joy is gone, and her own dreams are placed on hold?

How will Yahweh save His people from themselves? Find out in Ezekiel’s Song!

Ezekiel’s Song is available at 30% off paperback and at a discount for Kindle, too through release week, so visit Naomi’s WEBSITE for more information.

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Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
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Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @Sarah Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @Sarah Monzon The entire Carrington Family series is on sale for only 99¢! (Free with #kindleunlimited ) 

Split-time romances with high stakes and even higher rewards! 

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young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
“book-side manner.” 
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save this bookstore?
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Fascinating moon tonight. Fascinating moon tonight.
If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing wit If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing with people.
Harper Brevig has two skills—picking out snarky bookish t-shirts and alienating customers. 
Oh, and racking up bills out of thin air. Make that three skills. She loves the elderly and the very 
young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
“book-side manner.” 
Milton Coleridge and his parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) come to the rescue… but is it too late to 
save this bookstore?
Twice Sold Tales: the first full-length novel in the Bookstrings Series releases on November 2, 
2022. Link to more information is in my bio! 
#amwriting
#amreading
#bookishbooks
#bookstrings
#comingsoon
#ChristianFiction
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While I was in Minnesota, I went to Red Wing for While I was in Minnesota,  I went to Red Wing for research,  and the shop manager of the salon I've appropriated for my bookstore in Twice Sold Tales was so encouraging and helpful.  She even gave @catheswanson a great bang trim.
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