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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Do I Write Christian Fiction?

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

Why Do I Write Christian Fiction?

One of the most surprising questions I receive as a Christian fiction author–and from Christian readers, I might add–is “Why do you write Christian fiction?”  Don’t get me wrong.  It’s a valid question.  But it still surprises me every time I hear it.

First, I think I should clarify something.  When people hear “Christian fiction,” they often think of what I call “evangelistic fiction.”  I do not write evangelistic fiction.  While occasionally one of my characters will feel called to share Jesus in an overt, evangelistic way or another character will be drawn to Jesus through the words or life of one of His people, it is not the primary focus of my fiction.

And that’s because of why I write Christian fiction. 

My novels are written to encourage the body of Christ–not to try to preach salvation to the saved. In fact, I work very hard to avoid preachiness in my books.  Where it exists, it’s usually to illustrate a point in a character rather than ram some doctrinal point down the literary throats of my readers.

I have no theological agenda in my books.

I write only to uplift the weary, encourage the discouraged, and to “stimulate” my fellow Christians to “love and good deeds.”  Some of my characters hold theological beliefs that I don’t.  This often surprises my readers, but it’s true.  I do this because I want to show how others come to different understandings of scripture.

I have a character whose children live a very specific conviction regarding female clothing.  Even my character doesn’t hold the conviction, but she lives it as an example to the children she’s raising.  Why did I do this?  Because I’ve seen the attacks that people who do hold this conviction have endured by those who felt judged by it.  I wanted to show that people who feel judged by others can be assuming condemnation aimed at them that isn’t.

What do I mean by that convoluted sentence? 

Sometimes, when we know others hold themselves to a particular standard, we assume that they look down on us–judge us–for not holding the same standard.  And guess what?  In that moment, we are guilty of the very judgment we’ve accused them of.  I wanted to remind believers that we’re all in this together.

Rather than feel condemned, why not encourage someone in their faith–their convictions?

When I meet someone who doesn’t eat pork, for example, I don’t flaunt my freedom to eat pork.  I serve beef.  I ask about their great chicken recipe.  I don’t try to persuade them to reconsider their conviction in the light of my “superior” understanding of Scripture.  God can convict and change (if He so chooses) through His Word and without my help.

If people want to know my opinion, they’ll ask.

Every month–sometimes weekly–I get at least one email that says, “Seeing how ABC character did 123 really challenged me.  I’m in prayer and study to see what the Lord says about this–about how I need to respond to it.”

And that right there, ladies and gentlemen, is why I write.  It’s why I read Christian fiction. 

People are often surprised to discover that I don’t listen to much Christian music.  While I love old hymns and a few Christian songs–particularly “devotional songs”–most of the music I listen to is instrumental or old secular stuff (mostly pre-60’s… decades before I was even born).  But my reading material is almost exclusively Christian fiction.

Why?  Because I, like most of humanity, learn best through stories.  There are reasons Jesus used stories to teach His disciples.  We learn well that way.  Seeing how someone else–even if that person is only fictional–reacts to the curve balls life throws us helps me see what I need to do to change my own reactions when things go wrong.

Obviously, I did write one non-Christian book. 

But for the most part, I fully intend to stick with my chosen genre–broad as it is.  I do it because I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do it because of how blessed I’ve been by the writings of other Christian fiction authors.  I do it because it’s my way of serving the Lord–my “spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1).

I’m curious, though.  How has Christian fiction blessed you?  Does it?  Do you read it because it’s clean, because it’s encouraging, or because you just love to read?  I love learning why others do what they do.

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Comments

  1. Courtney says

    January 9, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    I like your books because they make me think and encourage me. The first series I read was Aggie. As I have six kids who were all added to our family within 3 years (through international adoption) and who were all older when they joined our family I could relate to a lot of Aggie’s experiences and it was so encouraging to hear some of my doubts and fears expressed through fiction. That hooked me and I think I have most of your books now!

    Reply
  2. Sarah Giddens says

    January 9, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I read christian fiction because I enjoy reading something that’s exciting, mysterious and “clean”. It doesn’t take you into the bedroom with explicit sexual language. It’s something I feel I can share with my friends and feel good about. I appreciate your writing and have followed the stories because they grab your attention right from the beginning and I love the serial novel.Good work. Keep it coming.

    Reply
  3. Cathe Swanson says

    January 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I don’t find a lot of shallow Christian fiction anymore. The industry is becoming more sophisticated, and successful authors have to be writing solid novels to be competitive. Readers expect more than we used to, because we have more options.

    I like Christian fiction. The Christian worldview has expanded to other genres: romance, mystery, fantasy, spy thrillers, and more.

    Reply
  4. tabitha says

    January 8, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    There are few Christian books I can read. Some are just as lusty as the basic romances. Others are just to hollow with a message for me.
    Now yours. Are awesome and I have them all.
    Love ya!

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      January 8, 2015 at 5:57 pm

      Yeah, I don’t do well with the lust. Now and then pure fluff is a nice escape, but I usually like SOME meat to my fiction. Usually I like a “low carb-carnivore” literary diet. But now and then, spiritual bubblegum is fun to chew.

      Reply

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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
byChautona Havig

I had another lovely conversation with Toni Shiloh last month. Her latest book, The Love Script released and boy does it promise to be another #BookTouchdown!  Listen in to what you’ll find in this Love in the Spotlight series and especially in The Love Script.

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

How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?

Authors tell me over and over that they experience the same things I do when I’m writing. You start helping your characters work through their problems, and as you do, the Lord starts exposing your own.  He helps you understand where you need growth and helps pull weeds that try to choke out that growth.

The Love Script has a great twist of someone trying to use a lie to smooth over the gossipy ripples of false reporting (genius way to handle it, eh?) and oh the fall out.

Toni promises we’ll see some great wisdom from Lamont’s mother and some deep truths that Neveah discovers.

The Love Truth by Toni Shiloh

A Hollywood hair stylist.

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

The silver screen’s latest heartthrob.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

You can find out more about Toni on her WEBSITE.  Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don’t forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com. And you can get You Make It Feel Like Christmas, too!

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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
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