Fatal Witness is my Reader Friday this week because…with the edits, I haven’t had time to read anything in two weeks! So, I thought I would talk a little about my latest release, and my writing, and what I’m doing next week. Here’s the opening paragraph of Fatal Witness: “The back door slammed and ten-year-old Danielle Bennett jumped. Her daddy was home. She held her breath, waiting to see which daddy it was. The one who laughed and swung her up in the air or the one who yelled and broke things.”
But first the photo and verse. These are the first buttercups–daffodils and jonquils to everywhere but around here–of the season! Yes! Spring is right around the corner. And I love that verse, often reminding myself of it when I start to worry about something I have absolutely no control over.
Like sales. A long time ago, I came to the decision not to worry about them, anyway, rationalizing that if God called me to write, it wasn’t up to me how many books sold, He was. I was responsible for putting down the words He gave me. That doesn’t mean. I don’t do everything in my power to get the word out…which is why I’m going to Nashville next week to the National Religious Broadcasters Conference. I hope to get interviews with podcasters and anyone who will give me a chance to tell why I think Christian fiction is important.
And I do think it’s important, and not just because that’s what I write. Christian fiction makes a difference in this dark world… and now I have to get back to my edits. I’ll be back next week with news from what happened at NRB!
Tell me if you think Christian fiction makes a difference and why and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book I pick up at NRB–authors are always giving away books there! This is in addition to the monthly drawing.
Is Christian fiction important? That's my Reader Friday Question! Leave a comment and you might win a new book. Click To TweetThanks for reading my books!
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Comments 42
Yes, I think Christian fiction is important. Before I discovered CF, I read secular books. They were full of despair, no hope, graphic details odd the seamy side of life. And honestly, I wasn’t happy that those thoughts crept into mine. But I love how I can pick up any CF book and know that none of that is there. And the authors point out through their characters that there is a hope of there- God. God is our hope.
Author
Amen, Linda. What you’ve said is basically what I’ll be telling the interviewers at NRB next week.
I think Solomon would would indeed confirm that God’s creation, down to the humble wildflowers, is more magnificent than his own wealth and splendor. Beautiful photo, Pat.
Just about all the fiction I read these days is Christian, and most of that is Christian suspense. Linda said it well. It is always uplifting because of the hope we have in Christ. It can be counted on, even in the dark spots, to keep our minds focused on God’s plans.
Right now, I’m reading one of my favorite (and I have a lot of them) CF authors. It’s Dani Pettrey’s latest book, just released, “One Wrong Move”. The opening lines are: “He inhaled the stiff resolution of her death. She’d seen Cyrus. Remembered him. Now he’d need to silence her before she could mention Cyrus to anyone at the gallery.” This is the first in her Jeopardy Falls series, and it is good!
Author
Thanks, Tim. I’ve had Dani’s book on my radar and now I’ll have to get it! And I so agree with your comment about the flowers!
I only read Christian fiction. I’m not closed minded but I go by the saying “garbage in, garbage out.” I get inspiration and happiness from these books especially when I have a down day. And with a recent broken shoulder I’m having lots of down days! I’m so thankful for you Patricia and all the other wonderful Christian authors.
Author
Garbage in garbage out is so true, Gail! Last week’s novel (Check it out here) was a feel-good story!
I absolutely think Christian fiction is important! It allows me to read “clean” books that also point us to Christ. I used to read secular books, but I’m so glad I found good Christian suspense fiction stories that also remind me that God is in control of all things.
Author
Me, too, Suzanne on reading general fiction. God convicted me that I didn’t have a delete button and once those images were in my head, they weren’t going away. Thank goodness for the wide array of Christian novels we have to choose from!
Absolutely! Christian fiction does make a difference. We are called by Christ to be different from the world, to take a stand for righteousness. And sometimes it really does cost us to do this. . . not to read the latest, steamy novel people are talking about, or see the questionable movie. These things DO affect our minds, lifestyle and thought patterns. I love Christian fiction, because there is usually a message about hope, redemption or grace in which we can relate. I don’t want to walk in my old ways. I’m grateful for forgiveness and a new life in Christ. I want to STAND FIRM, because Jesus is so worth it. I know this sounds like a soapbox and I don’t mean for it to be. It’s written with a heart of genuine gratefulness for God’s grace and mercy in my life.
Seeing all your bright, happy flowers, Pat, brought a second smile to my heart after my written rant above. Bless you!
Author
Thanks, Barbara. I so agree! And it’s not always easy to say no to a good movie or novel that would have been perfect if they’d just left out… pick your choice but it’s usually words and/or sex!
Christian fiction is very important to have available to read for the positive outlook of hope, faith, and grace in any situation. Thank you for your hard work and please keep writing. I am reading Lynn Blackburn’s upcoming book. The first line is: Landry Hutton didn’t believe dreams came true anymore.
Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn
Author
Thank you, Gloria! And I agree with your words about Christian fiction!
Congratulations on Fatal Witness, Patricia! I love the opening paragraph & I’m looking forward to reading the book.
I write Christian Fiction because I believe I am called to reflect the light of faith that God has so graciously given me. Someone once suggested that I delete some of the faith elements from my latest book in order to reach a wider audience. It gave me the opportunity to explain that I was simply reflecting the way I have come to understand truth. To do anything else would be to serve another master.
I do read widely, partly because I’m in a book club, and each member chooses the book they want to review. But I’ve discovered there can be wisdom and insight in works that aren’t explicitly Christian. (Having said that, I’ve put aside books that seemed to me to be glorifying anti-Christian behavior.)
Author
I totally agree with why you write Christian fiction, Kay. And I read widely as well and there are a lot of books I would like to review here, except…there’s always something, maybe just one or two words that don’t fit and I always think, “Why did you put that in there? It was totally unnecessary.”
Good morning, yes, I think Christian Fiction is very good, because we can all learn some good lessons from them and the Love of God for us is enforced in them, which is a lot of times what we need to hear. Have a great weekend. God Bless you and your family.
Author
Thanks, Alicia, and I totally agree with what you said. Have a great weekend!
I love the opening lines of Fatal Witness!
I think fiction teaches truths through relatable characters and situations. Christian fiction is important because truths it teaches aren’t worldly, ephemeral “truths” but Godly, everlasting truths.
Author
I like that, Priscilla…I may use it and I’ll credit you with it if I do. 😉
So many others have expressed some of my thoughts so well! I have been a reader for many many years. Before discovering CF most of the books I read were “clean” books – no foul language and no graphic sex BUT also no inspiration and nothing to motivate me in my Christian walk. I am so thankful for the CF authors whose characters have flaws, struggles, etc just like most of us, but the nuggets of scripture and words of faith and prayer do encourage me in my Christian walk. Thank you!
Pat, thank you for your review of “Always the Baker, Never the Bride” last week. What a delightful book!
Love your photo – a reminder that spring is coming and the rebirth of nature always reminds me of my rebirth as a new creation in Christ.
Author
Thanks, Miss Mary. One of the things I’ve always tried to do is to show that Christians have problems like everyone else, but it’s the way we solve them that is different. I’m so glad you enjoyed Always the Baker, Never the Bride!
Yes, I think Christian fiction is important. Congratulations on your release!
Author
Thank you, Diana! And I agree with you.
Christian fiction absolutely makes a difference, and is greatly needed. The stories in the genre offer hope and redemption in the stories, something mainstream fiction doesn’t always offer.
Author
I so agree, Megan!
I enjoyed FATAL WITNESS !!! Great story!
Of course Christian Fiction makes a difference – it glorifies God and spreads the Gospel!
Author
Thank you Natalya! And I totally agree.
My heart echoes so much of what’s already been said about CF. It’s a wonderful way to illustrate God’s character and Biblical principles in a way we can relate to it. Thank you for your ministry to us through the message of your books!
Author
Hi L! I think Christian fiction is a great way to present the gospel, too.
yes, it is very important! Really enjoyed reading Fatal Witness!
Author
Thanks, Shelia!!
Beautiful flowers! KJV says lilies, which always makes me think of this song: http://tinyurl.com/Consider-the-Lilies
I definitely think Christian fiction is important. So much of what is written by secular authors has a secular worldview that often takes a person’s mind straight to the gutter. The more they read the filth, the more the devil tempts them for more and more. Sadly, some who write Christian fiction venture too close to the edge. However, the vast majority write fiction with a sound message woven in. It may only be an undercurrent, but yet it is there with life lessons from which we can learn, if we just let them work their way into our minds.
My apologies. That link isn’t working for me. I should have tried it before I clicked to post. It’s a song from the Hemphills titled Consider the Lilies.
Author
You piqued my interest, Edward and I found this from the original album. Beautiful! Consider the Lilies
Author
I so agree, Edward. My books are what they call crossover books and a lot of general fiction readers read them–it’s an opportunity to share Who God is.
Pat, thanks for sharing the link to the original album. The man standing to the left on the cover is Joel Hemphill, the writer of the song. His daughter, Candy Hemphill Christmas, is the one singing it.
Author
That’s a beautiful song, Edward.
Yes it is very important to have Christian fiction.
Author
I agree, Patricia!
1. Daffodils are my favorite, and I have some JUST peeking out, but not blooming yet! 2. I finished Fatal Witness LAST NIGHT and could hardly sleep after. I always say, after every one of your books, that it’s your best, yet! Can’t wait for the next one! 3. Christian fiction is so important. I know some compare it to secular fiction and think, for some reason, that it is inferior, but have you seen some of the stuff passing for general fiction out there? I read CF pretty much exclusively, and mainly because “so many books, so little time!” I’ve noticed, in the few secular books I’ve read in the past year, that I think we in CF work much harder for accuracy in both craft and story. What we do is for our biggest fan, God the Father, and we want to show Him our best. 4. I love your take on whether or not your writing makes money or not. It’s a struggle, I will admit, and when the balance sheet doesn’t balance it’s very tempting to either quit or write to the masses, but when all’s said and done, our writing is one way we worship God. It’s the way He’s gifted us, and if only one person reads our books, and He is glorified, that’s what’s important. You are an amazing example.
Author
Regina, your buttercups, er daffodils will bloom soon! And I so agree with you on all of your points. I’ve noticed for a long time that general fiction gets away with a lot more than my CF editor will allow! I never see head hopping or very much telling in CF. I think we do work harder to put out a good book because we are writing it for an audience of One.
And thank you for your kind words about Fatal Witness! I’ll be so glad when I get these edits in so I can go back to reading…and Rebuilding Joy is first on my list! I also have a nonfiction book on my bedside table–Killers of the Flower Moon.
I believe Christian Fiction makes a huge difference as some people would never pick up a Bible but will read a book that speaks to their heart. Blessings
Author
Love that answer, Lucy!