Michelle’s answer to “As an edgy Christian writer, I'm finding it difficult to promote my novel to other Christians becau…” > Likes and Comments
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Great minds think alike. But sometimes to reach one person's heart you will offend ten others. One of my books like that is called Decision to love. Read the reviews on that one lol
I too am an Inspirational author who writes edgy material. Both of my books are written about tough subjects. I believe it is important to be "real" in my writing. This life is very difficult and readers (I think) need to know that people struggle to deal with life issues all the time. It gives readers hope and helps them heal when books talk about the misfortunes or difficulties facing all of us here on planet Earth! Plus it helps them to know that they're not alone in trials and tribulations.
I completely agree with this, Diamante! I think especially with the current generation of teens, if a story doesn't give due acknowledgment to the difficulties they're actively facing (many of which wouldn't fit under a "G"-rated banner), then it's just not going to connect. We need real stories for the real world that proclaim that real hope of the Gospel of Christ!
I think the most confusing thing this generation has to deal with is gender identity. I can’t wrap my mind around the boy isn’t a boy unless he feels like he identifies with the male persona and the same with girls. It’s gender confusion and I would even attempt to write about it. Being XX and XY doesn’t matter now to our young people’s culture anymore. Even sex (male/female) is not seen as an absolute. As far as sex (intercourse) goes my boys are 25 and 26 and it’s seems like people were more sexually involved with others in my generation (the 80s) than they are now or were in the 2000s when they were teens. What do you alll think about this?
I agree, I think gender confusion is definitely a major issue for today's youth. With regard to your question regarding whether it seems like people are more sexually involved with others during their teen years in the 80s vs now, I'm not sure. The stats I've been able to find seem to indicate both then and now between 40-45% of teens have engaged in sexual intercourse. However, I'm having a harder time locating hard numbers on alternative sexual behaviors (i.e., oral sex, etc.), and I'd be willing to bet those numbers have increased. Sex seems to be valued less and less with every year that goes by. I certainly believe the insane ease of access to online porn has only served to further normalize aberrant sexual behavior and to exacerbate the problem of teens feeling pressured to engage in sex prior to marriage.
I am guessing my boys just had different experiences but then again their friends were all straight laced too. I think the fact that sex is all over tv and leaves little to the imagination does not help. It normalizes casual sex.
This is definitely a tough world for everyone. The more information there is about what we have to deal with the better in my opinion.
I also write about gender confusion, but from a nonfiction perspective. See, for example, Misplaced Affections in Living in Christ (www.t2Pneuma.net). I have, however, drafted my first novella this fall to see if I can write in a more accessible format.
To answer your question, try publishing the same novel with two different titles and covers, one for each niche. Some people won't read something that is not edgy and some won't read if it is. The crossover problem is unlikely to go away, something your publisher will likely understand.
I do not understand, even though my daughters have told me over and over.
would love for you to add me as friend but would also like for you to review my christian work
The Christian book market, like many others, is overdue for a revolutionary transformation. But let’s be clear—I’m not talking about pushing the boundaries with Christian-themed pornography or extreme violence. What I mean is a shift that reflects the true complexity of our world, moving away from the limiting, corporate-driven narratives that box people into tidy, manageable categories. We’ve already seen legacy media and news undergo massive disruption. The book industry is next in line.
Right now, the industry feels stagnant, stuck in outdated paradigms that prioritize profit and control over real, honest engagement with the world’s evolving realities. We live in a time where people’s experiences are diverse, nuanced, and often messy—and the books we read should reflect that. It’s time for a shake-up that moves beyond safe, predictable formulas and dares to embrace a more authentic storytelling landscape.
The book market, particularly in the Christian space, has the potential to lead this change, but only if it opens itself up to the kind of bold, transformative thinking we’re seeing elsewhere. Until then, the industry will continue to fall short of its true potential, holding back voices, stories, and ideas that could inspire real change—and even draw more to the faith.
It’s time for books to stop being part of the problem—and start being part of the solution.
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Michelle
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Jul 19, 2016 09:54AM
Great minds think alike. But sometimes to reach one person's heart you will offend ten others. One of my books like that is called Decision to love. Read the reviews on that one lol
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I too am an Inspirational author who writes edgy material. Both of my books are written about tough subjects. I believe it is important to be "real" in my writing. This life is very difficult and readers (I think) need to know that people struggle to deal with life issues all the time. It gives readers hope and helps them heal when books talk about the misfortunes or difficulties facing all of us here on planet Earth! Plus it helps them to know that they're not alone in trials and tribulations.
I completely agree with this, Diamante! I think especially with the current generation of teens, if a story doesn't give due acknowledgment to the difficulties they're actively facing (many of which wouldn't fit under a "G"-rated banner), then it's just not going to connect. We need real stories for the real world that proclaim that real hope of the Gospel of Christ!
I think the most confusing thing this generation has to deal with is gender identity. I can’t wrap my mind around the boy isn’t a boy unless he feels like he identifies with the male persona and the same with girls. It’s gender confusion and I would even attempt to write about it. Being XX and XY doesn’t matter now to our young people’s culture anymore. Even sex (male/female) is not seen as an absolute. As far as sex (intercourse) goes my boys are 25 and 26 and it’s seems like people were more sexually involved with others in my generation (the 80s) than they are now or were in the 2000s when they were teens. What do you alll think about this?
I agree, I think gender confusion is definitely a major issue for today's youth. With regard to your question regarding whether it seems like people are more sexually involved with others during their teen years in the 80s vs now, I'm not sure. The stats I've been able to find seem to indicate both then and now between 40-45% of teens have engaged in sexual intercourse. However, I'm having a harder time locating hard numbers on alternative sexual behaviors (i.e., oral sex, etc.), and I'd be willing to bet those numbers have increased. Sex seems to be valued less and less with every year that goes by. I certainly believe the insane ease of access to online porn has only served to further normalize aberrant sexual behavior and to exacerbate the problem of teens feeling pressured to engage in sex prior to marriage.
I am guessing my boys just had different experiences but then again their friends were all straight laced too. I think the fact that sex is all over tv and leaves little to the imagination does not help. It normalizes casual sex.
This is definitely a tough world for everyone. The more information there is about what we have to deal with the better in my opinion.
I also write about gender confusion, but from a nonfiction perspective. See, for example, Misplaced Affections in Living in Christ (www.t2Pneuma.net). I have, however, drafted my first novella this fall to see if I can write in a more accessible format.To answer your question, try publishing the same novel with two different titles and covers, one for each niche. Some people won't read something that is not edgy and some won't read if it is. The crossover problem is unlikely to go away, something your publisher will likely understand.
I do not understand, even though my daughters have told me over and over.
would love for you to add me as friend but would also like for you to review my christian work
The Christian book market, like many others, is overdue for a revolutionary transformation. But let’s be clear—I’m not talking about pushing the boundaries with Christian-themed pornography or extreme violence. What I mean is a shift that reflects the true complexity of our world, moving away from the limiting, corporate-driven narratives that box people into tidy, manageable categories. We’ve already seen legacy media and news undergo massive disruption. The book industry is next in line.Right now, the industry feels stagnant, stuck in outdated paradigms that prioritize profit and control over real, honest engagement with the world’s evolving realities. We live in a time where people’s experiences are diverse, nuanced, and often messy—and the books we read should reflect that. It’s time for a shake-up that moves beyond safe, predictable formulas and dares to embrace a more authentic storytelling landscape.
The book market, particularly in the Christian space, has the potential to lead this change, but only if it opens itself up to the kind of bold, transformative thinking we’re seeing elsewhere. Until then, the industry will continue to fall short of its true potential, holding back voices, stories, and ideas that could inspire real change—and even draw more to the faith.
It’s time for books to stop being part of the problem—and start being part of the solution.
