the truth about fiction
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| The Truth About Fiction Notes from the workshop. © 2005 Donna A. Fleisher |
| The pointed question of this workshop? With all the misconceptions, misinformation, and misguided expectations out there, thank the Lord that, as believers, we know the Truth. But, as novelists, how do we stay focused on Truth in our make-believe worlds? The goal of this workshop? From foundational Truths to the truth about editors, agents, plotting, and marketing, the goal of this workshop is to realign our hearts, minds, and keystrokes on what really matters in our pursuit of publishing success. The instigator of this workshop? Donna Fleisher: fellow believer, former harborer of misguided expectations, and Zondervan’s current newby novelist who just completed her first contract and survived to tell the tale. John 8:31-36 The Truth About Fiction But first, the Truth with a capital T. What is Truth? John 18:33-38 Can Truth be incorporated into a work of fiction? Should it? 2 Samuel 12:1-15 Nathan uses a story to bring David the truth in the only way he can hear it at that moment. Sometimes fiction is the only way Truth can reach certain hearts. Truth is our foundation stone. What really matters besides Truth? And then, the truth about ourselves. Are we Christian novelists or novelists who are Christians? Are we called to write or called to follow Jesus Christ? God equips gifted people to use their gifts for Him. We must give our gifts back to Him. Exodus 35:30-36 speaks of a man named Bezalel, son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. A man naturally gifted in crafts, but God gave him special abilities and equipped him to build the tabernacle. And now, the truth about the Christian fiction industry. Did I just see a Christian novel on the New York Times’ bestseller list? If you haven’t, you will soon. Christian fiction is the fastest growing facet in all of publishing. As quickly as the market is expanding for what we do, the bar is being raised on quality. Exponential expansion are two good words to describe what’s happening in Christian fiction. There is such a thing as a Christian publishing house … isn’t there? Karen Ball: “There is no such thing as a Christian publishing house.” There are many publishing houses run by Christians—our brothers and sisters in Christ. And they must be financially responsible. The truth about the market. Just who reads Christian fiction anyway? Hurting people. Searching people. Doesn’t matter if they’re in the choir or not. Sometimes a story is the only way the Truth can reach some people. What do I need to know about the market? Everything. What’s hot. What houses specialize in what. Know your audience—know who they are before beginning to write. The truth about CBA. (CBA: Christian Booksellers Association—who sells what in Christian bookstores.) We need CBA. They are our first line of distribution, and they carry backlists. I don’t just want to write for the choir. Do I have to write for CBA? Christian publishing houses (most are members of the ECPA: Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) are responsible for providing CBA with product, but they are not limited to CBA. ECPA houses are distributing product to the world through all venues available. Can’t I write my Christian novel for the general market? God is a universal term in our world today. If you set out to write a Christian novel, the ABA (American Booksellers Association) will ask you to remove any mention of Jesus. They don’t care about use of the term “God.” “God” can mean anything to anyone these days. (Think Shirley McClaine.) Bottom line? Write the story God gives you to write without watering down our hope in Jesus. An ECPA publisher will get your story into all the same ABA distribution venues. God will get your story exactly where He wants it. The truth about breaking into print. Karen Ball: “God is not the one who says, ‘Publish or perish.’ ” Do I really have to spend all that money and go to conferences? Editors in our industry are tired of slush piles. They would rather go to conferences. New novelists must go to conferences. Does anyone pay any attention to Writer’s Edge or First Edition? Yes. Though it’s not overly common, new novelists are being noticed, especially on First Edition and especially by Harvest House (Susan Meissner). What’s the route to follow to break into print? Finish your story. Make it the best you can. Get it edited by someone impartial, preferably a professional freelance editor. Create a stunning proposal. Go to conferences. Trust the One who gave you the story to work things out in His perfect time and plan. Top recommended conference: American Christian Fiction Writers. There are more editors, agents, and professional novelists who go to ACFW than any other conference. It is the strength of your writing that will get it noticed. All editors say they are looking for excellent, powerful stories of high quality. Editors don’t know what they are looking for until they read it, and then they know. The truth about professional freelance editors. Who needs ’em? Anyone who is ready to submit. This is the part about the craft rising to meet the demand. Why do I need ’em? Has anyone impartial looked at your stuff? Professional freelance editors all have a specialty. They may or may not advertise that specialty, but they have one. Try to find one specializing in fiction—even Christian fiction. Try to find one who wants to read your entire manuscript. Avoid only sending three chapters to anyone for critique, especially if your story is not finished. You run the chance of having your unique voice tainted. Also, try to find a freelance editors who has written novels. Many published novelists offer critique services now. The truth about publishing house editors. What’s their problem anyway? : ) They’re busy. Very busy people. Remember this, and also remember that they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for them. They have earned the right to be in the position they are in. Trust them. And trust God. Why can’t they stay put? Who knows. : ) Opportunity, mainly. Editors move all the time, so we must trust God with our stuff from minute one. Wonder about things, but try not to worry. Give your worries to Him. The truth about August. Do they all have to go on vacation at the same time? : ) Does anyone work during August? Freelance professional editors do! Agents do. I think. The timing of the industry requires attentive patience. It’s a black hole of time. Accept it and live with it. The truth about agents. Who needs ’em? Everyone who has a finished manuscript they want to submit. Why do I need an agent? Can’t I go it alone? Maybe. You really need an agent to help the houses get you through the contract. But you can go it alone. Pray about this. Go to a conference to catch the eye of the editor, not the agent. Still make the contacts with the agents, still show them your stuff, but keep your focus on the editors who have gone to the conference looking for you. The truth about the craft and artistry of writing novels. Craft? So what? Talent? Can’t everyone write a novel? Yes. But there are things you must know about craft. Study the book: Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne and Dave King. Two reasons why you should: Editors love it, and it shows the higher level of craft we should attain in our writing. The book explains show versus tell very well, which is a difficult subject to explain and understand. Show versus tell … what’s that? Only the most important element of fiction there is. You must allow your characters to show their story to the reader. Don’t step in and be tempted to tell what your characters can show. Be true to your story—you are the only person who can write your story the way it should be written. The truth about the process of writing novels. What works for you will work for me … won’t it? No. Not always. Write your story first, then analyze it. Get it down, then learn more about the craft. Don’t allow anyone to change your unique voice and flow of your story. Even if they are well-meaning conference workshop leaders. What works for my first story will work for my second … won’t it? All stories are unique and play out differently. There are as many ways to write a novel as there are ways to sing a song. The truth about fiction. What could be more fun than writing a novel? What could be more fun that seeing that novel published? What could be more important than writing a Truth-laden tale? Obeying God? Giving it back to Him? Creative, imaginative expression. It’s a form of praise. Of worship. We honor God by giving back what He’s helped us create. He honors our creation (and us) by getting it into the hands of those who need it most. |
| From a workshop given at the fall one-day Oregon Christian Writers' conference. October 22nd, 2005 Tape or CD available from Ediger Media. |
