With the economy struggling as it is, the Christian reading market is longing for stories they can get lost in, books that offer escape from the struggles of life. They want the happily-ever-after fairy tales where the handsome hero marries his princess. So, what's an author to do when their passion lies in writing the gritty tales of life? When they want to write books that teach about life's injustices, stories that compel the reader to think?
In today's Novel Journey blog, When the World Wants Happy Endings, Mary DeMuth eloquently ponders this question.
What do you think as a reader? A writer? Should authors write to the market or their passion?
Truthfully, I like a happy ending...but maybe my definition of a happy ending isn't the same as yours. I guess I'd say I at least want hope before the story is through because I've invested my time and my heart in getting to know characters that matter to me. I'm thinking of a series written by Cindy Woodsmall -- the happily ever after didn't come until the very last book in the series and even then it was riddled with what if's and if only's, at least in my mind. But each book ended on a definite hope high and that kept me reading.
ReplyDeleteJulie Lessman can wring a reader's heart out in a hundred different ways before the end of one of her books...and yes there's a happy ending...but only after much grief and struggle and it comes to real, flawed characters.
Am I making any sense?
Kav - You hit on the key for me. While I don't need happily-ever-afters, I do need to see hope for the characters.
ReplyDeleteI think that's one of the big differences between Christian fiction and the general market. Even the grittiest, messiest "Christian" stories still have a message of hope. And I love to see God shine through those broken lives.