One of the things that’s interesting to me as an author is figuring out what readers are looking for when they’re hunting for their next read.
I’ll admit that, a lot of the time, it seems impossible to actually figure that out. Which makes sense, when I stop to think about it. I’m a big reader myself and I don’t always know exactly what I’m looking for when I’m hunting for my next read.
And yet.
One thing I’m always on the hunt for — that it seems like others are also looking for — is realism.
At first glance, this can be bizarre. After all, isn’t reading the best way to escape reality? And okay, sure, there’s definitely a yearning for some escape in my reading habits. Except, at least to me, falling into the lives of people who aren’t me is enough. I don’t feel the need to have a completely perfect fantasy world where there are no troubles — or the troubles that are there are solved easily with a quick prayer. (Let me be clear though — if you do love those sorts of stories? There is nothing wrong with that!)
I find my reading preferences influence my writing. I want characters who are people who are like me — doing their very best to live for Jesus in the middle of this messy world. People who know the Bible (every single word in it) is the living, active, inspired word of God and want to live out what Jesus commands, but who also know that the American culture is 100% opposed to a lot of the words that are in there, and people are eager to point fingers and label Christians judgmental (or worse) for standing up for God’s truth.
And so I tend to write books that touch on issues that crop up in the church today. Issues that are sometimes labeled political, but that are, in my opinion, matters of the heart alone. They are issues that show just how much each and every one of us needs Jesus.
Over time, I’ve tried to lighten my stories up with varying degrees of success, but I keep coming back to needing to write what God puts on my heart. Because at the end of the day, I write for Him. Sometimes that means my stories have less to think about in them. Other times…well, not so much.
One of my “not so much” books is my upcoming fourth Peacock Hill Romance, A Heart Redirected.
The hero, Sean Fitzgerald, is a wedding planner. Christians in the wedding industry have some potential problems they face in today’s culture, so I didn’t feel it would be realistic (or honest), to completely skip over those in the story.
So I didn’t.
Generally, the feedback I’ve gotten from beta readers has been positive. That’s encouraging. But I’ll admit I’m also a little scared.
I have stared at the places in the story where I hit what one beta reader called “a cultural lightning rod” and hovered my finger over the delete key. I could probably take it out and tweak the story a little to get the point across in a different way. But it would be dishonest — to myself and to the story as God put it in my heart.
So I’m leaving it. And I’m hoping that the readers out there who are hungry for more reality in their Christian romance will read and enjoy it. And that all of us will be left with something to think about when we finish the happy sigh a happy ending brings.
A Heart Redirected will be out on all e-book platforms on February 26th. You can pre-order your copy now if you want to be one of the first to have it. Find your preferred version here.
What about you? Are you a reality seeker? Or do you prefer lighter, less encumbered stories? Tell me why! I’ll choose one commenter (open to anyone, even international) to get a paperback of A Heart Redirected when it’s out (which may end up being a little after the release date, sorry!)
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I like a light read, reality reads are good too but I am into light reads as I like to read to escape and for relaxation. congrats on your new book it releases on my birthday.
I like reality in my reads. Topics of substance that make me ponder are appreciated, and yes, enjoyed too.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I like reality but I also like fantasy. It just depends on my mood. I love paranormal romances but I also love my Christian romances. It just depends on if my faith needs a boost or if I need a clean escape from life for non faith tied reasons.
Hi Elizabeth, bravo for tackling real issues! This world is so opposed to what it is to be a Christian- in fact, to anyone who is brave enough to stand for absolute truth! I look forward to reading this story- and what a great cover!!
What I read depends on my mood- sometimes I want a light read, sometimes more serious/heavy. I think though that at all times (even in a light read) I want the characters to still feel realistic- that means the path to the end of the story isn’t filled with perfect characters who never have a bad day!!
Blessings:)
It’s very good sometimes to escape reality, but you do that in books wether they have realism in it or not, because you do escape your reality.
I don’t particularly enjoy when characters are too perfect because that’s way beyond real life and I like to identify with them in a way or another, it makes them almost like friends.
Happy early birthday! It releases the day before mine :)
I enjoy being able to think about things after I’m done reading too. It helps the story linger :)
A mix is always a good thing! (I read a lot of genres myself.)
Thanks Wemble! And yes, the characters need to feel like real people no matter what (even if they’re elves or something fantastic.)
Laura – I love this “because you escape your reality” – isn’t that so true?! It’s so good to get away from the world sometimes even if there’s drama and messups in the story
Happy Early Birthday Elizabeth and best wishes on your upcoming release. I have enjoyed the reality factor in your Peacock Hill Romance series, because our middle son likes to renovate houses. His family lives in a house built in the early 1900s by the prominent dry cleaning family. So I understand the struggles of living in an older home. I agree with so many of the comments that characters and situations have to feel real. And as Laura so eloquently stated regardless of the genre or author, as readers “we escape our reality.” I enjoy planning events and weddings. As a pastor’s wife, I helped plan several – including two in the parsonage. Thanks for your informative blog. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks Renate!
Weddings in the parsonage sound fun! I was a church secretary for a while and handled all the wedding coordination for the church during that time. Thankfully not the whole wedding – just the church part – but sometimes when the couples didn’t have someone “in charge” I ended up helping get people down the aisle at the right time :)
I love stories that are REAL in the sense of characters who are flawed dealing with situations I can identify with, whether the circumstances are real to our culture or not. That can mean any of the genres I read, including fantasy. The one reality I don’t like to see in books is when bad guys get away with their actions. That’s where real life crossing into fiction takes the fun out of a story.
I like reality in my books – I think that makes them easier to relate to. I also like Cinderella type stories where the heroine is realistic but the hero is more of a “prince” (or rich or has something that eases the heroine’s reality). I am SUPER excited for this Peacock Hill book to be released in paperback! This was one of my favorite series I read in 2018!
I love having a lot of reality in my reading….books that make me feel….and cry and laugh….these are my favorite reads. Every once in a while I need a light and fluffy read….but mostly I enjoy the gritty realism of characters!
Thank you so much for the chance of a giveaway and for the amazing 5 years of this wonderful blog!
Oh I so agree! Good needs to conquer evil – there needs to be consequences for the bad guy!
I’ll admit I like that little bit of just outside the realm of normal too. :)
And yay! I’m so glad you enjoy Peacock Hill!
There is absolutely a place for the fluffy! I love that sometimes myself :)
And yes! 5 years is such a great milestone – I’m so honored to be part of InspyRomance!
I really enjoyed beta reading this story, and your readers are in for a treat! While I read mostly CCR, a mix of realism is nice. There’s a place for realistic, thought-provoking stories, and there’s definitely a place for happy-sappy light. Depends on my mood!
Mood definitely plays a part in my reading choices!
And thanks Valerie :)
I tend to read (and write) books with more realistic characters who deal with real-world problems through the lens of faith. Although many people love celebrity/royalty/rich characters, and I don’t fault them for it, it’s a struggle for me to relate to these characters! I much prefer stories with everyday heroes and heroines.
And as a professional musician who plays a lot of weddings, yup, I totally relate to that particular cultural lightning rod.
I love A Heart Redirected will be centered around the wedding industry. I just heard on the news yesterday the “average” wedding costs over $33 thousand, crazy! I’m looking forward to how you handle the Christian aspects of weddings, very interesting topic.
On to your question: Reading is my favorite hobby and since I read for enjoyment there are certain things I do and don’t look for in a book.
I like stories I can envision really happening, I visualize most books I read like a movie playing out as I read them, no silly/slapstick movies for me.
I’m a very relational type person so I enjoy a story that really shows the ins and outs of how the characters work things out, and yes, a happy ending is my preference :)
Things I shy away from are stories with too much detail in crimes/murder and scary type suspense, because that doesn’t speak enjoyment to me. However, I do like trying to solve a good mystery.
I’m glad there’s enough variety in CF to satisfy most every type of CF reader.
Happy Birthday to you and your book!
I think there is room for books with a lot of realism and those that don’t have that. I like both. I just finished a book that tackled a very serious and difficult subject that was very powerful and I loved it. But I also like books that are a bit lighter.
I am glad you stuck to what you believed and what God was telling you to write.
Elizabeth, I have to chuckle – weddings in the parsonage are stressful when one has young children, one hates to clean, needs to please family and parishioners, plus not in a pastor’s budget. Stressful enough when at the church. Presently my house needs a thorough cleaning – but I resist because of 30 years of never being able to go to bed, before the parsonage was ship shape. Picking up after growing children, dishes done, dusted, bathrooms immaculate. Never relaxed living in the “people’s house.” Just my perspective.
I like books where I can relate to the characters. Or there’s a strong sense of community. I loved all of the Arcadia Valley stories because of the realistic characters and the awesome community.
I enjoy both depending on my mood as well as reading different genres of Christian Fiction. I enjoy variety.
I love the cover of your book. That purple is stunning.
I do enjoy escaping into a book – a lighter, easy read is fun. But there are definitely times when I long for something to go a bit deeper – something to make me think and ponder what I would do in that situation.
wonderful post. I like both, but more so light and humorous. I like historical western as my first go to, biblical fiction, but have gotten into some contemporary and cozy mysteries.
I prefer realism with hope. I don’t want the kind of soap opera drama that people usually give as examples of “reality.” I know that is reality for some (I’ve watched it in loved ones’ lives), but too much worldliness is depressing and counterproductive to us as Christians who live in the world but are not supposed to be of it.
My litmus test is Philippians 4:8. If a book (even a Christian one) doesn’t leave me thinking about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy, then I might as well be watching the news for all the hours I invested in the book.
However, there is a difference between reality TV and realistic fantasy. ? I do look for realistic characters, who have flaws and foibles, struggling with temptations “such are common to man.” As long as the sins and temptations aren’t dwelt on or too graphic, and as long as they are definitely portrayed as wrong with a realistic way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
I really enjoy real stories with real people to whom I can relate. Rich and royals are way out on my interest though I’ve read a few here and there. I’d probably say the same for real stories with characters that I can’t relate to. I don’t think we can relate to all real characters and that’s what makes it interesting to have a variety of books to a variety of readers who will care for one storyline but not the next.
I love reality fiction. I like real characters that are flawed and are trying to walk with Christ. You are an author that is new to me. I will have to check out your books.
I like a variety. I love Christian romantic suspense, but also enjoy clean, humorous romances, as well as, books that tackle tough issues from a Christian viewpoint.
Put like that it does sound stressful!
Real world through the lens of faith is absolutely what I go for as well — it can be such a challenge living in today’s world and standing for Jesus, I like to see how characters manage it.
I love all of this — and YES — I am so grateful for the variety that’s out there. There truly is something in CF for anyone who wants to read.
Thanks!
I love how so many of us embrace the variety that’s out there. :)
The community in Arcadia Valley really was a lovely place to visit. I’m still sad that series is over :)
I’m a multi-genre reader too. Sometimes you just need a little something different!
Thank you! When my cover designer sent the proof she was worried I wasn’t going to like the purple, but I adore it as well. It helps that purple is my favorite color :) All of my Peacock Hill covers make me happy, but this might just be my favorite so far.
I like reality reads, but not 100% of my reading diet. Hard issues are always welcome because they will hopefully make people think (and pray) more about an issue. I read the romance Christian category for the most part (contemporary, historical, suspense) and what I read depends on what my mood is at the time.
There is some GREAT Biblical fiction out there. It’s something I never would have thought I’d enjoy (I don’t really enjoy historical fiction) — but I love it.
Oh yes! Reality does not (at least to me) equal soap opera drama and angst! Although yes, that does happen in reality too :)
Love your Bible litmus tests — I think (hope!) we are all using those in every aspect of our lives.
I don’t mind rich provided the characters aren’t living a crazily lavish lifestyle (it’s that whole relatable thing). I go through moods when I like royalty stories, but it’s less common for me. I love that there are stories out there for everyone!
Flawed and trying to walk with Jesus are two of the key traits of pretty much all my characters (or at least that’s what I aim for!) I have a free book, Wisdom to Know, that is on the deeper end of reality (vs some of my lighter titles) that sounds like you might enjoy.
I love the humorous books — I wish I could write them! I’ve tried a couple of times and, while they’re funny to me, they’re never what I think can be termed rom coms.
I can’t think of anything fiction I’d want for 100% of my reading diet. I like to switch it up.
I love stories that are real. But I do like to sprinkle light-hearted stories in between.
Light hearted can definitely be a good thing.
I like reality because I’m able to relate, emphasize and see how faith can move in a character’s emotional journey. I like light-hearted books too, because they make me laugh and relax. Thanks for the giveaway!
You’re welcome! It’s good to have a balance.
I definitely prefer a more realistic story. Something light and fluffy once in a while is fun, but not my first choice.
You’re in good company! :)
I don’t mind some fantasy now and then, but when I pick up a book that I know is Christian, I prefer it to be reality-based. In my opinion, a Christian-themed book is supposed to be inspirational, uplifting and lead the reader into a deeper walk with Christ. If it’s too fantastical, it’s not going to do that because that’s not real life. I love it when I pick up a Christian book to read, no matter whether it’s romance, suspense or something else altogether, and it opens my eyes (and my heart) to God’s conviction or leads me to a solution that I couldn’t seem to find any other way.
Keep writing what God tells you to write, even when it’s hard. He will bless you and the people who read your books will be blessed and encouraged.
I like books that are easy to read and have a happily ever after, but I don’t mind if they tackle difficult subjects on the way there.
For the most part, I prefer realism in books. If a character is too unrealistic, I don’t connect with them.
Thanks, Lisa!
I too love when I can find a nugget in a story that helps me walk a little closer with Jesus.
Sometimes that’s the very best mixture!
Oh for sure! I need someone to connect with in my stories as well.
Hi Elizabeth, I’m glad you were brave and followed your calling and tackled the issues He put on your heart for this book. I personally believe we need more authors publishing CCR books that aren’t afraid to tackle the real life issues that confront CCR readers. There’s room in the CCR genre for both the lighter reads and the heavier reads and everything in between! :)
I think,at the end of the day, all any author can do is write what they feel God is telling them to. :) There’s definitely room for a variety in the marketplace.
I like books that are based on reality – believable, realistic stories. But a happily ever after ending helps balance out the weight and provides the escape we often need!
Interesting….when I think about it, I read to get away from reality but I do prefer the stories that are close to real life events and situations. It’s easier to relate!
Oh I for need a happy ending! Reality is great, but happy endings are a must!
It’s that tricky balance!
First off, you or your alter ego have a great first name.
I like it to be real most of the time. I enjoy books that touch real issues faces us today and I love those little reminders that you are not alone and He is there for you. I also enjoy more light-hearted stories with witty and playful banter they too can touch on realities we face today. Either way, I have one of your books on my tablet and will be reading it soon.
Best name ever ;)
And yes! I do love witty banter and try for it at least once or twice in each book (I’m told that my guys do a good job of joking around with one another.)
Yay – hope you enjoy whichever book you have!
I enjoy books that have a heavy dose of reality in them, I think because I like seeing how the characters can work through and overcome the challenges they face. The characters can be dealing with a really intense issue or a more surface issue but either way they need to handle it in a way that seems realistic. It’s okay for them to struggle through because it shows that they aren’t 100% perfect and it makes the resolution or redemption at the end that much sweeter.
Love this!
I remember as a teen reading some really EARLY Grace Livingston Hill books – written when SHE was very young, and noticing that some of the characters were just too good to live! LOL! Her later characters gained a dose of reality, and those are the ones I still re-read. Your book sounds great, and if I don’t win it, I’ll definitely be looking for it! Great post!
I’ve read through some of the books I remember adoring when I was younger and run into that same thing. It’s sweet and kind of funny. But they probably wouldn’t hold my attention if that’s all I could find today.
Hi Elizabeth–while I write what are probably less dramatic novels, I LOVE reading novels with realism. I feel like my books have a reality that matches today’s society, but I’m more of a light subject writer. Thank you and all the others who tackle different subjects. :)
I love your books and they definitely have reality. Maybe they’re not super hard hitting, but they’re still fantastic!
I’m new on the writing scene and choosing to tackle the Christian Romance genre with honest reality. People make mistakes. It’s how they overcome their bad choices that matters. I hope to see more novels that encourage their readers who’ve messed up or who’ve gone off track. All things can work for good.