I attended a ladies’ retreat this past weekend. It wasn’t a sleep-away retreat, thankfully. Those of us who are introverts need some down time in-between all that socializing. Even so, there was a lot of peopling that occurred.
When you get a group of women together and discuss the things of God, some truths come to the surface.
For example, we each have a story. In fact, we each have many stories that have impacted our hearts and lives in big ways.
Most of us don’t want our stories out there for the whole world. Sometimes, we feel that our stories make us vulnerable, that sharing our stories makes us vulnerable. The truth, though – at least as I see it – is that our stories, by God’s grace, have made us strong. Sharing our stories is sharing that strength.
People sometimes ask me why I write Christian romance. Sometimes that question comes from somebody who wonders why I write Christian romance, and sometimes it comes from someone who wants to know why I write Christian romance.
The former is easy to explain. I write Christian romance because what other kind would I write? I’m a child of the King, and I belong to Him, so what other kind of romance would I ever consider writing?
The latter is a little bit harder to explain, though. When someone asks why I write Christian romance, their question can sometimes come from a place of looking down their nose at me. They think romance is somehow trivial. That fiction is somehow unbiblical. That there’s something inherently wrong with what I do. Maybe they even think I’ve sold out and gone after the big bucks. (Give me a sec. I need to get my laughter under control…)
Is there something wrong with writing Christian fiction? I don’t believe so. Jesus spoke through story all the time. He, better than any other person who’s ever lived, deeply understood how to convey spiritual truth – and He often conveyed those truths via story. He didn’t use only story. Certainly, He spoke plainly, too. But even when He spoke plainly, He often peppered those conversations with little stories.
Story is powerful. We can connect with stories in a way that we don’t necessarily connect to a sermon or someone explaining a passage of Scripture to us. I know it’s different for every Christian author, but for me – Scripture is at the heart of what I’m doing. We listen to stories a little more easily, though, than we do Bible reading. Our guard is down when it comes to stories. We’re more receptive. Those biblical truths can sneak in through the words, and God can use them in our lives.
I’m not saying that Christian fiction should ever take the place of going to church (it definitely shouldn’t!) or that reading a Christian fiction book is the same as reading your Bible (it’s definitely not!). I’m just saying that Christian fiction has its place in the world and that God can use it in beautiful ways in people’s lives. When we’re true to the Savior who first showed us what a powerful tool storytelling can be, then our stories will reflect Him in all of His glory. Amen!
Now…as for why I write romance specifically…well…it’s kind of simple. People are complex and exciting and wildly entertaining – especially when you put together two people that don’t have to be together. They’re not family. They’re not (usually) coworkers. They’re often people who might not necessarily cross paths outside of whatever circumstances I contrive for them. And simply put – that’s fun. People bumping up against each other, learning from each other, disagreeing, sometimes fighting, growing together, exploring life, living the ordinary moments and the extraordinary moments together – being able to create those worlds and explore those experiences through the characters I write is fun. And romance is the perfect little melting pot for making those things happen. There’s something deeply rewarding about writing a story where two people grow in their faith and seek to glorify God as they get to know each other and find that special spark that turns a passing fancy into a lasting relationship.
So, why do I write Christian romance? Well, I write Christian romance because I enjoy a good story as much as the next person. But I also write Christian romance because I believe that storytelling – with all its complexities and richness – is a good way to teach and learn about how our thoughts, feelings, and lives are touched and shaped by our Savior. But I also write Christian romance because I believe that when people see strength in the stories of others’ they will start to see the strength in their own stories, too – and it’s there that they decide to share themselves with others and to let God use their story for His glory.
Now that you know some of the reasons why I write Christian romance – tell me why you read it. What makes Christian romance your go-to genre? Why is it the book you pick up and don’t want to put down?
Heather Gray loves coffee, God, her family, and laughter – not necessarily in that order! She writes approachable characters who, through the highs and lows of life, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her. And, yeah, her books almost always have someone who's a coffee addict. Some things just can't be helped. Despite their different lives and situations, Heather’s characters have something in common. They're all flawed...but loved anyway.
I love Christian Romance for many of the same reasons that you write it! We all love a good story, and I find my Inspy authors never disappoint! Godly, inspiring, and entertaining! What more can you want?
I find most movies, (the other medium for romance), don’t normally tick the boxes for me. Give me a good solid CCR ebook!!
*Waves at a fellow introvert.
That is such a great explanation of Christian fiction and romance story telling and why they matter!
All I can add is, I’ve always loved reading romance, from fairy tales onward, they brighten my world. And my faith in God as a Christian has always been at the centre of my life. It’s only fairly recently, in the last couple of years I’ve discovered Christian romance, and it’s just great that I can enjoy my favourite genre with another level of what is the most important thing to me added in.
Thanks to all the authors on here for what you do, it’s much appreciated!
I love the reasons that you have given. Yes, Jesus was a story teller, and the Christian Romances that I enjoy the most are the ones that challenge me in some way or introduce me to a new way of thinking.
There are far more who salute you for what you are doing than look down on you…. Keep up the good work!
Christian romance fills me with hope and makes me question what I would do. I love the Bible verses that speak to my heart and live on way after I’ve finished the book. It is also a great way to relax after a busy day.
I believe the best stories are about relationships between people. A good romance involves more than boy meets girl, they fall in love and get married because relationships, like life, are complex. Jesus used story to clarify His teaching about God’s kingdom. A good story captures our attention, and we absorb the truth being taught without feeling “preached at.” Christian romances have happy endings. In our troubled world, a good romance will give us hope for something better.
**Gives standing ovation**
I cannot like this post. It’s like you peeked into my brain and wrote out my thoughts. I read CF much for the same reasons I write it. Story is powerful and I always walk away from a book having learn something (whether a simple fact or a powerful truth).
Yay! I say this all the time – but I love people who love CCR! ^_^ Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Ruthie! I’ll be sure to share your comments with the other authors. You made my day – so I know you’ll put a smile on their faces too!
Thank you, Jeannette! I love those stories that challenge me, too. Sometimes when you’ve been in church a long time, you develop certain thinking patterns without even realizing it. It’s good when those patterns are challenged. Sometimes we come out of it with the exact same conclusion that we started with, and that’s okay. Examining why we believe what we believe is always beneficial, and trying to look at things from someone else’s perspective is good for us, too. :-)
Amen! I’m all for relaxing at the end of a busy day! The rest of what you said hits home, too, though. It’s those Scriptures – those spiritual truths – that stay with us. The characters live on in our imaginations because of the power of their story, and in Christian fiction, that power lies in the transformative power of Christ and the Word.
Well said! Ultimately, that “something better” in which we place our hope is the cross of Christ. For as long as we live in this world, though, we need encouragement. We need the people and things that continue to redirect us to the One in whom our hope rests. I think that’s a big part of being in the world but not of the world – and that’s a journey we help each other through day by day and – in the case of Christain romance authors – story by story.
You made me laugh. If someone told me they’d peaked inside *my* brain, I’d probably apologize to them. I feel like your brain is a much safer place to be… ^_^
We learn so much about who we are through the relationships we have. In fiction, we learn about who we are through the relationships we explore on the page – whether those relationships are with other people or with the Savior who wants us to be in relationship with Him. If there’s power in story, how much more power is there when the story is about the Life-giving Creator God?
I prefer to read Christian romance for several reasons. I love a good story; especially when that story relates to 2 people coming together, finding themselves, finding each other, and finding God in the process. I love to witness that thought process and discovery. I also enjoy not encountering the X-rated scenes found in other books. And I love a happy ending. So, thank you, Heather and other Christian authors, for giving us those wonderful stories of love and redemption. To God be the glory. ❤❤
You made my heart happy, Bonnie. Thank you for sharing!! I think you hit it perfectly, too – love *and* redemption. What better story could there be?
One of the biggest reasons I love to read Christian romance is that they are a look into what could or should have been. I chose to walk away from my faith for many years so when I got married I pushed away the prompting of the Spirit and guidance of my parents and chose an unbeliever. I don’t live with regret as that is destructive but escaping into a good story always gives new perspectives, right?
I also have to say I believe God uses Christian romance as a witness more than you may think! My Grandparents had always shut down any real discussion to share Christ. My Grandma would always go to the yearly Mother/Daughter banquets at church with Momma, my sister & I, but it ended there. Yet in her last 20-30 years (she lived to 98!) she joined in a group of ladies with Momma & I where we passed around Love Inspired Christian romance books. She loved to read romance but couldn’t stand all of the sexual scenes that are in so many of them. Having them contain faith didn’t seem to bother her and even though she still didn’t talk about that I really believe God was softening and preparing her heart all that time. When she had been in a nursing home for some time & didn’t read anymore that perfect time lined up. My niece and her husband were talking with her & asked her if she wanted to ask Christ into her heart and life and SHE DID!!! I fully believe all of the books she read were seeds planted in her life leading to this! NEVER underestimate the power of fictional work!
Amen, Heather. Just, amen all over the place. I have a book somewhere in my Kindle library called “Wired for Story”. The idea being that our brains are all set up to take in stories and have them connect for us. So, our creator appears to have made us that way, yes? So, what you do so well is connecting with the very way our heavenly father built us to receive food for our minds and souls. Personally, I think that our time in heaven will be built on something like this:
“Hi, I’m Jennalyn.”
“Hello, Jennalyn. I’m Roger. Tell me your story.”
“Oh, God was so good to me…”
And on it will go from there. Our praise will not be just singing endless choruses of “We praise You,” but will be telling our stories to our Abba, full of gratitude, letting Him know we get it now, but also telling them to each other to point each other’s heart to Him in greater realization of who He is and how glorious is His love.
Practicing that down here doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me. :-)
Thanks for a wonderful post, Heather!
Wow, Deb, your comment brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing how Christian romance touched your grandmother’s heart.
That was an excellent post, Heather. You put everything so well, and I’m hooting with laughter about the “big bucks.” Thanks for the encouragement and for perfectly expressing why I both read and write Christian romance.
Deb, that was an awesome testimony. I, too, married a non-believer. I think the Christian romances, along with reading the bible and other devotional, helps me stay connected to God. And I firmly believe that these books do plant seeds.
I love Christian Romance because it is clean and I can read it anywhere. I love the beautiful romantic stories and the beautiful endings that they have.
welcome today. I do believe it is important to write Christian romances. Our God is Love. He defined and brought love among humans alive. There is a lot about love in the Bible. I love to read Christian romance because I almost always will get something that can help me improve my own Christian walk. It helps to plant seeds in my mind for when I talk with someone else. and romance. well duhhhh LOLOLOLOL I totally agree that these books should not replace our Bibles, this should definitely come first. this is why I have problems reading biblical fiction. a lot of what I have read in this genre are guesses on what goes on between the Bible lines. I feel that if God wants me to know He will let me in on the inside scoop so to speak
I love to read!! When I was a young teenager, I graduated to reading Harlequin romances, as there was no Christian fiction as such at the time. Some of those books were really good, clean, what we today would call sweet/clean. However, as time went on, those books changed, and were NOT what I wanted to read, as they were no longer sweet/clean. Thankfully, right around that time, the early ’80’s, Jeannette Oke came out with her books, and Zondervan started printing books by Jane Peart and others that really started the Christian Fiction market, and I found those, thanks to having a Zondervan store at our local mall. That’s where I spent my paychecks when I started working after high school. Now, I still try to stick with only CF, as I want what I read to be honoring to Christ still, not stuff I don’t need to know about or be embarrassed by, for that matter! As a Christian single, though much older, I don’t need to know a lot of stuff, which is why I don’t go to movies, either. Plus, I want what I see and read to be what I wouldn’t mind Jesus reading over shoulder, or watching with me! I can’t help some of the words I hear, but I sure can the words I read!
That is beautiful Deb! Thank you for sharing! What a precious story of love and faith, but also of the faithfulness and devotion that you and your family showed in how you walked in Christ before your grandmother. Amen!!
Amen! I LOVE hearing people’s stories. There is something so profoundly moving and beautiful when a person’s story is told to the glory of God. We sometimes get stuck thinking about redemption as being only about salvation, but when God redeems us, He also redeems our stories. What joy there is in letting Him use those stories to touch and reach others for Christ. Oh, what joy!
Thank you, Milla! I’m glad you could stop by today and find some encouragement for your Christian writing (and reading!) life. ^_^
Yes! I stop by the coffee shop fairly often, and there are always people in there reading their books. It’s funny how some people have their book right out there for anyone to see (thriller, mystery, etc.) and some people kind of huddle around their book so nobody can see. Christian romance can go anywhere with you, and you never have to be embarrassed to have it in your hands. :-)
I loved your “well duhhh” – !! You made me laugh out loud. ^_^ As for biblical fiction – I can see your point. I know there’s a lot of debate on the subject, and I don’t want to disparage any of the authors I know who write in that genre. Other than one author over a decade ago (who wrote three books in the genre before he branched out into something else), I’ve not spent any time in biblical fiction.
Well said! I can remember a youth leader at a church I attended when my kids were little saying, “If you aren’t comfortable with Jesus sitting on the couch next to you when you watch it, then don’t watch it.” The point was – Jesus is with us always, so even if we think we can *hide* from Him what we’re doing, we can’t. The world might be a better place if we all remembered that just a tiny bit more. :-)
the characters
I am a bit of a hybried. I enjoy romantic suspense. I enjoy reading how the couples come together be it through a struggle of some sort or just bumping into each other. God opens their hearts to each other. I like to read the back and forth as to how they get to know each other as well as falling in love. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks Milla! Grams & I always had such a special relationship and you can imagine how tremendous this was to me as well! I spent almost 6 months in the nursing home with her (for rehab) and while ending up in there at 52 is far from what I would have chosen I was so blessed to be that close when I was. We lost Momma days after I went in-sudden & unexpectedly, she started losing her faculties for spurts of time as well as failing physically. It was so hard for me but being with her through it was very helpful for her. Having all of this happen shortly after giving her life to Christ was timed only as He could have done! I love seeing how much He lines up all of the smallest of details in our lives up to shower us with blessings!
Yes Bonnie they plant seeds for sure! I agree with how much of a difference books , The Word and devotionals all are to help us to keep a firm connection to the Lord, especially when in a marriage to an unbeliever. People are critical, of course. But there are so many times when reading is really the only option and it is such a blessing to have different types of material to choose from. I have added you to my prayer list.
I only wish Grams & Momma had lived long enough to see me start working on books like those we shared a love for reading. They would have been as excited as I am. I never tire of the awe in seeing how God lines up the all of the intricate details of our lives to create so many blessings for us!
Thank you, Deb. You are on mine as well.
Christian romance in any of its subgenres (contemporary, historical, thriller or fantasy) helps me keep my biblical standards high for relationships because the world certainly has a lot to say about what a young woman should do in that regard and with which should conform. Also after becoming a Christian the typical sweet/clean books at some point start to feel empty…something is missing.
I love character-driven fiction! Good call!
I enjoy romantic suspense, too. I can’t write it, but I do enjoy reading it. ^_^ There’s something fun about that extra tension that’s added to the plot.
Amen! When you’re walking in Christ, after a while, the things of the world start to feel empty – even if they are sweet/clean. Thank you for sharing!!
Amen to that!! Even when we can’t quite see it, we can always know that God is at work in our lives, and that His plan for us isn’t just better than our own plan – it’s perfect.