Dealing with criticism.

I'm interested to see what people think as well. I'm really dreading the eventuality of my in-laws reading my work. I refuse to give it to them now, but if my novel is published I'll have no choice. Were all Christians, but they're very... hm, I guess I world say 'removed' from the world. They'll be absolutely horrified to learn that their sweet, innocent daughter-in-law includes swearing, sex, and casual murder in her books. I could write an essay defending my choices-and I may end up doing just that. But I'm still not sure they'll understand. Which, ultimately, is okay with me. I write for a secular audience, not a Christian one-- that's the point.

Tell 'em to bite you, and if they can do better, take a swing at it. My two cents.

Well, here's a short answer: Jesus told parables about imperfect people. So do I.

I was once told my work would harm newbie Christians. this was at the end of a single-spaced 8.5 x 11 diatribe ripping pretty much every aspect of my WIP. (The thriller, Jo.)

I got angry, then sad, then turned him in to the group moderator.

I'm fringe. I write for the fringe. This person was a Bible-thumping Pentecostal. We went our separate critiquing ways.

Hasn't happened yet to me. My limited published works are not overtly Christian. And my beta readers of my Chrisitan book have not criticized it for Christian content. One beta reader, a retired pastor, said I was too hard on Luke, the gospel writer, giving him flaws. That told me I was just about right for giving my heros flaws. No one has yet criticized about villians having redeeming qualities, so I may have a weakness there.

Strongbear said:

How have people here dealt with and responded to these issues as both a writer and a Christian?

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I deal with such criticisms as I deal with all criticism. I thank the reader very much for their input.

If a person objects to something or "doesn't get" something, then other people will too. If I think enough people will object that the story will be hurt, then I'll change it. If I don't want to change it, I don't, and I'll have to live with the consequences.

You can't make everybody happy, so you have to decide for yourself which people you want to write for (including yourself, of course) and run with it.

#1 - You're writing fiction for entertainment purposes. You're not writing Bible Study guides or devotionals or Sunday School lessons or tracts. You're making stuff up. You're telling a story and painting a picture with words. It's okay to use all sorts of colors to paint that picture.

#2 - Take their feedback as a chance to ask yourself "Am I just being lazy in my writing?" Okay, maybe the person giving you the feedback is a total prude, but it's always good to ask "Could I raise the bar in my writing?" If they have objections to a scene, ask yourself if the scene could be written even better. Kind of like looking for the win/win scenario.

#3 - If your conscience is okay with what you're writing and you feel like it's the best you can do, then don't worry about the "weaker brothers". They don't have to read your book if they don't want to.

At the end of all my novels, I put this disclaimer:

"I think some of the stuff in this book is probably right and some of it probably isn’t. If you want the real truth, read the Bible. This is a work of fiction, meant for your enjoyment. I hope you enjoyed it."

And then I don't worry about it.

My primary aim is to entertain, which is why I chose a fictional medium in the first place. However, running a close second is to teach (a little history, a little theology, points to ponder)--indeed, my very first beta reader stated she seeks to learn something when she reads historical novels. I believe I have much more latitude in the former aim than in the latter (James 3:1). Jesus didn't tell parables as bedtime stories; He used them as illustrations in His teaching. Maybe that's part of the answer of how 'Christian' Christian fiction should be.

Now, if the criticism is that there's "not enough" theology/Christianity/spirituality/whatever-ality in the book, that's your call, not a beta's. If the criticism is that something is Biblically incorrect, we need to be teachable enough to re-research and make sure we're on track (again, Jas. 3:1). Discovering that we are correct should prompt a polite 'thank-you-for-your-time-and-interest' response. Discovering that we aren't should prompt a change.

How to respond--regardless of the nature of the criticism--should also be ruled by Biblical principle. I would suggest we respond as we would want to be responded to (Luke 6:31) and with a desire to keep peace (Rom. 12:18). We're not responsible for how people treat us or react to us, we're responsible for how we treat and react to them.

III said:

At the end of all my novels, I put this disclaimer:

"I think some of the stuff in this book is probably right and some of it probably isn’t. If you want the real truth, read the Bible. This is a work of fiction, meant for your enjoyment. I hope you enjoyed it."

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It's true, it's true! I just finished III's first Heroes book. And I really did enjoy it (no, you don't owe me anything for the plug, III...unless, of course, umm, you'd like to send along a little...oh, never mind. ).