Okay, this week I’m going to be serious.
Deep and serious.
This is an important topic that deserves deep and serious
contemplation.
Deep.
Serious.
Zzzzz....
What? Oh! Right! I’m awake!
Anyway I wanted to share a situation that came up that got
me thinking (oh, you know how dangerous that can be). So I do what I always do and
blog about it.
Another believer, who shall remain anonymous because
everyone is entitled to their opinion whether it is mine or not, seemed to be
of the opinion that it is not possible for Christian Fiction to be a
ministry. Kind of a letdown for me because it soon became obvious during the
course of the conversation that this person had never read any of my books
(they seemed to think there were cats in them for some reason). Also one of the
aims of my writing is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way.
I prayed about that, honest!
Now this is a sentiment that I have run across before. So what do you think? Is
fiction just too frivolous or worldly to be of any use to God?
Here are two points that have been brought up to me, and I’m
going to try to get in the logic of both sides even if I don’t agree with it. I’m
sure there are plenty of others, but that would make this post really, really
long and my attention span is limited. Here goes.
Fiction writers insist on being paid so it can’t be a
ministry.
I don’t agree with this one at all. Christian non-fiction
authors get paid, and the last time I checked my pastor (who writes by the way) gets paid. Probably not
as much as he’s worth but then I really like my pastor. Also Paul (the Apostle)
pointed that he and his followers were worthy of being paid, although he never
insisted on it. Writing, fiction or not, is labor. If you don’t believe me try
it some time. Getting imaginary people to do fantastic things in a logical way is
not easy.
My opinion is that making money is not an impediment to it being a
ministry. Like anything else it’s the motivation. I have heard other Christian
writers suggest that we need to compromise our writing in order to make sales.
Uh…no. It is okay to make money from your labor, but remember God can read too
so watch it. Me, I don’t make a lot of money in my writing (hint, hint buy my
books).
Sorry. Maybe I am too worldly.
Kidding aside, as an Indie writer I knew it was very
unlikely I was going to make very much money. I am sure the IRS snickers at my
1099’s, so I do not write for the prime motivation of money although it is
always nice. (Thank you those who have bought my books.) It's what God gifted me to do. Side note, it still bugs me a little
(okay a lot) when the first question I get asked, even by other believers is, “you make a
lot of money doing that?”, and promptly lose interest when I answer honestly “No.”
So it’s worldly to make money, but then my writing is
irrelevant if I don’t?
I will never get people, including me.
However, I do have a friend who writes beautiful poems she
receives from the Holy Spirit. She shares them freely and would never feel right
about being paid for them. They were given to her, she gives them away. That’s
her ministry.
Next, people say that it is fiction, so it’s frivolous and a
waste of time. You should be spending your time reading the Bible, a
concordance, Matthews Commentaries, Paradise Lost or something like that.
Okay, how much time do you spend in front of the TV? Be
honest. When I could afford TV I did watch it even though I didn’t like it that
much. But Mom liked sports and...Well that’s another story. So is there
anything wrong with entertainment and can’t God use it?
Just saying.
I’m sure I wasn't as even handed as I meant to be and there are going to be a lot opinions. What do you think? Can
Christian fiction writing be a ministry or is it just a diversion?
My goodness this deep and serious stuff is exhausting. I will have
to rest up for next week.
Mystery writer C.L. Ragsdale is the author of The Reboot
Files a Christian Cozy Mystery Series, and a superhero story called Chasing
Lady Midnight. A California native, she loves to "surf" the web to
research plot details for her fun, quirky stories. She has a degree in Theatre Arts which greatly influenced her writing
style. Working in various fields as a secretary has allowed her to both
master her writing skills and acquire valuable technical knowledge which she
uses liberally in her plots. Although that is where she got her idea for The
Secretary, she is not an evil mastermind. Although some of her former employers
might disagree. These days she contents herself with knitting while
contemplating her next diabolical plot. Story plot that is.
Current E-Books
THE REBOOT FILES: The Mystery of Hurtleberry House, The Island of Living
Trees, The Harbinger of Retribution, and The Wrong Ghost.
www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Ragsdale219184744858421
