By Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Over the last two years, I’ve seen a growing number of Christian writers trying to slide over into the general market. Would you like my gut reaction? Here goes!

FINALLY, Christian writers are stepping outside the church and moving into the “world.” At long last, we hear the command, “Go into all the world…” As we say in the mountains, this tickles me pink. However, crossing into the general market is not as easy as we think. There are obstacles and bumps along the way that you may not expect, so as you begin your journey, tuck these tidbits into your arsenal of tools and launch out.

*Does the “world” believe?

Let’s begin with an explanation of what is meant by the word “world.” This would be those outside of Christ or non-believers. It would also be the greater opinion of this group as opposed to the believer. Unfortunately, this group drives the shift of beliefs across the country. For example, they are the ones who deny prayer in schools and push agendas concerning current world issues such as LBGT, abortion, advertising, and even the news. This is what we refer to as, The World. Now that you understand that, you can ask, Does the world believe? The answer is yes for 36% of the people in the U.S., but a dismal 64% do not acknowledge God or do not believe He exists. This is according to polls done through Gallup. Sad numbers, heh? Still, this is vital information for the Christian writer who wants to crossover into the general market.

*What does this mean?

It means that Christian writers must learn to adapt to a language “the world” understands. In other words, we must realize that 64% of the world either doesn’t believe God exists or doesn’t even know who He is. Spouting out Christian terms means nothing to them because they don’t know who God is or don’t care. Our mindset has to shift if we are to reach those non-Christians in the general market.

*What do general market readers think about our writing?

This is a hard reality, but when asked why general market readers do not read Christian fiction, the response was this: It’s hoaky. Cheesy. Always ends tied up in a neat bow. It’s filled with lies. 

Take a breath. The truth hurts at times. What this says is that, first and foremost, Christian writers need to learn the craft. Our writing shouldn’t be good. It should be superb. Our work should be so crisp and concise that the words hoaky or cheesy never enter the minds of any reader, Christian or not.

What does it mean when general market readers say our writing is filled with lies? I believe it is because we want so badly for the world to see the beauty in Christ and all He does for us that we fail to finish the message. In other words, we may have a character who prays for their parent to survive a serious illness, and they do. But the non-Christian would call that a lie because they prayed for a parent who still died. We fix this by allowing our characters to show the reality of Christian life. We pray, and God always answers, but He may not answer the way we want. Instead, we show the good that comes from the no. We allow the world to see that we are not entitled just because we worship God but that His plan and our faith in that plan pans out down the road.   

*We learn a new language

That doesn’t mean we start to study an app that teaches us a new foreign language. Instead, we begin to understand if we want the non-Christians to buy into our work, we need to stop using words that mean nothing to them. Or worse, it means something now that it never meant before (i.e. the word gay used to mean happiness. Today the meaning represents a lifestyle.) We need to learn that writing God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, sin, spirituality, faith, and more, are not words today’s non-Christians respond to, much less know or understand. 

Gone are the days of a conversion story making an impact. Today’s world, doesn’t get it. As writers, we must learn to stretch our imaginations to develop new ways to address sensitive issues that show and don’t tell—learning to allow our characters to face issues where they don’t always win. Non-Christians need to see how a life of faith benefits them, not that they must have it. Once they see the need, they become receptive and curious how it can work for them. Now more than ever, the “show, don’t tell” rule is vital.

Learn to rethink how you present Christ in your story and let the reader see how a character is impacted and how they are changed as a result.

Is it impossible to crossover into the general market? Absolutely not. It’s very possible and realistic as a goal, but for the book to be read and absorbed, writers must be what we do best – be creative!You can make a huge difference in the world by placing wholesome and solid writing into the general market.  

Print this list of tips and keep them by your computer as you write toward the general market reader

• Show, don’t tell.
• Avoid Christianise terms
• Bring value to characters who make good decisions
• Allow characters to experience life as reality – i.e. things don’t always work out, but our faith holds us firm.
• Don’t get preachy
• Avoid the conversion story
• Let readers see how making good decisions impacts their lives 
• Allow readers to see a change in the character

Remember, truth is not always easy, but it is always right.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conferenceteacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us and InspireaFire.com. Cindy is the managing editor forStraight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, both imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is an award-winning and best-selling author and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com. @cindydevoted