by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

There must be something special that sets apart good Christian fiction from the norm. What are the qualities that make readers want to read Christian work? I did my research and found it easier to say what makes readers NOT want to read Christian fiction. You may want to buckle your seatbelt because you’re in for a bumpy ride of realization. Take a look at these four things that drive our readers away.

Wrap-it-up-tie-the-bow-real-pretty endings

Let’s face it, there are just some types of fiction that can’t do without the perfect fairytale ending and there will always be readers who live for that type of writing but then there are equally as many readers who don’t buy into a fairytale ending. Like every rule, there’s always an exception, but when we ignore the thoughts of those in exception, we’re missing out on an entire line of folks who would become followers. Readers today are looking for “real life” story endings. They aren’t looking for caudled in the story endings. It’s okay if things don’t work out like they think they should, just so — pay attention here—just so they are satisfied. I’ve taught this in classes for years. Readers understand life does not always delve into the perfect scenario, but is the scenario we get one we can live with? This is how our lives are in reality. In life, we enter a situation and work through the rough parts, but when it ends, we rarely get what we want. Instead, we get a scenario we can live with, one we can manage as we work toward something better.

One reason general market readers don’t want to read Christian fiction is that our stories end “predictable.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my fiction to become predictable. A mindset change might be a good start to changing our way of writing. Understand that readers are different today than they were twenty years ago. Reading styles have changed. Learn to add multiple twists to your stories and try ending a story differently than predicted. You may be pleasantly surprised at the depth a different ending adds to your story.

Christian fiction is hokey

Let me begin with this: whether you write Christian fiction or general market, no one should ever attach the word hokey to your work. If they say your work is hokey, you must return to your piece and work on your mechanics. Study the craft of writing. No one’s work should ever be called hokey. By that same token, what makes folks attach this title to your work? Do we need to back up to number one and reprise the word “predictable?”

When my son was little, he could practically quote every word to every Disney animated film he’d watched. When I commented on this unique talent, he said, “Mom, the movies pretty much end the same. Just the names change.” He’d seen the same thing repeatedly until he could make fun of it in his own way. As much as he loved the movies, he made the point that they’d grown hokey. Learn the craft. Study it. Read the work of others, Christian and general market. Look at various writing styles and stories, plots, and twists, then take notes. Your work should never have the stigma of hokey or corny attached to it.

There’s no truth in Christian fiction

Isn’t that an oxymoron? It’s fiction. Indeed, our fiction is fiction, hence the title, but I believe the reader is saying that we tend to sugarcoat reality in Christian writing. We don’t allow our protagonist to suffer the consequence of a wrong choice, or we never let a character hash out their anger with God when something bad happens. Truth happens when we allow our characters to learn from their mistakes, even if the outcome is difficult. Sometimes, that means letting them walk in the consequences for a time before they find resolution and forgiveness. Look at the story of Adam and Eve. They made a mistake, and though God still loved them and forgave them, their error did not go without consequence. Their mistake changed their lives forever. It’s something to think about when you’re crafting your story. Let truth happen.

The come-to-Jesus-moment

Many of you will not like what I say here, but trust me, it’s essential. Hear me out. We live in a world where our Christian worldview has become so skewed that many readers don’t understand a come-to-Jesus moment. A poll was done some years back about baby boomers and church attendance. The statistics were that for children in school from 1954-1968, approximately 87% were either in Sunday school or church every Sunday. By 1990, that statistic had flipped, and approximately 87% had never been through the doors of a church. Imagine what it is now. Writing a come-to-Jesus moment to this group is like pouring water over a duck’s back.

You cannot preach in your fiction and expect most readers to understand when most don’t know who God is. So how do you fix this? You learn to adapt and write the message under the radar. Give readers characters who make mistakes and allow them to learn from their errors. Sew a thread of faith gently through your work rather than shouting about the wages of sin. We are back to a time when the world needs milk again. They cannot take meat until they understand the milk. This doesn’t mean you stop writing about God. Nor does it mean you sacrifice your message. Not at all, but you package it differently. Remember, you have the prime storyteller to learn from. Follow Jesus’ example. He taught in parables—stories, scenarios, and language that the people could understand. The point is we have to take a step back to move a step ahead.

These four items can completely change your approach to writing Christian fiction. Do you want to crossover into the general market? If so, master a new set of skills. The message never changes, but our presentation does. Crafting a story is hard work, and you may be happy in the lane you are writing in, but if you want to reach a new audience, consider these things. You’ll see a monumental change in how you tell a story.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.