Attempt to define what I'm doing

There is a tension that I feel every time I think about writing. Part  of me says, "I want to do this as a Christian, for God's glory. I want everything that I write to point to Him." Then another part of me says "No you don't." The first of these I understand and embrace. Here's what I mean by the second. 

By identifying myself as a Christian writer, I run the risk of instantly being marginalized or lumped into the same category as writers of Christian pop fiction. A lot of the fiction that is being written by Christians has to do with heavy-handed preaching, loose copying of secular fiction (except that someone gets saved at the end), or ineffective attempts write good prose. It's kind of like Christian radio in that sense. What ends up happening is the power of the gospel is watered down or completely lost, and the only people who end up reading it are Christians who buy it because it is a 'Christian thriller'.  I don't want to be thrown into that group by announcing my intention to write Christian fiction/poetry. To be perfectly honest, I am hesitant to tell people  at my church that I am interested in writing because so often they ask me if I have read the newest novel by Frank Peretti. To be fair, I have read some of his novels and they are not bad. They are just in no way what I am getting at. I want to write fiction that will invite those who know nothing about Christianity to read along. I also want to write stories that will invigorate Christian readers. Hopefully it will be stories that will make people think, and maybe even squirm a bit.

That leads me to the other reason why I am hesitant to identify myself as a Christian writer. Namely, a lot of the stories and poems that I write deal with 'unchristian' things. I write about pain, disappointment, death, and various other unjoyful topics. I do this because I think that's where a lot of people live, even the Christians when they're honest. I also think it is disingenuous to stick to happy topics. If I am going to write anything that will impact people, I need to write to the condition that they, and I, live in. I will not write only happy fiction because life is not only happy. The whole point of the gospel is that, through and behind the pain God offers joy. But if we miss the pain, we lose grace. Grace triumphs through and over pain, and that is why the gospel is so incredible. My fiction tries to live where grace peeks through sin and pain. I hope what I write tries to nestle down and face the hardships of life honestly, but also to acknowledge the glimmerings of mercy. C.S. Lewis said that pain is God's megaphone that He uses to rouse a deafened world.

But it's a fine line. And lots of questions arise. Does a story have to have an overt 'Christian' message to be God-pleasing? Is it possible to write God-honoring stories that will also be well received by people outside of the Christian sphere? Why even bother to try to write fiction in this way? What is the purpose of story and fiction? (I know a standard answer is 'to communicate the human experience', but is that necessarily true?) These questions and a hundred more flood my mind daily. This blog is one part of my attempt to find some answers. I am also searching the Bible. I am reading well respected Christian fiction writers. And I am reading what better thinkers than myself have to say about these questions. But this blog will do at least two other things as well. First, it will let me explore the answers by writing. As I write I will force myself to plow through these issues. This will be helpful to me because I always think best with a pen in my hand or my fingers on the keyboard. Second, it will let me hear back from you. I really value your input and the thought process that can be spurred by dialog and communal interaction. I want interaction from you. If you're a writer, I want to read what you're writing. Even if you're not a writer, I hope for your feedback, your gut reactions, and your input. I want to hear your questions and conclusions that you have come to. In short, I want to see a group of people seeking to perfect writing, affect culture, and ultimately please God through artistic expression.

So with literal fear and trembling, I'm starting this project and putting it on the line. I hope you'll join me, not just as a casual observer, or distantly interested reader, but as a partner, a participator. If we accomplish these goals I will be tremendously excited. And I think much needed progress will be made to undo the stigma of  being a Christian writer.