The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction: The Complete Guide to Finding Your Story, Honing Your Skills, & Glorifying God i n Your Novel by Jeff Gerke (PDF)

Description

Let’s face it: Christian fiction is fun. Even if you’re writing a serious-minded study of man’s inhumanity to man, there is something exhilarating about story; about creating people and worlds and events; about telling a tale that keeps readers enraptured and maybe – just maybe – leaves them fortified in their walk with Jesus.But for all of the fun, it’s also hard work. There is skill involved in writing excellent Christian fiction. There is craftsmanship to be learned. And there are the long hours pounding away on a manuscript that, by the time you’re done with it, has you convinced it’s the worst piece of garbage ever penned by man.That’s not even talking about trying to get your book published. It’s a wonder anyone would choose such a way to spend otherwise useful time.So maybe you put your novel away for awhile. You’ve tried to do more sensible things with your spare moments. You’ve attempted to be engaged with workaday matters, laundry, and bills.But one day, a new story idea will pop into your head or you won’t be able to stop hearing the voice of a character demanding to be written about. On that day, you’ll be right back where you were, counting the cost of writing Christian fiction — and loving it like nothing else.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is the second book I’ve read on writing Christian fiction. The first was The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction, by Ron Benrey (2007). Benrey provided in his book a list of prohibited language prohibited content that many Christian publishers enforce on the fiction they publish. Gerke, by contrast, doesn’t come remotely close to doing that. The result is that Gerke’s book (2014) comes across as a bit chintzy.Gerke’s overall advice is no different than that found in any other Writer’s Digest how-to on writing fiction. The only place where he gets close to defining what is and is not Christian fiction is in his discussion of profanity and his arguments against using it. If the lack of profanity is all that makes a novel Christian, then that, in my opinion, is majoring in the minors.By contrast, Benrey offers actual arguments that some Christian authors level against some of those prohibitions and it lends greater substance to that part of his book. One example will suffice: “Does it make any sense that the villains in Christian novels can kill people but not curse?”Back in the 1980s I remember reading in one edition of Writer’s Market an interview with an editor from a major Christian publisher. The editor actually made the point that for many years many Christians held the view that fiction was sinful because it wasn’t true. That’s a result of extremely bad theology coupled with an ignorance of history. Christianity has a very *long* literary tradition that includes fiction. And given that Christ’s parables were not literally true, it’s safe to say that even back in the ’80s the idea that fiction is sinful is blatantly ridiculous.My greater point, though, is that I find it sad that no one since the ’80s, no one since Benrey’s 2007 book, no one since this 2014 book by Gerke, has worked up the equivalent of a “systematic theology” of Christian fiction. And, again, the idea that avoiding profanity is all that seems to amount to the sum total of what is considered Christian fiction remains majoring in the minors.

⭐This book covers everything from writing style, to self-editing tips, how to find a good agent, and making sure you’re writing from a place of purpose. A friend of mine recommended this book to me and I have been insisting every christian writer do what I did: buy a copy, fill it with highlights, go back and read again, add Post-It tabs for the sections you want to easily jump back into, and reread it every year.I have read several books on writing and this one has been the most concise and helpful so far. This one delves into issues and considerations which are unique to christian writers. Why are you writing? How are you representing yourself with what you write? Create characters that matter. Know what the rules are so you can break them with finesse and purpose. Who is your audience and why? Writing for an audience of one and being true to yourself and your relationship with God as you do. Is it possible to write christian fiction for a non-believing audience?Can’t recommend this book enough!! Even if you’re a non-fiction writer there is tremendous benefit in these pages. Do yourself a favor and get a copy… Did I mention I loved this book???

⭐Jeff Gerke writes Christian fiction, he teaches it, he loves it, and now he’s written a book about it. THE ART AND CRAFT OF WRITING CHRISTIAN FICTION is a great book if your just starting out writing. It’ll give you a great foundation as you begin to develop your skill. It’s also great for those who’ve been writing for years. I guarantee you’ll learn something you can use.What makes a five star book on writing Christian Fiction? Does it teach you something new? Yes, I’ve been writing for years, been to conferences, and read writing books, and still took away several ideas to improve my writing.Does it cover everything? Yes. A beginning writer will learn all they need to know to get started writing that great novel. Well, it might not cover everything, but Gerke will broaden your knowledge to a point where you better understand what you need to work on.Gerke covers the following topics, called Mega Masteries, 1. Character 2, Show, don’t tell, 3. POV 4. Description 5. Dialogue. These subjects are covered as well as many other subjects, including the incredibly important spiritual aspects of writing a novel and being a Christian.Of course, this book doesn’t have the depth needed to cover every topic to the extent it should. Entire books are written just on dialogue or characterization. Whether you are just learning, or have been writing for years, this book will help you.

⭐I am editing and supporting a new Christian novelist, and this book helped me understand what to expect and look for. I read the whole thing straight through in about a week. I’m very grateful.

⭐I bought this book based on other reviews, and I am so glad I did. My writers’ guide library now has 25+ books, but this is in my top three.Jeff Gerke begins with an examination of the purpose of Christian fiction – to glorify God. Although I’ve seen this topic covered by other writers, Jeff did it best, refreshing my understanding of God as our accepting, loving Creator and the audience of One for whom we write. The book is worth buying for the first three chapters (or, as he calls them, masteries) alone. But there’s so much more!A skilled author and editor, Gerke is also a marvelous teacher. His chapters on character and plot creation, voice, dialogue, and description were illuminating. He combines text with examples, exercises, and mini-quizzes to broaden the reader’s understanding. His POV (point of view) mini-quiz showed me how little I really knew about a topic I thought I knew well!Gerke also sprinkles in enough cultural references – to movies, songs, TV shows, etc. – to keep the book lively and entertaining.If you’re thinking of buying this book, wait no longer. Highly recommended!

⭐A brilliant book with low religious tones, so overall it concentrates more on the craft and art of writing than any religious orientated topic. Highly recommended for all writers, no matter their experience. Teaches the engines and gears needed to create varying depths of tension, dynamic and interesting characters, effective viewpoints, and florid prose; and it goes deeper and farther than the Write Great Fiction series which are average in comparison. Regardless of the unnecessary self-promotion of the author’s own work and his own independent publishing company, his ability in and logic of writing proves itself and his authority on the subject. This is, by all means said, an essential read for all writers, regardless of the religious side to it and/or the reader’s preferred genre. Pick up this book.

⭐Liked the book a lot, straight to the point. a lot of useful information, presented in a manner that is helpful and simple. very good idea of specific chapters for specific practical things to do, the writing really gets to you and basically makes you more proactive and interested in your own writing, story and characters. If you don’t have alive, real characters yet, this book will help you, if you on the other hand are struggling with an interesting plot to unveil, this book will be helpful as well. .

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