Edgy Fiction

[JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN]

Wow, I have found my niche!
I have sent my manuscript to agents in both the secular and christian. Secular feel my plot is too "religious" or "spiritual". The christian agencies feel my plot is too explicit. I have taken my manuscript and have began revising my plot. First, trying to exclude the christian aspect and to hit the secular. Then, I will try to tone-down my plot and hit the christian agencies. I did not feel great about this. I wanted my manuscript to be accepted the way it was...edgy fiction.

[Timothy Fish]

The only problem with that is that he doesn't write romances he writes love stories. Some of his love stories may also be romances. I don't know, but one of the requirements for a romance is a Happily Every After ending.

[Michelle Sutton]

Love stories, romances, what's the diff? I agree, though, about the HEA. I don't want to read something gloomy and thus I am not a big fan of Mr. Sparks. :)

[Timothy Fish]

I suppose it depends on what you want out of a story whether there is much difference or not, but love stories refer to a broader category than romance. Where the Red Fern Grows and E. T. could both be called love stories, but they are clearly distinct from romance.

I am currently working on a story that is a love story because it is all about a man's love for his wife and how much he will do to protect her. It has a happy ending, but I wouldn't call it a romance because it isn't about them developing their relationship. It's all about him.

[Rita Gerlach]

I've never read her work, but met Sue Dent on Shoutlife. She appears to be very edgy.
http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=2236

[Rita Gerlach]

You're welcome, Sue.

[Charles Funderburg]

I am scared because my stories are edgy (deal with all those "edgy" topics) and yet very spiritual. I find myself quoting the Word all the time.

Won't somebody have pity on we who write this way ... But as other posts have said, the secular and CBA type markets are starting to talk to each other, and maybe this will change the way we are perceived.

[Joel Huan]

Sad, I feel you should stick to your original script. I always advice people to listen to your heart, it's your essence, it's your voice, it's what make you unique.

I always stick to my gun when advised otherwise. Stubborn, others may say, but if I change it to suit others, then it isn't me, it isn't my voice. I'm glad I got my novel published without alteration, so it's really my voice. Looking back, I can say my work is very original, and pretty creative.

[Linda Weaver Clarke]

Don't worry and don't rewrite your manuscript. There are publishers out there that will accept it. It just takes time. My historical fiction series has Christian values and my characters go to church but I don't preach in it. So my book would not be acceptable by a Christian publisher. I just persevered and finally found one. So please don't undo what you've written because that's your inner most feelings put onto paper. Those are your thoughts and your characters have come to life on paper with Christian beliefs. Don't tone it down or take anything out. This book is you! Believe in yourself and keep searching. Good luck!

[Dennis Bates]

Totally agree! Of course, that means you may not get published traditionally. SO??? I quit doing this for money a long time ago.

[Jeannie]

Linda,
Thank you sooo much for saying not to change what we've written and not to tone it down! I was told yesterday by someone who read a chapter of mine that I needed to tone it down. It was too sexy in parts. It was a hard blow, and I really struggled last night. I began questioning myself. Wondering if I should change it to please others or should I continue writing from my heart. After reading the posts in this discussion, I decided that I'm going to continue writing from the heart. Write edgy fiction. I can't do anything else. Even when I've tried. It doesn't fit me. I need to believe in myself and stick to what I do best.

Thank you once again.

[Dennis Bates]

You're in good company on this board. I have the same problem, which I now view as a virtue. I have several churches using my fiction for book clubs. And, while I don't get explicit, I don't always shut the door either. Just keeping it real.

Dennis

[Jeannie]

Thanks, Dennis! I believe I am. I am so glad that Michelle started this group. It's been a blessing. I never knew that there was a title for what I wrote. :) All I knew was that I most likely wouldn't fit in the Christian market. But like so many others have said, things are slowly changing.