I'm in Savannah, Georgia for a few days on vacation. I took this picture inside of Clary's Diner. Great place to eat breakfast if you're in the area. It's on Abercorn Street right down from another famous landmark- The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This is one of the most amazing churches I've ever seen. The architectural details and sculptures are amazing.
As a reader do you like to read about a character's religious affiliation? I know a lot of Christian romance readers who make this the main theme of their work. A lot of them write erotica too.
I'm working on a story right now that takes place in Savannah. The title is Sweet Tea Maggie. The main character is very religious and meets a man who has turned away from God. In this instance knowing about her religious background is mandatory. Knowing about his is also imperative for the reader. So now onto my next question- if you, yourself, aren't a very religious person would that fact turn you away from my latest story?
I love to learn new things so I look at this as an opportunity for learning but I know some people would disagree. Go ahead- I dare you...
Kissa Starling, author of Erotic Romance
www.kissastarling.com
16 comments:
No, I'm with you, Kissa. I like to learn new things. Your story sounds interesting. I'm sure other readers will feel the same. It doesn't hurt any of us to get a little religion once in a while. LOL
Thanks for the comment Mary-Suzanne!
Kissa
i would likely choose not to read but that's because christianity leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth most of the time.
that said, i think on a broader scale it depends on how religion is referenced, and if its inclusion in the book becomes a tool to attempt to brainwash and convert readers, or if it's actually relevant to the plot. but that's just my own perspective, and i know there are many people who love christian fiction
Hey Kissa, while your story does sound interesting, I think there's two sides here, and you have to be careful. Not everyone has the same religious beliefs as you, or the person standing next to them.
As an author if I'm going to really incorporate something like religion into my story, and make it the main focus right beside the romance, instead of glancing at it quickly, I need to think...is this book going to play up religion so much that it should be listed as a religious romance.
On the other hand as a reader, and I'm going to be blunt...if I wanted a relgious romance, that's what I'd be buying. If it wasn't stated right up front that the books sub focus is religion, I'd be a little ticked.
If this were a romance book, and the reader expected sex without marriage in the story. Then there might be a confict. I can't see a highly religious woman who is going to bring someone back to the fold having a lot of hot sex. Or the main stream media would have us beleive. But then you would to have lived in a time when sex before marriage to concidered wrong,sinful, reputation ruining and know that it still happened.
If it was a modern setting then,
For me,if there is too much time spent of the converting, no I wouldn't bother with it.
Personal choice.
Kissa, first off i love the photo of the stained glass windown..its so pretty...
Second of all, I dont put religion in my books, it's not that i have anything against it but it's something i have chosen to leave out for now. I think when it comes to religion in books, it depends on the story and how it's used in the plot...
Religion is such a sensitive subject to many so that is also a reason I dont include it into my stories.
As a Pagan, the Christian themed romances really do not attract my attention. If the religious aspect were a key point, I probably would not buy it.
Why is it that Christian themed romances are "Inspirational Romances" yet if the protagonists were Pagans then it would be labeled "New Age" or "Alternative"? I never understood that.
To me "Inspirational" should be an inspiration to whatever faith the characters are, whether it is Christian, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, etc...
Not my ting, religious romances but it's definitely got a unique spin huh Kissa? when I told GF that there is a CHRISTIAN sect of BDSM practitioners, she had to look on her phone to see what's online! She was just...shocked LOL!
Sascha
Yeah I've seen groups of BDSM Christian followers myself. It kind of goes along with the wife shall obey in the groups I've seen.
I don't write Christian romance and I don't plan to. Religion is a big part of one of my character's life but not all of who she is and she isn't one to talk about it or preach to others.
Interesting comments here. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
Kissa
Thanks for posting regarding this idea.
I would avoid purchasing a book with this sort of theme, because if my opinions or feeling conflicted with those represented in the book, id be rankled and I won't read with a relaxed happiness that is so important for me in this kind of literature. I come to these novels to feel naughty, wild and free, and to escape the petty irritations of my day. I FEEL like I won't get that from this kind of theme.
And i may be wrong.
Thanks for your comment Barbara. I understand what you mean about reading to 'get away'. I do the same thing. I love creating a feeling or a sense of another world so to speak in my books.
I myself is pagan. It would all depend on the plot line and the inside and the back of the book. I do not like 'preachy' books at all, but if it has to be mentioned for the basis of the book, than so be it. I may or may not want to read it. I have read a few 'insperational' books myself and enjoyed them ver much. They were not over powering for my taste at all. For me, I will/would replace 'Jesus' or 'God' with my entity the Goddess. Also imo, no matter what the name is of the higher power, they all do the same thing in a round about way.
I love the stained glass, too!
I will be honest and say, yes, the theme of this book would keep me away from it. I started out as a Christian, and there are plenty of reasons why I am no longer. As one who has turned away, I would be wary of the tone and how much the heroine would try to bring the hero "back into the fold." See, I'm not a sheep, and the fold doesn't fit or work for me. I have no trouble with each person celebrating and practicing their own spirituality of whatever sort, but I do have a huge problem with written word (fiction or non-fiction) that supposes that there is only one right way, or that it is okay to prosletyze anyone and everyone who does not believe the same way/things. I am perhaps hyper-aware and sensitive of this issue as an eclectic Pagan. You asked for honestly; you got it!
Daun Ann- I see exactly what you're saying and I think that's how I'm using it in my current story. There's nothing in there that says one religion is better than another or even was rituals she uses to practice her religion. But, like I said, it is a major part of the conflict and I had thought of expanding it. I appreciate your comment!
Honesty is good Amy and I love that you stopped by. Hmm, I'm thinking back to my manuscript and it isn't that she is trying to bring him back 'into the fold' as you say it's the fact that she is a devout Catholic and he hates God. The problem isn't that he isn't Catholic but that he hates basically. He has a lot of anger in him that his first wife died and when it happened he directed most of that anger at God. It has spread into his whole life now and he uses it as a crutch.
You all have given me such good feedback. Great answers!
Hi, Kissa!
V.v. interesting, indeed. I think you got a whole spectrum of answers that covers what I'd say, but I'm gonna say it anyway LOL
I'm not religious and my last foray into "religion" is enough to turn me off it for good. However, I think there is something to be said for spirituality or having some kind of BELIEF in something.
I wouldn't read a book if I was going to be preached to no matter what the topic or whether or not they called it "Christian", "inspirational", "New Age". That's just something that bugs me personally.
But when your book takes place in a location (e.g. Savannah) that has a rich history and strong religious ties, I think it's important that it's reflected in the story some how. To what extent depends on the message you're trying to convey. How many people can think of New Orleans and NOT think of Catholicism? It doesn't mean they automatically think of nuns and priests. They may think of saints and incense and the conflicts between flesh and faith. That's not a bad thing IMO. Religion can be evocative without being prescriptive...if that makes sense.
Actually, Zetta, I think you have added a new twist to the conversation. I hadn't thought of a setting being steeped in religion but you're right.
My hubby and I have thought of moving to Savannah, I lived there alone many years ago and still miss it. Everytime we visit I look at education listings and they are pretty much the same. Many parents send their children to private schools there and guess who runs the majority of the private schools? The Catholic church.
They even have different incentives, such as tuition prices, to get families to convert to Catholicism. Interesting to be sure. The people who live there seem to be either Catholic or non-church goers. I talked to a lot of them.
Thanks so much for your comment!
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