Parabolic Tales for the Ages (A Seriously Write Blog Post)

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around, him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying…” (Matthew 13:1-3; NIV, emphasis added). Jesus goes on to tell the crowds about a farmer sowing seed: The Parable of The Sower. He follows this up with other parables: The Weeds, The Mustard Seed, The Yeast, The Hidden Treasure, The Pearl, and The Net.

After telling The Parable of the Sower, the disciples came up to him and asked why he spoke to the crowds in parables (v. 10). Jesus’ answer is very telling:

“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ In them is filled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:11, 13-15; cf. Ezekiel 12:2; Isaiah 6:9-10; emphasis added).

 

Jesus tells the disciples that they are blessed because they do have eyes that see and ears that hear (v. 16).

A stark contrast to the crowds.

As storytellers in our modern society, it seems the pattern for writing fiction has been established for God’s people, and was done so by our Lord Himself. When we create a story, no matter what the setting, no matter who is involved, no matter the time period, the story should “reveal the kingdom” or explain what “the kingdom of God is like.”

Now, it doesn’t have to be allegorical. Every single name doesn’t have to have a double meaning or mystical root (See Pilgrim’s Progress for reference). Nor do your characters have to be fictionalized caricatures of real people in the Bible (e.g., The Lion in C. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series being Jesus; “Aslan” being the Turkish word for “Lion”). Even though these kinds of stories and techniques have their place, one size does not fit all. And neither does the story have to take on ALL the aspects of the world in order to have a real impact (e.g., profanity, etc.). Jesus managed to use tell parables, using worldly images like birds and flowers and gold and pearls and hate and greed and power and corruption without soiling the language itself.

Sometimes, however, your story may deal more with a theological truth/concept than a person, place, or Biblical passage. My first book, The Serpent’s Grasp, asks the question, “What is truth? In the world of science, can truth be found?” My second book, 30 Days Hath Revenge, begins to delve into the question of “What is true peace? In a world that cries out for peace like in the days of Jeremiah, can politics, military might, or economic clout bring about true peace, or is there something more to it?”

As a fiction writer, our job is to dive deep into these biblical passages and truths and bring forth a story the crowds can begin to understand. If Jesus only spoke to the crowds in parables, then shouldn’t that be our pattern, too (see Matthew 13:34)? We are the keys God uses to open up the doors of their hearts. After that, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to break down the door and enter in.

If we write fiction solely for the Christian community, we’re missing out on so much.* Jesus explained the parables to the disciples only when they were dull in understanding. However, the parables were never intended for them. I liken it to our publishing world today. Fiction serves as the parables. That’s why “preachy fiction” never flies very well. Jesus never got preachy with his parables for good reason. Those hearing the stories needed the concepts to come down to their level of spiritual understanding.

In the same vein, non-fiction is for the disciples. This style tends to get into the nitty-gritty details of a spiritual truth. This is when Jesus explains things to us, has us stop, pause, reread a page, so our understanding can increase so we don’t have to keep stopping him and ask, “Can you explain that to us, please” (see Matthew 13:36)?

Does that mean a believer can’t enjoy a good fiction story? Of course not. Does that mean an unbeliever should never pick up a non-fiction book on some biblical passage or truth and read it? Please, say, “No!” You and I both know God can use anything to reach a person’s heart for the first time.

Apparently, though, the norm is as follows: The stories, the parables, the fiction is intended for those who “have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people” (Ezekiel 12:2).

And those were Jesus’ words. Not mine.

So, may our stories be for the lost as well.

Especially in this ever-darkening world.

  

*Could this be a reason why Christian fiction is falling on such hard times? Parables solely for Christians doesn’t follow Jesus’ model, does it?

To see this article on the Seriously Write website, click on the following link: "Parabolic Tales for the Ages."

Getting Heard Above the Noise (A CAN Blog Post)

Take it from me. When researching the topic of marketing for fiction, it seems there are about as many “experts” out in cyberspace and our local bookstore as there are writers of fiction. Each one believes they have the formula for success. Yet, when you check their sales numbers on Amazon or CBD (if they are Christian-based), their sales are often not very good. What does that say to you and me?

What it tells me is that selling books is a lot like creating a product. Some become household names, like Kleenex and Ford. Some were mistakes that found a purpose in another realm, like sticky notes and Rogaine.

Others never get past the cutting room floor.

In just about every case, marketeers abound. You’ve got your Ronco people, who appear in your face every Saturday afternoon and at night between the hours of 2:00-4:00 AM, offering their wares to the “Next 20 callers.” This has become so popular, a spin off crowd of QVC mavens have taken this concept to 24 hours a day! I wonder how many of these folks actually read books…

Then there’s the Guru group who put out ads in the next city on the tour, inviting you to a convention center setting for an evening. Their promise is to hand you their million-dollar fiction marketing makeover kit, regularly $599.00 for only $149.99. Others create companies that do the same thing and are primarily cyberspace cadets.

Lastly, there’s the “local experts” I spoke of earlier. They’ve written a book. Usually, it’s self-published. And they desire to sell it to you. They promise 10,000 followers on Twitter when their own personal account has only 702. Hmm….

What I do find amidst the noise is they all end up in the same stomping grounds. Arenas of expertise that seem to ebb and flow based on a variety of factors.

For example, authors must have social media accounts, they say. What I’m finding is that most people on social media like me are doing the same thing. We all “like” and “follow” each other, but how many of us actually purchase and read each other’s works? Not get it for free in exchange for a review. Not wait until the eBook goes on sale for 99 cents. But actually buy it when it first comes out in all of its $17.99 per paperback glory?

Authors, they say, should hold promotional gimmicks like giveaways and swaps. Again, what many people are finding is these folks get the free copy, read it, give a review, and then sell it online…some of them making more money than the authors. Sigh.

Another thing is, authors need a website. I’d be interested to know how many fans actually go to their favorite author’s website.

What’s the point of all this?

Perspective.

Finding what works for you amidst all the noise is so critical. It’s really one big roll of the dice. Sometimes, we come up snake eyes. Other times, we hit it big. Some love social media and find that it works for them very well. Others see social media as the spawn of Satan. Some love book signings. Others would rather go to the dentist for a week of days before sitting behind a table, pen in hand.

So, find what works for you. Get good at it. Then, expand to the next trial and error method.

Build your platform.

One thing at a time.

One day at a time.

So that, in the end, it’s something you can live with.

To see this article on the Christian Authors Network (CAN) website, click the link below:

The Christian Authors Network!