Christian "romance" novels

[cantdog]

Leave it to you, Box! A Loving Wives story which is actually about a loving wife. That does indeed break the mold! I bet the readers were ticked off at you.

That's funny!

---

The cool thing about the Reconquista is that everyone wears tights and there would be cloaks and doublets, and even lace to go with the breastplates. Plumes in the hats! Curled Imperials! Pomade!

Meanwhile the Moors would be swishing in boots and robes, cotton and silk, golden earrings, dark flashing eyes! The women bejeweled, kohl and henna, silk, daggers, stomachers, veils, downcast eyes. Muslims shaved their pubes and bathed, where the Christians did very little of that, though.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Leave it to you, Box! A Loving Wives story which is actually about a loving wife. That does indeed break the mold! I bet the readers were ticked off at you.

That's funny!

---

At the time, I rather foolishly believed that the category entitled "Loving Wives" would contain stories about loving wives. I soon learned differently. Actually, the story was fairly well received. I got three PC from people who said they were pleasantly surprised and the rating is at about 4.35. That's slightly below my average but not bad.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Box,

I glanced over the story, (nothing personal, just way too late) and it's pretty good. If you asked Laurel to delete it and then resubmitted it as either Romance or First Time, I've got a hunch it'd score much higher.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[sweetnpetite]

YOu could probably go a lot steamyer with CAtholic than with say Methodists.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

YOu could probably go a lot steamyer with CAtholic than with say Methodists.

Watch out, S&P!

Catholics have been getting all the "good" press recently. But don't forget that nice Jewish girl, Heidi Fleish, or that the "missionary position" was named after Protestant missionaries, not a bunch of Jesuits.

Right Rev. Rumple Foreskin

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Meanwhile the Moors would be swishing in boots and robes, cotton and silk, golden earrings, dark flashing eyes! The women bejeweled, kohl and henna, silk, daggers, stomachers, veils, downcast eyes. Muslims shaved their pubes and bathed, where the Christians did very little of that, though.

The complete lack of bathing is what makes historical writing most difficult for me. Most of the stories I've written take place in the 1490's and I'm sure any expert on European history would say my characters bathe way too much. To really put myself into a scene, I can't be distracted by thinking my characters would probably have fierce body odor. My solution was to make my characters German and make bathing sort of a social experience for them.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Box,

I glanced over the story, (nothing personal, just way too late) and it's pretty good. If you asked Laurel to delete it and then resubmitted it as either Romance or First Time, I've got a hunch it'd score much higher.

Rumple Foreskin

Hi, Rumps.
You might have a point there. Thanks. When I posted the story I had the foolish idea that the category named "Loving Wives" was about loving wives and should have been called "Loving Couples". I wrote it because somebody said you couldn't have an erotic story with the words'Wake up ,sleepyhead" in it and I decided to write a loving wives story to fill a category in the survivors' contest. I think I will ask to change it.

By the way, your current AV is certainly a departure from the previous one.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Hi, Rumps.
You might have a point there. Thanks. When I posted the story I had the foolish idea that the category named "Loving Wives" was about loving wives and should have been called "Loving Couples". I wrote it because somebody said you couldn't have an erotic story with the words'Wake up ,sleepyhead" in it and I decided to write a loving wives story to fill a category in the survivors' contest. I think I will ask to change it.

By the way, your current AV is certainly a departure from the previous one.

If you do switch, let us know. I'd vote and PC and would like to follow the voting.

The gal in the AV is a doll, isn't she? I thought about adding a caption, "Want a little head for Halloween?" but decided that'd be gilding the lilly. Old Plutarch will be back in November.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Boxlicker101]

If you do switch, let us know. I'd vote and PC and would like to follow the voting.

The gal in the AV is a doll, isn't she? I thought about adding a caption, "Want a little head for Halloween?" but decided that'd be gilding the lilly. Old Plutarch will be back in November.

Rumple Foreskin

I just resubmitted it as "First Time". I believe that category gets a lot more views than "Romance". I don't know how long it takes to make the change but the last time I switched category, it took about two weeks. I don't know why it should take that long.

Personally, I think the name of the category shoulod be changed to "Adventurous Wives" or something else that more accurately reflects the actual nature of the stories therein.

I think this is the only story I ever wrote where I never use any form of the word "Fuck". It also may be the only one where I ever mention a penis, rather than a cock.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Box,

The time can vary a lot. Right now Laurel is giving top priority to Halloween contest stories, so it may be some time before your story has its second coming. Whenever it does finally come crawling out of the graw ooze of the submission swamp, be sure to let me know.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Engh, damn this thread. I'm trying to keep some focus for NaNo on a novel idea I've had for a couple of years now and now I'm seeing the plot thread for a Christian Romance story.

Some 20-something woman meets a pagan or atheist guy who's otherwise nice and she really likes. She argues with her pastor and questions God about what she should so about it. Meanwhile, a evil minded person who hides himself in faith tries to get her to give it up and otherwise tries to split up her chances for a happily ever after. Maybe add a little chibi angel that tries desperately to give her hints and have the pagan/atheist guy do a few heroic acts to save her and at the end, perhaps a bit about him giving the religion a shot for her because of his love for her or something. It'd be so craptacularly shitty that I'd probably get rich off it and have to go to Hell.

On the other hand, I'm bound to end up there anyway according to popular christianity and I do hate these pesky student loans... curse, you tempting voice of me inside my head.

 

[sweetnpetite]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by sweetnpetite
YOu could probably go a lot steamyer with CAtholic than with say Methodists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch out, S&P!

Catholics have been getting all the "good" press recently. But don't forget that nice Jewish girl, Heidi Fleish, or that the "missionary position" was named after Protestant missionaries, not a bunch of Jesuits.

Right Rev. Rumple Foreskin

I think you may have misinterpreted what I meant. I specifically chose Methodists because they don't believe in *anything* this includes *playing cards, going to movies, listening to secular music...* Catholics always have confession, so they can get away with wilder behavior as long as they are repentant. I also think that catholics are a bit more tollerant of 'slips' than most fundamentalist christians. (although I could be wrong, I'm just observing) From what I know, Protostants are expected to be 'goody-goody' all the time. I wasn't trying to say anything bad about catholics, just that I think that they might possibly tollerate a bit more heat in their "Christian fiction" than some other denominations.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

S&P,

I did misunderstand you. I thought you were teasing and was just giving it back to you. Did you know a Methodist invented a non-alcoholic "wine" for sacramental occasions? We can all thank a Methodist for Welch's grape juice.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

... I specifically chose Methodists because they don't believe in *anything*... Catholics always have confession, so they can get away with wilder behavior ... they might possibly tollerate a bit more heat in their "Christian fiction" than some other denominations.

Oh, Great!

First it was Christian (as opposed to what, Druish?) Romance Fiction. Now you are postulating Denominational Christian Romance sub categories.

Is this what they meant by niche market fragmentation proliferation?

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Oh, Great!

First it was Christian (as opposed to what, Druish?) Romance Fiction. Now you are postulating Denominational Christian Romance sub categories.

Is this what they meant by niche market fragmentation proliferation?

You may be on to something, VB. Just think of the possibilities with Foot-Washing Baptists (yes, there is such a group) or some of those Snake Handling congregations.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[amicus]

Perhaps my old eyes deceive me...but are these the same 'fundies' oft referred to in political terms?

I for one, see any any acceptance of any aspect of any faith as a welcoming aura for a dirge as evil as an unbridled Bubonic Plague.

There is one ongoing evil in this young world and it is those who reject reason and rationality for the security of mindless faith.

Thus this gentle discussion of religious romance writings seems to fly in the face of the fear expressed in other places on this forum about the possibility of fundamentalist right wing religious zealots gaining a greater place in the politcal spectrum.

What am I missing here?

No intent to hijack this thread...just ignore if that is your conclusion, but I truly do not understand the hatred on one hand and the gentility on the other.

amicus the confused...

 

[cantdog]

So why do southern Baptists never fuck standing up?

* * * *

People might think they were dancing.


* * * *

 

[sweetnpetite]

No intent to hijack this thread...just ignore if that is your conclusion, but I truly do not understand the hatred on one hand and the gentility on the other.

amicus the confused...

We don't hate christians. There are a zillion christians who are not any part of the religious right's stranglehold on the republican party. Christian woman who want to read a sexy (but not to sexy) story are a world away from Fred Felps and his "God Hate's Fags" mantra. Those of his ilk deserve our scorn and contempt. We can not determine by a persons desire to read a christian romance novel what there political affiliations are or if they are bigoted zealots out to corrupt our constitution. We can however determine such a thing about politically vocal and active politicians and celebreties. Those who use christianity to push hate, limit our rights, and so forth will be met with contempt for themselves and their beliefs. But it is the specific beliefs that they profess, and not thier belief in christianity in general that is scorned. (although there are a few here who are more extreme and scorn any belief in anything- I don't think those individuals are very active on this thread, nor genial about the ideas expressed within.)

Hope that helps.

 

[sweetnpetite]

So why do southern Baptists never fuck standing up?

* * * *

People might think they were dancing.


* * * *

I don't think southern baptists are against dancing. (not all denominations are) Prespeterians on the other hand... (I don't know about them either, I'm just guessing)

 

[Boxlicker101]

I don't think southern baptists are against dancing. (not all denominations are) Prespeterians on the other hand... (I don't know about them either, I'm just guessing)

Southern Baptists are opposed to men and women dancing together unless they are married because it involves men and women touching each other or trying to make themselves attractive to each other, either of which might lead to S*I*N. They would be opposed to a show involving dancing for the same reason. They might be grudgingly accepting of an individual tap-dancing or some other sort of thing by himself or herself, providing the clothing being worn covered all limbs and the torso and was not so tight that the dancer's form could be determined. A married couple dancing together, fully dressed, by themselves in their own home with the lights on would probably be all right too, providing she was in her fertile time.

Anything else would be a terrible sin, though, and God would probably strike them down and send their souls to Hell for all eternity.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

S&P, you did a first-rate job of presenting your opinions.

Speaking writer-to-writer, the thing to remember about "Christian Romance" is it's a marketing tool being used by secular printing houses to increase sales (Harlequin's Steeple series, for instance). It is not some vast, religious right conspiracy.

Baptists are a strange denomination. There is almost no theology. The key tenets are simple: once saved-always saved, and no person or institution has religious jurisdiction over any other member or church. In other words, it's a Libertarian's dream come true.

That doesn't mean preachers can't stand up and say all sorts of things are wrong or sins or whatever. But that's simply their opinion. Members are free to disagree. If enough disagree, the church has the right to fire him.

All "national" organizations, the biggest of these is the Southern Baptist Convention, are completely voluntary. Each church has total control off it's protperty and assets. If they decide to withdraw from the SBC or any similar organization, all they've got to do is stop paying the voluntary dues. When the SBC votes to support or condon something, the press always has a field day. However, those pronouncements are just expression of beleif, not canons faith or ethics that must be followd by the faithful.

At one time, Baptists, along with Methodists and several other denominations were generally opposed to pre-marital sex, drinking, and dancing. The dancing debate was still going strong back in the 50's and 60's. At the time, and ever since, I called it tertiary (third hand) sin.

Like many other Protestant denominations, Baptists believe in strict contruction or interpretaion of the Bible. That always gave them a problem with drinking and dancing since neither one is mentioned in the Bible as being a sin. The answer was to say that while those acts in and of themselves weren't wrong, they could lead to fornication (pre-marital sex) which was almost universally regarded as wrong.

Most Baptist preachers have given up ranting against the "sin" of dancing. But if the members of a Baptist church want to hire a preacher who is opposed to dancing, it's their right to do so and his right to sound like an idiot.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[cantdog]

Well expounded and very clear, Rumple. Baptist polity is altogether a voluntary thing. Every person is her own church. Every church congregation is totally independent all the way. Periodically, every congregation finds themselves debating the benefit of affiliation. Splits occur quite often, taking a long baseline of decades, and even separate affiliations calve from the main. Southern is just one large group with many many others of various sizes, and lots of single-church unaffiliated groups. But ultimately, each soul is its own church.

Enough Baptist congregations really are very quick to condemn and are in fact bigoted and self-righteous to have given the Baptists as a whole a name for over-the-top strictness and repression. But many Baptist churches are quite inclusive and affirming.

The affiliation is protected from some of the worst ideas in Christianity, such as the idea held by some sects that the wife is saved only through her husband's grace. For those sects, marrying a gentile is the same as becoming forever hellbound, and it is very difficult to feel a lot of joy as one's daughter contracts such a marriage.

The variations are wide. Many times, it is the twisted mind of the preacher which sets a group, from any denomination, into the path of fundamentalist zealotry.

 

[KarenAM]

Bumping this up rather than starting a new thread...

I found an interesting place for Christianity in the novel I'm working on. As a look at my stories will show, many are set on the theme of abduction and enslavement. It seemed natural at one point to have some of these women embrace Christianity as a way to resist their captors and survive.

This is one of the beautiful things about Christianity, as the slaves in the USA so poignantly showed us. It is at its best, to my mind at least, when it is the religion of the oppressed (and at its worst when it is the religion of the powerful). The Taiyiha (slave girls) of my novel adapt Christianity to suit their needs; Jesus automatically forgives them for any and all kinky sex acts they may perform, whether they ask for forgiveness or not, because he understands what they are going through. It's an interesting theology that suited the mood of the work well.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Bumping this up rather than starting a new thread...

I found an interesting place for Christianity in the novel I'm working on. As a look at my stories will show, many are set on the theme of abduction and enslavement. It seemed natural at one point to have some of these women embrace Christianity as a way to resist their captors and survive.

This is one of the beautiful things about Christianity, as the slaves in the USA so poignantly showed us. It is at its best, to my mind at least, when it is the religion of the oppressed (and at its worst when it is the religion of the powerful). The Taiyiha (slave girls) of my novel adapt Christianity to suit their needs; Jesus automatically forgives them for any and all kinky sex acts they may perform, whether they ask for forgiveness or not, because he understands what they are going through. It's an interesting theology that suited the mood of the work well.

The problem with using Christianity in a story is that you have to be very good. I've read some of your work and think you are easily good enough, but a single clumsy attempt could net you enough knee jerk and just plain jerk feedback to make you wish you had not tried.

I am currently trying a story dealing with about the most controversial issue in religion and politics. Even with the advice of Og and Lauren-hynde I am still sweating posting it. the potential to offend is so strong, but the story wnats to be told.

Best of luck with it

-Colly

 

[Boxlicker101]

The problem with using Christianity in a story is that you have to be very good. I've read some of your work and think you are easily good enough, but a single clumsy attempt could net you enough knee jerk and just plain jerk feedback to make you wish you had not tried.

I am currently trying a story dealing with about the most controversial issue in religion and politics. Even with the advice of Og and Lauren-hynde I am still sweating posting it. the potential to offend is so strong, but the story wnats to be told.

Best of luck with it

-Colly

I'm looking forward to reading that story, Colly. Personally, I believe that if anybody can write it correctly, it is you.