Do you prefer books with a Happily Ever After ending or those that leave a question open for debate?
Stories in the Romance genre have a Happily Ever After ending. In the Mystery genre, the end reveals "whodunnit".
Ancient Greeks used "Deus ex Machina" to introduce an unlikely character or power at the last minute who solves an unsolvable problem. However, today's reader may be left disappointed by such an unrealistic ending.
Often, a Christian fiction shows dilemmas resolved by faith in Jesus. This can put the novel at risk of having an ending that is predictable or unrealistic, leaving the reader disappointed. The reader must be engaged with the characters and root for them to take action to achieve their goals. Suspense builds as the main character faces challenges, and there is a chance that the character fails in their quest.
I have found that in the real world, faith in Jesus must be combined with actions that we take as individuals. Psychological wounds need to be cleaned and treated. Mental health problems may require professional help, counselling or medication. Decisions require analysis and deep courage.
Progressive Christian Fiction is Different
In my novels, you are unlikely to see that belief in Jesus solves all your problems. You are unlikely to see that getting married means you live happily every after. You are unlikely to see that salvation is all you need.
You will see the steps that the female main characters take to arrive at a resolution. You will see women with their own personal goals, not simply finding a man or helping a man achieve his goals. You will see both gay and straight characters in my novel because my novel represents society as it is. You will see characters struggling to obey the Spirit's direction to accept those who are different from themselves.
As with life, there will also be some loose ends, some questions unanswered and left for discussion. And there will be the continuing existence of evil powers that threaten to break us, temptations that bring back your former fears, and people or powers that abuse you or put you down.
Individuals need techniques to face these challenges. I want my readers to know that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is hope.
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, features two very different women, each on their own quest. Mary of Clopas is struggling with abuse as a child that has left her with crippling anxiety and selective mutism. Watch as she takes steps to address her feelings of low self-worth, of being undesirable and undeserving. Root for her to find her gifts and her purpose. Joanna is broken by loyalty to both sides of her mixed-race heritage. Should she continue to pass as a Hebrew and cancel the Greek side of her heritage? Should she use her wealth and influence to speak for those of mixed race who have been victims of racism? A lot is at risk for her: she could lose her husband, her child, her friends, the grandfather who raised her, her wealth, and her home. Will she think it is worth it to let others know of her mixed-race heritage?
I call myself a Christian fiction writer because I am a Christian, I set my historical fiction in the biblical era and I portray Jesus as Lord.
However, I am not an evangelical or conservative Christian. I leave each reader to work out for themselves what they think about their religious beliefs. My characters face their troubles through both faith and action. I hope that by including progressive biblical interpretations where traditional interpretations have countered the greatest commandment: to love. I hope my writing brings hope and healing to those who have previously been hurt, excluded or silenced by the church.
How do you feel about novels that resolve the main character's quest while leaving some things vague for interpretation or discussion? Do you prefer a tidy happily ever after, with all challenges resolved? Do you prefer a story that would allow the reader to decide what happens to a character?
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