Christian vs Inspirational fiction. What is the difference?

I received my daily Christian Ebooks Today and saw this interesting post, since I see myself as a Inspirational writer and not a Christian writer. Being a grace carrier means you go to that level of life and answer questions from that perspective. In my books you will find some sweet romance but you will also see the ugly side of life. Sometimes very descriptive. We are humans that live in a real world with real problems and being an answer is to write out of that perspective. 

I really thought this very insightful and want to share it with you.

Guest Blog Post by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Christian fiction focuses on a relationship with God and God is the center of every romantic liaison. It adheres to the guidelines set forth by the CBA publishers and readers. In most instances, those guidelines are very conservative. The CBA wants “chaste relationships…the emotional side of love without the physical.” Some of the guidelines include the heroine never appearing in her nightgown outside of the bedroom, no profanity or even ‘substitute’ words such as “shuck” “heck” and “darn.” They want little or no reference to a particular denomination, divorce is a no-no; sensuality is very limited and “unless it’s something the characters struggle with” must be done sparsely and very tactfully. Drinking, dancing, and other controversial subjects such as water –and Spirit- baptism, women preachers, etc. are also frowned upon. Issues such as abuse and domestic violence are usually only ‘hinted at’ and if delved into to any degree, must be handled with tremendous care. Even secular houses like Warner and Harlequin who’ve capitalized on the demand for Christian fiction, adhere to CBA guidelines for their imprints.

Inspirational fiction, on the other hand, is written more for those readers out there who are dissatisfied with the typical Christian fiction as well as those turned off by the normal secular romances. It is aimed for readers that like the idea of God/Christ in the books, but want more realistic characters, situations, etc. Though flavored with a bit more “sensuality and gritty realism” Inspirational fiction still adheres to biblical principles. It is a unique combination of the sensual and the spiritual. Almost anything goes in Inspirational fiction as long as it is done tastefully. If you’re putting sex, profanity, or abuse in there simply for shock purposes, stick to secular fiction. Readers of Inspirational fiction want reality not morbidity!

Well folks, hope I’ve enlightened you some on the between Christian and Inspirational fiction.

Until later take care, God BLESS and remember …. everything that gives God glory deserves to be praised!

Author Bio

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and the Owner/CEO of The Wordsmith Journal Magazine. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

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The Visionary by Pamela Thibodeaux

Genre: Inspirational Women’s Fiction