Where Christian Writers Draw the Line

Christian writers have many choices to make beyond those of writers in general. These all have to do with where we draw the line in our writing. It's important that we stay true to our Lord and our calling. In a field where erotica is the fastest growing market, I think we need to be especially vigilant and aware of our choices. 

However, I don't think we have to dispose of all passion and reduce any romance to boring, insipid paragraphs either. I've had many readers tell me they liked how I wrote such heartfelt love scenes and still  kept them clean. I took this as a great compliment, because this is what I want to do. 

Another area to consider is how much crude language or profanity  will be allowed in a book. I have talked with several writers who include some because they say it is true-to-life. Because I don't like this as a reader and  have issues with  it, I choose not to include any in mine, but I still have to decide where I draw the  line. At one time Christian publishers considered phrases like "Dad burn," "for goodness sake," and "dang" as inappropriate because of what they stood for. I'm probably more careful than most with what I'll use, but we all have to make that decision.

I have also decided not to regularly post promotional ads on Sunday. This is an individual choice of mine, and I don't say it should be a hard-fast rule, but I do think it is something to consider. Again, it should be between you and God and how much you consider His day as a day of rest. The answer to all these choices is to pray and allow God to direct you.

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