Radical is a word with both positive and negative connotations. Those connotations depend upon the reason(s) for being radical, correct?
Well, I’ve decided I appear to be radical. For many reasons, but mostly for the sake of this one-sided discussion, I confess to be radical in my ideas about the publishing industry. Whether or not anyone believes I even deserve an opinion on the subject, I have one. No surprise. I wouldn’t have these opinions if I felt that the Christian publishing industry was meeting its end of the bargain by providing for all of its devoted readers. I’m not talking quantity of books here, and only in the very basic sense am I speaking of quality.
I believe the average reader of fiction, Christian or secular, generally has a favorite genre and some multiple genres where they’ll dabble occasionally. Speaking only of the “average” reader, I guess in my world he/she would be defined as someone who enjoys reading and might recognize poor writing but if they enjoyed the story, it wouldn’t matter to them that they passed through some rough spots. Too many adverbs, passive verbs, and the common show-don’t-tell philosophies permeating the writers’ blogs often don’t cause a ripple in the page turning of the average reader. A well-written, enjoyable novel might be especially appreciated for reasons the average reader might not be able to identify, but that same reader might also savor a novel generally thought to be written with lesser skills because he/she simply was excited by the story.
Writers of novels have to be the worst critics of writing. So many get all wrapped up in the rules and trends and forget the simple joys of a story. Last year there was a fervent discussion about italics of all things generated by an editor from Zondervan over on Chip MacGregor’s blog. Oh so many wannabes and established authors jumped on the bandwagon proclaiming the detestable factors of italics. The most logical opposition to them was Becky Miller’s simple assertion that they were difficult to read. However, if an editor/publisher had any creative desire to use them more effectively in a particular story—just for something DIFFERENT (heaven forbid), the typesetting could feature them in a more readable format. With all the little designs we’re seeing in chapter headings and page numbering, making the italics easier to read shouldn’t prove to be too much of an added expense or take a super effort to produce.
President and CEO Michael Hyatt created a wingding in the industry and on his personal blog (http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit/) by announcing the rather stunning changes coming to Thomas Nelson Publishing under his direction. Folks in the industry jumped to the pulpit to either rave about Hyatt’s genius or question his sanity, some comments leveling low blows at his tactics.
Most of the people who aspire to write novels visit the sites of professionals and trust their teachings and proclamations as gospel and struggle to write accordingly. Depending upon which trend is embraced, there will be the Anne Lamott or Stephen King devotees, the Donald Maass fans, the Browne and King diehards, etc., until all the writing bases have been covered and magnified as the ultimate best in writing types, styles, formats, and aims for getting published. And even then it is somberly noted, you might not be “good enough”. Geez.
When who you are and how well you can come up with a marketing scheme for your work plays a part in being a “good enough” writer to rank being published, you can assume that having that “great” story isn’t what it’s totally about. It’s also about trend-setting and types of fiction and second-guessing what the reading public wants so you can provide it and make money at it. And there’s nothing wrong with any of it.
What’s wrong with the overall picture is testifying that if a writer perseveres and spit shines and polishes that manuscript with dynamite words and an unbeatable story, they will be published. That somehow each publisher is producing these legendary classics to rock the world of readers for eons to come . . . Do you know there is a “Christy Award” category for “lits”?
My radical repetitious assertion remains. The platitudes are dishonest. The “greatness” is often fleeting and even imaginary. The books which are published come into print based on a committee decision. Trends, marketing, genres—and, yes, likes and dislikes, in other words: opinions—determine the production of a new novel. The posturing about “great” writing, “great” stories . . . it’s all to be expected. It just doesn’t always ring true.
Father, help me to have integrity. Help me to be a dissenting voice only when my reasoning has merit. Give me discernment and help me to avoid hurtful criticism while still pointing out valid problems. Thank you for your grace. I need it. I need you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*