tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post6694823467586302757..comments2023-10-29T05:46:56.444-04:00Comments on Writing Roseanna: Story Time . . . Christian Romance - Ministry or Danger?Roseanna Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245767775900250399noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-35438734400230588152011-05-24T20:08:54.633-04:002011-05-24T20:08:54.633-04:00Thanks, Jordan. =) Jewel of Persia wasn't tech...Thanks, Jordan. =) Jewel of Persia wasn't technically a romance, either--I call it a "biblical love story," because it doesn't obey the patterns of romance. That said, my next book IS a romance--but even with that one, the romance between hero and heroine comes in second to both realizing that to be prepared for a romance with each other, they both must first come to grips with themselves and their God. They must both first understand that true liberty lies in Christ before they are free to love each other.<br /><br />That's the sort of thing that Christian romance strives for--to help us better understand our relationships through the lens of the Lord.Roseanna Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02245767775900250399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-9706554857125319152011-05-24T19:31:35.116-04:002011-05-24T19:31:35.116-04:00An online friend of mine wrote a post about this s...An online friend of mine wrote a post about this subject awhile ago, and I find that I quite agree with her. http://hopescribbles.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/rethinking-romance-novels/<br /><br />Until recently, I completely avoided romance novels as per my parents' request. I didn't even read Jane Austen (please note that this was a request, i was not banned from reading them). I didn't have a problem with avoiding them because there is just so much else to read!<br /><br />Now that I am 18, I have even more freedom to read what I choose, though I still listen to my parents' opinions. I read Jewel of <br />Persia and quite enjoyed it. (my full review will be posted on my blog June 6 when Mrs. White comes to visit!)<br /><br />It's like Elisabeth said. Is the book's primary focus the romance? Or the God of love? I think in Mrs. White's case, the latter is true!Jordan Newhousehttp://heavenlyprincess.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-84280657558920631382011-05-24T19:14:28.388-04:002011-05-24T19:14:28.388-04:00Sometimes you just gotta wonder, Roseanna. Thanks...Sometimes you just gotta wonder, Roseanna. Thanks for the excellent post!Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-28777276942752773932011-05-24T14:10:16.944-04:002011-05-24T14:10:16.944-04:00Well put, Stephanie. (tee hee hee--private joke)
...Well put, Stephanie. (tee hee hee--private joke)<br /><br />I think it really comes down to being able to find a problem in ANYTHING. Historically, people have even censored parts of the Bible. Um, hello?<br /><br />So what are we allowed to do? Sports? Surely not. I mean, competitive attitudes can lead us so easily into sin, right? <br /><br />TV shows? Good heavens, no! What do THEY put in front of us? <br /><br />Can we take a walk? Dangerous--what if we see a house or car that lures us into coveting? <br /><br />Reading the Bible? Well gracious, authorities agreed for centuries that it was foolish to put the word of God into the hands of untrained laymen, lest we totally misinterpret it!<br /><br />See my point? When one goes looking for the flaws, one will find them. Temptations lie in absolutely everything. BUT--If we seek Him first, then we can enjoy the freedom that comes of His grace-given salvation. We can enjoy the world He's given us, the arts He inspires in his children, without fear. So long as our eyes remain focused on Him, they can't lead us astray.Roseanna Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02245767775900250399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-69392745787806978392011-05-24T13:54:29.138-04:002011-05-24T13:54:29.138-04:00I write young adult books for the Christian market...I write young adult books for the Christian market. I had never thought of myself as some scandalous writer, but when the first book in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series released, I was really surprised to see how many disapproved of the romance between my main character (who was just becoming a Christian) and a Christian boy.<br /><br />I write about this because it's what (many) teens are dealing with. It's what's important to them. It's what they're thinking about. By writing this from the position of faith, my prayer is that I'm showing them HOW to deal with it, think about it, and live it in a way that honors God.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-24909983363163126722011-05-24T13:41:59.798-04:002011-05-24T13:41:59.798-04:00Great thoughts on honoring and obedience, Anonymou...Great thoughts on honoring and obedience, Anonymous. Very true. We do, first and foremost, have to guard our hearts.<br /><br />In my opinion, romance is a part of our lives. What is one of the biggest decisions we face in life? Who we date, who we marry. And once we're married, what then? How do we keep our marriages strong?<br /><br />When I read a romance, it reminds me of why I love my husband. Is he perfect? Well, ahem. I'm not married to Jesus, so obviously not, LOL. But we have a real love. And even if I'm in a bad frame of mind, reading about romance reminds me that my ultimate weapon against any fractures in my marriage is LOVE.<br /><br />But you know, this whole thing has given me a new prayer. Now I will not only be praying that my books reach those who need them, I'll be praying that they do NOT get in the hands of anyone who could be hurt by any of my words. What I know is that I'm called to write these books God has given me such a pure passion for. And what I also know is that He charges us to not let our convictions be a stumbling block for others.<br /><br />I know this debate is necessary; I also know it hurts those who are called to write. Just as we writers must pray not to be a stumbling block to those whose hearts are not going to be helped by us, so too should other forms of ministers pray not to say anything that might cause of one of God's children to question His call on her life to write.Roseanna Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02245767775900250399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-14426495291324720592011-05-24T12:30:55.899-04:002011-05-24T12:30:55.899-04:00Every book is different. I think some Christian r...Every book is different. I think some Christian romance novels are fine with a cute love story, but some have me skipping pages because I don't want to read about people making out and sometime more than that. It's a fine line for the author to draw. Readers all have different opinions on this.<br /><br />Personally, I believe that above all alse I should gaurd my heart. <br /><br />If a romance is giving me mental pictures I don't need or that would be dishonoring to my future husband, I don't need to read it. If it's conjuring up feelings or desires that I should save for my future husband, I don't need to be reading it. If it is making me disatisfied with my love love (or lack of), I don't need to be reading it.<br /><br />Also, I need to respect authority. If I think the romance I'm reading is acceptable, but my parents disagree, I need to take their concern into consideration and obey them.<br /><br />But really I think we just all need to remember that it's just a book. It shouldn't take over your time, thoughts, or feelings. If it is, why not take a break from reading them? Maybe spend a little more time reading the Bible (: Songs of Solomon is full of love and romance! I wonder what Mr. Moore thinks of that book of the Bible?!<br /><br />Great post, it's a thought provoking topic!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-79396179769817845822011-05-24T10:52:25.364-04:002011-05-24T10:52:25.364-04:00Having read the his post (after your facebook comm...Having read the his post (after your facebook comment), I am glad you responded to it. I agree that there some ladies need to be careful of what romances they read, even Christian ones. BUT to equate Christian romances to porn is unfair. AND it is a true ministry.<br /><br />Just as God-glorifying lyrics in different genres of music is honoring to God, Christian books in different genres are, too. Each meets a different need.Annette W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02498639468291720406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-65048016295008772632011-05-24T10:15:01.108-04:002011-05-24T10:15:01.108-04:00I believe they are a ministry - just as many of th...I believe they are a ministry - just as many of these books show men who are loving and patient, they also show Godly women, women who are great examples of ways that God can and does work in our lives. <br /><br />I agree with Jessica - that if a person's relationship is on shaky ground than these books could have a negative impact, but so could a person's closest friends.<br /><br />To put the blame on Christian Romance and compare it to the darkness of society is ridiculous!Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06627100891908577662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652659672729617168.post-9686045753958903322011-05-24T10:01:15.256-04:002011-05-24T10:01:15.256-04:00I knew someone who told me basically what this pas...I knew someone who told me basically what this pastor said. That she had to quit reading romance novels (not inspirational) because it only soured her marriage. I don't think the books did that. Her marriage wasn't a happy one to begin with and yes these books fueled a fire of unhappiness that was already there. <br /><br />I think any romance could fulfill a void, if given to a vulnerable woman who is dissatified in her marriage.<br /><br />I'd like to think that inspirational fiction wouldn't be used as a void filler, but as healing balm to deep wounds, that it would point her to Jesus Christ, that the Holy Spirit would use it to minister to her. That's why I write inspirational fiction. <br /><br />When hero is fighting for the heroine with sacrificial love, cherishing her, romancing her, it's really just a picture of the way Jesus love us. That's what I want the reader to grasp and I think that's what I see and feel when I read other inspirational romances. <br /><br />No one can love like Jesus. <br /><br />Thanks for writing about this today.Jessica R. Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614501794157211301noreply@blogger.com