Is your current project targeted to the Christian or secular market?

[Rebecca]

Is your current project targeted to the Christian or secular market?

I thought this might make an interesting discussion. :)

Rebecca

[lynnmosher]

Writing devotionals, articles, short stories, etc., it's all for the Christian market. For now, it's all non-fiction for help and encouragement of Christians. That's what I believe the Lord wants me to do. I don't know how to write anything else. Maybe that will change down the road. Who knows!

[Alice]

I'm not certain how to vote. I'm currently editing some short works to submit.

Some are Christian, some aren't. Some are not specificically Christian but are aimed at markets run by Christians.

So... I didn't vote.

[melw]

i siad Christiain, but hope that some might go secular. That they can get some message out of them

MEL

[ProfessorAlan]

The one I am currently revising is for the CBA market, so I voted that way. But the next one that is furthest along is for the mainstream (I try to not use the word "secular" to describe this) marketplace.

[Tarin]

I said "Christian," although I don't necessarily write with the CBA in mind. I tend to write "for" Christians more than non-believers. Although I am certainly 100% supportive of those who are trying to use their works to influence and convert non-Christians, I feel my own personal calling is to try to minister to Christians. Christianity, as a whole, needs shaking up as bad as the rest of the world. :rolleyes:

[righter1]

I'm a bit too rough around the edges to market to CBA, so mine's for the secular market. My husband hopes one day I'll go CBA because he doesn't like the topics I write about (murder), but I'm not sure that'll ever happen... :)

[Cymrugirl]

My biggest WIP is targeted towards history buffs - towards Americans who have never heard of Wales - and the Welsh who are tired of Americans who have never heard of Wales.

It is a work born out of my love for my family and the country they came from. I feel like it's a love letter.

Throwing the Christian vs. secular in to that seems oddly out of place.

[M. Lawrence]

My current WIP is aimed more at the Christian market (a non-fiction historical biography of a recent Christian movement). However, I prefer to write fiction aimed at the mainstream market in general.

[aviator4]

My current projects are for a government aviation magazine and a historical for Old Africa magazine that specialises on events 40 years past in pre independence Kenya.

The one is a second part of an article entitled 'In Support Of Our Pilots' being serialised from a previous issue. When airplanes crash, pilots need not be the convinient scapegoats......reasons enough. They asked for 1,500 words, I forwarded 4026 with first Kenya serial rights..

The other is a historical on the first airplanes in Kenya and the pioneer spirit of 1920 - 65.

Sadly, there is little to write about my country which is currently hurting from a flowed election. Over 500 people have died and 300,000 displaced in ethnic tensions.

At times it pays to stick to what one knows best. For me it is aviation, a very secular province.

[abbasjewel]

I write for HIM! I am currently writing the curriculum for our church's children's class of Sunday Schoolers (the age group is so mixed--we just call it children's...) . I also write our church's Quarterly Newsletter and some content for teaching New Christians and New Members, as well as short Drama's and skits for Evangelism purposes. I have never really thought of, or tried writing for the secular arena. I write because God inspired me to do so, He even went as for as to say, "Write...just write...words that will bring healing to hearts, deliverance to minds...liberty to souls. So...I write to inspire, as He inspires me--I write to encourage, as He encourages me--I write to speak life, as He speaks life into me--Is There any other Motive or Inspiration?

SHALOM

[RooPalmer]

I am writing a series..of christian novels dealing with many christian, family and social issues. My main character throughout the stories is a very different kettle of fish. He blows me away sometimes. It's certainly not me who is writing about him. Alot of the time I can feel God giving me the wording.
I'm at present working on his book trailer using Movie Maker, then hope to upload it to God Tube.
You can view more about him at
www.freewebs.com/roopalmer or
www.shoutlife.com/roopalmer

I basically wanted to bring more of God's "love" mercy and grace into the drama story, dealing with social issues God's way and not all these bandaid solutions.
I have released the first and the second in the series "Dale." and "Dale. Image of Innocence" and nearly ready to release my third "Dale. Aids Child" Still working on the fourth in the series "Dale. Forebearing Secrets" but i want to complete that this year if i can.
Roo

[Beverly]

My first (and so far only!) book was definitely for the Christian audience, but this next book I'm working on could go for either. (and hopefully will - if I ever get it published, that is!)

[Kathryn Bonner]

I am writing a five book series, which in Christian non-fiction, inspirational. My first book has just been published by a Christian publishing house. I write for both audiences as it benefits both. The series is "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife" and the first book in the series which was just published Dec 07, is "He Speaks Can You Hear Him?" In this first book I reveal the way that God speaks to us in the many different ways. Although it is certainly a Christian book, my prayer is that it makes it's way to the secular audiences.

[sbrown03]

Hi,
I just wanted to say that I think it is a good idea for Christian Authors to target the secular market. This is usually accomplished with Christian values and principles as the subtle undertone for the theme of their writings. I attempted to do this in my first little book "Grace Growing Up", and I'm attempting to do it again in my 2nd project "Overcoming Eve".:)

[marcuslanier]

I have several projects going at the moment. Some destined for Christian markets while others are bound for secular shelves. The last one I worked on was about faith so I voted Christian.

[Ransom v. Unman]

I write works that I hope everyone will read, not just Christians.

Since the quality, marketability and subject-matter of the CBA are notably in conflict with my own goals as a writer, I'm firmly on the side of "secular", despite what may be taken as unabashed Christianity in my stories.

[Merry]

I try really hard to cater to the weirdos out there or people who just feel that way.

[Joe A]

My current book, GROWING CHRISTIANS, is for Church Leaders and Teachers. This book is written from a passion my heart to help churches know that their people are growing! When it is all said and done, what really matters is transformed lives. Churches can have a simple plan for developing spiritual growth through their Sunday School or Small Groups. There is one initial test question: “Are you growing a church or are you growing Christians?” These are not the same thing!

All over the world, Bible study teachers pray, prepare and hunger to know that their people are actually 'putting into life' the truths they have been teaching. I believe that this book gives some clear steps to see this be a reality. We have tons of superb curriculum available to us, yet we still wonder if they are "getting it!" It is time to see measurable spiritual growth in our churches!

I am excited about my search for getting this book published!

Joe Allison
joe@growingchristians.net

[Nightshift]

Secular market. My reason is a combination of three responses already given. I hope these people don't mind my adding their names. First, as Righter1 responded, I, too, am 'rough around the edges'. To give my best work I would like to have experience and find my voice. Second, as SBrown03 pointed out, targeting the secular can have a positive influence and be an introduction to Christianity countering the current media propaganda against it. Third, Ransom v. Unman mentioned Christian undertones and it's values in themes. My difference is that I prefer to use it to define my characters in how they deal with secular matters and, possibly, how it can develop their faith.

[Nightshift]

Just adding to my previous post. I am determined to follow this path unless the Lord directs me otherwise. I would also like to encourage those writing for the Christian market to write something for the secular market. It's that 'don't put your light under a bushel' verse in the scriptures. To support that: I don't wear my faith on my sleeve, but I know that the men I work with tend to cuss less and are less likely to talk smut when I'm around. It does have some impact, but you may have to take some hits for it.

Rich

[sharonlavy]

I read suspense, murders in CBA books. Brandilyn Collins, Terri Blackstock, so you can write for CBA. You just can't use bad language. LOL.

[ProfessorAlan]

... so you can write for CBA. You just can't use bad language. LOL.

There's a lot more than that, that you can't do.

[sharonlavy]

Okay. Whatever works for you.