tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post4713186862367577087..comments2024-03-28T19:02:37.054+00:00Comments on More than Writers: Justice is Servedauntyamohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213728883228063200noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-42189119125444452922016-10-27T07:30:31.973+01:002016-10-27T07:30:31.973+01:00Very insightful about how crime writing can work i...Very insightful about how crime writing can work in Christian hands - and about how Christian writers can give others an insight into what it is really like for us, in place of the distortions presented by some secular writers. Thank you!Philologushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02107301685112950857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-32380993485735641212016-10-26T16:28:49.393+01:002016-10-26T16:28:49.393+01:00My feeling on crime and Christian writers is that ...My feeling on crime and Christian writers is that Fiona has it spot on - am just about to finish her second Poppy Denby, The Kill Fee. It's a crime novel, yes, but the characters are well drawn, interesting in themselves, and all distinguishable from one another. The history is well researched. Poppy's thoughts re her faith and its constraints and about God in her life are well done, they feel real and of the period. And the writer's attitudes don't intrude ... (Unlike the other book I have been reading this week ... am hoping to review both together soon.)Mari Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05606125048044373268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-61218145119264076362016-10-26T11:10:28.448+01:002016-10-26T11:10:28.448+01:00Crime writing is often viewed with suspicion by Ch...Crime writing is often viewed with suspicion by Christians. This is to do, I think, with the degree of violence that is depicted - showing the crime itself and the level of violence/force that is used to combat it. There is a valid debate to be had here about the ways and means of the genre and also the issue of whether the end (the bad guy is caught/stopped) with the means (what moral compromises/failings does the hero commit to overcome the bad guy?). The same debate is played out in society - regarding law enforcement, vigilantism, the possession and use of guns, just and unjust wars etc. But this I believe should not negate crime as a legitimate expression for Christian authors and readers. That would be like saying a Christian should not write romance because porn exists. Where we draw that line as writers and readers is also a personal one and one that I and my publisher (and God!) frequently return to. In fact, because it reflects real-world debates about the nature of just and unjust violence and the how far the end justifies the means, makes it a genre Christians should engage with rather than shun. In my humble opinion ;)Fiona Veitch Smithhttp://fiona.veitchsmith.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-41730105186924535032016-10-26T10:52:16.715+01:002016-10-26T10:52:16.715+01:00I think you're right Fran. If we see our writi...I think you're right Fran. If we see our writing as an extension of our Kingdom work then leaving the world - fictional or not - a little better than when we joined it is a great goal. And it's not just for crime writing. Does the requited love of a couple in a romance bring healing and restoration to others around them? Does a family drama bring forgiveness and reconciliation to those who choose to participate it in? Does Miss bring value and encouragement to her pupils despite her foibles and failings? These are life affirming things. It's why as a Christian I can't write nihilism. The flip side of this though is we need to be careful of not having a rose-tinted view of the world nor presenting it in our fiction. God works in and despite the mess. Some aspects will be put to right, some may still remain untouched, the degree to which we reflect that in our work is something I feel that differs from writer to writer.Fiona Veitch Smithhttp://fiona.veitchsmith.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-84346527252453853072016-10-26T08:28:36.612+01:002016-10-26T08:28:36.612+01:00That was an interesting read, Fiona. I guess makin...That was an interesting read, Fiona. I guess making sure 'the world is put to rights' is a great goal for any novel: any novel that's going to be life-affirming and do good for people, that is. That's got me thinking! Fran Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07935088780461825341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-57779690162343617212016-10-26T07:59:25.396+01:002016-10-26T07:59:25.396+01:00Thanks for the insight. I agree that crime fiction...Thanks for the insight. I agree that crime fiction allows us to explore the moral imperative whilst retaining our moral integrity. Congratulations on being shortlistedWendy H. Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022089775887274043noreply@blogger.com