Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
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This book is indispensable for every new Christian fiction writer's library. It is no doubt one of the best books on the craft I have seen. If you are just starting out on your writing journey this book will answer a plethora of questions and save you from making many classic "new writer" mistakes. In fact, it is almost as helpful as attending a writer's conference. I wish it had been in print before I attended my first writer's conference--I would have been so much better prepared to get the most from the conference. Ron Benrey has covered all those little (and big) questions that new writers have and don't know who to ask. He paints a realistic picture of what it takes to break into the Christian fiction market. If you, or someone you know, dreams of publishing a Christian novel, this book should be the first one you read.

There are how-to books and how-to books . . . some are so filled with philosophy and attitude that the fledgling writer can't find one solid answer to his question. Ron Benrey has written an intelligent, practical book that will answer most, if not all, questions that a beginning writer might ask. Best of all, the book is well-organized and Ron's wry sense of humor carries us through from the first page to the last. A true seminar-in-a-volume, this book is on my "highly recommended" list!

Not only is this book an excellent resource for anyone who wants to write Christian fiction, it is also a great read . . . more like reading a novel than reading a how-to book. Very complete information, especially on the workings of the industry and the journey to publication. Written with authority, yet infused with humor. Highly recommended.

After reading "Left Behind", I thought to myself "I could write something like that". After reading this book, however, I realize just how wrong I was. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction" functions both as a writing manual and as a set of detailed guidelines as to just what Christian publishers are looking for and it was through reading those guidelines that I came to the realization that I just wasn't cut out for writing Christian fiction. That's OK, though, it's better to know this sort of thing before I begin, rather than after I've wasted two years of my life on writing un-publishable fiction. That is why this is such a fantastic book. Writing Christian fiction isn't just about writing a book without any sex, violence or coarse language, there's a lot more to it than that and that's what Ron Benrey (a published Christian fiction writer) explains in this book. The writing manual (how to write a novel) sections of this book are mediocre in quality, I've seen better secular books on this topic (for example, "The Plot Thickens"). However, even if you don't read those sections, this book is well worth your money just for Benrey's insight into the way Christian readers and publishers think.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started in the business of writing for the Christian market, you'll find this an excellent guide to the sometimes confusing path to publication. It's easy to read, concise and full of real-world examples from published Christian novelists.

A must!

This book is a must-have for anyone just starting out writing Christian fiction. It's all here: the writing itself, content, point of view, theme and message. Also the importance of starting out in a recognizable genre, establishing your own voice, research, critique groups, finding time to write, writing a proposal or pitching one to an editor at a writers' conference.

But there's also much here for the established Christian author. Even as the author of 40 published novels, I learned about the "magic paragraph," dealing with bad reviews and how the publishing process works (which even after all those published books was still something of a mystery to me), marketing your books and much more.

Altogether, it's almost mind-boggling how much information Ron Benrey has managed to include in this one book.

I aquired the book,"The Complete Guide to Writing Christian Fiction," in a group of several otherbooks I wanted to buy to help me learn how to write non-fiction books. What I didn't see was that it was for fiction writers, and I am a non-fiction writer. I decided that I really had wasted my time and money. But I decided to check it out anyway, because I didn't want to send it back.

I was very pleasantly suprised to find out that many of the principles that Ron Benery was directing toward fiction writers also worked well for me.

To tell you the truth, I got more out of his book than I did from some of the other so called non-fiction guidline books.

So if your are not sure if you want to stick with one genre, this book would be a great choice for you to have no matter what direction you go.

BTW.. I met Ron Benrey at a writer's conference, and you know what? He breathes the same air I do. He is a very friendly, caring, concerned, guy, and it shows in his work.

Love the ease of use in this book. Benray obviously knows his way around the cba market and it shows. His references and advice on what/who/where/when/why to include in manuscripts and submissions is priceless.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide To Writing Christian Fiction" by Ron Benrey is the third book I've read on Christian fiction writing, and the first two were in the bibliography. While each has served its place, this one is the most helpful. Let me give some personal experiences.

1. I have a completed novel and submitted it to the Writer's Edge, an option Ron Benrey encourages. Two of the four companies that replied were self-publishing companies and the other two required some financial investment as well. I also signed with a local company that required, again, some money; that company's closed without publishing my book as well as several others they promised to publish. NOBODY suggested I should get an agent, until I read Benrey's book. If I read it first, it may have saved me some money.

2. Benrey deals with the rules of subject and language that is and isn't acceptable in Christian fiction. The Christian fiction I read, though, tends to push the envelope on these issues. The ironic part is that what I enjoy about the novels I read are factors other than the edginess; in fact, the part I enjoy least is the edginess. This book is giving me a good road to travel.

I think I've made my case for this book being helpful. But often helpful books can be boring. This is a definite exception. Benrey makes good use of a sense of humor and has constructed an informative book that is enjoyable to read. In fact, there is sadness of having finished it.

So do I recommend this book? If you don't know the answer after seeing my 5-star rating and reading this book, you may qualify for being an idiot! LOL

All my writing life I have wanted to write a christian fiction novella, this book is really going to make that so much easier. I had no idea how to start off and what to right about. This book is great for those who are just starting to write and want to make a living as a christian writer. It's well written, easy to read and offers information on just about any christian fiction subject you can think of! Buy it.. you won't be sorry!