How to write cringe free Christian books
Do you want to write a book that glorifies God, but doesn’t make the faith look cheesy, boring or straight up cringe? Let’s talk about how to write something that is full of Jesus but isn’t like one of those cheesy movies.
Let’s start with what is “cringe” what does this even mean? Think about what this means to you. What’s your definition? This is what Google says about it.
Something to be aware of is the difference between cringing at something Christian, and feeling convicted and having an aversion to it in your spirit. Darkness in this world hates the light. So let’s check in with ourselves as to which it is. Is the writing actually embarrassing? Or is it just not what we want to hear?
The first thing on my list to avoid if you’re wanting to write something cringe free but Christian, is stereotypes. These things are everywhere, and bog down our writing. Especially when writing about something like our faith, if we start leaning on the stereotypes that everyone knows, our readers aren’t going to want to finish the book, because they will assume they already know what’s going to happen. It is also going to drive away anyone who doesn’t share our faith, as they will likely guess it’s just another “churchy” book. Most people aren’t searching for a super stereotypical book. People want to be surprised and made to think.
Write something new. What about writing the hard side of the Christian life? What if we started writing those dark moments when it’s not just butterflies and rainbows? Let’s not just write about the hallelujahs, but the low moments too. The raw moments. It’s about digging into being authentic, and true to our walk with God, learning to portray that through our writing.
My next “avoid” is writing in a manner that comes across as “holier am I”. I think this appears very cringe and just sad, when Christian writing is very judgmental of unbelievers, or just humans in general. If our writing holds a condescending tone, that is going to be very unattractive to our readers.
We aren’t called to judge the world. That is God’s job (we are called to convict other Christians). The point of our writing shouldn’t be to call out everyone who is doing things we don’t agree with. We shouldn’t use our characters as a way to pass judgement on people.
The third thing I’ll be trying to avoid is making the characters who are Christian “better” than the characters who are not. It’s just unrealistic. We are all humans and make mistakes, and while believers should be living out our faith and setting ourselves apart from sin. We are never going to be perfect on this earth, and we daily do or think things that stray from the way we are called to live. So writing a character who is just so good, and doesn’t ever sin, that’s not relatable. If we are going to make a role mod character, they need to be believable.
This is going to put across the message that we Christians think we’re better than everyone else. When, we should know better that we are sinful and need Jesus daily!
Okay, moving on! Next thought: not everything spiritual has to happen at church.
Let’s break out of the box. Let’s think alternative, authentic, out side the box. What if instead of keeping all the miracles and turning points inside the church building we expand our vision. Your character could be walking down the street and hear the voice of God. They could be at a party and it’s in that moment their eyes are opened to what they needed to know, they see a new side of God that they couldn’t in church on Sunday morning. This is a way for us to reveal the “everythingness” of God. He’s not neat and tidy wrapped up for us to open on Sundays, He’s the messy night comforter, the full of grace forgives, He is so much bigger than the church. Church is amazing, include the church in your novel for sure! (I am). But just make sure God is found outside of those walls too. Let’s not just throw in some church scenes so we can call it godly, let’s commit to revealing a unique part of our King.
Lastly, but certainly not least: who is God to you?
Show your answer through your writing. Your view of God is uniquely yours and a gift. One person can never understand all of Him, but if we come together and share our unique perspectives, we get that tiny bit closer.
In my own writing, I find myself portraying God a lot through nature and descriptions. I see God all through His creation and I love weaving Him into my settings of the stories I create.
Perhaps you see God most significantly as a father, then you could write that fatherly love in your book. Maybe you see God as your best friend, someone to chat to and joke with, write that in!
Here are some dainty ways of including God in your novel without being cringe:
- In descriptions of nature
- Thoughts of your characters
- Dialogue between characters
- Subtle angels or supernatural circumstances
- Healings or other miracles
- A unique experience of the Holy Spirit (key word “unique”)
A lot of prayer is needed when writing for such a big purpose as the Kingdom of Heaven. Much discernment and seeking the face of Jesus in where He wants your book to go. I truly believe that if you write it with God, with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, nothing will stand against your book and its purpose will reach to eternity. Don’t be ashamed of your faith. Your writing is not cringy just because it’s Christian. You have an army of angels behind you, and God smiling upon this dream of yours. I believe that HE can do it through YOU.
