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10.
FaithfulReader.com: Do you think Christian Chick Lit books have a chance to cross over to the mainstream Chick Lit audience? Why or why not?
Neta Jackson: Sure. Again, as long as we're honest and don't come across as pious stick-in-the-muds. There's a great deal of spiritual interest out there. We just need to strip our writing of all the churchy cliches and pat answers. I'm excited that "Yada Yada" is selling in Wal-Mart and other "mainstream" stores, because it's reaching many readers who might not ever go into a Christian bookstore. (Even though I want to encourage folks to support our Christian bookstores --- it's tough competition these days.)
Tracey Bateman: I think it's possible --- after all, with God all things are --- but maybe not so probable because the message is Christian in nature. While some Christian fiction (i.e., "Mitford," "Left Behind"), have "made it" as crossovers, I think it would be a tough sell to tried-and-true mainstream Chick Lit readers. Absent the clever new ways of using the "F" word, descriptions of underwear through a sexual partner's voice, or fantasizing about all the ways the protagonist would like to kill her boss, I don't know how much appeal it would have for the general public. Is the mainstream reader ready to embrace a heroine who wants to find God's purpose for her life? Hmmm. I'm doubting it, but since I'm a half-full kind of girl, I'll stay hopeful.
Annie Jones: Yes. I think people are hungry for this. Hungry for a positive message about life and about women, themselves, as well. The faith issue --- well, I think they don't want to feel they've been tricked into paying for a sermon, but as long as it's clear these books are about people of faith and if the books are well-written, there is definitely an audience for them.
Allie Pleiter: I'm hoping they do cross over, because I want Chick Lit readers to see that humor, wit, and energy are also part of a life of faith. I think the style of writing will appeal to a broad range of readers, and help them to understand that Christianity is not all somber, but a real tool for life's sticky challenges. If one reader says to themselves, "Hey, I never thought of faith that way…I can relate to that," then I feel I've succeeded.
Judy Baer: I hope so. I read and get pleasure from books that don't necessarily express my worldview. Some of the most enjoyable books I've read are books that introduce to me entirely new thought processes, ideas and lifestyles. I'm an eclectic reader and don't limit myself to only things I understand or am comfortable with. I'd expect that of any reader. You can enjoy a book without necessarily embracing its philosophy. If it's funny, entertaining, compelling and well written, that's usually enough for me.
Laura Jensen Walker: Yes! As long as we tell a good, engaging story with a witty, authentic voice, lots of humor, and don't preach. There are plenty of people who love Chick Lit --- the same people who love chick flicks like Sense and Sensibility, Sleepless in Seattle, Legally Blonde --- and want their novels PG, rather than NC-17.
Penny Culliford: The main reason they do not cross over in the UK is that it is highly unlikely that mainstream bookshops would carry Christian titles. Another important issue is that of "identification." If the readers do not share a values or belief system, they are less likely to be able to identify with the character. Having said that, I believe that the humour can help to break down barriers.
Robin Jones Gunn: Why not? An enjoyable book is an enjoyable book. I don't see the book market as "us" and "them." I see misconceptions of what a book published for the Christian market is supposedly about. But western women share a lot of common ground. Chick Lit by nature takes an unconventional approach to many of those common ground topics. So let the fun begin! Anyone is welcome to come to the party!
Sharon Dunn: If the success of The Passion of the Christ and "Left Behind" teaches us nothing else, it is that there is a hungry and curious world out there. Books and movies are safe venues for seekers to experience Christianity. I think most Christian fiction has some crossoverability (when in doubt, make a word up), but Chick Lit especially because of the humor element. Mary Poppins was right. A spoonful of sugar does help the medicine go down.
Kristin Billerbeck: If it's written well, absolutely, because most people are open to learning about new things. I've read Chick Lits about Jewish heroines, Italian heroines, English heroines. It's the solidarity of women that counts.
Lori Copeland: This is my prayer, but Christian material is written for the believer so I'm not sure how God will use this material; the only thing I can predict with certainty is that the book or books will reach the reader who it's intended to reach.
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