Working With the Word of God by Barbara M. Britton

I have the best job ever. I write about stories found in the Bible. I also get to incorporate Scripture into my stories. What job do I have? I’m a writer of Christian Fiction.

If you ask ten authors to define Christian Fiction, you might receive ten different answers. Christian writers craft their stories like any other writer. We create wonderful characters that have a goal to achieve while handling conflict and tension on their goal quest. Goals, motivations, and conflicts are the building blocks of good stories. Christian authors add another building block to their novels. We add a faith journey for one or more characters. Christian authors show how a character’s faith, or lack of faith, affects their life.

Christian Fiction has many genres. I write Biblical Fiction where I bring Bible stories to life by giving dialogue and emotion to people mentioned in the Bible. I always say, God has the best storylines. I do not change the Bible, but I can take a person who lived thousands of years ago and try to make them seem like a long-lost friend. I can introduce an obscure story from the book of Numbers and have readers remember five faithful sisters who changed history (The daughters of Zelophehad). Of course, I never change any dialogue spoken in the Bible.

When I’m not writing about Bible stories, I am free to have my 21^st century characters choose a favorite verse to grab hold of when they face the challenges of life. In “Escape to Whispering Creek,” my main character Emma recites the first line of Psalm 18:2 when life’s worries cause her concern.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

I enjoy adding favorite verses to my stories to encourage readers. Emma is also reminded of a Sunday School lesson that illustrates that no one can snatch her out of God’s hand.

I have seen Christian authors have a character go to church where a pastor explains Scripture and preaches about Jesus. Characters can discuss the message that they heard in church and apply it to the problems they will face in the next chapters of their story.

Many Christian novels will include the Gospel message about Jesus, or the novel will have Scripture verses in the back of the book. I’ve seen devotional messages as well at the end of the story. I know a woman who came to faith in Jesus by reading a Christian novel.

Working with the Word of God in publishing isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding jobs of my life.

What have you seen Christian authors do to embolden your faith through reading?

 

 

Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors’ money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend’ s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up… until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?
Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade’s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he’s come to love in danger.

Pre-Order Today:  Amazon Link and the B&N Link. Find Emma’s story everywhere books are sold.

 

 

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day USA. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. Her novel “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” is a compelling, yet fun story, shining a light on breast cancer. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website www.barbarambritton.com.