Welcome to Book Nations!

Welcome, one and all, to Book Nations! Simply put, this blog is for Christian writers...but I’d say it’s more than that. It’s one part my response to the rise of secular fiction and diluted Christian literature; another part my answer to my fellow writers who have asked for help writing fiction that is focused on God; and a final part a calling God has placed within me to equip writers to write for Him!

If you feel led to write fiction that is not just clean and inspirational, but charged with the Holy Spirit and breathed to life by God Almighty, fiction that speaks to the soul and touches the spirit...

If you’ve been struggling with writing fiction that glorifies God but is still marketable and engaging…

If you’ve already determined that Christian fiction isn’t right for you and that you’d do best impacting others through light inspirational themes and generic messages…

If you’re scared of being labeled a Christian writer and your books being labeled Christian, because they might never be read by unbelievers or taken seriously by publishers and critics…

Then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m not going to promise you the answers to all your problems...but I can promise you that I’ll direct you to others with experience and expertise and, most importantly, to the One Who has all the answers.

What I would write was never a question for me. It was always Christian.

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled and doubted not just my choice but my calling as well. That doesn’t mean I haven’t wondered if I’d be better off toning down some of the spirituality and faith elements in my fiction. That doesn’t mean I haven’t worried that no one would ever want to read my books because they’re too “preachy.”

And yet every time I doubted, I was reminded of what Paul said in Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”

I’m here to tell you that approved writers are not ashamed. Writers who have been given the gift and desire to write by God should not feel as though they ought to use their gift for themselves, for publishers, for markets, or even for readers. Writers who are living for Christ should not feel guilty for who and Whose they are.

I’m not ashamed of the Gospel. I’m not afraid to tell you that, yes, I do write Christian fiction. Yes, I write preachy fiction. Yes, I write Pentecostal/Apostolic fiction - if you really want to get deep into it. Yes, I write for Jesus Christ alone. Yes, I believe that God writes not just through me but for me as well, and that He will take my expressly Christian novels and use them as a tool for the Kingdom.

This is where I ask...what kind of fiction would you say you write? Who do you write for? Why do you write? What purpose do you hope to see your writing serve? Are you ashamed of the Gospel?

If the answer to that question is yes, then don’t worry. We’ve all been there sometime - yes, that’s part of being a Christian. You cannot have faith if you did not first doubt. That’s why I’m here, to help you build your faith and your boldness. It’s not going to be easy. Trust me, there will be persecution and there will be moments where you feel like giving up - but that’s how it is for every missionary on every mission field.

Even the ones on paper.

I hope you’ll join me. And even if not, know that I’m praying for you. There is a reason why you’re a writer, believe you me. I just want you to know that reason is God. Nothing else.

My goal is to post once a week, every Wednesday. One post will be an interview with an author of Christian fiction; another will be a spotlight of a Christian book (yes, I will take whatever measures necessary to prove that you’re not the only one out there); the third will be a guest post; and the fourth will be an article from yours truly!

If you have any questions, any suggestions, any prayer request, you are more than welcome to leave them in the comments section or send me a message on the contact page! And if there’s ever anything specific you’d like me to post about, just let me know!

With love and blessings always,

Grace

Romans 1:16

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About the Author

Grace is a Christian teenage authoress who has loved books since she was two years old. At ten years old, she felt the urge to pick up her pencil and start writing some worlds of her own. Now, six years later, she has written and self-published two novels, a novella, and five short stories.

She lives in beautiful South Georgia with her parents and six younger siblings. Her dream is to be a wife and mother, follow the Spirit to the mission field, and inspire other young writers to reach for the sky! You can learn more about her on her website, www.graceajohnson.com!