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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Genre

Genre

Five Reasons to Read Christian Romance Novels to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 9, 2023
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Since Valentine’s Day is near, we have plenty of time to read romance novels before the big hearts, flowers, and candy day arrives! Here are some excellent reasons to read terrific Christian romance novels before and after February 14:

  1. Christian romance novels emphasize the couple’s relationship with the Lord. Many secular stories never reveal the characters’ spiritual lives. Readers can reach the end without knowing whether they’ve read about Christians or New Agers. Christian romance novels allow characters to express their faith naturally and organically. The characters experience faith to such a large extent that if the author deleted the character’s spirituality, the character wouldn’t exist.
  2. Christian romance novels emphasize relationships over chemistry. While readers want great stories featuring attractive couples, the narrative doesn’t linger on physical attributes. By virtue of this tone, readers can enjoy the couple’s developing relationship that will be the basis of a lifetime commitment rather than fleeting erotic curiosity.
  3. Christian romance novels honor the Lord. The reader knows the author shares their worldview, celebrating His Majesty’s place as Ruler and Creator of the World. While the couple must overcome internal and external conflicts before the romance can proceed, the reader won’t encounter approval of evil or attempts to debunk Christianity.
  4. Christian romance novels show the basis of lifetime relationships. By the end of the story, the reader understands the couple is committed to each other through shared faith and values. The reader knows the couple plans to respect the Lord through commitment.
  5. Christian romance novels demonstrate how to live and love as a Christian. Enough said.

Happy reading, and happy Valentine’s Day!

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Category: Genre, The Writing Life

What Makes Readers Cross Genres?

By Bob Hostetleron September 22, 2022
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Genre is important. For many reasons, it’s crucial for a writer to know the genre he or she is writing in and to know it well. In some cases, the devoted readers of a certain genre have defined expectations. For example, they may expect certain tropes and taboos to be observed (even if they’ve never thought about their expectations). After all, there are reasons readers prefer certain genres. And …

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Category: Craft, Genre

Writing in Multiple Genres, Okay? Not Okay?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 17, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ In a recent Q & A, Steve Laube talked about how writers will pitch different projects to him in the same meeting:  a novel, a nonfiction, a devotional, etc.  He said that writers need to decide “what they want to be when they grow up.”  I’d like some clarity on why writing in different genres is discouraged.  As ideas come to …

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Category: Agents, Genre, Pitching, Platform, Your Questions Answered Series

Should You Write Short Stories First?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ What are your thoughts on writing some short stories before you jump into your first novel? I don’t recommend writing short stories before jumping into your first novel IF your goal is to be a novelist. Writing where you don’t want your success to be is akin to the dieter craving a chocolate candy bar but eating a container of yogurt instead. I’ve …

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Category: Branding, Career, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

What’s in a Name?

By Bob Hostetleron July 22, 2020
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Years ago I was reading a book by Louis L’Amour, a favorite author of mine. I don’t remember which book it was (I haven’t yet read them all, but I’ve read many of them), but I do recall being confused throughout. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Because three of the main characters had similar names, names that all started with the letter T. Something like, Taggart, Taylor, and Trevayne. I was …

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Writing Craft

How Do I Pick the Right Genre for My Book?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 16, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I’d love to learn more about the system behind categorizing books, specifically fiction. I want to write a book that fits well in a category and make sure a book I’ve already written fits into a definite category, but I feel like I’m missing a lot of specifics. Also, I’ve learned from this blog that it’s important to …

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Category: Book Proposals, Book Review, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

Saving the World, One Romance at a Time

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 27, 2020
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Often I will receive submissions of novels tying in an element of mystery and suspense with romance. Writers targeting the romantic suspense market will find difficulty in placing this type of story. Why? Because romantic suspense readers have certain expectations that won't be met with a mere element of mystery and intrigue.

In my experience trying to sell and market romantic suspense, I have …

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Category: Genre, Get Published, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Pitching, Proposals, Tamela, Trends

To Romance or Not to Romance

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 14, 2019
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According to St. Teresa of Avila’s biography, the battle over romance novels has been going on at least since the 1500s:

Teresa's father was rigidly honest and pious, but he may have carried his strictness to extremes. Teresa's mother loved romance novels but because her husband objected to these fanciful books, she hid the books from him. This put Teresa in the middle -- especially since she …

Read moreTo Romance or Not to Romance
Category: Genre, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Ideas, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing Craft

Romance Writing: Is Your Couple Compatible?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 11, 2019
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Recently, my husband and I watched an old movie focusing on a romance. The couple devoted their time to fighting with each other over issues, both major and minor. The heroine complained to her friends about the love affair. My husband and I agreed that this couple was not compatible. They had no business marrying. But! Sigh! He was veddy, veddy rich. She married up! So surely all will be well! …

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Category: Book Proposals, Genre, Writing Craft

The Quest for Originality

By Steve Laubeon January 14, 2019
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Are you tired of being told by a publisher “We simply don’t do books like that”? or “Yours is certainly out of the box, but is not what we are looking for at this time”? What’s the Deal with Boxes? In general all books are sold under a category. Be it a fiction genre (historical, suspense, romance) or a topical non-fiction category (marriage, parenting, finance, theology). When you are told your …

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Category: Book Business, Creativity, Genre, Legal Issues, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life
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