Girls, the author asked if I wanted to poll you all for two other questions that are more specific. She said what you already shared was very helpful, so thank you! If you want to, please answer the following:
1. What do you look for/want in contemporary fiction?
2. What are the big struggles girls your age face?
1. I peruse the front tables in Borders frequently, since I sit in the Borders cafe to read my research books several times a week. What I want in contemporary fiction, I scarcely ever find. I want a story that takes daily life, handles it matter-of-factly and absolutely honestly, and then laughs at it in a good-natured way. I like authors who realize that we all have to deal with this life around us, but that it is not the be-all end-all of existence. Besides this, my ideal book would contain excellent characters who, whether Christian or non-Christian, very much want to find out why they exist.
Quite often, the break between good and bad books occurs just where fiction changes from “children’s” to “adult.”
So you can see why most contemporary fiction disappoints me.
2. I am 22, and I haven’t thought of myself as a girl for over a year now. My biggest struggle for a while has been with what it means to be a Christian woman nowadays. Does it mean that I cannot lead, ever, in absolutely any situation? Does it mean that I must obey all men, even my younger brothers? (I have heard some Christian ladies say these very things.) The secular culture certainly does not have the answers to these questions right, and I believe that the Christian culture has made just as extreme a reaction in the other direction. Some women have no trouble with this, but I grew up as the oldest girl in a family of nine. I’m using to leading, fostering other leaders, and helping people work together to achieve goals. So it has been difficult for me to discern why God gave me, a woman, such a high level of leadership ability. In the Christian community, I rarely have an opportunity to do more than participate passively, even if an activity has little to do with Christianity per se. In all sorts of other situations, such a talent is welcomed with delight. It is a tricky thing to sort out.
1. I wish there were a modern equivalent of Little Women! I love that series dearly, and the lessons are timeless in many ways, but I wish there were stories like that set in our contemporary culture. I’ve tried to write one for teens but I need more practice and prayer to get the clarity of expression. LM Alcott’s characters are so real – think of the struggles of the March sisters to use their gifts and honour God. I want to see characters who have real struggles, and I get this sinking sensation when I read another blurb that begins “Daisy/Kathy/whomever had the perfect life – perfect husband, high-flying career etc…until one day…”. Come on! I want stories where I don’t have to skip whole chunks to avoid the porn, where love doesn’t have to be quantified as ‘platonic’ but is self-giving and willing to learn. Where I actually feel refreshed and uplifted after reading rather than thinking ‘yeah right’ or feeling disappointed or ashamed.
Not much to ask, eh?
2. I’m not sure about “girls my age” (which is 23 btw), but my personal struggles have included some of the following: bitterness, unworthiness, anger, unforgiveness, disgust at myself, all after physical/minor sexual abuse from someone I house-shared with on a mission; comfort eating; laziness; impatience. Learning to be content single and satisfied in Jesus before I even met my husband. Learning to trust God’s faithfulness. Learning how to love unconditionally when my friend ended up in a violent relationship. Struggling to trust God with my desires and His goodness when I found out I might not be able to have children. Currently, I’m learning how to be a Christian wife; how to balance married life with my desire to do peace work; how to speak encouraging words; how to build up my local church when I feel like I don’t fit in, and the church is very weak with little interest in growth or change.
I’m still learning, praise God!
1. I prefer stories about fairly everyday people set in contemporary times, but I’ll read a variety of books. But more than what a story is about, what I look for in contemporary fiction is good writing and artistry. The best story can be ruined by poor or uninteresting writing. What is good writing? It is thoughtful, thought-provoking, stylistic, artistic, intentional, eloquent, and preserving of the beauty of the English language. It is not overly dramatic, sensational, cliched, entertainment-driven (reading is entertaining, of course, but it should be much more than that), unoriginal, or hyperactive.
2. I’m 24, nearly 25, and at a crossroads of sorts in my life, having graduated college and ready to start my career of choice. The biggest struggles I have are decision making (because it seems that all my decisions are of long-lasting importance right now), direction, and patience. As far as direction, I have many directions I COULD go and many I WANT to go, but it’s hard to know which way I SHOULD go. I want a lot in life, but I can’t have it all right now. Patience–without a set day of fulfillment in sight–is certainly a struggle.
Not that it really matters, but that last anonymous comment was from me.
I love fiction books with well developed characters and stimulating plots that although fictional makes you feel like you’re a part of the story.
Girls my age hmmm…. Does 32 qualify me as a girl lol, My biggest problem right now is the fact that I’m thinking about switching careers and while I know what I want to do it’s scary to thinking about leaving the known and secure for the unsecure unknown.
1. What do you look for/want in contemporary fiction?
I love castles and Princesses and Princes, Fantasy (faeries, unicorns and the occasional dragon) and of course Christian Romance/Christian Fiction. I love Stories that aren’t forumulaic- though especially among the Christian Romance that is extremely hard to find, especially in a series. I want stories that are original! Or at least take an original spin on things.
2. What are the big struggles girls your age face?
Self-Esteem issues! Everyone thinkgs “I am not good enough, I am ugly. I can’t do any good” at various points in their life or in their day. That what alot of our issues boil down to, listening to these lies that Satan tells us to make us ineffective.
Another would be purity- not just physical purity, but emotional and mental and spiritual purity. Those aren’t talked about much, and we need reminders and to see it in action.
And I think the biggest thing for us gals who have grown up in the church as ‘Good girls’ would be breaking past the comfortable lives we live and living as true christians- doing what needs to be done even if we’re terrified about what those around us will think.
Sarah, 17
These are a little more complicate…but lets see.
1. Like Sarah said at the beginning, I love a contemporary author who can see today’s lifestyle in an objective pattern and pull out the good things as well as the bad. I love an author who has “real” characters that spins a web of humour at the beginning of her book and delves into a deeper level of depth and feeling later on, leaving one impacted and awed. A reader’s emotions are what will make them love or be dissatisfied with a book and Ir ather find that many contemporary authors forget the power they could weild in “wooing” their audience.
2. For myself I know I struggle with giving all my dreams and hopes over the Lord for him to complete in his timing. I’ve also found it a struggled to learn to go to Him for everything not aftewards with a guilt-induced attitude. Lack of self-esteem, worry, and lack of contentment all correspond with not fully being able to trust in God. All of these I struggle with–taking matters into my own hands instead of taking a joy and trusting in Him.
1. Something solid that is entertaining, yet makes me think–hard. (like brave new world or farenheit 451). Well written, with an unusal plot from an unusual perspective. I really hate rehashes of civil war and ww II from the jewish or the union side. been there, done that!
2.most girls my age (16-17) face the big college question, being “in like” with a guy, driving/starbucks job agnst, school, school, school!!
My taste in contemporary literature is as varied as Stephen Lawhead, Madeleine L’Engle, Jan Karon, and Ellis Peters–historical/fantasy/scifi/real/quaint/mystery.
Before I was married, my biggest struggle was finding contentment in a less-than-ideal family situation. I wanted what other Christian girls seemed to have at home… but I had to learn to find peace in the midst of chaos.
1) I like fiction books that have suspense, real life experiances and characters with a deep faith in God and conservative values. Something without lots of facts and history, usually when I read I want something to “escape” heavy duty thinking!
2) Direction, seeking God’s direction for my life. . .vocation. . .life purpose. . .ministry. . .etc. . .
In contemporary fiction:
I want a plot that grips me, and something that will make me think. Even if I don’t agree with it, I like to have something in there that will spur me to think twice about a subject. Or…I like a good mystery. Or a homey good-old-fashioned story that I don’t have to think about at all. =)
I really think that many, many girls my age (early twenties) struggle a great deal with uncertainty. In the Christian world, I see a lot of struggles with exactly what you have been posting about–how to make righteous decisions. But girls our age in the world battle uncertainty too…and fear!
1. My favorite books are by Isabella Alden (author from late 1800′s) and Carolyn (conservative Christian contemporary author). I like their books becuase the convey their characters in an unperfect world, but making wise choices none-the-less. I’ve always loved reading, and from a young age have hated books where the characters messed up royally and there was no consequence. I remember once when I read a book where the character yelled at her dad in an arguement and called him her “jailer” and not only did she not get in trouble, but she ended up getting what she wanted. Let me tell you that it didn’t work when this then-ten-year-old girl tried it! I want to be challenged to Christlikeness!
2. so many things! contentment, faith/trust, finding purpose in life when marriage isn’t on the horizon, maintaining a desire to be a “home-keeper” and have a servant’s heart, when it seems all you do is work outside the home for $$$ and hardly have time to keep your room clean and wash your clothes.
ps. I’m going on 25 soon, so I don’t really think of myself as a girl anymore either, so maybe you are looking for answers from younger girls.
I love fiction that addresses contemporary and/or faith issues from a strong Christian/Biblical worldview, eg Karen Kingsbury, Randy Alcorn, etc. I can relax (reading fiction) but it also helps me think about life-issues and formulate or refine my opinions/beliefs/ideas. And yes, I do read plenty of non-fiction.
As with the last blogger, I’m not really a “girl” in the true sense as I’m now 26.
However, I think: working out what to do when the long-planned-towards-and-long-awaited marriage hasn’t occurred; dealing with ultra-conservative views that sit back and believe everybody in this place should live the same way and are just plain wrong if they don’t even though both parties grew up dreaming towards the same thing (and one part is speaking from pure theory while the other is juggling that with reality); juggling and reconciling (supposed) Biblical views, reality, family situations, financial issues, desires, and culture/society.
That’s my penny’s worth!
“What are the big struggles girls your age face?”
I, at 16, struggle with things such as, “fitting in”, self-esteam (as some of the other girls have mentioned) and discovering who I am. I want to discover what my goals are, where I am going in life. Just basicly want tp know “who am I?”
Also, I am a very social person, and have to be careful to not allow myself to become too close with “cute” guys. I believe that it is fine to be friends with the oposite sex, but I also believe that there is a difference between boys and boys being friends/buddies, boys and girls being friends/brothers and sisters in Christ.
I hope that helps! Being 15/16 is VERY challenging and be quite difficult at times. But, God is good, and I’m still hanging on!
I have a very similar struggle to that of Elizabeth’s… being content & desiring rightousness, all while living in a very un-perfect world.
Many other things are painful as well, but they have already been expressed.
Well, at 25, I’m not really a girl anymore
I think direction and being willing to follow God instead of the world or the ultra conservative homeschool community around us are the big issues for the women my age that I know.
I don’t have much time for reading but fiction needs to be real – people who face struggles like we do. It should present real results of choices as well.
My struggles, hmm… that dream of marriage that has never happened, the pressures of the conservative/Christian/homeschool community to be only at home and and do everything “just so”, purity, self-centeredness, patience, direction, I could go on and on
That’s my two cents!
Fiction: Well, I look for something sweet, but not romantic. Something sad, but not sorrowful. Something happy, but not shallow. And not too terribly long because of my busy life.
Struggles: Wow. It seems I am overwhelmed right now with choices and worries. I struggle mainly with not witnessing as I should, not knowing what to do next, and the pressures of being a part of a “group.” I have to learn daily to trust God with every little thing in my life. God is so good to me.
1). I enjoy reading fiction that concentrates the sole of it’s focus on God and His plan for everyday life. A perfect book brings two characters together for a romantic ending without the focus being on romance, if that makes any sense. Perhaps using a “courtship” mindset – living life to it’s fullest for God and then He brings that perfect person along.
2). Probably the biggest struggle for me is staying content with where God has put me as other friends/family members graduate from college, get engaged, married, have children, etc. Contentment with the place and calling of my life at this point. Thanks and God Bless!
1. I look for a solid Christian perspective in fiction. It’s also nice if I can’t predict the plot (I like Jane Eyre because of that). Whether it should be contemporary, historical, fantasy or science fiction depends on my mood.
2. Growing up is the biggest challenge I face, mainly because it involves leaving my family home and my country home to go off to university… With that issue of course come the questions of purpose and calling. I think alot of us girls are uncertain what our roles are supposed to be.
One of the main things I look for/want in any fiction book is for the main character to be feminine. It seems as if the majority of the modern writers assume that the typical girl is a tomboy and likes reading about other tomboys. But where are the books about girls who like being girls and enjoy doing girl things?