Gritty Crime Fiction Demands Justice For The Victim(s)

Gosh, I’ve been reading edgy crime fiction for years, both Christian and secular. Truth be told, until very recently I read a whole lot more secular crime fiction than Christian. Well, let’s be honest, there wasn’t a lot of gritty Christian crime fiction out there. Now things have changed. Christian writers are penning edgier crime ficiton novels.

I love a gritty crime scene, a lurid murder, a rollicking good autopsy scene. Why would that be?

There’s something in me that cries out for justice for the victim. I can handle a hero who smokes like a chimney and drinks too much, or a heroine who’s not much of a wife and mother. They can have major flaws. If I’m going to be a fan of the book, the one thing the main character must show is a passion for justice for the victim.

 
Some would ask, why do these authors have to tell you every single gory detail of the murder?
 
Well there’s something cathartic in telling the story. Crime victims who go to survivor’s groups like to tell their story, often over and over. It’s healing for them to share the details of the horror, fear, intimidation, and humiliation they’ve been through.

In my writing, I hope I’m an advocate for the crime victim. I strive to create heroes and heroines who demand justice for the victim(s).

Philly Conference AbFab!!!

The Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference was terrific. The workshops informative with intelligent questions from attendees. It was a wise investment of my limited financial resources. I’d recommend this conference to any Christian writer who is serious about their craft and their walk with Jesus.

The totally amazing Bonnie Calhoun on the job!!!

The darker side of Bonnie Calhoun. Note the guilty smile…here she sits writing her novel and eating chocolate instead of staffing the desk. LOL

She’s gonna kill me…I’m running for the hills.

A very gracious lady, Dawn King (right), allowed me to stay at her house during the conference.

On the left, other house guest, my roomie, who doesn’t want her name publicized.

Wahooo, Takin Off For The Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference

I’m about to leave for my first writers conference and I’m very excited, and a tad nervous.

Finances and family responsibilities have prevented me in the past from attending any conferences. I’ve been happy for my writing friends who were having fantastic conference experiences and bringing back the photos to prove it. Ok, Ok…I was a little jealous. LOL

But now it’s my turn. I’ve got gas in the car and I’m almost packed. Who am I kidding? I’m packed if you call clothes all over the bed packed. But I’m working on it.

I hope to get there on time to take one of the early-bird workshops on how to pitch. I’ve never sat with a real live agent and pitched anything and I don’t want to pitch the contents of my stomach when I do so.

In any case, I will take the Orientation for First Times ’cause that’s me — a first timer.

Well the open garment bag is calling, as are clothes strewn all over the place. They’e cyring, Pack me!!! So, I’m off to see the wizard. Wish me well…