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Inspirational fiction is a sub-category within the broader categories of "inspirational literature" or "inspirational writing". It has become more common for booksellers and libraries to consider inspirational fiction to be a separate genre, classifying and shelving books accordingly. [1] [2] Reasons for this include the increased popularity of inspirational fiction in recent years, and the appeal of inspirational fiction beyond readers of the genre that these books would otherwise be classified in. [3]
Libraries are increasingly recognizing and using the categories of inspirational writing and inspirational fiction, although there is no universally accepted definition for these categories. Some books obviously fit into the category of inspirational writing, such as the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, which was explicitly written to inspire readers by means of true anecdotes.
While the subgenre of inspirational fiction is not considered a rigorous category by many libraries, it is frequently used. Possible criteria that have been suggested as categorizing a book as inspirational fiction include novels whose main purpose is depict an example of change in the life of a major characters in order to inspire readers to make such changes in their own life. For example, one library explains its list of "inspirational fiction" books with the statement, "Any good book can be an inspiration, but many of these books highlight people overcoming adversity or reaching new levels of understanding. Whether they pull themselves up by their own bootstraps or have help from a higher power, these books will uplift and entertain you." [4]
Classifying a book as inspirational fiction based on the effect on the reader is difficult since personal choice, taste and even personal beliefs are factors that affect the way a book can "inspire" a reader. For example, a study of inspirational literature by Professor Lisa Jardine in 2006 revealed that gender may also be a factor in a reader's reaction to inspirational literature. [5]
Some libraries have begun to classify some books written in other genres as inspirational fiction. [1] The American Library Association's The Readers Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction lists "inspirational" as a subgenre in every type of fiction it discusses, e.g. Romance or Westerns. [6] Another method of categorization is to divide inspirational fiction into these subgenres, e.g. Inspirational Romance Fiction, Inspirational Western Fiction.
Due to the absence of strict rules for categorizing books as inspirational fiction, libraries often include explanations or disclaimers when using this category, such as this example: "Please note: The books listed here cover a wide variety of genres and types, from traditional inspirational fiction authors such as June Masters Bacher and Janette Oke, to thrillers such as those written by Paul Meier and fantasy and science fiction titles by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. In addition, many titles address issues of faith from unconventional viewpoints. Some readers may question the suitability of titles that do not fit their personal view of what constitutes inspirational fiction; we simply ask that you keep in mind that individual readers' tastes vary." [7]
One library distinguishes between inspirational fiction and the smaller category of religious fiction by noting that "inspirational fiction is more broad based. Instead of dwelling on the religious aspects of faith, they emphasize morals, values and life lessons." [8]
In the United States and Canada the term "inspirational fiction" is often used to refer exclusively to "religious fiction" "faith-based fiction" or more narrowly "Christian fiction", which focuses on Christian values. [9] [10] Christian fiction is most frequently written for the evangelical Protestant market, [11] although some examples of inspirational fiction have been written to appeal to Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian readers.
Janette Oke is considered to be one of the earliest and most prolific of writers in this category. Her books often focus on individuals, very often pioneers in the early West, who must draw upon a sense and awareness of faith to overcome adversity. [12]
Theological fiction "is fictional writing which shapes people's attitudes towards theological beliefs. It is typically instructional or exploratory rather than descriptive, and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underly and shape typical responses to religion." [13]
Authors associated with theological fiction include C. S. Lewis and George MacDonald.
Some writers, including psychotherapist and author, Michael Gurrian, are promoting the term "visionary fiction" for some inspirational fiction, [14] Gurian describes this subgenre as "fiction in which the expansion of the human mind drives the plot." [15]
Books like Gurian's own The Miracle: A Visionary Novel and Michael Murphy's Golf in the Kingdom have been suggested for this category. Other authors associated with visionary fiction include Theresa Crater and Jodine Turner.
Another category that is sometimes associated with "inspirational fiction" is "gentle fiction" which is often used to identify works categorized by a lack of profanity and portrayal of explicit sex or violence, and which lull readers into a good, thoughtful read. [16] Novels that explore with charm and humor the everyday joys, frustrations, and sorrows of lives quietly led are often categorized as "gentle reads". [17]
Authors associated with gentle fiction include Maeve Binchy, Ann Bates Ross, Patrick Taylor, Lisa Wingate, and Jan Karon.
A film genre is a stylistic or thematic category for motion pictures based on similarities either in the narrative elements, aesthetic approach, or the emotional response to the film.
Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, often a murder. Most crime drama focuses on criminal investigation and does not feature the courtroom. Suspense and mystery are key elements that are nearly ubiquitous to the genre.
Genre fiction, also known as formula fiction or popular fiction, is a term used in the book-trade for fictional works written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre.
A romance novel or romantic novel is a genre fiction novel that primary focuses on the relationship and romantic love between two people, typically with an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. Authors who have contributed to the development of this genre include Maria Edgeworth, Samuel Richardson, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Brontë.
A literary genre is a category of literature. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or length. They generally move from more abstract, encompassing classes, which are then further sub-divided into more concrete distinctions. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, and even the rules designating genres change over time and are fairly unstable.
Young adult literature (YA) is typically written for readers aged 12 to 18 and includes most of the themes found in adult fiction, such as friendship, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality. Stories that focus on the challenges of youth may be further categorized as social or coming-of-age novels.
A Christian novel is a Christian literary novel which features Christian media genre conventions.
Christian literature is the literary aspect of Christian media, and it constitutes a huge body of extremely varied writing.
Janette Oke is a Canadian author of inspirational fiction. Her books are often set in a pioneer era and centered on female protagonists. Her first novel, Love Comes Softly, was published by Bethany House in 1979. As of September 2016, more than 75 others have followed. The first novel of her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), became the basis of the current television series of the same name.
Christian science fiction is a subgenre of both Christian literature and science fiction, in which there are strong Christian themes, or which are written from a Christian point of view. These themes may be subtle, expressed by way of analogy, or more explicit. Major influences include early science fiction authors such as C. S. Lewis, while more recent figures include Stephen Lawhead.
Readers' advisory is a service which involves suggesting fiction and nonfiction titles to a reader through direct or indirect means. This service is a fundamental library service; however, readers' advisory also occurs in commercial contexts such as bookstores. Currently, almost all North American public libraries offer some form of readers' advisory.
Contemporary romance is a subgenre of contemporary and romance novels. This era of romance novels that were published after 1945 and the Second World War. Contemporary romance is generally set contemporaneously with the time of its writing. The largest of the romance novel subgenres, contemporary romance novels usually reflect the mores of their time. Heroines in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while those novels written after 1970 usually have, and keep, a career. As contemporary romance novels have grown to contain more complex plotting and more realistic characters, the line between this subgenre and the genre of women's fiction has blurred.
Tamera Lynn Gattis Alexander is an American author of Christian fiction, who specializes in the inspirational romance genre. She is best known for her award-winning first series, the Fountain Creek Chronicles (2006–07).
Fantasy cartography, fictional map-making, or geofiction is a type of map design that visually presents an imaginary world or concept, or represents a real-world geography in a fantastic style. Fantasy cartography usually manifests from worldbuilding and often corresponds to narratives within the fantasy and science fiction genres. Stefan Ekman says, "a [regular] map re-presents what is already there; a fictional map is often primary – to create the map means, largely, to create the world of the map."
Young adult romance literature is a genre of books written for teenagers. As defined by Romance Writers of America, a romance novel consists of a central love story and an emotionally satisfying ending. Early young adult romances feature a teenage protagonist, who is typically female, white, and middle-class, while books in the twenty-first century include a wider variety of protagonists.
Visionary fiction is a fiction genre with New Age or mind, body, spirit themes and perspectives, including consciousness expansion, spirituality, mysticism, and parapsychology. It is sometimes classed as a subtype of speculative fiction. Examples include the novels The Celestine ProphecyThe Alchemist, and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. The Book Industry Study Group's BISAC subject heading FIC039000 is "FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical".
Theological fiction is fictional writing which shapes or depicts people's attitudes towards theological beliefs. It is typically instructional or exploratory rather than descriptive, and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underlie and shape typical responses to religion. Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both theists and atheists, such as in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature.