Robin Lee Hatcher: The only rules I'm aware of have to do with language (no coarse language or taking the Lord's name in vain) and sex (no on-scene lovemaking; no gratuitous titillation). Writers of CBA fiction must create realistic characters, both heroes and villains, and still observe the reader expectations. It actually forces the writers to be better craftsmen. It's easy, as a writer, to throw in a curse word to reveal emotion, harder to find another way of conveying the sentiments of the character.

Crescent Blues: Can any subject be addressed as long as the story teaches a spiritual lesson?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Yes, any subject can be addressed. I don't think the top CBA authors today are shying away from anything. I've written about adultery, murder, homosexuality, runaway teens with body piercing and tattoos, etc. Other authors I admire have touched on such topics as euthanasia, abortion, idolatry, greed.

And I wouldn't use the phrase: "teaches a spiritual lesson." That isn't something any of writer should do. While CBA authors write from the worldview of their Christian faith, their job is not to give lessons but to entertain. The spiritual aspects of their stories must be a part of the fabric of their characters' lives, not there to give a lesson.

Crescent Blues: Where on the continuum of "teaching by example" and "teaching by direction" (i.e., preaching) would you place your books?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Well, I certainly hope I never preach in any of my books!

No doubt about it, I write overtly Christian books. I write about characters who talk about the Lord the way I talk to my Christian friends and they talk to me. I write about characters who pray the way I pray and who hear God's voice the way I hear His voice. For the non-Christian, that may seem unrealistic or even preachy, but if I compromise to make such a reader feel "comfortable," then I'm also compromising the integrity of my book, my worldview, and my own personal experiences.

Crescent Blues: Is the "inspiration" behind inspirational fiction limited to one type of faith (i.e., Protestant) or does it extend to other denominations and religions?

Robin Lee Hatcher: As I said earlier, there are many books that can be deemed inspirational. Publishers Weekly features a Religion section, and the faiths represented include New Age, LDS, Catholic, Buddhist, etc.

However, the market for "inspirational" fiction at present is dominated by the CBA. The majority of customers who shop in CBA bookstores (and that's the majority of readers of inspirational fiction) are evangelical Christians.

Crescent Blues: How important is organized religion to inspirational fiction?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Well, I don't believe it's about "religion." It's about a "relationship" with God. Religion in and of itself doesn't encourage a reader to choose inspirational fiction. (People can be religious about anything -- exercise, mowing the lawn, etc.) But people who are hungry for a relationship with God will seek as many ways as possible to strengthen and grow that relationship. And one choice can be the fiction they read.

Crescent Blues: How big is the market for inspirational fiction?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Christian fiction is one of the fastest growing segments of the book market and may still be the fastest growing segment of the fiction market. For the most part, the sales numbers I've seen are comparable with those I've seen in mass market romance during my career, depending upon the author, where they are on the publisher's list, etc. CBA fiction has its million seller authors and it has its authors who feel lucky to sell 10,000 copies.

In general, the CBA market (all books, not just fiction) is about 10 percent the size of the American Booksellers Association (ABA) market.

Crescent Blues: Who are the major publishers?

Robin Lee Hatcher: The major CBA fiction publishers, in no particular order, include: Tyndale House, Zondervan, Multnomah, WaterBrook Press, Harvest House, Bethany, Crossway, Warner (who launched their CBA list this year), and Baker/Revell.

For romances sold by membership in a book club (a la Harlequin/Silhouette), there is Heartsong. Love Inspired/Steeple Hill isn't a CBA house, per se (they don't expect/require their authors to write from an evangelical Christian viewpoint), but their books very definitely cater to CBA readers. I'm sure I've forgotten some publishers, but at the moment, I can't think who they are.

Crescent Blues: Do inspirational novels and anthologies of fiction face special marketing and distribution challenges?

Robin Lee Hatcher: In my humble opinion (and not because I have inside information from the publishers), I'd say one special challenge is the placement of CBA fiction in secular bookstores. I mentioned earlier that too often these books are shelved in the religion section rather than in the fiction section. I think the chains and store owners would be surprised how their sales of CBA fiction would increase if they made it easier for customers to find the those novels.

Crescent Blues: How have Internet sales outlets figured in the success of inspirational fiction?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Judging solely upon the fact that CBA publishers have gone to a lot of trouble to become involved with Internet bookstores such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, I would say these outlets must figure into the equation to a degree. I've found the Internet causes me to buy more books because of the ease of ordering and the ease of finding books I would otherwise have to special order. And I primarily buy inspirational fiction.

Crescent Blues: Do you find the market is more accepting of unusual historical periods or settings?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Speaking for myself, yes. I've never had to "sell" a time setting for any of my CBA novels.

Crescent Blues: How hard was it to pitch the idea of a Depression-era romance (The Shepherd's Voice)?

Robin Lee Hatcher: It wasn't hard at all. I just presented my story idea, it was accepted, and I wrote it.

Crescent Blues: Can you give our readers an idea of upcoming projects?

Robin Lee Hatcher: My next contemporary novel, Firstborn, tells the story of a girl, adopted at birth, who seeks out her birth parents once she's an adult. The story explores the reactions/responses of the various family members, most of whom never knew she existed, and how her appearance in their lives changes them. The book will be out in 2002.

Crescent Blues: Do you plan more novels set in the mid-20th century or will you return to more traditional historic settings?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Oh, I very definitely want to return to the mid-20th century. The two books I've written thus far that touched on this era (Whispers from Yesterday and Ribbon of Years) only whet my appetite to do more. I don't know what it will be, but I'm sure I'll know it when it pops into my head.

I also have some more traditional historical romances (with late 1800s settings) in the planning stages, but they're a ways down the line.

Crescent Blues: How do you see your writing developing over the next five years? What are some of the goals you've set for yourself?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Mostly, I want to continue to write the books that capture my heart and imagination. I want to continue to push my own boundaries and expectations. My only significant goal is to write the best book I'm capable of each time. I try to avoid coveting bestseller lists or awards because that takes my attention away from what truly matters.

Crescent Blues: Can you see yourself ever returning to mainstream romance?

Robin Lee Hatcher: I think it's highly unlikely because when I wrote for the mass market publishers I was not allowed to write as freely as I can now. All too often in the ABA, I could develop characters mentally and sexually but not spiritually. One editor cut a scene where a character fell to his knees and prayed, "God, please save [his wife, who appeared to be dying in childbirth]. Don't let her die." The editor's reason for cutting the scene was because they "didn't want to offend" any of their readers by this man's prayer. I never understood that line of thinking.

Crescent Blues: How does living in Idaho affect your perspective on the publishing world?

Robin Lee Hatcher: I don't think it affects it at all. My background, pre-writing, was in the business world. So it's in the business side of publishing where my analytical side reveals itself. I love to keep "in the know." I stay informed about both New York publishing and about CBA publishing through such magazines as Publishers Weekly and CBA Marketplace as well as through organizations such as RWA and Novelists Inc. And these days, with email and the Internet, it's easier than ever to keep up-to-date.

Crescent Blues: How does living away from the "center of the action" help or hinder a writer's career?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Again, I don't think location helps or hinders. Even agents who live and work in NYC do their business via telephone, faxes, email, and messengers. Very few deals are struck over lunch. The best place for a writer to be is where she is happiest writing.

Crescent Blues: Do you have any particular rituals you use to motivate you to write or to overcome blocks?

Robin Lee Hatcher: Deadlines are the best motivation. Sit down and write is the rule.

Crescent Blues: Knowing what you now know after publishing 39 books, is there anything you wish you could change about some of your earlier efforts?

Robin Lee Hatcher: First, I wouldn't compromise some of my beliefs and values in pursuit of success, not even in little ways

Second, I wouldn't stay with my first publisher for 17 books.

Third, I would obtain a top-notch agent sooner.

Crescent Blues: What advice would you give to a new writer?

Robin Lee Hatcher: If you write one page per day, you'll have a 365 page manuscript at the end of one year. Dream big and be persistent. If you're a writer, you'll write, even if you never sell. Don't expect any book to turn out the way you envisioned it would; it won't. Write the best book you can today. Be nice to those you meet along the way. Write your passion, write the book you want to read; never write to please your critique group or a contest judge.

Jean Marie Ward

Click here to learn more about Robin Lee Hatcher.

Click here to learn more about Hatcher's selection for RWA's 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Click here to read Hatcher's advice to writers at the 17th Annual Washington Romance Writers Retreat.

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