Author reclaims romance for God’s Kingdom
“I’ve had to defend what I do both as a Christian writer and especially as a romance writer,” says Alberta novelist Carolyne Aarsen, “but I’m very proud of the books I’ve written.”
Aarsen is the author of nine romance novels published by Steeple Hill, a Harlequin imprint with a Christian emphasis.
“I see my job as redeeming the romance,” says Aarsen. “Claiming it back for God’s Kingdom. Currently romance novels comprise 51 per cent of the fiction market. But when you look at percentages, the romance novels being offered don’t really represent the needs or reading tastes or convictions of the public. Hence, Christian romance novels.”
So how did a nice Christian girl from Edmonton end up as an advocate for Christian romance writers?
Aarsen has been writing since Grade five. The Grade six students were supposed to write a book, and she was eager to do it. That part of the course was actually dropped before Aarsen got there, but her desire to write was ignited. She continued to “scribble stories off and on” during high school, but then got a job, married and began raising a family.
When her youngest child was six, however, Aarsen took a writing correspondence course. Her first published work was a weekly humour column, which ran for nine years in several Alberta newspapers. During this time she took more courses, including one on romance writing, joined organizations such as InScribe and began her first novel.
In 1997, that novel was picked to be part of Steeple Hill’s new line, “Love Inspired.” Since then, Aarsen has been busy. Her 10th book, Toward Home, will be out this July.
Aarsen, who lives on a farm in Alberta with her husband Rich and two “boomerang children” (you think they’re gone but then they come back), is a full-time writer who works a fairly regular nine-to five day.
“I try not to work evenings or weekends unless approaching a deadline,” she says. “Sometimes, if I’m especially inspired, I’ll work on rough notes for a story in the evening, because I never consider that work.” She also tries to read as much as possible.
Her husband is supportive. “He’s learned to live with vacant stares and conversational snippets that come from absolutely nowhere,” says Aarsen.
The fodder for many of Aarsen’s stories comes from the life she knows, particularly the Alberta farming and ranching community—the normal, everyday lives of ordinary people, focusing of course on their relationships.
“I like romance and have always enjoyed reading it. I like happy endings.” But even more than that, “I’ve always yearned to make people laugh, cry and sigh and in the process and encourage them to look beyond the love between a man and a woman to the life-giving love of Christ.”
Aarsen believes people’s tastes vary, and we need books for everyone. “We can run into the problem of thinking that only lofty works from expert theologians are worthy of publication. I’ve read Calvin’s Institutes and I’ve read romance novels. Both have filled a need in my life and both have given me something to think about.”
A quality romance novel, to Aarsen, has “real characters in real situations told in a way that is interesting, in-depth and satisfying.I love listening to the stories that long-married couples tell of how they met and fell in love, and how they still share that romance.”
Reader response keeps Aarsen motivated. “When a new book comes out, I get a raft of letters.” Many readers thank her for giving them “a clean story that reflects the faith commitment of the characters.”
Others go further, telling her that her book “has made a difference in their lives or has inspired them to become closer to God.” She feels that in a predominately negative world, there is a “hunger for stories that encourage and challenge.”
“I enjoy what I do,” she says, “and that to me is a gift from God that I hope to use for His glory and for the furthering of His Kingdom here on earth.” Some people might think that’s a little high-sounding for a romance novelist, but not Aarsen, who adds, “I like a challenge.”
Carolyne Aarsen’s novels can be found in most bookstores as well as many drugstores and department stores like Walmart.
Visit her Web site at www.carolyneaarsen.com
N. J. Lindquist is a versatile writer, whose work includes four novels for teens. If you would like to see some Canadian authors’ bookmarks (or enough for your church) contact her at njlindquist@rogers.com or phone toll-free: 1-877-842-8754.
Published in ChristianWeek June 10,2003 Volume 17 Number 06
