Now, about sex! Who created sex? God did. He intended for sex to be real, enjoyed, and private. Therefore, your characters will deal with it but there should be privacy in that there is no real bedroom scene but an implied intimacy which could be indicated by the gentle closing of a bedroom door. You aren’t denying sex, but you are not flaunting or exposing it either – you are simply alluding to it. Sex isn’t bad, but it is private.

Do you have an agenda that you are concerned about and want to highlight such as a current event topic like domestic violence, drugs, alcoholism, sex trafficking? Do your research so you can present the issue in a realistic voice without sensationalizing it. Make it personal as though it was something you’ve experienced personally or someone you know has experienced – that is personal, but you don’t have to say you’ve experienced it. You are speaking from a place of knowledge. Remember, knowledge is power so speak from that point and let your character tell the story.

Don’t get preachy. Yep! That is a real turn-off to your readers. You can get your message across by telling a story that has value with warmth, personality, and love.

Make your characters fit the story. If you are writing a novel about a specific time frame in history – or even current day – you want the clothing and scenery to fit. You wouldn’t have a cowboy riding up on a horse with a six-gun in a biblical novel. But you might have a warrior carrying a shield, a sword and/or a slingshot walking or running into the scene. Think of King David. Again, do your research to bring your characters in alignment with the story backdrop.

The same should go for your cover. If you are writing a book about a beautiful blonde lady in elegant clothing, you certainly don’t want a cover with a bag lady on the front. Instead, give your reader a visual of the story that is inside. Let them see her or him. By the same token, if you are writing a Christian novel, you don’t want your cover to portray people with little clothing. Stay in line with your characters. Be true to them and you will be true to your audience. 

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