The Word for Writers

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From Vampires to Angels
by Dan Blankenship


It was only a few years back when a friend of mine asked me when I was going to start reading Anne Rice books. I explained to my friend that I was much more into Christian fiction and nonfiction, and countered with the question, “When are you going to start reading Christian fiction?”

His response?

“As soon as Anne Rice starts writing Christian fiction,” my friend replied.

I had almost completely erased that day from my memory banks when I happened to come upon a recent Newsweek story entitled “The Gospel According to Anne”. The woman, who for the past 25 years has made a living bringing ghoulish, yet somehow stylish, vampires to readers across the globe, has penned her first Christian fiction novel. And while I have not read “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt”, there are two things I am sure of. It will be well written, and it is sure to cause a lot of controversy. I can’t see a majority of the Christian world reacting joyfully to an adaptation that may add fictional material to the life of Jesus. The Bible account has been sufficient for most of us.

So her first novel may not be a bestseller among Christian fiction fans, but it’s a start! And I will definitely give her first novel a chance.

In 1998 and 2004, Anne Rice had two brushes with death, both due to medical emergencies. It was then that she declared, “I promised that from now on I would write only for the Lord.” And now, one of the most successful and talented authors of our time is out to make a difference. In Newsweek’s column she calls Christ “the ultimate supernatural hero.” Oh how right on that is!

When I confronted my friend about his commitment to give Christian fiction a chance if Rice crossed over and became a “Jesus Freak”, he decided to backpedal on his promise. His loss, as I am sure Rice will maintain her amazing ability to pen a great story. Only now, Anne Rice, like the vampires in her novels, will have the opportunity to tell people how to live forever, and they won’t have to suffer any deep puncture wounds about their neck in their pursuit of eternity!


Source: Gates, David. “The Gospel According to Anne.” Newsweek, October 31, 2005: 54-55

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