May 5, 1999
Texas Baptist finds a home
in writing Christian romance novels
___By George Henson
___Staff Writer
___VICTORIA--Molly Bull is looking to put a little romance back into the lives of Christian women--or at least their bookshelves.
___Bull, a member of First Baptist Church in Victoria, writes Christian romance novels.
___"I've always been a romantic. I remember that evenas a little girl my favorite fairy tale was always Cinderella. Romance novels are really just modern-day romantic fairy tales for women," she said.
___But she couldn't write the types of romance novels that are written for the secular market, she said. "I could have written secular romance novels, I mean I have the ability, but because of my Christian beliefs, I couldn't write a novel where bedroom or petting scenes are shown. I believe there should be modesty even in romance."
___Writing fiction of any type once was difficult for Bull to reconcile with her beliefs.
___"I believe God gave me this ability for a reason, but I was uneasy about writing fiction because I felt it was, in a way, telling a lie, saying something that isn't true," Bull said.
___God delivered her from that trepidation, however, in a miraculous way, she said.
___"Last year my daughter-in-law was saved after reading 'Left Behind' by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. A short time after that my son also professed faith in Christ and now they are both members of First Baptist Church in Kingsville," Bull said. "It confirmed to me that fiction is God's will, and that he can use it to accomplish his purposes."
___Bull's writing career has had its ups and downs, however. Her first two Christian romance novels were published by Zonder-van, which later discontinued the romance market. Her latest novel, "Brides and Blessings," was left without a publisher until Steeple Hill, a division of Harlequin Enterprises, entered the inspirational romance market and released her book.
___"Brides and Blessings" recounts the lives and loves of two identical twin sisters after they decide to trade lives for six months.
___Those interested in reading Bull's novel probably will have to special-order it through a bookstore. "Romance novels have a short shelf-life in book stores," she said. "They are there for only a month before they are taken off the shelf."
___One of the things Bull hopes women will find in her books is encouragement. She recalls that while in elementary school she was a poor speller and in the lowest of four reading groups. She said it was the encouragement of two fourth grade teachers who praised her singing and writing abilities that was instrumental in her later successes.
___A little like Cinderella's fairy godmother.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!