All of my fiction falls in the clean, wholesome category. That might be a plus for some readers and a minus for others. But what do those words actually mean when you pick up one of my books?
For me, clean fiction doesn't mean a story without problems. It means telling a meaningful story without explicit sexual content, foul language, or graphic descriptions of violence. Wholesome fiction, as I approach it, leaves room for hope even when life is messy.
Clean Fiction Can Still Tackle Difficult Circumstances
My stories don't shy away from hard things: blackmail, theft, unplanned pregnancy, and grief. Those are part of life, and writing clean fiction doesn't mean pretending they don't exist.
My goal is to explore real-life subjects without adding explicit details. I want my stories to be books I feel comfortable sharing with the church library, my mom's best friend, and my friend's teen daughter. Of course, every reader and family has different comfort levels, especially around difficult subjects.
What About Romance?
There may be romance in my books. Characters might kiss, and I've included some sassy moments. But there are no descriptions of private acts and no foul language.
To me, a relationship can be interesting without showing everything. What characters say, the choices they make, and how they treat one another give a story plenty to work with.
Can a Cozy Mystery Be Clean and Wholesome?
Since I write cozy mysteries, I need to mention that my stories may include violence or death. A mystery can be clean in its language and descriptions while still dealing with a serious subject.
Obviously, murder itself is not a clean or wholesome subject. So, there's that.
The distinction is in how the story is told. My aim is to give readers a mystery without graphic descriptions. Still, if you prefer to avoid stories involving crime or death altogether, a cozy mystery may not be your cup of tea. And that's okay.
Why I Choose to Write This Way
I want to tell stories that honor my values without making every character perfect or every situation easy. People face hard things. They make mistakes. There is room to explore those experiences while being thoughtful about what goes on the page.
It's a balance, and I'll always be working on presenting hard topics well. I'm sure I won't make everyone happy with every book or subject, but I will do my best to honor my values and be honest with readers about what to expect.
Find Your Next Read
Tired of starting a book and hoping it stays clean? You don't have to hope with mine.
No explicit scenes. No foul language. No graphic details — even in the murder ones.
Just hard topics handled with care, and hope left on the table.
I hope you'll find a story that keeps you turning pages and gives you something to think about after you close the book.
Have you read my books? What does clean, wholesome fiction mean to you? I'd love to hear what you look for in your next read.