Facing Taboo

[avatarblade2000]

This thread is closely linked to two other threads I've begun - "A Question of Structure" and "The Choice of Servitude" - in that they all have to deal with the same series which I am currently planning. However, this thread, I hope, should be a little easier. I'm still basically asking for opinions, but this is more of a list I'd like to compile as well. That is, some cultural taboos.

The series I am writing is an allegory meant to tackle some prominent social concerns that are fundamentally anti-Christian, or gray areas. I can't divulge too much, but let's just say that I'm trying to deal with the a lot of typically anti-Christian ideals - in a fantasy setting. Sexism, slavery, class and caste among them (not that the latter two are much concern in American anymore, but I digress).

This may sound a little - odd - but I would like it very much if you voiced your opinion on an issue, age-old or fairly recent, that you think would, could or should be dealt with in a fantasy-allegory setting. Be it sexual immorality, or racism, or parenting problems, or political crookedness, or battling unbelief/disbelief in a skeptical world...SOMETHING. Something that can be approached from a Christian perspective and be talked about in the relative "safety," if you can call it that, of speculative fiction. I don't care how old it is, but recent issues would be appreciated.

I have a desire to deal with such things, ill-fated or otherwise, as was placed there, I believe, by God. Thereby, your help would greatly be appreciated, fellow believers, and preferably your insights as to why you think your idea would work well. Give an example, or put it into action in a scenario, or just tell me why you think it would work well in the fantasy genre.

Again, your help is appreciated. Thank you all for your time.

 

[Shicoco]

I'd love to help you out...but this would be a lot easier if you could write less formally. I see you're well versed in English, but this isn't your writing...this is an informal message board

What do you mean by "tackle some prominent social concerns"...this could mean a variety of things, depending on how you take it.

Political corruption is easy to do in a fantasy setting, and can be fun too.

Actually, could you reply back and ask what it is you want in a more concise/clearer way? I'm not sure if you're writing a guide for depressed people or a story about overcoming these themes.

Thanks, coco

 

[avatarblade2000]

I'd love to help you out...but this would be a lot easier if you could write less formally. I see you're well versed in English, but this isn't your writing...this is an informal message board

No offense to you, Shicoco, but ask anybody: this is just the way I talk. On or off the auditory level.

Actually, could you reply back and ask what it is you want in a more concise/clearer way?

Yup.

What do you mean by "tackle some prominent social concerns"...this could mean a variety of things, depending on how you take it.

Maybe I'm being too particular - I've broadened discussion to any sinful issue that people think can be talked about in a fantasy setting - but let me answer your question anyway: if you've watched the news in the last five years, then whatever's made headlines. I don't want to say that this series is meant to be a "dated" piece, like it's a literary time-capsule (NARNIA was like that, in that it took place during WWII and the period of time shortly thereafter, and showed it), but a lot of the touchy subjects that have made CNN in the last half-a-decade are only some of the things I'm talking about in the book(s). Homosexuality, abortion, a questionable government and the decision of going to war being only a few.

(I hate to get a bit emotional or downright confrontational, but to those already wondering, yes, even 9/11. I can't tell you how many times I've been bashed for even bringing the idea up - dealing with terrorism in a fantasy setting - as if it were some tasteless new idea that had never been done before in literature...that somehow dishonored the victims of the disaster. But I humbly submit to you: live your life as if 9/11 didn't happen at all, and tell me if it's possible. I aim no hostility at anyone, only the honest plea that you examine that idea. You look, listen, watch, or read any media since that time and tell me that you, along with everyone else everywhere, hasn't or couldn't help but be changed because of that day. It happened for a reason, though I'm sorry it had to happen at all, but to deny it happened, or to stomp on the faces of people who even bring it up, is proof of an unholy denial. God does not let travesty and catastrophe happen so that we might ignore it. I know I didn't.)

There are others that are age-old or from another age altogether. More recently, women's rights, racial equality, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and so on. Everyday situations like social status, occupation, political affiliation, religious belief, and so on. Older issues we now find defunct, archaeic and barbaric include slavery, class and caste systems, worship of pagan idols, black magic, and so on.

I'm not sure if you're writing a guide for depressed people or a story about overcoming these themes.

Believe me, I don't take pleasure in emotionally bankrupting a person, and I'm certainly not Dr. Phil. There isn't even a guarantee, for that matter, that I will use all or any of these things in the books. A few rewrites from now, it may be a different series altogether. But the point of the series is to see these things dealt with, in some form or fashion, and at least addressed. All I know is, I'm with all the posters who believe that "we shouldn't have more good people writing Christian books, we should have more Christians writing good books." I'm writing this to tell a story with a heart and a moral, nothing more. God will use it the way He wants it used.

 

[Shicoco]

Listen, I see that you're a great writer...and it looks really cool. I used to write just like you. But we're not here to impress people...this is an informal forum. Your post above this is great...it's easier for someone like me who's tired to read.

Why not just write the way you talk in informal places? This isn't your writing here...and I doubt you talk like this with your friends. It'd be a lot easier to read for everyone and would save time. I normally don't expect to have to put on my reading goggles when I'm in forums. Like I said, I normally read this after work...and I'm tired and I can't concentrate very well....

Now about your style of writing...that last post was a lot more concise, and flows very nicely...but beware that you look out for conciseness...and complex and useless sentence structure. But I have to admit, your style is pretty

Terrorism! [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] HOW COULD YOU...no, I am kidding lol. This would be great to use in fantasy...but just remember, if you are writing a Christian story, and have this in it, your theme can't be ridding the world of terrorism by taking them out. If God
did not let 911 happen for us to ignore it...then what are we supposed? Remember, He commanded us to forgive and kill not. Therefore the correct response to 911 is not to go to Iraq and kill their people and rape their land.

I disagree with that poster; I think we should have more people writing good Christian books

Hey man, don't worry about touchy subjects. Can you spread the word of God through your writing? The Bible itself is obscene in some places. Don't let people judge your works, HOWEVER, make sure that they are purposeful and not obscene in an unholy way.

 

[Doubtless]

(I hate to get a bit emotional or downright confrontational, but to those already wondering, yes, even 9/11. I can't tell you how many times I've been bashed for even bringing the idea up - dealing with terrorism in a fantasy setting - as if it were some tasteless new idea that had never been done before in literature...that somehow dishonored the victims of the disaster. But I humbly submit to you: live your life as if 9/11 didn't happen at all, and tell me if it's possible. I aim no hostility at anyone, only the honest plea that you examine that idea. You look, listen, watch, or read any media since that time and tell me that you, along with everyone else everywhere, hasn't or couldn't help but be changed because of that day. It happened for a reason, though I'm sorry it had to happen at all, but to deny it happened, or to stomp on the faces of people who even bring it up, is proof of an unholy denial. God does not let travesty and catastrophe happen so that we might ignore it. I know I didn't.)

Mate, I couldn't agree with you more. I think terrorism in a fantasy setting could take you far. Not that your works should be based on Tolkien, heheh, but if you look at it, he based his books on two things: Nazism and Modernism. The one a physical and life-threatening evil, the other a social and culture-threatening evil (i.e. machinery such as tanks, wars fought with guns instead of the noble hand-to-hand combat of the medieval times, etc.).

So perhaps you could base your book (or some of it, or none of it, however ) on the great evil of our times: Terrorism. THE DARK KNIGHT certainly pulled it off well. I think, given a fantasy setting, it could be done even better (what can't? ).

Anyways, sorry to ramble. Other topics I think would do well are: political corruption (you'd have to make it interesting though, as it's been done a good bit), social corruption, freedom of religion (same as political corruption IMPHO).

And the last one, that I haven't seen done yet, is "where freedom becomes our overlord." In other words, how much freedom can we have before freedom overrides itself?

I'm very interested in this project of yours. God bless!

 

[avatarblade2000]

Can see the modernism working, completely forgot about the Nazis. Thanks for the reminder, Doubtless, and good to see you again.

Terrorism isn't as big of a part of the story as it might sound; it's just one aspect I'm exploring. I just don't want people getting offended just because I used the "T" word. The way it's written, though, there is fear and paranoia and the kind of tension that acts of terror infect society with, even some blatant references to such things, and I'm just trying to anticipate how people will respond. Some have already voiced distaste in it, but on very superficial, close-minded levels. People have bashed CLOVERFIELD and other movies and TV shows for using visual cues from 9/11 in an attempt to help reconciliation in some small way with the disaster, and I am also aware of the wall people put up to such action. Some just don't want to hear it. See it. Whatever.

Thing is - scary thing is, actually - you've hit on the big issues that my series is wanting to deal with. Social corruption, and the curse of freedom. There is a fair bit of political corruption too, but it is not as big an element (yet) as I've seen in other works. I won't say that the setting is America in a fantasy setting (again, that is definitely not what I am trying to do with this project), but there are definitely some similarities, and we have our fair share of freedom-binging going on right now. It creeped me out a little that you guessed right on the head like that. Psychic, are you?

 

[sunstruckdream]

Though it's hard to understand it fully without more details (though I completely understand and agree with why you wouldn't outline an idea for a series on open online forum), I have to say the idea interests me. Unless I misunderstood, you mentioned something in your OP about sexism being one of the issues dealt with. That's an issue of great importance to me personally, and I can't help but be curious as to what shape/angle that would take in your series. Also, I don't think examining terrorism in a fictional setting would be the end of the world. Honestly, literature is based on life. Should we not read or write murder mysteries out of respect for the murdered? I know I'm putting it in really base, general terms, but as far as I can see, the principle's the same.

 

[avatarblade2000]

Thank you for your understanding, sunstruck, even though there's not much there to understand. Like you said, it is an open forum. Since you seemed interested though, let me spill a few beans. Careful, they jump.

The issue of sexism actually came up by accident. It was, however, an issue I felt God wanted me to face, at least for myself, from the fact it had come up at all in the project. In retrospect, I see it was impossible not to, as it seems the whole character angle I came up with (I doubt it was me on any real level, actually, now that I think about it) is a walking embodiment of that issue in this setting. That is, however, the whole point.

Let me explain. My protag, minus major details, becomes a social pariah, but also an unwitting celebrity of sorts in the fantasy world he or she is part of. In the process, my protag becomes the target and, oftentimes, the embodiment of several special-interest groups and ideals that I plan to explore during the series. People expect the MC to have all the answers and the MC just doesn't have them; so part of the appeal of the series is finding out the ups and downs of the issues through my MC'S own personal experiences, coupled with the spiritual basis they compare them with. Sexism being one of them. Several groups, both radical and sensible, try to recruit my protag to their cause, thinking he or she will be the figurehead to pioneer an age of social equality with his or her extraordinary abilities and connections. My protag barely knows what sexism is. Cue the emotional journey.

Here's the thing,though. I don't know if it was you, sunstruck, but in another forum SOME OTHER poster said something about just telling a good story, and not going on any limb to "prove" anything: the story should be judged on its own merits, but the Christian sensibilities, as well as the morals that may or may not be there, should compliment, not domineer. I agree with that wholeheartedly, whoever said it. This is just a series of stories about social corruption, that's all. I just wanted to tell this epic, action-packed, and hopefully funny story, and that's all I intend to do. If I get a few words in on the fair treatment of the opposite sex - and I will - then kudos to me.

Excellent point on the murder mysteries, by the way. That healed a wounded ambition, let me tell you. There's a little bit of that going on in this series too. Murder mystery, not wounded ambition.