Writing Genres

[hanaya]

I don't know if this is the right place tp post this, but I just had a question for all of you; What is everyone's opinion on the different writing genres? What I mean is, what are your opinions on Christians writing for/in the secular world? Should we just stick to writing within Christian circles or is writing within the secular world okay too? Things like Fantasy and Sci-Fi as well as just regular fiction.

I'm a writer who's really just starting to get out there and I'd appreciate anyone's opinions.

Thanks

-Hanaya

 

 

[Kookaburra]

I think if we write good, clean fiction/fantasy/sci fi and infuse our Christian values/beliefs subtly into the storyline, then it's fine. But to create a fantasy world with other gods, etc., I don't think would be correct.

 

[seebs]

I don't have a problem with much of anything in fantasy.

My wife's working on a series of fantasy novels. The world is polytheistic, and (if the series gets published, and goes anywhere) even discusses the question of how one "ascends" - joins the pantheon.

Around book 5 or 6, people will start realizing that the implication of this is that the word "god" is really just being used as shorthand for "powerful immortal", and that *none* of them could possibly have created things... and eventually, we find that the entire mechanism for ascension is serving part of Someone's greater purpose...

Anyway, I just don't see it as a big deal. It's a fantasy world; it's fine by me if it's not like this one. If I can accept a world in which there are dragons, or a world in which there are non-human sentient beings that wander around the world and reproduce, I can accept a world with multiple "gods". Not as a real thing, but as an interesting artistic creation.

Not all art depicts this world, partially because the ability to create a realistic world is one of God's greatest gifts to us.

 

[Blessed-one]

when i read through Kookaburra's post, i completely agreed with her, but seebs's post has a good point too. Still, i find it just a bit uncomfortable writing about multiple gods as a christian. A deity is different from a magical creature like a dragon afterall.

 

[life_boy]

I think you should feel free to write whatever you want. I doubt any real 'good' story would include a storyline with multiple gods so you're probably safe on that one. There are some great writers who wrote fiction and fantasy novels (C.S. Lewis, J.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling). Not that your name has to start with two initials but if you write work or quality and depth it will connect with people of any faith. Just look at Lord of the Rings. While God might be glorified by what is said I believe he also cares how it is said. Simply put, I believe quality glorifies God.

Anyway, good luck with your writing (career if you have chosen such a path) and always strive to make your work better. The pitfall of "Christian fiction" (ie. Left Behind, etc.) is that it lacks quality material, and real skill. So, always hone your craft.

 

[oncewaslost]

sci-fi and fantasy are some of my favorite writing genres. writing fiction is use of the imagination.