Tuesday, January 28, 2014

On Controversy – Pushing Buttons

Fantasy by definition is the free play of creative imagination. When one picks up a novel that is fantasy he expects fantastical things to happen and he expects there to be creatures that bend the mortal rules of what can and cannot be done.

My latest work-in-progress features angels and demons. As I always do, I researched what is known and then created a modern day world to set my story in. My characters are fictional. Their world is fictional. And while I do use a lot of known lore in my novel, I put my own twist on things.  

My novel doesn't attack religion. In fact, no religion is mentioned. So I found it interesting (as I always do) when what I thought was a small comment made by one of my characters started an intense debate with my critique partners. Friendly lines were drawn: those who weren't too happy with the comment and those who recognized I based my angels on the Old Testament.

Controversy can be good. It causes us to think and to ask questions. It challenges us to see things in a different light. One person might feel that all angels are good and should be seen as guardians, while another person might remember angels as God’s warriors: fierce and a force not to be mess with. I believe both views are right. If I’m thinking of an angel that guides mankind, I think of guardian angels. But if I’m thinking of angels fighting to keep Heaven and Earth safe, I picture warriors with their swords drawn ready for battle.

It’s important to read fiction with an open mind. It’s important to remember that the views of the characters aren't necessarily the views of the author. Good fiction doesn't come from a person preaching their personal beliefs. It comes from a writer’s ability to create a world so vivid it propels a reader into the characters’ world. Good writing will have a reader asking questions. That’s a wonderful thing. It means the writer has done more than just tell a story. He or she has woven together an engaging tale that has touched the reader on some level.

As a reader, I enjoy books that challenge my knowledge of a subject or that has me wondering where fact ended and the fantastical began. Hats off to all authors who are able to pull this off, because isn't the whole point of reading fiction to become lost in the story?

Happy reading everyone!

15 comments:

  1. I read to become lost.
    Angels were created to do God's bidding, so they aren't really good or evil. Except the one who fell of course.

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  2. If everything each of your characters said and did seemed all right to every and each of your readers, you are probably the writer of the Dick & Jane books grandparents learned to read with in grammar school, back when it was called grammar school.
    I don't care for controversy for its own sake, though those who market often like this sort of "product." But not appeasing everyone is the mark of thinking.

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    1. I thought long and hard about changing the comment that started the debate, but in the end left it. I'm definitely not trying to write a novel that is controversial, but like you just said, I'd have to write something along the lines of Dick & Jane to avoid it completely.

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  3. I bet that debate was interesting! I recently just finished reading a book w/an angel in it 'or nangel' as the hob in the book called it. (so cute!) It was The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh. As far as reading books based off of angels in the Old Testament, Cassandra Clare's angels seem to definitely follow the 'warrior, burn your eyes just by looking at them' type of angel. Scary! =)

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    1. I've read Cassandra Clare's books, and yes her angels are the warrior type. That is the reference I had made in my book. It was a great debate. ;)

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  4. Interesting. It's also a bit scary to think readers may get so affected by a novel that they might lose sight that it is fiction. I recall friends who absolutely had to watch soap operas on TV. Everyday they'd discuss the previous day's installment of who did what to whom. They reacted as if the TV characters were living people. Congratulations, Cherie, in achieving that level of writing wherein your critique friends were so moved by your writing they forgot it is a work of art - fiction. A 'what if' that blossomed into something magical.

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    1. Thanks, Feather. Although, I'm not so sure those who didn't like my character's comment thought of it as art. =)

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  5. Amen! Hehe. People get so testy about their angels. And I echo Feather - congrats on creating something that sparked the conversation.

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    1. Hi Nicki. =) I knew you would be able to relate to this post.

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  6. Try looking at the ANGEL EYES trilogy. Those angels kick demon butt...and it's a "christian" novel. In fact, most of the Christian fiction I've read had avenging angels and fighting angels so I wouldn't necessarily be put off on account of a bit of turf warfare. Demons are, by Christian definition, fallen angels, so they are apparently capable of committing atrocious acts, as well.
    Veronica
    http://vsreads.com

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    1. I'll have to check out that trilogy. I've read several books where angels are warriors or have fallen. The TV series Supernatural has angels that are good and bad. Castiel is good, but has made some bad choices.

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  7. Your book sounds great, Cherie! I remember in college English classes being fascinated that there could be SO many different opinions about a single book/play/poem/essay/etc. The debates we had about "authorial intent" were unbelievable! The reader's personal interaction with the text is definitely part of what makes reading so magical! This is a fabulous post, by the way!! = )

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    1. That's a class I would enjoy. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Controversy can lead to great discussions.

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