McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Christian influences in Fantasy writing
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: meg_evonne on April 23, 2012, 07:33:35 PM ---Apparently there are several scientific studies that indicate, like universal facial recognition of emotions in comic books is cross-cultural and genetically wired, a universal genetic need seems to exist for certain story lines. We simply crave these stories told over and over again in countless re-envisioning. There is a reason that the bible, Gilgamesh,and Baelwolf, Homer story lines continue to be re-invented.
--- End quote ---
One might posit, though, that there is also a reason why monotheism, sfaik, has only been invented once, and polytheism independently all over the place, in terms of which shapes of stories human brains resonate with.
Ratstar:
Read the Hyperion Cantos from Dan Simmons.
A sci-fi tale loosely based (at least in framework) on the Canterbury Tales. In the 3rd and 4th books (a bastardization of) Christianity becomes the focus. Becomes a story of faith vs organized religion. Don't know if it matches what you are looking for but a brilliant read either way.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Good luck.
Enchantedwater:
--- Quote from: hank the ancient on April 12, 2012, 03:54:07 PM ---I have to second the cautionary advice above with a very simple sentiment. Focus on the values you want to shine through rather than drawing parallels between your writing and the bible stories. Most of the time a writer tries to get allegorical with scripture they end up beating the audience over the head with it. This is why I like Jim's portrayal of Michael so much. He is a paladin played straight, but he doesn't become a figure preaching from a pulpit. Instead Michael is christian by example, one which has more to do with what he stands for than what church he goes to every Sunday. If you want to portray christian idealogies positively, please don't make it thinly veiled evangelism or a grown-up version of veggie tales.
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Yeah. It's the thinly veiled evangelism that annoys me! And I am a Christian too!
LDWriter2:
Joining in a bit late which means some of this may have been said already so please pardon me if that is true, but I just wanted to say that there are various types of preaching. Some involve moral preaching, Star Trek The Next Generation did some of that as has many books I've read. I think even Butcher gets into that now and then. Some types are spiritual preaching--as in eastern mysticism and New age stuff, etc.--I've read books with that type. Then there is what I might call opposite preaching from Christian. There are definitely some UF writers that do that. Then of course there is Christian preaching. Like the other types some of that is overt and some is subtle.
As has been stated it depends on your audience, some would love the more overt type. Frank Perritti (I probably blew his last name but I think it's close) is one who does it more overtly at least in his first two books. JRR Tolken did it very subtly. Supposedly he said he didn't put in any but I think he should have said on purpose. There are most definitely christian types in LotR. C.S. Lewis did it more on purpose I think in the Narnia Chronicles and in his SF trilogy.
Recently I saw a Christian series for YA or even MG dealing with dragons. So there are many Christian fantasies that are aimed at Christians but then again there are some who have written mainstream who have the characters reacting to moral issues differently than many non-christian writers do but in most of the plot there's no difference.
The Corvidian:
To those who mentioned Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien where friends.
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