[Adrelle]

Hello, my name’s Adrelle and I’ve always wanted to write the “right way”–honoring God and letting readers connect certain themes in my writings to Him. But, well, I gotta be honest, I’m writing a “werewolf” story, which does not and will not portray sex, premarital sex or crude language. I’m rather embarrassed, I know you’ve already had initial thoughts on this type of genre, but I guess your opinions, having the same faith, would be quite helpful.

It’s that sort of story that kind of pokes my conscience. The reasons why I am writing one are:

1. Get an audience on Wattpad (the werewolf genre is also quite popular there). So after the book (but I don’t if it’s going to gain many reads, but it’s a better chance than writing in other genres), I could publish in other genres;
2. I actually like the concept of mating for life;
3. practice my writing skills, like doing this as a practice novel.
4. (The story has been itching me for years and I really wanna write it, haha)

And I feel guilty of:

1. My characters not believing in God (I know not all characters have to, but somehow, I feel like it’s me who’s doing it) but in a “moon goddess”, which I may have to mention in their dialogues (Ex. “Oh, thank, the moon goddess.”)
2. There are dark elements in it, like writing about: werewolves, vampires, and other mythological creatures–that are portrayed as “good”, and some evil. Is it okay? I mean, dark eleves and dragons couldn’t only the bad guys.
3. Sometimes I want to put in Bible references, haha, like a time when my character wants to throw a rock and hesitates because “now’s not the time to be all David and Goliath”–and I deleted it. Since they’re the kind of characters who shouldn’t even believe about it.

My story would, however, focus mainly on the mystery, a bit of comedy, and character interactions, and of course, a dash of romance.

So, am I doing it right?

ツ

[Princess Foo]

@ka_modina A couple of thoughts:

• “Mating for life” is actually how God meant marriage to be. Matthew 19:4-6 says, “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.'” You don’t need to act like it is a strange and unnatural idea, because it isn’t. So I think you have a lot of room to explore this type of theme in your story if you are interested.
• As to the other mythical creatures being bad—there is nothing in the Bible that says “all vampires are evil”. It’s your world, you make the rules. Go for it.
• There is the issue of demons, however. We do know that they are real, evil, and only get stronger if people don’t think they are a threat. So I would not have good demon-like creatures, just so you aren’t softening someone’s mind towards the real ones.
• One thing I think is important to think about when writing is, “Will people be surprised to hear I am a Christian after reading my writing?” And I think the moon goddess is toeing that line. Does it really need to be in there? Could you have a regular person be extremely significant to the werewolf tradition take her place? A “George Washington” of werewolves?

The cake is a lie. acaylor.com

[Daeus Lamb]

there is nothing in the Bible that says “all vampires are evil”

Well… “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood…”

(The story has been itching me for years and I really wanna write it, haha)

@ka_modina That’s the real important point. 😉

It’s not wrong to write about vampires, werewolf, and pagan deities. In fact, they can serve special roles in the plot other entities might be less suited for. However, if you don’t like millstones on your neck, don’t write something that you’re honestly concerned might lead people astray! 😛 (i.e. a book that seems to assume a naturalistic or new age perspective of the world.) That said, I do believe these elements can be used in a God-honoring story. Also…I think it would probably be alright for you to write this story for yourself if it’s been on your heart forever and it would help you to get it out.

[Adrelle]

@princess-foo and @daeus-lamb: Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a lengthy reply! I really appreciate it!

And @princess-foo, you’re right about having a sort of George Washington! I will certainly apply it! Thank you 😊

And sir @daeus-lamb: I’ve actually talked about a similar topic to my Bible teacher, he said that it would be nice to portray redemption for characters as it is closely associated to where our faith is rooted.

So, the story would end in this way: they won’t be Werewolves anymore (if they choose not because there’s going to be something in the story that would give them such a choice), because in the first place, they weren’t supposed to Werewolves or vampires, just greedy humans who got power and they abused it.

P.S. May I ask another question in this group? Regarding if it is alright to read Game of Thrones.

Since Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

Then again, we can get a lot of lessons from George R. R. Martin’s world building and character development–and doesn’t the Bible in the OT portray gruesome things?

(But thank you so much once again, for the time you put in to answer my questions 😊)

ツ

[Taylor Clogston]

@ka_modina Sorry to butt in just now and ignore the main question =P

It feels weird to say this, since I’m usually all for Christian liberty, but I really don’t recommend reading GoT. There is a lot of cool worldbuilding, there are a few fantastically developed characters, but the whole thing is just so vile and hopeless. Even I stopped reading in disgust after a certain character renowned for hunting women like animals, raping them, and then flaying them alive married a very young girl to convince his enemies that she was their daughter, and then physically and emotionally tortured her.

The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon was one of Martin’s biggest influences. It’s about actual historical events and has fantastic characters, detailed worldbuilding, and generally all the things that make GoT great without cackling in joy at the hopelessness of human existence. Though it still gets pretty dark =P I recommend reading that instead, and maybe watching some GoT video essays if you’re curious about the thing without just jumping right into it.

[Adrelle]

Oh, thank you for replying @taylorclogston! 😊

I actually watched the first season with a lot skipping but sometimes I’d land on the wrong scenes and I just couldn’t take it. I’ll just look for a clean version of the episodes and yes, thank you for suggesting the video essays. I’ll check them out. Though, from what I’ve heard, seen, and read from the fandom–the story and characters really look complex . . . and “cool”–you just want to be part of it. Also, I wish I could have discussions with a friend of mine, but I kept shushing her whenever she does because of spoilers. I guess, I’ll just read the summaries.

I’m not that dejected though. You’re right, I even read the first chapters and my brain, huh, I couldn’t handle it (yet? Eh, just gotta say never to this).

Now I don’t know what I’ll with the box set I bought, haha (I don’t wanna sell them though or probably in the future when they’re valued more 😆.)

 

 

 

 

ツ

[Coralie]

@ka_modina Going back to your original question, I must first say I appreciate your heart here and your struggle.

Personally, I’m not a vampire or werewolf kind of reader. It’s just not done well often and I’m not a huge fan of vampires in general. Now, I’ve seen them done where I did appreciate them (ie. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Bunnicula XD). I’m also, personally, more inclined to like werewolves than vampires, but that also really, really depends on how they’re done. For instance, in Once Upon a Time (spoiler alert) Ruby is a werewolf, and I found it fascinating. First of all, that the Little Red Riding Hood character was the wolf was cool, but also that it was a generational thing was neat, I thought. And several other factors. I like lots of strange creatures and I’m a fan of giving people a chance. I’m not a huge witch fan, but I tend to like wizards, etc. But that to say, portrayal is a big thing for me regarding creatures.

I don’t read or watch things that deal with angels and demons 99.9% of the time. Exorcisms, and a lot of ghost movies are out for me for that reason. It’s just too real for me and I very rarely see it done with the proper reverence. It’s all a joke in our modern culture and as soon as someone starts mixing them up and blurring lines, I just want out. It’s a personal choice, but it’s mine to make. I’m also really, really uncomfortable with ritual scenes. An example, I love Narnia, but there’s one scene in the second film, Prince Caspian, that I mute or fastforward through because it just makes me personally uncomfortable. I don’t have an issue with any of the characters. I can take them for evil, vile characters. But when they actually begin a ritual to bring back the White Witch and start chanting and stuff. Nope. I just don’t want to expose myself to that. That rubs my spirit the wrong way.

I don’t even necessarily object to underworld, dark creatures, or mythologies. I’m rather a fan of Greek mythology and find it intriguing, but I do approach it like a story and not as truth. I read Clockwork Angel as recommended by a friend. It had vampires and underworld creatures and such, and though I really did enjoy the story and the characters, I just didn’t like the tone and the atmosphere in the work, so I never read past book one.

Additionally, I don’t believe all characters have to believe in God. In fact, I think that it’s good to have characters who don’t. But you certainly need to be intentional in your world, especially if you pull religion into it as you mentioned. If you have a moon goddess, does she serve a higher diety who created everything? Is she the highest diety? What is the structure of your religion? And what message does that structure send to your readers? I like the way a previous replyer put it: Would someone be surprised to learn that you are Christian as the author based on what you wrote? Christianity doesn’t have to be explicit in your writing, but I think it’s dangerous and misleading to use religion flippantly in your world.

I don’t really know if this answers your question or even if it helps or not, but my point is that, personally, I don’t think it’s wrong to portray vampires and werewolves, etc. in your work. I do think that you should be cognizant of how you portray them and your world.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by Coralie.

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https://gracebought.wordpress.com/

[Rusted Knight]

You could think outside the box. Is there any reason that the person has to change into a WOLF. I’m toying with a story where the main character is something like a weregriffin and his companions are other werefolk.

The Devil saw me with my head down and got excited. Then I said Amen

[Author]

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