Monday, April 21, 2014

R: A to Z Blogging Challenge


Welcome to another day in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Find the entire list here. My theme this year is world-building. Mostly I’m asking questions that I believe need to be considered whether you creating a medieval fantasy world, a science fiction story or even a contemporary novel. The ideas I present aren’t in a particular order as I had to fit them into the alphabetical order needed. And don’t forget to visit the other blog I’m part of during the A to Z Challenge over at the IWSG. Now onto your world.
Religion often plays a role in fantasy novels. Wars are fought over differences in beliefs and practices. How will you handle religion in your book? In a contemporary novel you might ignore it but in most historical or fantasy novels, the idea will intrude. I've put it at the very center of my latest fantasy novel, First Dragon. Will religious leaders be powerful, rich and possessed of supernatural abilities? Will the religion open opportunities to charlatans or attract true believers? Will sacrifices be required? Will a god walk among men? Will there be numerous gods? Places of worships? Religious tokens? Are men and women equal in the religion? Is there a history behind it?

Will humans be the only race in your story? Will there be aliens, dwarfs, elves, giants, sentient animals or humanoid types of your invention. Will the races be equal and tolerant of each other or will prejudice play a role in the tale? Will the races live together, interbreed, or will they live apart?

Do you often see religion as a source of conflict in novels? Do you like having species other than humans in your tales? Do you realize you're entering the last full week of the challenge? Hang in there.

28 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

Great post! Since mythology is a huge source of inspiration for me, there are definitely races other than human in my projects, heh. Religion doesn't come up as often, but I do like to figure out what my characters believe in that regard, even if it never gets mentioned in the story...

Laura Clipson said...

I don't often think about religion in my stories, but now that you mention it, it is an important part of a novel. It also creates a lot of conflict, which a novel obviously needs.

Frankie Miller said...

As long as humans (aliens, or whoever else) have minds then there will always be some prejudice.

Sometimes religion can cause conflict in novels, it depends where you want to lead the characters.

Land, power, greed, commodities, (oil), strategic places etc. Wars can have all kinds of underlying reasons. I suppose it's easier to whip up enthusiasm if it's falsely put down to religion.

Fantasy and the supernatural can add another dimension. This is interesting, Susan.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I never really thought about religion as playing a large part in my stories, unless one of the characters themselves is religious.

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I ended up not touching the subject of religion in my books. I could've only written from a position of my own beliefs, so it was better to just avoid it.
Race - now, I do have lots of those!

Liza said...

I haven't had the nerve to touch religion in my writing. I can see how it could be a powerful plot driver.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Religion plays a very small part in my writing. My characters believe in God, but it's mentioned in passing.

LOVE writing about mystical and magical peoples and creatures. But I write in contemporary as well as fantasy.

Nicki Elson said...

Y'know what I've learned? With contemporary fiction, unless you're writing a straight-out "inspirational" novel, it's almost become taboo to include religion.

Robin said...

Religion and race. You hit on the controversial ones today!!! Of course, controversy creates conflict. And without conflict... there would be no story.

Pat Hatt said...

Religion can sure stir up controversy. Races I've used quite a few

Anonymous said...

I loved your take on religion in novels and the connection through religion between different genres. I have a western novel being published this June titled Redemption. As you can guess the from the title religion plays a thematic role, though the book is packed with action and not about religion at all. Your post is great! Hope to read more. Good luck with the A-Z!

The Happy Whisk said...

Are you enjoying the A/Z game?

David P. King said...

I don't normally right much religion, but I sure invented a cool one for the doorstopper fantasy I want to finish someday. :)

Stephanie Faris said...

Ahhh...it is the last full week of the challenge, isn't it? No, all the characters in my books are humans. I keep meaning to bring a dog into the story, but it always seems like it would just distract!

Chrys Fey said...

Religion and race are two great things to consider when you're creating a world.

Every single one of your posts are amazing! After reading them all no one could possible have trouble creating a world, or struggle with know what to consider. :)

Tara Tyler said...

religion and politics are touchy!
and race barriers are what my mg characters are working to break down!

great thoughtul insights on what to include in worlds!
love it!
happy r day!

cleemckenzie said...

I really didn't think I could pull off writing about alligators in a way kids might related to them. They're ugly (human pov), they're dangerous and they're reptiles, for heaven sakes. Loved the challenge.

Lynn Proctor said...

you pose very stimulating questions--i don't think i read too much fiction that actually touches on religion very often

Crystal Collier said...

Religion can make SUCH a huge difference in a story world, and races... I think those two aspects have been the reason behind numerous wars, so neither should be discounted.

True Heroes from A to Z

Unknown said...

I tend to have religion be a main theme in my books, because it's a main theme to me. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I agree with Melanie. My five book series has strong Christian themes running through it.

Stephen Tremp said...

Religion plays a hug role in my books. My latest WIP is no different.

Liz Blocker said...

AH yes, religion and race. They're at the center of my WIP, too, and they're giving me a headache. I want to make sure I portray them accurately!!!

Mark Means said...

I always find it interesting when religious leaders are also possessed of some sort of supernatural ability...so they can back up what they're preaching (sometimes) :)

klahanie said...

Hi Susan,

I personally avoid using religion in what I write. Although I can see how religion and fantasy can be intertwined.

Many stories I write, or Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar, writes, involves magical creatures from our garden named the wee folks. Of course, they are not fantasy. They are real. Just like the writing dog who created me as a fictional character.

Good to know you are part of the "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary" dedication site :) Yes, I've been called delusional.

Hopefully, this will be the last year of the idiotic A to Z.

Gary

Patricia Stoltey said...

I'm hanging by my fingernails, but I think I'm going to make it. The tough letter for my theme is the letter "X" -- I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle it.

dolorah said...

I do see a lot of religious themes in Fantasy. In Sci-fi too.

I love writing different races and integrating them. Not too good at making sentient animals though.

.........dhole

Andrew Leon said...

Let's see...
So far I have, in House, trolls and dwarves and fairies and imps, and, in Spinner, fairies/Angels and the Undying. I suppose I sprinkle in races.