Looky here, another list of 7! I make no apologies.
Lately I’ve been pondering stories (lol like I ever think about anything else), and was thinking about the types of things I wish I found more of within the fictional world. There are a looooot of things that bother me about the fiction we’re fed these days (which I’m sure you’ll get plenty of posts about ‘cause that’s who I am as a person), and there are a loooot of things I want but don’t find too often.
SO THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. 7 things I wish was in fiction more! I’m sure there are 1939489234 others besides these 7, but these are some things that have, honest to goodness, been needling at my brain for YEARS.
SEVEN FICTIONAL NEEDS
HUMOR + EMOTION
Let it be known that if I am fed a book that manages to make me laugh out loud and tears my heart out into teeny tiny pieces, I WILL LOVE IT FOREVER. That’s kind of the key to good storytelling for me.
And, actually, I think we are getting a lot of books like this these days, especially in the YA genre, and it muchly pleases me! Buuuut it still is sometimes lacking.
Too often we seem to only get one or the other: Super dark and depressing with literally nothing happy going on everrrrr and like can someone please give these characters a hug? OR, it’s just a straight up comedy and even the serious parts are made fun of.
I ADORE The Hunger Games. It’s one of my favoritest series EVER. But, well, they were really depressing books. I can think of…one scene that made me chuckle out of the entire trilogy??? Obviously those books were meant to be dark and serious, AND THAT IS FINE. I just feel like they could have been even better with a smidge more humor sprinkled about.
I think Marvel nails this balance to perfection. Think about Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes, you will laugh until you lose your voice. But you’re lying if you tell me you didn’t shed a tear at “We are Groot!” THIS IS THE KIND OF STORYTELLING I’M HERE FOR.
SUPERHEROES/CHOSEN ONES WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT
You know the drill: Boy/girl turns 16. Suddenly obtains phenomenal powers. Is told they’re going to go on an epic adventure and be the one to save the kingdom/world/entire universe And they…whine about it.
“I just want to be normal.” “Why did this have to happen to me?” “I don’t want these powers.” “This isn’t fair.” “I wish this never happened.”
Um, EXCUSE YOU?
My brother and I joke about this one alllll the time. Think about it, have you ever met a 16-year-old who says they wouldn’t want magical powers and to be a hero??? Come on, we all wish we could obtain some sort of superpower or magical gift.
Yes I know, “with great power comes great responsibility” yadda, yadda. I GET IT. Being the chosen one is hard. Going on adventures isn’t comfortable. BUT, at the same time, I’d looooove to find a story where the protagonist gains these gifts and acts like a teenager normally would and be totally stoked about it. And then maybe even use said powers for dumb, everyday activities. Like oh, I’m telekinetic now? SWEET. Now I never have to get off the couch to reach the remote.
REALISM, PEOPLE.
MARVEL DOES EVERYTHING RIGHT, OKAY?
GRITTY STORIES WITH STRONG CHRISTIAN MESSAGES
This is such an important one to me! It has been something I’ve wanted my whole life, but don’t often get. And I should probably turn this into a whole blog post, but I’ll sum up my thoughts as briefly as I can here.
It seems like Christians are afraid to get gritty. We produce fluff because anything else might not be “clean”. WELL. Have you read the Bible? That’s some pretty gritty stuff right there. Being a Christian is HARD. It is not a smooth life, and we can’t pretend it is. We can’t turn our backs to the deep issues of the world. In fact, as followers of Jesus, it is our job to face the hard, gritty things in life and make them better. To talk about the deep subjects, not avoid them.
And yet, Christian media still seems to focus on the fluff, the mediocre. Fearful of getting into the nitty gritty. And, frankly, I’m tired of it.
Recently I read the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes and oooooooh my! NOW THOSE WERE GRITTY BOOKS. But they were also Christian. Dystopian, YA, Christian books. Not something you see everyday. BUT I WISH WE DID.
These were not fluffy books by any stretch of the imagination. But they were not preachy, in-your-face books either. These were powerful, gritty stories with a beautiful, powerful message AND I WANT MORE. I am so absurdly proud of Nadine Brandes for writing these, and of her publishers for not being afraid to put them out there.
This is the sort of fiction I want to see more of than anything else.
OBSCURE FAIRYTALE RETELLINGS
Sooo I may sound hypocritical since I’m literally editing my own Beauty and the Beast retelling right now. Annnd I have a Cinderella retelling percolating in my brain. Why yes, there are approximately 33 billion Cinderella retellings out there. But, truthfully? I’m not picky when it comes to fairytale retellings. I WANT THEM ALL.
BUT, at the same time, I’d looove to see more obscure fairytales (a.k.a. fairytales Disney didn’t make popular), turned into retellings. Because THERE ARE SO MANY FAIRYTALES IN THE WORLD. The possibilities are endless. Seriously, every single time I read a fairytale I get inspired to retell it.
And it doesn’t even have to be a fairytale. What about myths and legends and folklore in general? There is an infinite well of story inspiration out there. In fact, I have a King Midas retelling cooking in my brain that I’m absurdly excited about.
RETELLINGS, GUYS. GIMME ALL OF ‘EM.
COUPLES WHO STAY HAPPY COUPLES THROUGH THE SEQUEL
This is a huuuuge pet peeve of mine. I think we’re all aware of the trope. The boy and girl meet in book 1, fall in love, and live happily ever after at the end…OR NOT. Because by book 2 they’ve broken up, seem to hate each other, and we get to go through them getting back together and living “happily ever after” allllll over again for the sake of TENSION.
STAHP.
People seem to think that once the couple gets together, it’s not interesting anymore. Well, excuse me, but I quite like reading about or watching couples love each other and have a healthy relationship, thankyouverymuch. It’s inspiring. Where watching the whole breakup, get back together, breakup, get back together fiasco over and over and over again gets tiiiiiring. Like, if they really loved each other would they let these little tiffs separate them half a dozen times??? Ooobviously couples are going to have problems, BUT WORK THROUGH THEM. Having characters walk away from each other every. single. time. something goes wrong in the relationship just gives me a headache.
I think this is also a case of trying to avoid the “sequel blues” because apparently the story is only good if you have romantic tension. After all, it’s boring once the couple is together, and no other types of plot devices work besides romance, right??????
*HEADDESK*
Again, seeing a couple that got together in book 1 and then ACTUALLY LOVE EACH OTHER through book 2 excites me more rather than watching the same romantic tension I had to deal with through book 1 all over again. TV shows are the worst about this. Because when you have 8 season of a show, you’re probably going to be forced to watch the couple breakup and get back together at least 20 times. Uuuuggghh.
The How to Train Your Dragon 2 movie is the best example of how to do this RIGHT. Hiccup and Astrid did not go through the whole breakup thing. Instead, they were a happy couple throughout the whole movie. And it was beautiful and precious watching them fight for each other and care for one another. Did it make the movie boring? NO. It made it inspiring and left room for more interesting plot devices.
Can we please just have happy couples being happy couples and loving each other? It won’t make your plot boring, I PROMISE.
IMMORAL BEHAVIOR HAVING CONSEQUENCES
This is probably what I see the least of in fiction, especially mainstream fiction, and just… *sighs for a millions years*
In pretty much all secular fiction, we have these heroes/heroines we look up to and yet…they live horrible lifestyles. They lie, they cheat, they might steal, they lust and sleep around, they curse, and they do it as if that’s just life. That’s the normal thing to do, and there are no repercussions afterwards. Aren’t these supposed to be the good guys??? The people we aspire to be?
Immoral behavior has consequences. That’s just how it works. The consequences may not come right away, we may never even see the consequences, but they will be there. And I’m really tired of fiction—the very thing that supposed to inspire us—portray immoral behavior as an okay thing to do. Because hey, my favorite hero did this no problem, so it must be acceptable.
BUT, on the flipside, in most Christian fiction the characters neverrrr do anything wrong. They live completely moral lives and are perfect little Mary Sues/Gary Stus. Which is completely unrealistic. We all sin, we all stumble and have our fallings. But, again, immoral behavior has consequences.
What I want to see in both secular and Christian fiction are characters living realistic lives where they stumble, yes, but there are consequences. I don’t want my protagonist to be some lying playboy and that’s accepted. I want him to have consequences to his behavior, and grow from that. I want to be reminded that sinning is wrong, not told time and time again that these things are okay.
Please, let’s not have Mary Sues. (Again, we’re allowed to write gritty fiction.) But let’s also not have heroes/heroines that live awful lives and it’s portrayed as perfectly fine behavior either.
WORLD HOPPERS GET TO STAY IN THE FANTASY WORLD
Another one that has bugged me since I was like…3.
I love world hopping stories, I do. I think we all wish we’d find a magic mirror or an enchanted wardrobe or a wormhole in our bedroom floor that transports us to a fantasy world. (YOU CAN’T DENY IT.) The idea of people from our world getting to have an adventure in a new, magical land excites us because it feels like that could happen to us. It’s so wondrous and appealing.
But the thing I don’t like about portal fantasy is that in pretty much every single one, the characters have to come back to this world in the end.
Um. NO.
I’m sorry, guys, I love you and all but if I stumble into Wonderland or Peter Pan flies me off to Neverland I’M NOT COMING BACK.
I mean, that’s probably immaturity on my part. Usually in these stories it’s inspiring to see the characters grow up and learn from their experiences in the magical world and know they have responsibilities and family here that need them. That’s supposed to be a happily ever after. But, erm, it actually depresses me??? I get so upset to see the characters leave the fantasy world and all their new friends there and be stuck in this world for the rest of their lives.
I want, for once, a portal fantasy story where the characters actually stay in the fantasy world and live happily ever after there. BECAUSE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AND I NEED IT!
Fun Fact: My first ever fantasy story (I wrote when I was like…10), was portal fantasy in which the main girl got sucked through a mirror into a fantasy world. And, at the end, she got to go back through the mirror, gather up her family, and take them to said fantasy world where they all lived happily ever after. XDDD That is how much and how long I’ve wanted a portal fantasy like this. I finally just wrote one myself. LOLZ.
I grew up on Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and then later Narnia and it still to this day upsets me that everyone had to come back to this world!
WELL. This post got a bit rantier than I meant it to. Oops. Ahem. But these are my fictional needs, guys! Things that have bugged me for AAAGES. (It was all bound to explode out of me eventually.) I guess I need to take a page from my 10-year-old self and write stories like this myself, yeah?
As the saying goes, “Write the story you want to read.”
TALK WITH ME!
What are some things you wish there were more (or less) of in fiction? Do you agree with any of mine? Or completely disagree? I looove discussing this, so share away!
That portal fantasy thing bugs me too! I'm actually working on a portal fantasy series where the main character's dad is from the fantasy world, her mom is from our world, and their whole family lives in both worlds and that's just their normal life. It's really fun.
Really??? EEP. That makes me feel better! It seems like everyone thinks the protagonist HAS to return to this world at the end and just…??? I don't see why!
Oh my goodness, I am in LOOOOOOOVE with that idea! That sounds so FUN! That's the dream right there, the best of both worlds. Literally. ;D
@Tricia Mingerink – That does sound fun!!!
You made my laugh so hard with this post.
I TOTALLY AGREE! What's with all these cliches?!
That whole get together, break up, get together scheme is used in SOOOOO many movies. (Especially Hallmark.)
I almost cried when Wendy left Peter Pan. I was like NOOOOOO! And then I thought, "PETER! You should have gone back with her!!! You didn't have to grow upppppp!!!!!!!!!!"
WAHHHHHH!
LOL. That make me happy!
I KNOW RIGHT??? I mean, some cliches I actually like, to be honest. Buuuut some just need to stop. XD
UGH UGH UGGGHHHHHH. IT'S SO BAD. And you're right, Hallmark is the worst. They really need to get more original with their movies.
SAAAAME. Well, actually I DID cry. It's just so saaaad! I get Wendy needed to grow up, and Peter is such a part of Neverland that it would be sad if he left. But but but but whyyyyy???? *SOBS*
LOLZ.
Yeah. They're using that one waaaayyyyyyyy too much.
*sobs uncontrollably* WHHHHHYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!?! If Peter Pan offered to take me on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Neverland, I would totally say YES, but I get Wendy's decision. I wouldn't want to leave my family behind either. I would have to go back and forth from home to Neverland periodically. xD See?! They could've worked something out!
RIGHT??? Although in the book, Wendy did go back to Neverland a few times for spring cleaning. Lol! But she did eventually grow up and just… *SOBS*
Yessss!!!!!!
True, but when she got MARRIED, Peter CRIED!!!!! That just about killed me.
IT WAS SO SAD UUGGGHHH!!!
:'( At least Wendy's granddaughters went and did spring cleaning with him, too. 🙂
Um, question, have you watched Pan, the newest Peter Pan movie? If so, what do you think of it?
Very true. *sniff, sniff*
I have watched it and…EH. Not a fan. It completely botched up his backstory and just did NOT feel like the Neverland I know and love. It was a pretty interesting movie on its own. But as a Peter Pan story? MEH. It kind of upset me.
What did you think?
*sniffles*
Hmm… I have mixed feelings for it. It's SOOOO different from the actual Peter Pan story. O-O On its own, I like it a lot, but I didn't like just HOW MUCH they changed it. It was crazy. You could probably call it a Peter Pan retelling, but it doesn't really fit the overall Peter Pan mold. lol.
The 2003 Peter Pan movie was just like the book until the second half. *claps*
That's PRECISELY how I feel! You summed it up better than I did. It's a really cool movie just by itself. But calling it a Peter Pan story was a little insulting.
THE 2003 PETER PAN. THAT'S LIKE MY FAVORITEST MOVIE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. I honest to goodness love it just as much as the book! Maybe…maybe even MORE. O____O
LOL! Just a little. xD
I LOVE IT, TOO!!!!! Definitely the best Peter Pan movie, in my opinion! O-O I like the book a teensy bit better, but the movie is still AMAZING.
A MILLION TIMES YES to the ridiculous fluff that is Christian fiction. It is LAME, it's unrealistic, and it DOES NOT teach people anything truly valuable about the life and message of Jesus. And the characters who never do anything wrong just make me want to throw the book at the wall. We totally NEED Christian fiction that tackles all kinds of serious issues — including believers sinning — without shying away from the tough topics!
YES! Tbh, I actually avoid Christian fiction. I've always found it lame, and preachy, and ugh. If only there were actually /interesting/ Christian YA books.. ._.
Yep, yep, yep. My thoughts exactly. It's almost insulting. Like…being a Christian does NOT mean life is fluffy and we're all perfect. And it's ridiculous to portray it that way. The secular authors are really honing in on the tough topics these days. So why aren't we as Christians? It's just sad.
@Jeanne – I don't blame you. I still dabble in it quite a bit, but I just hate how limited it is. There are so few GOOD Christian books or movies and things. This needs to change!
A really, really good Christian (historical) fiction series is The Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. It takes place during the Roman Empire, when Christianity is just beginning to spread. It's definitely gritty and deals with sin issues that are still relevant today. But the Christian messages throughout are beautiful and inspiring! You will love the protagonist. 🙂
There are some mature themes in the series (I mean, you're dealing with the Roman Empire…), so I'm holding off on reading them for now, but my mom can't stop turning the pages! She loves it. 🙂
Anyway, I would recommend checking those out. There's a lot of action and suspense in the series as well, so don't worry about it ever being boring! 😉
~Lizzy
I've heard of that series! I have seen people say Francine Rivers writes some really dark, meaningful stuff, which I think is great. I definitely need to try her novels sometime. Thanks for the recommendation, Lizzy!
I don't like books that tear my heart out. *hides* I don't know if I can write emotional or not when it's not "my thing" and this worries me because ALL anyone ever talks about these days (besides show-don't-tell) is making sure the characters/readers have emotions and I'm like… halp. *facepalm* Give me ALL the funny stories, yes! 😀
I so agree about the chosen ones getting whiny about it. XD BECAUSE IT /IS/ COOL! But I think it's one of the three-act-plot-structure "rules" or something that the MC has a call to action and refuses it, and THEN something huge happens that makes them have to. 😛 (But yes, let's have them excited about their super abilities!)
You and Lody need to start a campaign for gritty Christian message books. XD
I'm totally up for some more obscure retellings of fairytales/myths/etc.!! 😀 YES.
Oh my word, don't get me STARTED on the breaking-up-in-the-sequel-thing. I'M SO TIRED OF IT TOOO. ACK. Everything you said. YES. Give me couples staying together in the sequels!! I NEED DIS. *thumbs up* Hiccup and Astrid in the sequel are MY ABSOLUTE FAVE THING. <3
Yesss, the consequences thing is also something that needs to happen more. -_-
The world hopping thing is a big YES for me as well! Even better, why not have them able to hop back and forth between worlds without having to stay in just one? XD *cue The Other Half of Everything which I need to work on more* (OH MY GOODNESS. That Ten gif!!! XDDDD I'M DYING OF LAUGHTER. SO PERFECT. XD) And I love that your first story was like that. YAY.
Anyway, excelling and super-fun post! Thanks for sharing these! YES, we need a lot more of this kind of thing in fiction. 😀 Guess we'd better get out there and write the things we want to read, just like Lewis and Tolkien and the rest… 😉
*excellent, not excelling. -_- I mean, I guess it's excelling at being awesome… so… we'll just go with that. *cough*
THAT'S OKAY!!! There are still pleeeeenty of people who just want a lighthearted, humorous story. We NEED that. I wasn't saying ALL books should be filled with emotion. Really, I was more saying the really dark books need some humor to lighten them up. But we're all DIFFERENT and that's good! Having all the books in the world be the same would be awful. Although your books have tooootally hit me in the feels, but they also give me alllll the happy feels, which I love. Keep writing what you want to write, that's important! <3
Huh. I didn't think about that being part of the three act structure. BUT STILL. It'd be so fun to see them actually pumped about their new abilities!
LOLZ. We do. XD
ALL THE RETELLINGS!!!
YES PLEEEEASE. It just get so tiring. Uggghhhh.
It really does. I'm so sick of these immoral protagonists. *siiiigh*
I knew you'd agree with me on that one. XD But YESSS. That's even better when they don't have to even choose one world or the other. They just get both! AND I LOVE THAT OHE IS THAT WAY EEEEEEE!!!!!
D'awwww! So happy you found it fun! And you're right. I guess it's better to DO something about it than just whine about it. Hehe. *holds up laptop and charges*
(LOL. Excelling works. XD)
The gritty Christian fiction thing. Is so. True. I read Out of Time and the Blades of Acktar series recently, and my goodness, it's the stories I've never realized I needed. It's like Christian authors are afraid to get in the down and dirty and show the reality of life. Because it's not easy! Christianity does not make you "inright, outright, upright, downright happy all the time" (sorry, song I seriously hate….) IT'S MESSY. IT'S PAINFUL. And I love the fiction that is willing to admit that.
So I write that! I try so hard to stick to writing gritty but hopeful fiction. My hope is that my readers will always see the light in the darkness through my stories. Evil is big, yeah, but GOOD WILL PREVAIL. So much as I love me a good antihero…I need the good vs. evil trope more. Please and thank you. I wish there were more books like that.
My goodness, that was quite the rant, wasn't it? XD I'll be a little lighter now….
The couples that could just be happy and stick together sounds AMAZING. I try really hard to do that….except my OTP doesn't actually get together in my current series until the end of book 3 and book 4 is messy for other reasons….XD :'(
And the portal fantasy thing. My goodness, yes please. Give me ALLLLL the earthlings who decide to stay in their fantasy worlds. PLEASE. <3
Awesome post! You have inspired me to do my own similar one at some point XD We'll see how long it takes me to get around to that…..
EVERYTHING YOU SAID!!! I NEED to read the Blades of Acktar book. Just…why have I not done this yet???? It is sooo ridiculous when people portray the Christian life as fluffy and perfect. That is NOT the way it is at all. It is HARD. But the point is, amidst the pain and heartache, we have eternal hope. And THAT is how we should be portraying the Christian walk.
It makes me soooo happy that that is what you write! And yes, I think it's very important to show evil vs. good. We need more writers like you! Keep doing what you're doing. <3
(Lol. You may rant all you like. I'll rant right alongside you. ;D)
I think it is PERFECTLY fine if the couples breakup or whatever due to tragic reason. I was more referring to when they breakup for the most petty things IN THE WORLD. Like the writer wanted them apart and couldn't think of a good reason to do it. UGH. It's so annoying. But yeah, if there's a very logical reason WHY they're not together, THAT IS FINE. I just get tired of lazy storytelling. >.>
YES! I'm so glad I'n not alone in this. I just need my bbys to stay in their precious fantasy worlds. *sniff, sniff*
Thank you!!! And EEP. YOU SHOOOUUUULLLD. I'd looove to see what all you want to see more of in fiction! 😀
Read Blades of Acktar! Best Christian series ever! I seriously loved all of the books. So go read them!
I REALLY MUST! THEY SOUND SO GOOD.
THEY SO WONDERFUL!!!!!
YES YES YES TO ALL OF THIS!!!
AND HICCSTRID!!!!!!!!
BUT YES!!!
I hope to accomplish all of the above with my writing. THIS IS AN EPIC POST!!!
(I'm a big HTTYD fan, so whenever there's a gif included of toothless or hiccstrid, I'm convinced. XD LOL, jk, this post is so true. Thank you for saying what we were all thinking. <3)
~Ivie
Ivie Writes
Ivie Brooks, Author
*GRINS* Your comment is making me smile so big! And HICCSTRID. YESSSSH. They are so precious. And…erm…let's pretend I DIDN'T watch that gif over and over and over. *COUGH* (BUT THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS. <3333)
Amen to wanting Christian books that are not fluffy or in-your-face preachy. Also, the Out of Time series has been on my to-read list for … well, perhaps too long. 🙂
Great list!
Serena | poetree
http://www.serenaedits.com
Huzzah! It's always refreshing finding others who see this problem too. We so need grittier Christian stories!
OOOOH. IT'S SO GOOD. I think you're gonna love it!
Thanks so much! ^_^
*smiles* I thinnnnk I’ve got the Humor + Emotion and obscuring fairy tale retellings, couples who stay happy through book 2, immoral behavior having consequences. I think I’ve got those more-or-less down.
And I hope to make you a believer in my upcoming novel about portal hoppers returning to our world and everything being okay. XD *crosses fingers* #peterpan
I personally don’t like too much gritty. But that aside, I feel that some Christians can use the phrase *being real* as an excuse to write smut. Yes, the Christian life isn’t perfect or painless – absolutely!! But I don't think when Christian authors wallow in endless details that it is very edifying for the readers or glorifying. If we want it to hit home, to strike a chord in the human heart, it should always focus more on God than the sin or the sinner – THAT will make a story worth grappling with!
I LOOOOVE your point about teenagers liking their new superpowers – hahaha – that is perfect and so true!! *makes mental note*
YOU ARE AWESOME, GIRL! I just love your style so very much! ^_^
Ooooh, now I'm SUPER curious about this story. If anyone can make me a believer, it's totally you! I have faith in you!
There is nothing wrong with not liking gritty. I'm definitely not saying ALL stories need to be dark and gritty. We need lighthearted tales as well! I just wish not ALL Christian fiction is fluffy. And you make such a good point. I'm not comfortable with a lot of details about immoral behavior. I'm okay with it if it's in the book and portrayed as being wrong, but I'm NOT okay when it's told in excruciating detail. So yep, totally get you there. You said it perfectly–focus more on God than the sin or sinner. YES! ^_^
*BEAMS* It's kind of a running joke between my brother and me. We're so ready for stories like that! 😀
Oops! I sounded like I was bragging. *head desks* I meant it more like: *adjusting glasses, while taking notes on this excellent blogpost and muttering* “I’m better at this—check. Need to work on this—notation!” I love making lists, and this post is so list worthy!
Haha – awww, thank you. You’re so sweet. <3 It’s really more a personal challenge to myself! I usually despise those portal stories where the person doesn’t stay in the fun alternate world – so I’m going to try to write one where they return to our world that I am happy with. XD I love taking unpopular things (like love triangles or Wendy returning to London) and trying to fix it or make it understandable. I guess that’s why I love fairy tale retellings – there’s so much room to EXPLAIN things. LOL!
I get you completely! It’s like Christian fiction is either fluffy and without any substance whatsoever and the other is too detailed and more smutty than glorifying. Life ISN’T an endless picnic, but even in the darkness and the sin – it should always be more about God. It’s a balancing act – but it’s definitely one that needs to be more vigorously explored – as you said!
It was BRILLIANT and SO TRUE. *laughs out loud* I can’t believe more people (including myself) haven’t realized that. *applauds*
Such a good post, Christine. Oh, and one thing I’d like to see more of in fiction? Loving relationships that have nothing to do with romance!
No, no, noooo! I didn't take it as bragging AT ALL. I totally got where you were coming from. I was just saying you seriously write the type of stories I LOVE. The Reluctant Godfather is one of my favorites EVER, and all your other stories sound so delightful!
Oh my goodness, I TOTALLY get that personal challenge thing! I actually low key do that myself. Although I tend to more see problems in stories and then try to do the complete opposite to FIX THEM. Lol. But I also like trying to make something that's hated actually likable. YES. It's so much fun! OH OH. And did you say this story was a Peter Pan retelling? Because AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED DIS.
Exactly! It goes too far one way or the other. What I want is darker books with the hope of God always there, always leading the characters, always adding a touch of light to the devastation. Because no matter how bad things are, we always have God. ^_^
Hehehe. Thanks! XD
EEP. Your comments always make me smile!
OH YES. I…I honestly can't believe I didn't put that in my list. o.o Although I think I've talked about it in other posts before, so that's probably why. But YESSSS. Why are the ONLY relationships we get in fiction romantic? Just STAHP. There are so many other amazing types of love out there!
I love this post! Yes!!! I agree with everything! Marvel does get everything right, I laugh and I cry.
I've always thought those chosen teens were stupid, who complains about stuff like that. Yes to gritty, Christain stories. There is such a need for stories like that, I need them!
Kill the couple drama, it drives me nuts.
I always thought if I found a fantasy land, I would happily live there without a single regret. Like I couldn't understand when Martha just left the Doctor. Excuse me, are you insane!!!
I think that's why I always liked Howl, he found another world and just moved there, but still dropped back in every now and then.
Fantastic Post!
D'awww, thanks! ^_^ Marvel is like my biggest source to study good storytelling. They're so the best!
You too??? That's so great I'm not the only one! OF COURSE a teenager who just got magical powers would be excited!
There is! It makes me sad how little real, gritty Christian stories we get.
YES PLEASE. Ugh. I'm so tired of it.
SAAAAME!!!!! Then again, I might start missing indoor plumbing and microwaves. XD BUT STILL. Oh man, I thought Martha was crazy. I love her but…how could she just leave????
Oh my goodness, you make such a good point! :O Because I needed even more reasons to love Howl. XD BUT YES. He's basically living our dream!
That Hiccup and Astrid kiss GIF though!! *watches it for like 9173719731 hours nonstop*
Right??? XD I maaaay keep watching it over and over myself. THEY'RE JUST TOO PRECIOUS!
Loved this post!
Yes.. the portal fantasy thing drives me crazy. I like Deborah's solution… the ability to go back and forth forever would be the perfect ending. Why do the characters always have to choose? I'm always like, "You got there once… why can't you go back?" Ahem. I mean, if you're going to have portal fantasy, then you can totally throw in a magical something that allows for constant travel back and forth.
Have you read the "Magic Kingdom of Landover" books by Terry Brooks? That's a portal fantasy where the MC stays in the fantasy world (but does have the ability to travel back and forth a bit throughout the series). It's awesome, and hilarious.
YES to everything you said about romantic-relationships!!!! Sheesh. (Side-note, my characters who have romantic relationships stay together through the end of the series and they are awesome and there's plenty of drama without them getting angsty at each other every 3 seconds, so there, Hollywood!) White Collar is another show that does this well with Peter and Elizabeth (I loves them!)
I love humor in stories. I'm not a huge fan of gritty/edgy stories (I actually hated the Hunger Games rather a lot *ducks* mostly because I thought books 2 and 3 were recycled versions of book 1, and because she was inconsistent about her "message" in book 1, and because she wrote a story with TONS of potential for some really awesome themes and she wasted ALL of them… I don't have any opinions on the matter, obviously!) but I do agree that PERFECT characters who never struggle with anything get boring real fast, too. I don't like "tragic flaws" either, though… so… there's a balance I'm kind of picky about. LOL
Give me all the retellings, too! I don't even care if I've read a billion versions of Cinderella, I'll take one more. But YES, the more obscure ones are even more exciting! *needs to work on my own fairy tale series…. sigh, there's never enough time to get everything done*
And I do think that a larger percentage of teens would be excited to find out they are "the chosen one" or have super powers than are represented in YA fiction. So that totally needs to be a new thing. I think that was the thing I loved most about the new Peter Parker/Spiderman (and it's kind of always been something I loved about Spiderman in general… he's not angsty or broody about his powers, he's like "score! I've got super cool abilities!" The Flash is also kind of like that).
Thank you! Your whole comment is making me smile.
Deb's solution is perfect! Let's not have to CHOOSE, let's just party in both worlds! 😀 And you make a wonderful point in that why can they go and come once and never again? There must be a better way!
I have not! I've been meaning to try some Terry Brooks book for aaaages, and still haven't. #SHAMEFUL But that just sounds delightful all around! 😀
GO, JENELLE! That is the best! It's so, soooo rare we have a couple who actually STAYS together, and it's just depressing. I'm so happy you did that! And oh man, I've been wanting to try White Collar for aaages. Now I have even more reason to try it!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with not liking gritty stories! I'm not saying ALL stories need to be dark. Ugh. That'd be awful. I just wish there were SOME gritty Christian stories. (Lol! I loved hearing your opinions on THG. They were definitely not perfect by any stretch of the imagination! But I still really enjoyed them.) Balance is key! And it's good to be picky. Pickiness is what makes us strive to get everything right and make good, wholesome stories! ^_^
YES. ALL OF 'EM! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. I just NEVER get tired of retellings, whether they're from obscure stories or yet another Cinderella story.
Right? I get really annoyed when they instantly whine about it. That makes zero sense! I get whining after you've been on the adventure for a while and having a hard time. But come on! Everyone wants superpowers of some kind. And YESSSS. That's one of the reasons I love Spider-man as well! He's just…a kid. So real and full of life. He is precious! <3
Yessss, why do they need to choose? 😛 Go back and forth forevaaah.
Oh, yes, Peter and Elizabeth–they such a cute married couple! ^_^ (Lauri, it's REALLY fun show! I've only seen a season, but heists and FBI and snarky buddy characters. :D)
I… apparently… need to see the new Spiderman movie. *shifty eyes*
Precisely!
YES. I MUST WATCH IT. I'll definitely get to it…eventually. My TV show list is getting ridiculous. XD
YOU DOOOOO! IT'S SO GOOD. My favorite Spider-man to date!
AHHHH so much yes for this post!!! I definitely hear you about the Christian fiction being "perfect" and the secular fiction being "gritty" (if that's even the right word) thing–sometimes there just must be compromises, and there is an intermediate gray area, but so often it's just black and white. (Also, I've heard SO. MANY. GOOD. THINGS. about A Time to Die, and I REALLY just have to buy them!!)
*beams* Thanks, Hanne! ^_^
It's so good knowing others share this belief that we need a balance and compromise with fiction! Christian fiction swings too far toward the fluffy side, and secular is too far in the gritty side. Why can't we have a good mix of both?
YOU NEED TO READ IIIITTTT!!! They're such good books! (Just get ready for the FEELS. Meep.)
YES! Can we have more retellings?
Jessica George Day wrote an interesting retelling called Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow as a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
And my current WIP is a retelling of The Starfish…
Oh and while we're at it, can we have more…I don't know…good female friendships?
PLEASE AND THANK YOU! OOOOH. I've been meaning to read that book for YEARS. I've really enjoyed other Jessica Day George books I've read. That one looks so appealing!
HOW FUN! Huzzah for obscure stories! 😀
That would be great, YES. It is very rare, which is just SAD. Female friendships are beautiful things. I don't see why they're not often in fiction.
YESSS female friendships! (Other than ones between an old cat lady and her cats. . . cough (though that's fun too)) This is something I have a hard time writing, because I haven't got a whole lot of girl friends? But I *love* reading stories where girls are working together and having inside jokes and guarding each other's backs.
https://ofdreamsandswords.wordpress.com
They're so wonderful! I was sad I didn't really have room for friendships in Burning Thorns, because I LOVE writing friendships. I have quite a few in my other stories and it's such a joy!
This post. It speaks to me. Sometimes things are stereotypes for a reason…but sometimes they just need to go.
I'm still discovering fairy-tale retellings, and I think I've read…four? I loved every single one, but I'm not desperate for "the obscure ones" yet. Still reading the popular fairy-tales. 🙂
But A Time to Die is on my iPad, just waiting to be read. Since May is my birthday month (and I will have finished Camp NaNo), I'm celebrating by trying to read as many fiction titles in that month as I can. And ATtD is definitely going to be read during that!
So, there IS the get-together-and-break-up-then-back in the Books of Bayern, but I actually read the /last/ book FIRST, and kinda knew they got married in the end, lol. So that was interesting….
What I find funny though, is that when everyone stays in Inkworld, at the end of the Inkheart Trilogy, I was actually disappointed. Not sure why, but I felt kind of sad. "You mean, you want to stay there, and not come back to wonderful earth?" I mean, I probably would have done the same thing, but for some reason it made me sad.
*grins* That makes me happy! And I 100% agree. I actually quite like a LOT of cliches. But some? Ugh. Can we not please?
Yay for retellings! That is perfectly all right. I like your plan of focusing on the popular ones first. More obscure ones can wait! ^_^
OOOOH. Exciting! 😀 That sounds absolutely perfect! I haven't had much time for reading lately and it's made me sad. I hope your enjoy ATtD!
I've only ever read The Goose Girl, I haven't read the other Bayern stories yet. But I want to! That's funny you knew the outcome of the couple. I can imagine it did make things interesting. XD
I never read all of the Inkworld books either. I just couldn't get into them. That's really interesting they stayed in the Inkworld. Huh! Now I'm wanting to read them all and see how I feel about that!
Oh my goodness! There is sooooo much I want to talk about with you now! I love this post by the way. Humor & Emotion: Isn't Guardians of the Galaxy 2 absolutely the best! I think I've got emotion down in my books but still figuring out how to do the whole humor thing. Sometimes it sneaks in there. . .Chosen ones excited about it: Yeah, realism is a big one for me. While my epic fantasy story protag isn't excited about being forced on a quest she is intrigued and excited about learning about her powers. Gritty Stories w/Christian messages: If you want gritty, that's the story I just wrote, and I hope the message I portrayed comes across well. Just think the book of Lamentations. Obscure fairy tale retellings: Myths and Legends Podcast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check it out. Couple who. . .: Yes, I totally agree! Although I tend to think the opposite way, if the couple break up why don't they move on and find someone who will love them and marry that person instead. But then once they've found the right person sticking with them is totally the way to go. Immoral Behavior having consequences: Yes. Absolutely, yes. Think Lamentations again! In fact I want to write a 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th commandment mystery (instead of a murder mystery) to make that very point. Portal worlds: I can't wait to read yours!!!!!!! So much more to say but another time.
*grins* I love your whole comment!
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 was GOLD. I honestly loved both of the GotG movies equally. I laughed so much and yet STILL cried. UGH. Such great stories!
Realism is so important! And you sound like you balanced it perfectly! Because yeah, going on death-defying journeys isn't exactly a good time. But having new abilities is! 😀
Ooooh, your stories sound just up my alley! So you based it off the book of Lamentations? Wow! What a neat idea!
Myths and Legends Podcast? I don't think I've ever heard of that. :O I NEED THIS!!!
YES. I totally get that about the couples. Like…if all you do is fight over the dumbest things, are you REALLY meant for each other? It's so annoying.
Oooh, I just love your ideas for books. That sounds amazing! The world needs stories like this!
"Marvel does everything right, okay?" YESSSS. Marvel is basically the standard for anything superhero. 😀 This is a really great post, too! I especially agree on the "superheroes/chosen ones who are excited about it" one! I would probably freak out at first if I got a superpower (or was a chosen one or taken to another world), but I would also be super excited. That's something that's missing in a lot of stories, I think.
MARVEL IS SO AMAZING UGH.
Awww, thanks! And yes! It'd be amazing to get some new abilities. Though it would be a little scary BUT STILL. It's really annoying when all the protagonist does it whine about it. Lol.
*Reads entire post*
*Agrees with entire post*
*Realizes I really need to read the Out Of Time series*
*Also realizes how much I love Marvel*
Awesome post, Christine! And now I'm going to go occupy my mind with something else before I start hyperventilating about Infinity War again… 😉
~Lizzy
Lol! You're the best, Lizzy. XD I'm so happy you enjoyed the post! And YES, you totally need to read the Out of Time series. IT'S SO GOOD.
OH MAN INFINITY WAR AGH. We're so close and just AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!
Great post! I agree with just about everything!
Have you read the Inkheart series? It is secular, but pretty clean. They got the whole portal fantasy/staying in the fantasy world thing down. And all three books revolve heavily around books, since the main character's father is a bookbinder with a voice which literally brings the story to life.
In my portal fantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling that I still haven't finished, I've been throwing around the idea of my beauty staying in the fantasy world. Especially since that's where her beast lives…
I also appreciate humor with emotion in books. I would say I'm definitely a humor writer. 🙂
Awww! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
I read half of the first Inkheart book yeeeeears ago. But it had to go to the library before I finished it, and I wasn't getting too terribly into it, so I never bothered reading the rest. But I really want to give it another try! It has ALL the elements I love!
You're writing a portal fantasy B&B story??? :O I LOVE THIS!!! My vote would totally be to let her stay in the fantasy world. *GRINS* But, really, the story will tell you what it needs. Writing is magical like that. I know you'll figure it out. ^_^
I love humor writers! There's nothing like getting a good chuckle while reading. It's the best!
Good gracious, everything you said is something I want! Especially. . . well, all of them. I can't pick a favourite.
But it's so disappointing when people write flat, shallow, meaningless "Christian Fiction" which fits its name about as well as the Holy Roman Empire did its own, when we have such a long history of good writing — why on earth are we not trying to live up to that legacy? Dante hardly shrank from portraying sin exactly as it is before God in the Inferno, but no one can say, looking at the theme of redemption being foremost in two-thirds of the whole story (Purgatorio and Paradiso) he wasn't writing a Christian story.
I don't know whether to growl or cry (I usually growl) when Christians say they don't read Tolkien. On Fairy Stories! MYTHOPOEIA!!! There is *no way* that man did not write from a Christian view of things. And those are only /two/ examples of the thousands out there. Beowulf comes from a Christian worldview (I'm prepared to argue this) and it's got monsters and a dragon and the authour and original audience clearly believed in magic — but the good is rightly defined as good, and wins in the end. I might mention the ubiquitous Lewis for a more recent example. This can be done, and you don't have to have advanced degrees, or be a pastor, in order to have the knowledge and discernment you need to write this kind of story. Read the great books, and for the sake of all good art, stop being /afraid/.
Everything else you said was spot on too :).
https://ofdreamsandswords.wordpress.com
*grins* Yes! I love how we're on the same page of so many things!
I love your rants so much. This is all golden! You're completely right. It's INSULTING when people write meaningless Christian fiction. As if that's really how the Christian life is. I don't know why people are too scared to get down in there and write some POWERFUL Christian books, you know?
Uggghhh. YES. I've known a lot of Christians that have avoided Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and just???? NO. No, no, no. I FIRMLY believe that God blessed their works and wanted their stories out there. They're so beautiful and powerful and influential. And I LOVE how you said you don't have to have a degree or anything. You don't go to seminary school to be a Christian and understand Christian worldviews. You read the Bible and grow in God. And yes, read good books by the others before you. As Christian, we really, really need to do better.
Thanks so much, Sophia. You're the best! <3
Just popping in to say I really agree with you, Sophia, on Lewis and Tolkien. Magic doesn't push Christian principles out of the picture! And Beowulf? That book was borderline preachy–do people say it's not Christian??
CHRISTINE. YOU NAILED IT. ALL. THE. WAY.
HUMOR + EMOTION. ummm yes, come on. WE NEED MORE HUMOR. It just … has this way of making a dark and gritty book so much … lighter? I believe that you can respond to hard time in two ways – crying or laughing. So the reason we have WHINING HEROINES is because they can't laugh. They have no sense of humor. Have you read Westmark by Lloyd Alexander. He has this amazing tongue in cheek humor and such such witty sassy sarcastic ironic writing style. So good that my mom was crying of laughter at the first sentence in the last book of the trilogy. (that's my mom's favorite fictional trilogy. WHICH MEANS THE SERIES IS AWESOME, k?)
And emotion. YES PLEASE I WANT TO CRY MY EYES OR FROM A BROKEN HEART AND FROM HAPPINESS.
SUPERHEROES/CHOSEN ONES WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. I mean, wouldn't you be EXCITED if they told you YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE??? In fact, in my current superhero novel – my superhero is really excited about being a superhero. She believes in justice and fighting crime and intends to become a cop by day and a hero by night. And her best friend aka her nemesis can't understand it. lol.
GRITTY STORIES WITH STRONG CHRISTIAN MESSAGES. The world needs more of this. "realism" + "hope". The Out of Time series really shocked me with it's gritty-ness, actually? Like *spoiler* Parvin's hand getting chopped off *spoiler over* I EXPECTED NADINE TO SAVE HER CHARACTER THE TRAUMA. Umm, nope. I really appreciate that. It's not fair that main characters come through unscathed XD
OBSCURE FAIRYTALE RETELLINGS. yes please. I'm thinking I ought to start doing obscure fairy tale retelling short stories bc I have two volumes of fairy tales sitting on my shelf XDD
COUPLES WHO STAY HAPPY COUPLES THROUGH THE SEQUEL. I know, this would really really relieve so. much. stress. I fully intend to do this in one of my novels lol AND YES HICSTRID FOR THE WIN. I adore those two.
IMMORAL BEHAVIOR HAVING CONSEQUENCES. this really needs to be out there. I mean, I recently read a book in which some pretty stupid questionable decisions were made to look like BRAVE. DARING. COMING OUT OF YOUR BOX. Just … there are better ways to do that.
WORLD HOPPERS GET TO STAY IN THE FANTASY WORLD. THIS IS WHERE NARNIA SURPRISED ME. THEY GOT TO STAY THERE FOR YEARS AS KINGS AND QUEENS. YAY!!!
Aaaahhhhh, girl! Your comment! 😀
Riiiight??? You said it exactly. It adds such a nice flair to an otherwise dark book. I LIKE dark books, but if they're depressing on eeeevery page it just gets tiring. I think the darkness needs to be broken up with some lighthearted humor.
I have not read the Westmark series…YET. It's been highly recommended to me and I desperately want to read it. I need to find all the books somewhere. It sounds so delightful!
EXACTLY. BRING ON ALL THE TEARS.
I'd be so very excited! Who doesn't hope some mentor guy will appear out of the blue and say you're the chosen one and have special gifts. I mean, come on! It's the dream. Oh my goodness, your novel sounds AH-MAY-ZING! The best friend is also the nemesis??? :O EPICCCC. I LOVE IT!
Realism + hope. YESSS. You literally summed it up in two words! That's exactly what we need. Oh man, the Out of Time series shocked me. But in a good way! It was very inspiring, because sometimes I think I'm too easy on my characters, and it showed me we shouldn't always be. It makes it a MUCH more powerful message when the characters go through a hard time. I'm really proud of Nadine Brandes and her stories! (Even if they broke my heart into a thousand pieces. XD)
:O :O :O YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO FAIRYTALE SHORT STORIES. That'd be amaziiiiing!
Gracious yes. So much stress! I just get TIRED of that type of storyline. There are other plot devices besides tragic romance, people! Hiccstrid is just inspiring! <3
Uuuugh. That's really annoying. I don't get why this always happens. Do NO authors realize that doing bad, stupid things ends up with bad, stupid consequences??? *siiigh*
THAT'S TRUE!!! I was REALLY sad when they did eventually go back, but at least they got a bunch of time there and were literally kings and queens. It was amazing!
Yes! Portal fantasy book where they get to stay in the world! Especially if their love interest happens to be in there….. I love that about the Wizard of Oz series (yes there is a series) Dorothy, after hopping back and forth for a while, gets her uncle and aunt to live in Oz and she gets to stay there forever! It's the greatest.
We should definitely be more realistic when it comes to romances. Most people do not break up twenty times over. And real, mature people do not break up over one secret. Honestly, if we are expecting these characters to be wise enough to save the world, can't they be wise enough to navigate a relationship?
Anywho, great post! I agree with all the things!
When the love interest is there and they STILL have to leave, I get so, so, so angry! I did not realize Dorothy got to stay in Oz later in the series! :O SO FUN. I really need to read all of those.
"Honestly, if we are expecting these characters to be wise enough to save the world, can't they be wise enough to navigate a relationship?" <—THIS! I should have gotten you to write this post. You summed it up PERFECTLY. It's so ridiculous that they breakup over the most petty things, and then KEEP DOING IT. Like…maybe they're NOT meant for each other if they can't even be mature enough to get past little tiffs???
Thanks so much! ^_^
Um, yeah, I couldn't agree more. On like every single point. Especially happy couples, humor, consequences, and gritty Christian stories.
… so yeah, like every single point. Are you a brain sucker or something? I nominate you for book president.
**prances off to watch How to Train Your Dragon 2*
Oh my goodness, Jamie, you are the best! I'm grinning so hard over here. And it makes me happy to know other people want this stuff too.
EEP. Thanks so much, girl! <3
Excellent post!
A chosen one who is excited about his or her role would be much more fun to read about…especially when paired with a grumpy mentor.
I also agree that it would better to see characters having to face consequences for wrong decisions. It's a good way to have tension and character growth, I think. Kind of ties in with your point on gritty christian fiction, too.
Thanks, Blue! ^_^
Wouldn't it though? And oh my goodness, YOU'RE RIGHT. That could make some really hilarious scenes with the over-enthusiastic hero and grumpy mentor. I love this!
That is such a good point that making characters face consequences can really help with the Christian fiction market as well! Now you've got me thinking! You're awesome, Blue. ^_^
Oh goodness, this post is everything. XD I agree with EVERY. SINGLE. THING. on this list. Literally everything. I was recently reading a story that had a sort of 'chosen one' vibe, and pretty much the entire first half of the book was about how the main character was (whining and) trying to cope with suddenly having magical powers. I kind of just wanted to shake the poor girl until I could rattle some sense into her, to be honest. XD
And YES YES YES about the happy couples!!! This is something that has ALWAYS upset me. I hate it how they're supposedly 'in love', but every single thing about their relationship seems toxic. They fight, break up, get back together, LIE TO EACH OTHER?????? It makes no sense.
AND YES PLEASE!!! on the obscure fairytale retellings!! I LOVE fairytale retellings, so I am definitely on board the I need ALL the retellings!!! boat! XD
And I could basically go on for three million years about how much I loved and agree with this post, but I shall stop now before I spam your comments. (Although I'm trying to get caught up on blogs, so you'll probably see me in your comment sections quite a bit over the next few days. XD Sorry in advance!!! XD)
(p.s. I nearly laughed out loud at that Doctor Who GIF, which would have been very bad since I'm reading this in the middle of the night…. XD)
*GRINS* Thank you, Kenzie!
Ugh. That sounds extremely annoying. Why is this a normal thing? Why must our protagonists be so whiny? It's getting ridiculous. >.>
You said it perfectly. Their relationships DO seem toxic. They always keep secrets, won't just COMMUNICATE, and breakup over the smallest things. That is not how a relationship should be! No relationship is perfect, but come on!
YAY! *highfives fellow fairytale lover* Fairytales are the greatest and I want them all!!!
Lol! You're the best! And I will NEVER complain about Kenzie comments. You always make me smile! ^_^
(Hehehehe. It's one of my favorite gifs. XD)
Ugh I so agree with all of these, most notably the Chosen One being excited, and the obscure fairytale retellings.
*grins* It's so fun finding others who want these as well! We SO need excited Chosen Ones and obscure fairytale retellings!
Fascinating post! I wouldn't have thought of most of these, but they all sound interesting!
Except this, I guess. . . "It seems like Christians are afraid to get gritty. We produce fluff because anything else might not be “clean”". I HAVE thought of this one, and it bothers me! When Christian are intimidated by a topic and respond with silence, then the only voice out there is a secular one! Granted, I've also been really frustrated by books that weren't as clean as I thought, so I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite! But considering I'm only in highschool so far, iffy content has usually resulted in me not finishing a book, which is always sad.
Thank you! ^_^
"When Christian are intimidated by a topic and respond with silence, then the only voice out there is a secular one!" <–YESSSS! That's precisely what I'm trying to say. You summed it up in one sentence! Why are we letting secular authors tackle the tough subjects while we hide in our little safe holes? That's not what God called us to do. But I totally get ya. Sometimes books, even books labeled "Christian", can go too far. There's a fine line there, and I think it's really hard to know what's okay and what's not. I guess the best thing to do is pray and seek God's guidance for our stories.
Stories that can balance humor and emotion well impress me, because it's really hard to do that sometimes!
…I'm trying really hard to think of a story where someone discovered they had special powers and thought it was cool and it's difficult! Star-lord in GOTG2 (for a little while, anyway). Maybe Doctor Strange? Oh, and Diana in Wonder Woman (sort of).
But yeah. More people being excited about superpowers/being the Chosen One has so much story potential! *really wants to write this now*
Obscure fairy tales! Sure, many have the same roots and similar origins, but there are SO MANY elements that can be used to make a retelling unique. Tatterhood is one I've been planning a retelling of for years (still want to write it, but the timing hasn't worked out yet). I'd also love to see more stories like Rumpelstilskin or even Rapunzel in retellings (still more popular than most, but not so much in the retelling arena…)
Hiccup and Astrid. *heart eyes* (Did you see that they announced the new HTTYD movie's title?!)
I would love to see more stories where couples stay together through the rest of the series. Or even just stories with established couples facing things together. I love romantic tension as much as the next person, but I also love stories where a couple is already together and working together and growing. I read a book last year that did this SO well with some side characters. Writing an established couple has its own challenges, but it doesn't automatically mean the story is less interesting because of it!
It can be so, SO hard, yes! Sometimes I fear I have too much emotion and not nearly enough humor in my own books. So I, too, am in awe at those people who can capture it so well.
Right?? It rarely happens! But you're right! Those three did kind of like their abilities. I guess superheroes don't complain as much as fantasy chosen ones. XD
Tatterhood… I'm not sure I know which one that is. But just by the name I already like it! That'd be so fun if you wrote some obscure retellings! 😀 And I agree, you do see some Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel, but not nearly as much as others. I'd LOVE more retellings of both of those. Especially Rapunzel. So much potential there!
I DID SEE THAT AND AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!
Established couples facing things together! YES YES YES. So often, to add "conflict", the couples are on separate sides of things and it gets really frustrating. There is nothing wrong at all with having them WORK TOGETHER. I think it's beautiful!
A wonderful post again, Christine!
Marvel definitely balances the humor and emotion well – which is, I think, one of their keys to success. A moderated balance between happy and sad is in a lot of classic books, like Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, which makes them timeless :).
Powers…I wonder if the true problem is that the "gifted ones" get the power that they don't want (like they get fire instead of flying) and they don't like to show it. Or authors want to discourage people from wanting powers that they never will have…though I daresay, I would pick up any power that was offered unless it came from Satan….
I couldn't agree more with the gritty stories with Christian messages. The saints and the Apostles went through gritty stories of their own and won in the end – which I find super inspiring. Why not write more stories based on similar struggles??
My friend MK (who commented above) is doing an obscure fairy tale retelling, and I ran across Snow-White esque obscure fairy tales when working on SOI…makes me wonder what other undiscovered fairy tales lie around waiting to be discovered.
Peder and Miri from The Princess Academy books are a perfect example of #5! Which is why I liked that ship so much :). Even as Miri went through a lot of character development, he still remained devoted to her :).
#6 – YES. This is something that I'm fighting for now, in conjunction with my fellow Rebellious Writing buddies :).
I like Deborah's idea, but taking a hint from the Restorer and Narnia series, the time jumping may be disasteriously off. Portals are strange things. I'm seriously thinking of leaving my MC in my fantasy world in one of my WIPs – but she has some serious family issues that she should resolve in some way. How is the question…..
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
D'awww, thanks! ^_^
Marvel is just the master at storytelling!
Huh. I never thought about the fact that what can make a book a classic is balancing these elements. You're right! Something to think about. o.O
Hmmm… Very interesting thought! That's true that a lot of these "Chosen Ones" are receiving destructive powers they want nothing to do with. But yeah, most of us WANT powers of any kind. Lol.
"The saints and the Apostles went through gritty stories of their own and won in the end – which I find super inspiring." <—THIS! YES THANK YOU. Let's look at Paul who was beaten, stones, imprisoned, ship-wrecked, the list goes on, but he still stood for the Lord and it inspires me daily. THESE are the stories we should be telling!
SO FUN!!! Yes, there are just so very many awesome stories out there that need to be discovered! Disney does not have the authority over which fairytales we should and should not retell. ;D
Ooooh! I read the first Princess Academy book but never read the others. How precious they stayed a happy couple! ^_^
You guys are so amazing and I love what you do! <333
Well, that IS a point. Jumping from one place to another could be dangerous. I'd risk it though! Bwahaha!
Ooh, that's a tough one! I'd probably LOVE it if she stayed in the fantasy world, but that's true you don't want her just running away permanently from her problems. Is there a way she can connect with her family FROM the fantasy world, or they come there or…something? I don't know! I'm sure you'll figure it out. ^_^
> In pretty much all secular fiction, we have these heroes/heroines we look up to and yet…they live horrible lifestyles. … BUT, on the flipside, in most Christian fiction the characters neverrrr do anything wrong.
Girl. Yes. You are singing my song.
BTW, if you are up for a portal fantasy retelling featuring at least one character that is totally excited about his call to adventure, there's this book I wrote, and I don't want to be a total shameless self-promoter, so I won't promote it here. But if you want a review copy, shoot me an email and it'd be my pleasure to send you a review copy.
<3
*high-fives* It's so encouraging finding others who see this problem and want to fix it!
OOOH MAN. You are tempting me so very much! That sounds absolutely amazing. Right now I've been a little swamped and barely reading ANYTHING. It's awful. *sniff, sniff* And I may be taking a blogging break soon. But I will keep this in mind. THANK YOU FOR THE OFFER! I NEED to read more of your delightful stories. I loved The City Beyond the Glass so much! <3
These are all some really good points and I've felt them too! Like the sequel break up thing. UGHHHH STAHHHHHP. It's been done too many tiiiimes.
storitorigrace.blogspot.com
Thank you! ^_^
RIGHT??? It's so, so, SOOO annoying! Can't we just have some sweet, supportive couples to inspire us? It's so needed!
YESSSSS. I emphatically agree on all of these, but particularly about the whiny heroes. That drives me bananas. (And your synopsis of it made me laugh out loud.) XD This has actually inspired me to add an additional scene poking fun at the angsty chosen one concept in B&B5, so thank you. 😀 And I’ve got you covered on the obscure fairy tales.
*GRINS* Thanks!
Gracious, yes. It's getting old!
Oh my goodness, that is so great you want to put that in book 5! 😀 That sounds like such a B&B thing. I think it'll be hilarious!
Ooooh! I can't wait to see what all stories you choose to retell!
Marvel really does do everything right!! They are so good about mixing humor with emotion and IT'S JUST SO GOOD AGH. XD
And yes, I agree, we need more obscure fairytale retellings! That King Midas retelling of yours sounds SO EPIC. 😀
THEY DO! Ugh. I'm so obsessed with their movies. AND NOW INFINITY WAR IS OUT AND I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET BUT I WANT TO SO BAD AND AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!! Ahem. Not that I'm freaking out or anything…
We so do! And THANK YOU! That excites me that people would be interested in that! I'm highly considering writing it for NaNoWriMo this year, but I haven't decided yet. Of course, I shouldn't even be already thinking of NaNo here in April. I have a problem. XD
THIS IS SUCH A FUN TOPIC!
I absolutely agree–my most beloved reads/movies are those that combine humor and emotion in a healthy balance! Marvel *is* masterful at it, yes.
Okay, so here's where I confess that I actually read this post a loooong time ago and am just now commenting. Because I was going to tell you that your point about chosen ones/heroes who are actually excited about their role–I've been thinking about it so much since then! It's laughably true that almost 0% of YA protagonists are actually pumped about having powers or going to another world or whatever. Like–can I be you since you're not all that jazzed?! (Also our precious Spider-Man is PERFECT at being a realistic teen. <3)
Gritty stories! Ohhhh man, you summed up my thoughts so well. I've been wanting to write a whole post on that topic myself. That's largely the kind of stories I want to spend my life writing! (Along with some fluffy whimsical funny things, probably.) "A Time to Die" is the perfect example.
GIMME ALLLL THE FAIRYTALES. Even the really obscure ones I've never heard of! Actually… Just give me all the retellings, period. Like what if someone wrote a fantasy retelling of Sherlock Holmes? Or a steampunk Pride and Prejudice? The possibilities are endless!
Happy couples, YES. That reminds me of Billy & Bonnie and all the other couples from DIOM and OOF. <3
Re: consequences to immorality. PREACH IT.
Staying in the fantasy world! Oh my goodness, I have such mixed feelings no matter WHICH way those stories end. I think my preferred ending would be some way the characters could visit home and the fantasy world whenever they wanted? (It also breaks my heart that characters had to leave places like Narnia. *sniffles*)
Anyway, this was all fabulous and it's making me want to go write all the things! Now if only I could store that feeling in a bottle and pop it open *after* college is over. 😛
*GRINS* Thank you, Tracey!
I feel like we're starting to get a lot more of that combination and I'm not complaining one tiny bit. It kinda seems like Marvel is really helping make it popular, which is great!
Awww! That's so fun you've been thinking about that point. It's something I ponder a LOT. I would love to see a story one day where the chosen one trope is just flipped 100% on its head. So many fun possibilities!
I would LOVE a full post from you on gritty stories and that whole topic! I think it's really important. We need more stories like A Time to Die! I just love that you want to write those types of stories. And you DO! You are nooot nice to your characters. Eheheh. But your stories also hold so much hope. It's the perfect balance! Keep being amazing, girl! <3
YESSSS. Retellings don't have to be limited to fairytales. Let's retell ALL the things! And TRACEY. Now I reeeeally want a fantasy Sherlock and steampunk P&P! Like…that is brilliant! :O LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE. I think there is a fantasy P&P that came out not too long ago, but I can't for the life of me remember the title…
Awwww, yes! Billy and Bonnie and so many of the DIOM crew are the most precious of precious fictional couples. <333
Tehehehe. Right?
I feel ya! In reality, I guess it'd be pretty sad for a person to just completely abandon everyone they know in favor of another world. It's a complicated matter! But your solution is PERFECT. Let's just be able to hop back and forth between BOTH worlds. YES! 😀
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! But LOL. I feel you! The best inspiration just loves to come when we CAN'T write. >.>