Any Pagan fiction writers? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205 branflakes Any other Pagan NaNoers who write pagan fiction? Or non-pagan writers who write pagan fiction? I don't really write specifically pagan fiction, but I generally tend to tie in a lot of pagan and witchcraft-related themes in my writing, and sometimes incorporate a Pagan deity or two in some of my stories. I'm kind of tired of seeing "The Craft"-ish stories, and I'm not a big fan of teen witch stories, in general. I find it way overused in pagan/wiccan fiction. (Kinda annoying, for me, but whatever floats your boat, right?) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:43:13 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_17258 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_17258 Feytouched I`m one. I`ve been Pagan for a number of years now. I don`t write craft stories though I`m sure my religion influences my writing. I`m a Dark Fantasy writer, all the way. This year my novel has a great tagline... It's about a woman who can become a God, a man who can become Death and the Deity that wants them both dead! See my novel info later tomorrow for more details. :-) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:14:03 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_22940 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_22940 Fyreheart I'm a pagan and my beliefs do influence my writing. I usually write contemp/dark fantasy, with supernatural &amp; horror bits in there. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:18:55 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_23891 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_23891 Janet Tabares My project for NaNoWriMo this year is kind of pagan/coming of age/mystery centered. Maybe someone here can give me a headsup on what Nano category it would fit into. Here is the synopsis. “On a quest for a Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship, Jessica Sparks finds that she has “Old Religion” ancestry, which explains why she has those weird feelings and abilities. She finds herself being treated differently by folks in her community, and is even the subject of bullying by some so-called Christians that have known her all her life.” So what'da think? Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:56:30 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_28398 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_28398 NateDavis1798 Wes thu NaNoWriMo hal! I shall let my avatar speak for itself. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:58:33 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_30895 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_30895 CROWcatalyst I'm Pagan, but I'm not writing a Pagan story just yet... or maybe I will. I'm not too sure yet. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:54:48 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_33689 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_33689 Bunny Sunday-Randi I'm a practicing Witch and I'm using NaNoWriMo as motivation to write a non-fiction book about witchcraft. I'm so happy to see other Pagans here! Good luck everybody! Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:02:52 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_37490 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_37490 Alxa Hailsa! I am a Norse Heathen but I will be writing a Western this year. On the back burner I have a story involving my gods but won't be tackling it for a bit. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 06:03:26 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_39092 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_39092 Anshin I am a Heathen, and I'm...probably crossing some unspeakable treacherous line by writing a crossover between Norse mythology and Marvel's Thor movie. That's what I get for being a comics fan, though. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:04:08 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_39627 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_39627 Angelynx ..well, I'm not sure what you mean by 'Old Religion ancestry'. Wicca does tend to be passed on from generation to generation, but in the sense that it's a family tradition or belief, not in the sense that it's genetic or heritable. Or do I misunderstand you? Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:37:49 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_41926 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_41926 Angelynx (Or, are you just saying she learns that her grandmother or great-grandmother were known or thought to be witches?) Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:43:14 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_41969 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_41969 Alxa You're good. Many in the Heathen community here really dug the movie. I know some sticklers for details, me included, who were able to let it go enough to just enjoy it. And the movie got enough right to offset it in my opinion. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:21:57 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_42290 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_42290 NateDavis1798 Suddenly, heathens. I'm so happy . . . Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:24:02 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_46257 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_46257 Janet Tabares I was thinking that someone (haven't decided just who yet) unbeknownst to her in her ancestry (about the 1600-1700 time frame) would have been a witch (solitary - wisewomanish type) and it might explain to her why she has some abilities that never made sense to her before. Not necessarily a Trad witch in the sense the tradition being passed down, but more a coming to terms with what she is by nature and ethical use of that gift. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:33:56 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_48750 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_48750 Anshin That was my opinion on the matter. :3 I think it's just that the ones who disliked it (or who feel that Marvel is appropriating the mythology wrongly) are much more vocal about it. Eh. *shrug* Haters gonna hate, and all. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:20:17 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_50695 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_50695 Angelynx Ah, I see. I'll be interested in where this goes! Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:41:52 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55739 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55739 Angelynx I'm a Pagan,and my story is set in a Shinto/Buddhist culture with definite plot influence from kami. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:43:31 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55751 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55751 MarieDees I'm Pagan/Wiccan, but my work is more paranormal than specifically Pagan. I've written were-jaguars, angels and demons and ghost hunters. Not sure yet what will pop up this year. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:56:04 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_56281 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_56281 PJ Graham I too am Pagan – and have written Pagan characters in the past but not especially so this year. Though who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind about a character. I read a variety but usually write in the mystery/suspense/supernatural or quiet horror genres. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:41:29 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_61382 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_61382 Cadaverine Another Heathen here. I have never written a spiritual-themed novel before but it's beginning to look like I'm heading that way this year. I'm not sure I'd call it "Pagan" specifically... it's unlikely to involve deities, or worship or similar. But I'm definitely thinking it's more of a spiritual novel than a fantasy one at this point. (I have very little planned yet. I'm teasing ideas at the moment.) Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:28:47 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90429 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90429 NateDavis1798 Wow, so many other heathens . . . This pleases me. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:29:59 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90441 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90441 mattkinsi Just a friendly note from ze mod: By all means the point of this thread is spot on. Talking about writing Pagan Fiction. No worries there. If you're a pagan who happens to be writing fiction but not pagan themed fiction, then this thread isn't the thread for you :D I encourage you to check out this thread over in the Writing Groups Forum: <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/writing-groups-and-clubs/threads/852" rel="nofollow">Pagan Wrimos!</a> for more fellowship / comradeship style posts. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:49:33 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90686 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90686 branflakes lol. Indeed. I think this year my NaNo could at least be considered spiritual in a sense. No real pagan deities, but an omnipotent god does play a huge part. It's more of a monotheistic god in this one. But in my 09 NaNo, I had a character who was basically the Horned God (or, more accurately, he was the son of the Horned God). He controlled the wild and stuff. Twas fun to write. And a while back I did this co-writing thing with a fellow Pagan, and the story turned into a post-apocalyptic story involving the Morrighan guiding a man to do her bidding. It was pretty intense. Then it took a strange nosedive, and I kind of gave up. lol. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:53:36 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_101764 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_101764 prairiecrow *raises hand* I'm a Wiccan who's writing a fantasy/science fiction/religious lit fusion which features a Wiccan female lead in constant conflict with a Southern Baptist male lead. Naturally her religion plays into the plot significantly (as does his) since their task as special agents of the Department of Paranormal Investigations is to solve a series of ritualistic murders of born-again Christians which appear to be taking place in a Wiccan context. (I'll confess right up front that this is my third year of using NaNo to hack away at this particular story. I hope y'all don't mind having a NaNo Rebel in your midst. :)) Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:14:04 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_111697 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_111697 patrise rebels are my peeps! your story sounds fascinating! I too am tackling a xtian/pagan theme, but set in 1st century Scotland. I hope to be quasi-historical up to a point then go AU into the evolution of a new culture with all the magic of both paths. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:03:14 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_115407 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_115407 NateDavis1798 My story is set in a fantasy world, but it does have a heavy Haethens-vs.-Kristjans theme. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:28:43 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_115752 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_115752 ami-chan I'm a Heathen :) and the story I was writing for last year definitely draws on a lot of my beliefs and several of the characters follow along that way. It was very much a fantasy/magical realism world and faith based magic was a big factor for the main characters. This years story is science fiction and there's a lot about man's inhumanity towards itself, but there's also a good bit of debate about what makes a person, what souls are and all of that because there are some characters who are genetically engineered, literally grown in vats, not just artificial insemination, as well as some who are AI. So, I imagine my beliefs will color some of the characters. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:43:38 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_116717 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_116717 NateDavis1798 Hwaer did all these heathens come from? :) Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:15:22 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118064 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118064 phoenixrose314 Hello there! I am a Pagan, I run a Pagan group in my area, and this is my first year doing NaNoWriMo. My novel will be more spiritual/Wicca based than anything else, exploring the worlds that unlock when you meet your Twin Soul. I have high hopes for it, as I've been planning it for three years now and I just need the momentum to get it going. Glad to see so many others on here! :) Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:55:28 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_121265 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_121265 NateDavis1798 We should all be writing buddies. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:50:31 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136249 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136249 KittyburgerMN I'm a Pagan and I'm writing fiction that is necessarily steeped in Pagan thought (or at least my take thereupon), but I wouldn't call what I'm writing "Pagan fiction" by any means... Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:54:13 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_144863 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_144863 nlriviezzo I have Pagan leanings and part of my NaNo this year delves pretty heavily into Pagan and tribal practices - namely Slavic gods and Romani traditions. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:02:33 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_158950 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_158950 WolfenM I'm pagan. :) Gaian, more specifically -- one of my storyverses is even called Gaiankind, dealing with elemental magic and various gods, with Gaia as basically the mother of all. The novel I'm doing for NaNo is set in that series, and deals a bit with Irish Celtic mythos. One character is a human of of sidhe descent, and the other is a puca. But of course I put my own spin on things .... Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:28:29 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166478 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166478 WolfenM I loved the movie myself. I was pleased that Loki wasn't made intp a mustache-twilrling EVIL villain -- and that Tom Hiddleston has been saying that, even with him getting darker with the Avengers, there will still be signs of him being redeemable. (He's even said that he hopes to see Loki and Thor reconcile/fight together by the end of Loki's time in the films! I love this guy!) Hooray for less good/evil pigeonholing and more dimensional characters! :) I've been writing a lot of Marvel Loki-centric fanfic (especially Little Loki) of late, and run a Trickster-centric blog. Loki appears in my own storyverse as well (though I haven't decided if he will appear in my NaNoWriMo yet). I will keep an eye out for your stuff! :) (Even if it's not Loki-centric. ;)) Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:39:14 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_166562 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_166562 muses_daughter I love pagan fiction - so hard to figure out where it will end up in the bookstore though! :-) I just, just, just published my 1st nano project that I finally finished off, and it is totally pagan fiction. Real life, current era, pagan fiction. It was a thrill just to get it completed! I think we need more of it! blessings and peace, Muses Daughter Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:54:12 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166671 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166671 Cadaverine By "Gaian" do you mean a Hellenic who worships the protogenos Gaia specifically, or something else? Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:13:01 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166805 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_166805 WolfenM Something else. :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaianism Actually, since Gaianism isn't exclusively pagan, I guess you'd say I'm an eclectic pagan with Wiccan and Secular Humanist leanings, and who heavily applies the notion of Gaianism to her path. I also pay homage to the Moon in Her myriad of aspects (especially Artemis), to OestTe, to the Lord of the Green, and to Loki/various trickster dieties -- and Sekhmet seems to have taken an interest in me. ^^; If there was a facbook status for one's relationship with one's sprituality, mine would say "It's complicated." XD Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:18:58 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_169199 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_169199 KimberleyB Pagan, yes. Writing pagan, yes. How can one live it and not have it infuse every area of your life? Practising witch, yes. Writing about it, no. Bright Blessings and Merry meet to all who honour the Old Ways. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:07 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_185506 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_185506 slainangel Well, I'm a Pagan (mostly Heathen, but with odd fragments of faith and/or tradition from other traditions) and I'd like to think of myself as a writer; not sure how much interaction there is between those two little pidgeonholes though. I guess I find it a lot easier to come up with faiths and traditions that fit in closely with the world I see around me, though that's more obvious if I'm writing fantasy. This year, my world is sci-fi, and the dominant religion is vastly different from anything I'd believe in; possibly because its a stagnant, corrupt church that's turned inward to the point of denominational autotheism (Is that the right word? The church is an organisation set up to organise people's worship of the church itself). If my priests are the "bad guys", then on some subconscious level maybe I find it hard to make them close to anything I actually respect. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:58:06 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_186229 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_186229 cartweel Can we pause a minute and ask what exactly one might mean by "Pagan Fiction" -- What are its characteristics as a genre? Or, like with a lot of what is called "Pagan Music" is it just anything made by a contemporary Pagan or Neopagan? Or does it have to be written by a self-professed Pagan at all? Does it have to mention specific Gods or beliefs or practices to "count"? This should, inevitably, spiral into a discussion on what the word Pagan means at all, how individuals and groups relate to the term, what its modern use is versus its uses in antiquity... Etc. Etc. Etc. And YES, SO MANY Heathens! Are there any other Greek or Roman Recons out there?? Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:41:54 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_209461 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_209461 pithukuf I'm writing a present-day pagan story. Most of the core characters believe in the effectiveness of their rituals and other actions, but there are a few non-believers and the main plot tension will hopefully come from the reader not knowing whether something has happened because of the pagan actions, or for some other reason. My pagans have to fit into a world that is in general non-pagan, and play by those rules as well, or risk being seen as flakes with a head full of cotton-wool. I admit to influence from Rosemary Edghill's 'Bast' trilogy here and if I can pull it off a tenth as well as she does, I'll be well satisfied. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:59:09 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_212179 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_212179 Cadaverine I don't think it IS a genre. Not in the same way as science-fiction. It's not even really a subgenre, in the same sense as cyberpunk. It's more of a flavour. And I suppose it would have something to do with promoting or largely featuring (and in a positive or at least neutral light) "Pagan" themes. And by "Pagan" we would mean at the widest, any religion that was not Abrahamic, but in this context probably specifically Neo-Pagan or Palaeo-Pagan European. Pagan music is the same as Christian music: it's not about who makes it but what the themes are. There are bands the members of which are all Christian but their music isn't Christian in theme. Likewise there might be a band full of Pagans but if none of the songs mention Pagan traditions, gods, holidays, myths or otherwise, it's not Pagan music. I'm fairly sure there are some Viking Metal bands who are agnostic or atheist, though their music is Pagan in theme - I'd say "Pagan fiction" would work the same way. I don't think it has to mention gods at all, but unsure on beliefs and practices. I wouldn't say personally I have ever read "Pagan fiction"... Well, I read a little of High Magic's Aid. Does that count? It was pretty awful. And there's a series by Kate Forsyth that I might categorise as a mix of Fantasy and Pagan fiction because there are many themes in there that are reminiscent of modern religious witchcraft (to the point that I suspected while reading that the author had made a good study of 101 books, if wasn't a Pagan herself). Then again, I think you can have the gods as characters without it being "Pagan fiction" - like those books by, who was it now, Rick Riordan or something. That's more fantasy, or mythological fan fiction, than it is "Pagan fiction" because there's no element of the sacred there. What do you think? Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:25:28 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_212324 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_212324 cartweel Perhaps you can clarify for me: "Flavour" still sounds to me like a metaphor for genre. What do you mean by "not in the same way as science-fiction"? Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:16:54 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_222210 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_222210 cartweel And also, what might examples of "Pagan" themes be? I mean more specifically than just gesturing toward "beliefs and practices" from "not Abrahamic" "Palaeo-Pagan Europe." That sounds a little like "anything and everything that happened before Jesus." But isn't that a little vague? Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:19:38 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_222247 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_222247 Cadaverine It's not. lol. I'm sorry, if you don't understand the way I've phrased it, I can't be any more clear than that, because it is difficult to explain in words. I thought "flavour" would illustrate it well. A genre affects choice of setting, characters, names. Genres have their own tropes. This does not. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:20:03 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_223749 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_223749 Cadaverine Friend, Paganism is so wide an umbrella we cannot be more specific than that. And no, I didn't mean "anything and everything that happened before Jesus" nor did I intend "Pagan themes" to be limited to "palaeo-Pagan Europe". You could happily write a pre-Christian historical novel and hardly involve Paganism at all. I thought some of the examples I mentioned in the discussion of "Pagan music" wouldn't have escaped notice. Perhaps you should pick up some Viking metal and see what I mean? such as, perhaps, the cycle of rebirth, accepting and living out one's orlog, interacting with gods, spirits, ancestors. This is not a distinct thing, which I thought I made clear in my original post. I honestly thought you were going to contribute your own thoughts to the conversation. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:30:26 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_223818 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_223818 SoloWytch I'm Pagan. My first NaNo novel (which turned into a trilogy) has some Pagan elements. This year's does not, although I am kicking around a story idea about the hand of Tyr returning to the middle earth. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:54:57 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_237331 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_237331 branflakes My main purpose for starting the thread was to see if there were any pagan writers writing pagan-inspired fiction. Pagan fiction isn't a genre. It IS hard to define what "pagan fiction" is, but I really liked Cadaverine's "Pagan music is the same as Christian music" quote. I think that does clarify it, and can be applied to pagan fiction, as well. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:55:12 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_247053 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_247053 Lex Scriven My book is actually about Paganism- actual, modern Paganism. Eclectic Paganism, Wicca, Asatru, Discordianism, and so many others. I refuse to be stuck in the 'usual' for writing a story about Pagans. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:51:37 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_254709 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_254709 flightlesskiwi I'm a hellenic polytheist but wouldn't really call myself a recon. My novel is a bit influenced by by personal beliefs, and how could it not be since it's set in the world of greek mythology ;-). I wouldn't really class it as pagan fiction, though, because I'm leaving the question if the deities my characters worship are real open. Some of my characters at least are partly motivated by their religious beliefs. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 06:52:10 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_292798 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_292798 muses_daughter Actually, my book is listed on Amazon.com as Metaphysical Fiction. So I think it is a genre. Books &gt; Literature &amp; Fiction &gt; Genre Fiction &gt; Metaphysical Blessings and peace, MD Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:54:20 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_300969 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_300969 MariAdkins i'm a pagan who writes fantasy/paranormal fiction. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:49:19 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_303197 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_303197 MariAdkins it's not a genre on its own. it falls under the fantasy / paranormal heading and sometimes under urban fiction. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:50:18 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_303211 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_303211 patrise I'm Pagan, Wiccan and pan-religious/curious. I'm writing about 1st century Celts and Druids, in particular a young woman warrior in battles against the Romans. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:54:50 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_310043 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_310043 muses_daughter Hey Patrise, That woman wouldn't happen to have burned Londinium to the ground, would she? ;-) MD Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:23:53 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_312320 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_312320 TheDragonTempest I'm Pagan and I write both Pagan fiction and non-fiction. I have one of each battling it out in my head to see which one I will write this month. Maybe we'll just call it a draw and I'll write both... Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:56:46 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_329502 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_329502 Natnie I am a lapsed Pagan of sorts. I still... sorta... believe in stuff, but I agree with atheists on a lot of points these days. My novel this year is based on my experiences as a teenage Wiccan, so it is definitely pagan fiction. I've written 2000 words so far and have written about little but paganism and witchcraft. lol... I guess mine can be considered a teen witch type story. But it's based on true events. My best friend kinda got possessed - well, I'm not sure what really happened, but that's what she maintains, and various other spiritual miscellania and self-discovery. All that drama is sort of what turned me away from my pagan path in the end, but who knows, writing this novel may set me back on it. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:58:08 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_354677 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_354677 lizlusher I'm an agnostic (former christian) writing about a wiccan mother and daughter living in Iowa after the death of the father in Afghanistan. It's loosely based on a friend of mine in high school and raising a child in a non-christian household. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:13:24 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_369538 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_369538 catchyseachild I'm a pagan, and I'm writing a pagan themed novel, though a bit sensationalized for "the masses," I'll admit. :) They say write what you know... Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:42:53 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_370615 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_370615 muses_daughter I'm writing about a child being raise by her aunt who is a witch. It's a very pagan story.... I hope!! Muses Daughter Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:23:01 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374115 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374115 LeAnnJ I saw this thread for Pagan writers and was like WOW! I am glad I am not the only Pagan onboard. Good luck everyone :O) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:53:03 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_395004 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_395004 Anshin Excellent and also awesome. Mind if I ask what your blog is? I'd be interested in checking it out. ^^ (Most of my fanfic is Thor-centric, but I've been known to write Loki-centric things on occasion, too. XD) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:34:35 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_400342 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_400342 WolfenM Sure, it's http://hellyeahtrickster.tumblr.com :) Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:05:49 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_410125 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=1#forum_thread_comment_410125 muses_daughter Good luck to you LeAnn, and welcome aboard! Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:06:28 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_412292 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_412292 branflakes That sounds fun! Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:04:40 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_506247 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_506247 Ceana Count me among the Pagans. It is refreshing to see so many of us here. I've spent a fair amount of time and energy trying to keep my spiritual practices from dominating my story. After reading through this thread, though, I think it's time to embrace those practices and allow them to appear in my stories as they will. My NaNo will be better for it. I'm encouraged. :) Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:49:21 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_507585 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_507585 TribalCat I didn't start out to write a particularly Pagan or spiritual book, but there are things dealing with herbs and candle lore involved, and suddenly Freyja has appeared in a dream scene and seemingly will be taking part in my story. I've never worked with the Norse pantheon before, so this shall be very interesting. I now have a beautiful statue of the goddess gracing my desk for inspiration. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:41:13 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_517934 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_517934 muses_daughter What a blessing, Tribal Cat! And perfect for someone of your online persona. Freya has a special relationship with cats. Bright blessings indeed! Muses Daughter Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:36:39 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_561240 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_561240 lucidlensphoto Hey all! I'm writing a collection of short stories that are based on the major arcana in the tarot. Each story is from the point of view of a different character who represents one of the cards, and there is one reoccuring character in each story (her name is Ant) who portrays the fool. It's turning out pretty well so far! :) I'd like to hear any comments or ideas you may have, because I'm starting to run out of short story plots for some of the cards haha Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:48:52 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_571530 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_571530 lucidlensphoto I agree! It's very refreshing. When I saw this thread I didn't expect to see so many posts! :D Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:49:33 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_571533 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_571533 Pookie-girl I'm a pagan and I don't think I can help writing pagan fiction really. Surely your core beliefs influence any creative effort? That's how it is for me anyway. I don't necessarily set out to look at spiritual themes, but they come up in my work all the same! I guess one of my major interests in in 'the big questions' of philosophy and religion and there is just no getting away from that; I think those kind of questions are underlying themes of plot for a lot of genres actually. My novel for this month was always going have a personal spiritual quest kind of theme, but it's turned out to be a save the world kind of theme instead - humanity has been infected by a condition which my protagonist calls 'the creeping rationals' which leads to such a fixation on objective truths and empirically quanitifiable phenomena that gradually other things cease to exist, or at least people cease to have any awareness of them. This has destroyed the philosophies and spiritualities of other other worlds already. My characters quest will be a challenge to the evil forces behind this process (who don't have name yet, but hey it's early days!). Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:58:24 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575061 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575061 magehanyou I am pagan. I like to think of myself is an eclectic Wiccan Kitchen Witch. And nearly all my stories involve some sort of magic, whether it is as Hollywood as it could possibly be, or a whole lot more realistic in the sense of just having the presence of herbs and stuff. This year's novel is about a novice witch who gets to personally meet her patron god Herne. He gives her a spirit animal, a Fox, as a guide, and tells her that since she is going to be his new priestess, she has to find out who murdered his High Priestess. There is also a Detective who isn't pagan but is drawn into the world by his attraction to the witch and the fact that the murder is his case to solve. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:23:54 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_584361 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_584361 Cadaverine Isn't Herne a ghost? Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:54:48 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_587466 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=2#forum_thread_comment_587466 Pookie-girl Herne originated in folklore as a ghost I think, but his name has also been used for the Horned One pretty frequently because he does look like Cernunnos. You could also claim him as a faery I suppose because of the Erlking and his connection with the Wild Hunt. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:41:50 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_598732 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_598732 Cadaverine The Erlking by Goethe is an awesome poem :D I've heard him associated with Odin if he's linked to a god at all, because apparently he was an Anglo-Saxon entity. Cernunnos is a new one on me, though. Perhaps that's my polytheism affecting my worldview. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:47:54 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_611321 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_611321 the_lucy_program Well I'm Pagan, but I'm not writing Pagan fiction, lol. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:22:21 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_704598 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_704598 Thanis_Voyant Hi, I'm pagan and I'm writing pagan fiction. I've started trying to write something like Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins-Series but without the christian themes ;-), but now it looks more like a pagan fantasy novel and I can't decide whether I want to delete the "fantasy" elements or not... Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:18:08 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_840463 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_840463 Kiba Holy crap, so many pagans around! Irish neo-pagan here. I don't write specifically pagan works (in fact, one of my ideas is actually a Christian-themed fantasy), but I do write lots of fantasy and most of my cultures are polytheistic. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:19:21 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1049854 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1049854 MariAdkins welcome to the madness that is nano! Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:48:27 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1059112 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1059112 Fair Maiden Hey, I'm a pagan and it's really nice to finally find a thread to fit my poor story into. I was nearly driving myself distracted trying to figure out which genre to put it under when this place caught my eye. It's not exactly historical fiction because it's actually set more in modern day, but the young man who's the main character was raised (he's fifteen when the story begins) believing that he was living in Ancient Egypt during the Akhnaton's reign/Tutankhamun's reign period. He finds out the truth after his dad dies, and there's a lot more to the plot, but that right there is why it's so particularly a pagan work of fiction, because our young hero is naturally an Egyptian polytheist and he finds himself dropped into a situation where that is definately not the norm and garners him a lot of unpleasant/weird attention. Also, the boy he gets into a rivalry with at school is a rather bitter type of atheist, so that generates a lot of the conflict between them. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:17:02 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1280670 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/2205?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1280670