tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post8654186325455257773..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Playing God and the Devil’s AdvocateJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-737225000851424412012-05-27T20:59:32.011+10:002012-05-27T20:59:32.011+10:00Really enjoyed reading your thoughtful post, Peter...Really enjoyed reading your thoughtful post, Peter. With my latest novel I am currently editing, I have had the greatest fun making my male protagonist quite an angry, bitter person - but I know he will change! Now that sure does bring up all sorts of theological discussion, as you point out. Not sure what it says about me, however! Hmmmm.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-70662564617043750172012-05-27T07:17:35.628+10:002012-05-27T07:17:35.628+10:00I write to make people think, so thank you!
The p...I write to make people think, so thank you!<br /><br />The points of similarity between non-fiction and fiction narrative would make an interesting blog post (if not more). Even a non-fiction character-based story would benefit from, if not demand, the main character having one or more problems that they overcome. Maybe the writer doesn't get to devise what these are, but they can bring them out. In this regard, perhaps non-fiction writers are more like the devil's advocate whereas fiction writers are akin to the devil himself!<br /><br />Your point about whether our characters don't have a chance whereas we actually do (due to free will) is a great one. Many books have been written on the topic of free will versus God's sovereignty, predestination, etc. Exploring this parallel could also be the topic of a future blog post! It's dangerous territory, though.Peter McLennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446729346706052416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-18358613218340303362012-05-27T07:04:12.822+10:002012-05-27T07:04:12.822+10:00Interesting point. I guess we have an unfair advan...Interesting point. I guess we have an unfair advantage since we know that Satan won't win.Peter McLennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446729346706052416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-86619698936057485872012-05-26T13:04:01.914+10:002012-05-26T13:04:01.914+10:00Interesting post, Peter. Being mainly a non fictio...Interesting post, Peter. Being mainly a non fiction writer I haven't had as many opportunities of playing both God and the Devil's advocate in my writing as the rest of you. But I've been busy on a Children's story book this past week and I have to confess that I did enjoy the process of working on the characters of two different types of people - the hero and the anti hero! :)<br /><br />What we do when we play 'God' in creating characters is a bit different to how God does it, don't you think? Our characters don't have a chance! They have to act out the roles we give them. (Although sometimes they are obstintate and go their own way! :)) In the case of real people in the real world though - they always have a choice. To follow God's path or Satan's path for them. Rather sobering but also freeing.<br /><br />Thanks for making me think, Peter! :)<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78261301692144653482012-05-26T12:05:43.495+10:002012-05-26T12:05:43.495+10:00Yes, I too confess to messing with my people... I ...Yes, I too confess to messing with my people... I mean characters. Mischief, then calamity, then that long bony finger of death to poke them through the heart. With the hand of God to redeem what is lost, and restore as He did for Job.<br /><br />Great post, Peter.Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-36337509077563955822012-05-26T08:54:55.817+10:002012-05-26T08:54:55.817+10:00I love it Peter! Perhaps the 'perverse satisfa...I love it Peter! Perhaps the 'perverse satisfaction' comes from pride in your characters - ie you know they'll come through with flying colours in the end. <br />Just like God believed that Job's faith was strong and would not ever turn his back on God and so allowed Satan to give him strife.Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-87751408377420388402012-05-25T14:45:52.982+10:002012-05-25T14:45:52.982+10:00What power, Peter, to play both God and satan to t...What power, Peter, to play both God and satan to those hapless characters of ours! I agree the book of Job is a very interesting read.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-69407494345374442742012-05-25T13:03:46.733+10:002012-05-25T13:03:46.733+10:00I have had hero and heroines go through trouble, S...I have had hero and heroines go through trouble, Shootings, drugs, faith issues, premarital sex and more.<br />In the end they triumph over these issues and as I write Christian usually through God's help. The trial show them their need and God's purpose in their lives.<br /><br />In the end I did 'kill' a bad guy off because I liked him too much, but he did redeem himself before he took his last breath.Melanie Carter Winklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011605544837222792noreply@blogger.com