rj_anderson I'm here with bells on! :D #mglitchat -7:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kidsmomo Darn! About to miss another #MGlitchat as I commute home. Have a good one, tweeps. -Karen -7:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz We do ask that you respect each person's opinion and keep things civil. I WILL ask you to leave the chat if you can't. #thankyou #MGlitchat -7:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel #MGlitchat To start, how do you feel about religion being present in MG fiction. I think there needs to be more than "inspriational" label -7:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Didn't even know there was such a thing. Hoping to learn something new (smile) #mglitchat -7:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel RT @elissacruz: We do ask that you respect each person's opinion and keep things civil. I WILL ask you to leave the chat if you can't. #thankyou #MGlitchat -7:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder I'm here, and dying to know where this topic will lead us. #mglitchat -7:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss I'm here and I echo what Laurel just wrote. {} #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder Hi Laurel! Glad to have you! #mglitchat -7:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek My first time on a twitter chat. Interesting topic. #mglitchat -7:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel I think everything present in a kid's world should inhabit their fiction. Can't imagine why we'd ignore religion.. #mglitchat -7:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelgrinti @CKVolnek Welcome! #mglitchat -7:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
laurapauling RT @LaurelSnyder: @rachelnseigel I think everything present in a kid's world should inhabit their fiction. Can't imagine why we'd ignore religion.. #mglitchat -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill Hi #mglitchat. Quick drop-in as I have to go pack for NCTE. But as an editor, faith & belief are themes I love to see woven into a story. -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder I agree. So why do we largely either ignore it, or shy away from books taht do incorporate it? #mglitchat -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @CKVolnek WELCOME! We love new chatters around here. And old ones. And anyone in between. #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb Hi, all! Great topic tonight! #Mglitchat -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall @LaurelSnyder what you said, Laurel :) #mglitchat -7:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @molly_oneill Hi, nice to see you here! And this is good to know that editors are looking for faith and belief in MG stories. #MGlitchat -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall whoa, don't know if I should slow down tweet chat or speed it up #mglitchat -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @molly_oneill: Hi #mglitchat. Quick drop-in as I have to go pack for NCTE. But as an editor, faith & belief are themes I love to see woven into a story. -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss So does religion in kidz books mean only holiday 'theme' PB's or are we talking world building (fantasy) or contemporary issues? #mglitchat -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek Teach 5th grade CCD and my kids love stories that help them understand faith. #mglitchat -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel Because we're intimidated by it? Afraid of anything that might make us nichey, alientate a reader? #mglitchat -7:05 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss Religion is not just a tag, like character's hair color/height. Shouldn't be exploited but it measures so much of what one does #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @rachelnseigel Part of it, I think, is that we don't want to force our beliefs on others or offend them. #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek @elissacruz Thanks for the welcome. Glad I found you all here. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @PippaBayliss We're talking beyond religious holiday stories. Somehow that seems to be more accepted. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder I'm Jewish, and have been working toward incorporating it more in my books. But I think cultural/secular Judaism is easier. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
JRichardsAuthor I have a secular outlook on life and so my characters tend to reflect that. I think religious views can sometimes feel niche #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill Will qualify my earlier statement to say that I personally appreciate faith & belief in MG as an editor. Don't speak for all eds. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @rachelnseigel The other part is that religion is deeply personal, and (at least for me) hard to share with others. #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Hard to predict how a reader will react to any mention of religion in a story. Some welcome it, others are threatened. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @elissacruz That's a fair comment. I don't pound my being Jewish over people's heads, but there must be a way. #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder But when done well, it's NOT niche. When fully part of character/theme/tone, it can deepen everything, and/or be universal. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @molly_oneill Er, that's what I meant, too. You, as editor, not all eds. Curse, you 120 characters! #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb I agree w/@laurelsnyder -maybe we shy away b/c scared to alienate. What about gatekeepers? Afraid we'll alienate them, too? #Mglitchat -7:07 PM Nov 17th, 2011
JRichardsAuthor or are perceived as being niche which is why writers avoid it and why editors might tone religious elements down. #MGlitchat -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
chorkie #mglitchat Hi everyone. Glad to be here. -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Hi, all. Late to the game, catching up on the comments. #mglitchat -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson But I definitely notice when books slam religion or handle it stereotypically - needs to be more nuanced treatment of subject. #mglitchat -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @rj_anderson I get uncomfortable with Christian Fiction genre where everything is about God, but not with religion as a whole. #mglitchat -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @elissacruz But aren't good characters/families/stories also personal? #mglitchat -7:08 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill When I think about some overarching MG lit themes--wonder, discovery, empathy, identity--I think faith/belief can fit in well. #mglitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder My newest book is set in a Jewish/intermarried family, and I tried several ways of working that in. #mglitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder You're absolutely right! #mglitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder I'm interested to hear how you handle it. #mglitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss In spirit of Show, don't tell, it's irksome 2 label someone X religion & presume that's all we need 2 know. As if that tells all. #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
JRichardsAuthor @ktubb I'm an editor as well as a writer. I tthink about the gatekeepers when I edit - you want each book to have its best chance #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @LaurelSnyder Agreed, agreed! #mglitchat -7:09 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @molly_oneill: When I think about some overarching MG lit themes--wonder, discovery, empathy, identity--I think faith/belief can fit in well. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall if it is important to the character it is important to the story #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Ah, but faith and belief are actually different from religion, no? Religion is usually specific tenets of faith. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @LaurelSnyder: But when done well, it's NOT niche. When fully part of character/theme/tone, it can deepen everything, and/or be universal. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder Writing a MG with similar family background. {} #MGlitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford I have two thoughts on this--I can think of books that use religion as one of the lenses through which char sees the world 1/2 #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @rj_anderson YES! Stereotypes seem to be common in portraying religions. (it seems to me...) #Mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @PippaBayliss Excellent point. So does a character exploring his/her faith make people uncomfortable? #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill But the trick is, it must be the CHARACTER who has something to say/discover about faith and belief. Not the author. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford ...meaning it isn't about the religion, necessarily, but to ignore it would be to ignore a huge part of character's experience #mglitchat -7:10 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea The thing with having religion in your story is you walk a fine line of not offending or being stereotypical. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel In the end there was less than I intended, but it wasn't aversion, just too much going on for ANOTHER theme. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ktubb @rj_anderson I agree. Had a chat with a friend about Jewish characters always being the funny sidekick. #Mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I like books which include religion as an aspect of the characters' lives & personalities in a natural, everyday way. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @LaurelSnyder Yes, they are. Like I said, it's hard for me to share religion. I realize I am not everyone. #MGlitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
word_working One of my very favorite 'vintage' (i.e. out-of-print) books,'Look Through My Window' by Jean Little tackles religion beautifully. #Mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson YES, THIS. | RT @molly_oneill: It must be the CHARACTER who has something to say/discover about faith and belief. Not the author. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KateMilford Yes, this! #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Brilliant example of this is @sfness's THE INQUISITOR'S APPRENTICE. MC's Jewish, but the book isn't only about Jewish experience #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek Don't want to force my beliefs on anyone either. But can a reader find comfort in knowing the characters have faith? #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall character in a catholic jewish family would be an interesting one to explore not sure that really has much to do with the convo #mglitchat -7:11 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 Religion, morals and ethics follow the writer's commandment: Show, don't tell (or be preachy) #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @rachelnseigel Ugh. Yes, stereotypes are never good, especially when religion is involved. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I ended up taking the religion out of my own bk as I had comments that they were kind of uncomfortable with it to I was g...#mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @word_working I grew up with the All of a Kind Family Books. Do they appeal only to Jewish readers? I don't think so. #Mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Is anyone else thinking of Judy Blume's 'Are You There, God? It's me, Margaret'? #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea attacking religion, which I wasn't. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @molly_oneill Exactly. That's when novel crosses line from fiction to didactic. #MGlitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall RT @molly_oneill: It must be the CHARACTER who has something to say/discover about faith and belief. Not the author. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @elissacruz I don't think everyone NEEDS to do everything. Plenty of things I don't write about too! #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @elissacruz @LaurelSnyder (this time with hashtag). For me, religion and faith are different. Faith more universal. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea Also you have to be careful with being preachy too. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @PippaBayliss Great example! My mom wouldn't let me read it when I was reading the Fudge Books. Kind of freaked her out. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford I'm going to throw myself in the ring as example of a different way of using religion, which is use of religious imagery/themes #mglitchat -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
SCBWISOCALLA Going on now! RT @elissacruz: Today is #MGlitchat (9pm ET)! Hoping for a civil discussion about religion in MG books. -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Without necessarily writing a religious story. :) #mglitchat -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @KateMilford Like Narnia? I didn't really understand as a kid all of the Christian references. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @molly_oneill Agree wholeheartedly! That's why I found @@olugbemisola 's 8TH GRACE SUPER ZERO so encouraging & genuine. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Before pub I ran the ms of my faith-including MG past friends of varying beliefs to see if they thought it was preachy... 1/2 #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
deegarretson Historicals would be tough to write w/out exploring characters' religion/faith. So much more a part of daily life. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea It still irks me that 1 editor told me showing Christian teens picking on others was stereotypical. So they only can be good? #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 RT @LaurelSnyder: But when done well, it's NOT niche. When fully part of character/theme/tone, it can deepen everything, and/or be universal. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder Mirka has totally found a general readership. And @ericaperl's OJ too. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rachelnseigel No, as I understand it, Narnia was intended to be allegory. I think i approach it more from the aspect of folklore #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek Judy Blume is good and what about Narnia? #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
EllenHopkinsYA RT @ixtumea: It still irks me that 1 editor told me showing Christian teens picking on others was stereotypical. So they only can be good? #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson 2/2 They didn't find it so, but some reviewers did. Hard to win. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill "What do I believe?" is a core question of being human, I think. So faith (& sometimes religion) is at the heart of many stories. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss @KateMilford I would say Philip Pulman's His Dark Mats was doing this. Exploring how organized religion=power. Only 1 eg of many #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Devil at the crossroads, card games built around the lives of saints... :) #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea RT @molly_oneill: "What do I believe?" is a core question of being human, I think. So faith (& sometimes religion) is at the heart of many stories. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea I agree with that! But then, you have to be careful of that regardless. I hate books that are 2 moralistic. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea I'd get picked on if I wrote Christian teens being "bad." #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea Also what teen/tween doesn't question? I know my 10 yr old is right now. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @KateMilford Hear Hear! I hoped I did so, too. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
JRichardsAuthor I've got to go. It's gone 2am in the UK but look forward to reading everyone's comments in the morning. Have a good one! #MGlitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @LaurelSnyder True. I do think (for me) it's easier to share more universal aspects of, such as importance of family or faith. #MGlitchat -7:15 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I found Pullman's HDM very preachy in its anti-theism. Others didn't mind that aspect at all. Love Narnia, others don't... #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf RT @molly_oneill: "What do I believe?" is a core question of being human, I think. So faith (& sometimes religion) is at the heart of many stories. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @EllenHopkinsYA I know. That's sad. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I don't think it's possible to write a religion or faith-including book that pleases every reader, frankly. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @molly_oneill This is an interesting question. What age is the right age to be asking those questions of readers in literature? #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelgrinti @rj_anderson I think people will always take inclusion of religion in their own way, some more sensitive to feeling it's preachy. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @PippaBayliss Yes, although again, Pullman has a stated agenda. I sort of think its hard for people to read them sometimes if 1/2 #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I was told not to use the Mormon faith in my books unless I shown it in a positive light. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @JRichardsAuthor Thanks for joining us! #MGlitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @rachelgrinti Yes, exactly. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss And a MG novel is a perfect place to explore a character's moment of change and growth re: beliefs, faith. MGers at cusp of life. #MGlitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @pippabayliss 2/2 if they're aware of his atheism and they're uncomfortable with it. Which is a shame. They have so much to say. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I'm sure I'll get it for that twitter. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea HAHAHA. Good thing I wasn't Mormon, huh? #Burned #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @rj_anderson I think that's true of any book, period. Can't please all the people all of the time. ;-) #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @WriterRoss: And a MG novel is a perfect place to explore a character's moment of change and growth re: beliefs, faith. MGers at cusp of life. #MGlitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 @rachelnseigel @KateMilford Me neither. Just a great story. When I got older, the light went on and I had that "Aha!" moment. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @WriterRoss So agree with this. A traumatic event in my DH's life at this age shaped his faith (or lack thereof) to this day. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @pippabayliss LOVE those books, btw--makes me sad when ppl can't approach a book for the sake of story & leave writer out of it. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
jessyabookobssd “@dawnmetcalf: @rj_anderson I think that's true of any book, period. Can't please all the people all of the time. ;-) #mglitchat” <--So True -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I think Megan Whalen Turner does some excellent exploring and handling of faith issues in her Attolia books... 1/2 #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea What I want to see more of is portrayals of teens/tweens questioning and searching for their own faith. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @coachhays64 @KateMilford Me too! Actually, that happened with a few books I probably didn't get as a kid. ;-) #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson 2/2 Easier perhaps for people to swallow as it's a fantasy religion, but it also resonates with my own faith experience. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ek_anderson @ixtumea I feel like it's hard to strike a balance between showing "bad" characters of faith and having an agenda. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder I've always been interested in religion. Remember the Bronze Bow? #mglitchat -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @dawnmetcalf Smooch. :) #mglitchat -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @ek_anderson You know, you have a point there. But my own experiences as a teen weren't all positive religion wise. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea And I can't help but think it's the same with others out there. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WaldenPondPress Agreed "@WriterRoss: a MG novel is a perfect place to explore a character's moment of change and growth re: beliefs, faith. #MGlitchat" -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Portraying some characters of faith who are "bad" is legitimate & honest. Making ALL characters of faith "bad" is mere bigotry. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Yeah, we are the sum of our beliefs so it's unavoidable in the devmt of our ch's. One's beliefs are integral but subtle too #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ek_anderson There is a book on a province reading program for Middle Grade students (7&8) about religious fanaticism. 2 Young? #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @coachhays64 That's when I feel like it's handled right. There if you want to find it, but not shoving itself down your throat. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill @rachelnseigel Hmm, I don't think of it so much as a question for a specific age of reader as an evolving question. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf But I like religion straight-up, not just allegory. @neilhimself 's Islington or @brennayovanoff 's Daphne spring to mind... #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rachelnseigel @coachhays64 But then, that's just my preference, you know? #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder Maybe... it's easier if you do something either extreme/outsider or cultural. Maybe more moderate religious stuff is harder. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall @rj_anderson i have the attolia books, will get them read #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I've read all too many books which portrayed characters of faith as inevitably hypocritical, repressive, etc. Tired of that. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb Religion can be a challenge, too, because it's how the character sees/how s/he interprets it that's important. #Mglitchat -7:20 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rj_anderson Yes! Balance, as in any representation of a population. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson The Pullman Compass trilogy lost me when it became an obvious Adam and Eve story. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rj_anderson You need to show a balance. Not dwell only on the negative. Also don't sugar coat it either. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall RT @ktubb: Religion can be a challenge, too, because its how the character sees/how s/he interprets it thats important. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
BA_Watson THE WEDNESDAY WARS does a great job of showing different belief systems living together (and w/ humor, I might add) #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill @rachelnseigel "What do I believe" means something v. different in MG than YA. The question/its nuances change as readers change. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @ktubb: yes, it's not how the author sees religion, but the character does. That's why research is sooo important. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss As in real life, I don't like when someone says "I'm a good Christian/Jew," etc expecting character to get away w/that self-ID. #MGlitchat -7:21 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @LaurelSnyder Moderate is always harder. :) #Mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011 dawnmetcalf I think it's a shame for writers to shy away from any subject for fear of "doing it wrong." Do your best & respectful research. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I truly haven't seen many books that sugarcoated religion, except in those from specifically religion-oriented publishers. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall @BA_Watson yes on the wednesday wars barbara! #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ktubb I went to Hebrew Day School. Would have liked to see more characters like me, exploring religion. #Mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ek_anderson @ixtumea Yeah. I feel the same way about some experiences I've had. I think it depends on who the majority is in the bk. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss RT @molly_oneill:"What do I believe" means something v.different in MG than YA. The question/its nuances change as readers change #MGlitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson Exploration of faith/belief can be very powerful. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
lalibrarylady86 RT @molly_oneill: @rachelnseigel "What do I believe" means something v. different in MG than YA. The question/its nuances change as readers change. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea It's like I wrote this Muslim scene in Crossed Out and had Eihab go over it. He told me he was offended. I didn't know. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 RT @dawnmetcalf: I think it's a shame for writers to shy away from any subject for fear of "doing it wrong." Do your best & respectful research. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @KateMilford You rock my lit world, lady! #mglitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @WriterRoss @molly_oneill Good point So where is the distinction? #MGlitchat -7:22 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ek_anderson @rachelnseigel No, I don't think so. Honestly, grades 7&8 are reading YA. Target audience for middle grade is under grade 7. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss Don't tell me what you are. Show me who you are. And why. Do you -know- why? #MGlitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @ktubb Well, and I bet it's most likely an editor will suggest taking it out in those case. You won't de-Amishfy an Amish kid. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @pattyjmchats Yes! And I don't always agree with how my characters view the world, that's for sure! :) #Mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @dawnmetcalf Right back atcha. And I totally agree w/your thoughts on "doing it wrong." Absolutely. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Usually I run into books which are about the character's loss of their childhood faith, as though that means freedom/growing up. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea BIL is Muslim and he then told me what I should take out. I think you need to be careful when writing of another faith. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf RT @rj_anderson: I've read all too many books which portrayed characters of faith as inevitably hypocritical, repressive, etc. Tired of that. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @WriterRoss It's raised some eyebrows with our school cutsomers! You make a valid point. #MGlitchat -7:23 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea Orson Scott Card told me once that's why he makes up his religions in his fantasies. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Interesting RT @ixtumea: What I want to see more of is portrayals of teens/tweens questioning and searching for their own faith. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
SonshineMusic RT @rj_anderson: I've read all too many books which portrayed characters of faith as inevitably hypocritical, repressive, etc. Tired of that. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I'd like to see more books about characters questioning their faith and coming away with a stronger, smarter faith as a result. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf Yes. This. RT @WriterRoss Don't tell me what you are. Show me who you are. And why. Do you -know- why? #MGlitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
hannahnpbowman RT @molly_oneill: Hi #mglitchat. Quick drop-in as I have to go pack for NCTE. But as an editor, faith & belief are themes I love to see woven into a story. -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea RT @rj_anderson: I'd like to see more books about characters questioning their faith and coming away with a stronger, smarter faith as a result. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea I don't think made up religion scares people as much as real religion. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
hannahnpbowman RT @molly_oneill: Will qualify my earlier statement to say that I personally appreciate faith & belief in MG as an editor. Don't speak for all eds. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
hannahnpbowman RT @molly_oneill: When I think about some overarching MG lit themes--wonder, discovery, empathy, identity--I think faith/belief can fit in well. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
hannahnpbowman RT @molly_oneill: But the trick is, it must be the CHARACTER who has something to say/discover about faith and belief. Not the author. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @rachelnseigel Totally agree. Would love to see those, too. A big part of growing up. #Mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
hannahnpbowman RT @molly_oneill: "What do I believe?" is a core question of being human, I think. So faith (& sometimes religion) is at the heart of many stories. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @KDuBayGillis Bingo. Now there's a story. #MGlitchat. We heal from that trauma. -7:25 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rachelnseigel Very true. I also wonder if it's safer that way? #mglitchat -7:25 PM Nov 17th, 2011
lalibrarylady86 #mglitchat I think the distinction is when kids find out adults are not capable of always fixing life situations. Adults are fallible. -7:25 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @ktubb: YES! We are just the vessel that they pour themselves into:) #mglitchat -7:25 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson It interests me how many kids blow right past the religion in Narnia, which seems so blatantly obvious to me as a preacher's kid. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @sarahlaurenson @ixtumea #Mglitchat I think the big thing is that the author doesn't impose their beliefs through their characters. -7:26 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder I do think it's hard in MG. I write Jewish picture books, and I think I'ma bout to start a religious YA, but I struggle in MG. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @coachhays64 Because adults HATE this. They want kids to follow their beliefs and heaven forbid if you question. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @rachelnseigel @sarahlaurenson @ixtumea It totally wasn't to me. I only learned about the religous aspect as an adult. #Mglitchat -7:26 PM Nov 17th, 2011
deegarretson A MG-age child questions specific parts of his/her faith. How do aspects fit into world as they know it or are taught about it. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @ixtumea Grrr. I wish I didn't agree with that. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @lalibrarylady86: I agree. It's nice when parents/adults, have questions, make mistakes, admit they need new strategies:) #mglitchat -7:27 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rachelnseigel I questioned my faith when a teen, dropped out of church and only came back later as YA. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Nov 17th, 2011
john_zeleznik I'm not a religious guy, but I met some of my closest friends while going to Religion class. I have good memories of religion. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @rachelnseigel @ixtumea I dropped out at 14, came back as an adult then dropped out again. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @LaurelSnyder Yes, how do you handle that? Just curious. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @ixtumea I was very fortunate in that my parents were always eager for a discussion on any topic--but I think that's rare. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA I'm coming in late, so maybe this has already been mentioned--what about invented religion, if it's genuine (e.g. in SF)? #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder I think it's that MG age when child wakes up & wonders why she/he is what she/he is. Until then, we don't question. #MGlitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I think a positive, nuanced portrayal of a given belief much better than an attack on other beliefs, in storytelling terms. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea I was raised to date within my faith, and expected to marry in my faith, and have friends in my faith. I didn't though. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @KateMilford Yes, it is. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
Brent_Watson41 RT @dawnmetcalf: I think it's a shame for writers to shy away from any subject for fear of "doing it wrong." Do your best & respectful research. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @ixtumea: I respectfully disagree. I don't think ALL parents want their kids just to believe what they believe. IMHO #mglitchat -7:28 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @john_zeleznik Me too. Which, I suppose, is why I like to see religion handled as something good/uplifting/helpful. #MGlitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rachelnseigel So was I but then again my parents were living in sin and lied. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't know as teen. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @john_zeleznik That's a really good point. I was great friends with those I went to church with. Deep friendships solidify here #Mglitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA That is, the characters are devoted to their religion, to God, but it's not a familiar religion. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep I think Narnia works because it can be viewed as a great story OR a religious allegory... up to the reader. #mglitchat #mglitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @pattyjmchats I think like anything, there is no ALL there--but I do think it's very common. I KNOW it's very common. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
MelissaRoske Sorry to be late to the conversation, all. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret comes to mind... #MGlitchat -7:29 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I was raised in a conservative Christian household, but we were encouraged to think & question & discuss. Doubts not "evil". #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @pattyjmchats Ok, I'll reword, some parents are that way. I just see and hear tons of them and it makes me cringe. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @WriterRoss Really? My kids talk about it all the time & theyre tiny. I wonder if it comes up more/earlier when you're minority. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
john_zeleznik One of my favorite HS memories was our confirmation retreat. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard i see faith as a place/situation in MG. it should be a source of conflict, a thing to explore, discover, leave, or oppose #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
deann_native RT @MelissaRoske: Sorry to be late to the conversation, all. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret comes to mind... #MGlitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellyandrewsPA I'm not religious, but my most recent MG book has religious themes. Pro-religious #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I grew up being 'forced' to go to one church which didn't really accept me. That was hard. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @KateMilford: I was fortunate to have parents who allowed me to ask questions and helped me find the answers. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder @WriterRoss I took what I was taught extremely seriously when I was the age of your kids! #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rj_anderson For Jews, doubt and questioning seem to be part and parcel of the faith. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @toddedillard: i see faith as a place/situation in MG. it should be a source of conflict, a thing to explore, discover, leave, or oppose #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill A timeless example of an author who blended storytelling & faith brilliantly was Madeleine L'Engle. #mglitchat. -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @karensandlerYA I think invented religion in fantasy & SF can be fascinating and useful if well-handled. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellyandrewsPA Partly because attending services is something MG age kids do -- it's just part of life #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson RT @molly_oneill: A timeless example of an author who blended storytelling & faith brilliantly was Madeleine LEngle. #mglitchat. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @karensandlerYA Yes! Thank goodness. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard sorry i'm van winkling my way into the chat... aka, "showing up late." hi everyone! #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder True. Always knew I wasn't Official Religion. I was always the other. Picked up on that young,for better or worse. #MGlitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA @rj_anderson I can agree with that! #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
john_zeleznik But growing up that way, I always looked at people who weren't Catholic as being "outsiders." I was naive. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LM_Preston @ixtumea I went to two churches Catholic and Baptist. My dad was Baptist and my mom was Catholic. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rj_anderson Yes, Orson Scot Card suggested I do this with Crossed Out. I emailed him asking for his suggestion. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @molly_oneill Yes, very much so. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 @ixtumea Yep. Fear of letting and turning loose. Fear you didn't do your job instead of empowering through knowledge. Books help! #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @pattyjmchats Oh, me too, as I mentioned--but boy, there are a lot of households that do not subscribe to that philosophy. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep My husband is a minister and I tend to leave religion out of my ms for fear of coming across as preachy. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder I always understood that we were a minority and I had a responsibility to "preserve the faith" #MGlitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @molly_oneill: Heard you rocked at SCBWI/IL! I couldn't be there. Sorry about crazy O'Hare:) #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf Amen. RT @molly_oneill A timeless example of an author who blended storytelling & faith brilliantly was Madeleine L'Engle. #mglitchat. -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rj_anderson In a way, I wove aspects of my own spiritual beliefs into TANKBORN. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz Hi to all the late-comers. Sorry, chat is moving fast...I'd welcome you individually if it wasn't. #MGlitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea So I'm wondering where are those books with teens/tweens that have a hard time being accepted in their church? Just curious. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel RT @elissacruz: Hi to all the late-comers. Sorry, chat is moving fast...I'd welcome you individually if it wasn't. #MGlitchat Ditto! :-) -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder I accepted outwardly. But always sensed something brewing below. My need to just accept changed..#MGlitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel We live in a really nonJewish area, and the kids are very aware of how "only" they are. They ask a LOT of "why?" #mglitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Faith in yourself is the prevalent religion of today's MG story. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
jasmine_marie RT @WriterRoss: And a MG novel is a perfect place to explore a character's moment of change and growth re: beliefs, faith. MGers at cusp of life. #MGlitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep @ixtumea Would a ms like that be publishable? #mglitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder As a kid, I was taught to accept and did. As a teen, I started to question and to wonder. #MGlitchat -7:33 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @ixtumea It's not a MG per se but I adored Margaret Haddix's LEAVING FISHERS. #MGlitchat -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 RT @molly_oneill: A timeless example of an author who blended storytelling & faith brilliantly was Madeleine L'Engle. #mglitchat. -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @loritayseastep Probably not. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson I wonder what age marks the beginning of questioning? #mglitchat -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Chaim Potok's THE CHOSEN made a huge impact on me as a teen. I was fascinated by the window into another culture/faith/world. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder I understand. I went to a mostly non-Jewish school after leaving Hebrew School. I had a hard time that year. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @sarahlaurenson Depends on child. Some earlier than others. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep @ixtumea A very real issue for lots of kids, though. I see it all the time. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @sarahlaurenson For me, it was about 11-12. But I didn't question much, since I've always felt a strong connection to my faith. #MGlitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard wait, so did anybody say anything about making up religions? #mglitchat #worshippingavocados -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @loritayseastep Yes, and ppl are afraid of addressing that. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @sarahlaurenson I think that varies widely, based on kid. DD asks ?s all time, DS, not as much. #Mglitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @WriterRoss: I think that many coming of age stories = moments when a teen/tween can decide to choose what was chosen for them. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Nov 17th, 2011
molly_oneill Must go pack for NCTE, alas. Keep asking these good deep questions--both here in the chat & in your stories, #mglitchat friends! -7:36 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @rj_anderson Ah. You reminded me of MY NAME IS ASHER LEV. Amazing story of someone questioning all that one is. #MGlitchat -7:36 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @sarahlaurenson For me, I remember 4th grade. First confession. Told priest it was "dumb" I had to go through a middle man. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @molly_oneill Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your NCTE-ing. {} #MGlitchat -7:36 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @WriterRoss Yes, I read that one as well - and DAVIDA'S HARP too. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @toddedillard I don't think that thread's been picked up. Let's get it going. Trying to think of MG examples. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz I wonder, do your religious values shape your writing in anyway? How? #curious #MGlitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @molly_oneill: See you there! I will stop by your booth and say hellooooo:) #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
CKVolnek I didn't so much question faith as MG. Not until I was a teen. But MG, was interested in reading how faith was incorp into life. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder I remember, in 3rd grade, my best friend (Catholic) and I decided to be Jews for Jesus, so we could be the same. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @elissacruz I think they must, even subconsciously. #curious #MGlitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KDuBayGillis Our religion was all about a private connection with or without middle man. It's been changed these days. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @KDuBayGillis HAHAHAHAA!! Come over to the dark side. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I admit one of my scenes where a group of Christian teens ridicule a girl who doesn't fit in, well, I was told to take it out. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Everybody's beliefs shape their writing. I can usually tell what an author believes by the way they write about belief/unbelief. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard what vehicle do you use to introduce religion in MG? zealots, protagonist reluctance, fundamental tyranny, twitter anecdotes... #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rj_anderson I loved Davita's Harp!!!! #mglitchat -7:37 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder @rj_anderson I read that! #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson We all have our worldviews, and they inevitably shape the way we write and the themes that we dwell upon most often. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @LaurelSnyder That is sweet and hilarious. #mglitchat #bffjewsforjesus -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KateMilford of what? #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @ixtumea That's a tough one. Middle America is heavily Christian and won't take kindly? #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @rj_anderson: Or if they have researched well enough to have a character impress a belief structure, etc. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @ixtumea WHO told you to take it out? Editors for a mainstream press? #MGlitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @elissacruz Yes, they do. I can tell an author's ideals by reading their books. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @elissacruz Mine definitely do. For one thing, I like my character arc to end with compassion & acceptance in my characters #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder @rj_anderson I drifted to Jewish Lit for a while in my teens. Was mostly adult fic. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss It's wonderful & amazing how a writer's personal history with religion translates into their characters. We do write what we know #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @LaurelSnyder The dark side of what? I suppose specifically, I meant Methodism. There's usually dougnuts and coffee afterwards. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA In other words, if my characters don't start out with compassion/acceptance of others, I want them to get there. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep @elissacruz Your values have to shape your writing because they're such a core part of you. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea But then again I don't like reading books that attack a belief. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @karensandlerYA: I like the happy, compassionate, accepting ending, too:) #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @laurelsnyder OH YOU MEANT EXAMPLES OF WHAT? The gentleman was asking if we had discussed invented religions. Examples in MG? #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea I don't either. I do like books that explore similarities of different belief systems. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard The Giver's non-religion religion is something... #mglitchat #ihatetojumponthedystopiatrain #worldbuilding -7:40 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @KateMilford We're all alike. Jewish people. Me. We totally are into the coffee and cake thing.
ixtumea When I was a teen I experimented with different faiths: Jewish, Christian, and even Hindu. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @laurelsnyder I'm trying to think of examples and I'm coming up short. Usually a fantasy/sci fi thing... #mglitchat -7:40 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KateMilford What does that mean, "invented?" Like, by kids? Or like, ALL RELIGIONS? #mglitchat -7:40 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @writerross That's really comforting. :) #mglitchat -7:40 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea I've always loved reading about different faiths and beliefs. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Didn't the Twilight series reflect a lot of Stephanie Meyer's beliefs? - which is kinda crazy considering! #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @loritayseastep @elissacruz: If a character of urs doesn't share ur same values, you need to see their POV as clearly as ur own. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I'm fascinated by sacrifice & redemption, unconditional love, by the way wrongdoing hurts the doer as well as others... #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @ixtumea Was it organic to the story? Did YOU believe in it? #MGlitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @LaurelSnyder I'm totally not snickering right now. (40 Creek Canadian whiskey. Very good.) #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @LaurelSnyder In my case, I invented a religion for my characters, for their world. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
pattyjmchats @ixtumea: Me, too. You can see how similar they are...and appreciate the differences. IMHO #mglitchat -7:41 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard Also, Shipbreaker casually introduces whole pantheons #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
loritayseastep @pattyjmchats Absolutely. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @KateMilford Yes, I did. But then again I might feel differently now. It's been awhile since I wrote that scene. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson But I've also drawn on the Bible for motifs and ideas in a pure fantasy context - like the "white stone" mentioned in Revelation. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 @elissacruz It is a part of who I am as and the way I think, so the values naturally & subtly shape the core of my writing. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb Isn't every coming-of-age story a story of faith on some level? Not religious, necessarily, but a discovery of faith? #Mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KateMilford L'chaim! #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ruthkoeppel RT @molly_oneill: A timeless example of an author who blended storytelling & faith brilliantly was Madeleine L'Engle. #mglitchat. -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea Me, too. And you know what I came away with, as a person of faith? We all serve one Creator. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @pattyjmchats Oh, sure. Not every character is going to be a mini-me. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel RT @ktubb: Isn't every coming-of-age story a story of faith on some level? Not religious, necessarily, but a discovery of faith? #Mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @ixtumea You spoke with Orson Scott Card?? #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz Not necessarily MG (though there are some MG books out there), but Star Wars treats The Force as a religion. #Ithink #MGlitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @laurelsyder I think by invented religions @todddillard meant brand-spanking new ones the author invents. Yes? #mglitchat -7:42 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @KateMilford You saw the SEINFELD episode where Mrs Costanza says "Who doesn't serve coffee w/cake?" That sums it up.
ixtumea @EllenHopkinsYA Totally. I saw that with Eihab, my Muslim BIL. Not what the media says and yeah, we do serve the same maker. #mglitchat -7:43 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @LaurelSnyder Scole! #mglitchat -7:43 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KateMilford Aha! Now I understand. #andfeellikeadolt #mglitchat -7:43 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz Or the Jedi are a somewhat religious order, at least. I suppose that's an example of an invented religion. #MGlitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @elissacruz Yes indeed - good point re Star Wars. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
dawnmetcalf @EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea The truth is that to be truly equal, ALL chars must have = chance of being good/bad/bully/victim/etc. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @elissacruz I can think of lots of examples in adult stuff. Or revised religions--A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ, ANATHEM... #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @dawnmetcalf I emailed him and he responded a couple times which was beyond cool! #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea RT @dawnmetcalf: @EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea The truth is that to be truly equal, ALL chars must have = chance of being good/bad/bully/victim/etc. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KristineAsselin Just lurking tonight, but curious. Not real qualified to weigh in on topic. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @KateMilford *Loved* CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ. Great book. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA RT @dawnmetcalf: The truth is that to be truly equal, ALL chars must have = chance of being good/bad/bully/victim/etc. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard have to disagree... coming of age & faith intertwine but one doesn't hinge on the other, unless your def of faith is muy elastic #mglitchat -7:45 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 @rj_anderson I love the themes of redemption and forgiveness. So many great directions to go in with these in storytelling. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rj_anderson BLOODY AWESOME BOOK. I finished it, turned to the beginning, and started again. True story. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis RT @coachhays64: @rj_anderson I love the themes of redemption and forgiveness. So many great directions to go in with these in storytelling. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Catherine Fisher's books also frequently incorporate invented religious systems/elements, mysticism etc. in an interesting way. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rj_anderson That's the kind of messing with religion I adore. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @KateMilford I can believe it. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis Think this is my fav #mglitchat to date. Love all the layers and perspectives! -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @rj_anderson Dystopian novels often have an element of religion. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Yes! | RT @coachhays64: I love the themes of redemption and forgiveness. So many great directions to go in storytelling. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @LaurelSnyder There are no dolts here. *waves hand* These are not the dolts you're looking for. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @coachhays64 Redemption and forgiveness are my faves too. I like to think we all have that opportunity. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea RT @rj_anderson: Yes! | RT @coachhays64: I love the themes of redemption and forgiveness. So many great directions to go in storytelling. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @elissacruz I think for me, while my work isn't Catholic per se, my childhood questions of good v. evil and free will do come up #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @KDuBayGillis Me, too. Nicely chosen topic. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @rachelnseigel Yes, as often it's supposed that the religion created the dystopia, a la THE HANDMAID'S TALE. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Religion affects EVERYTHING, even if you don't have one :) So it has to be somewhere in a char's psyche. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
MitaliPerkins Catching up on the fascinating #mglitchat tweets about faith in fiction for middle grade readers. -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA @coachhays64 But there's a difference btwn forgiveness by a human and forgiveness/redempt. in a relgious way. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson Good/evil can play in, but it's usually better if characters are 3D. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson I'm not really fond of religion-based dystopias, as they too often come across as a slam on the religion & its followers. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @rj_anderson Ooo, that's a great point. Esp in way religion helps characters in the prison make sense of their world & find hope #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
jessyabookobssd RT @rj_anderson: We all have our worldviews, and they inevitably shape the way we write and the themes that we dwell upon most often. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @rj_anderson In The Forest Of Hands and Teeth was set in religious community. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson As in, "See what will happen if you take this nonsense seriously? You will end up OPPRESSING EVERYONE." To which I say pfft. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @PippaBayliss Totally agree. :) #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KristineAsselin Has anyone mentioned Margaret Haddix books? Surprised me that God was mentioned in the context of history and time travel in SENT #mglitchat -7:48 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill One of my favorite books (YA vs. MG) is Pete Hautman's Godless: kid invents a religion to piss off his dad. Complications ensue. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder In older books, we accept religion, I think. Little House, Allofakindfamily, etc. Is religion "historical?" #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson I think The Giver was an early example of religion in a MG. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @kellybarnhill Same here. (I'm not Catholic, though, but still...) Good and bad, or less good and more good in some cases... #MGlitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @kellybarnhill That's awesome! I'll have to read that! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard is inventing new religions just an extension of world building tho? like, museum of thieves, or forest of hand and teeth #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel There's lots of it in darker YA, as in horror movies. Fake angels. Etc. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @toddedillard I would agree with that, though I thought Forest of Hands & Teeth was essentially Christian. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @KristineAsselin Haven't read that, but you're making me want to. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @toddedillard It can be, sure. Or character building. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder Angel Fiction is a big trend in YA right now. I find that interesting. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @kellybarnhill Never heard of it but sounds great.#mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @kellybarnhill Come up 4 chactrs or choosing what 2 write about? That's where religion kicks in, whether we know it or not! #MGlitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rachelnseigel You're right. I guess I like the human-type redemption. God's redemption/forgiveness seems more generously given. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PrimrosePub RT @dawnmetcalf: @EllenHopkinsYA @ixtumea The truth is that to be truly equal, ALL chars must have = chance of being good/bad/bully/victim/etc. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @rachelnseigel @toddedillard And YA. #justsayin' #MGlitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @toddedillard But I don't think that necessarily means it can't ask essential questions meaningfully. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @toddedillard Right. I think faith in that sense isn't religious necessarily, but faith in that which cannot be seen (love, etc) #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KristineAsselin @rj_anderson It's subtle, but present. Good books. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
almadsfeika @WriterRoss @KateMilford lol. Here in England we do tea and cake instead. #MGlitchat -7:50 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA Particularly in MG I think there has to be redemption 4 the main character in the end. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel It really bothers me that most of it isn't actually theological at all though, or rooted in specific tradition. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @almadsfeika @KateMilford I wish we did more tea times in New York.
KateMilford @almadsfeika @writerross as a kid I always wished hot chocolate was better-represented. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @WriterRoss @almadsfeika @KateMilford That sounds awesome right now. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rachelnseigel Yeah. I've read books where the main characters never find redemption. A real bummer of an ending. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder That's true. I can't really understand when the fallen angel boy became sexy. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Or iif you're @KateMilford, whiskey #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @KateMilford @almadsfeika Keeping it neutral.
rj_anderson I can't read most angel-based fiction because it jars so badly with the Biblical view of angels and that drives me up the wall. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
whitneystewart2 RT @WaldenPondPress: Agreed "@WriterRoss: a MG novel is a perfect place to explore a character's moment of change and growth re: beliefs, faith. #MGlitchat" -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA Yeah- I wouldn't reccommend books like that. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill Another issue is the twinship of faith and doubt. You cannot have one without the other, and the two make for good storytelling. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Nov 17th, 2011
AudryT @rj_anderson I've seen religious dystopias aimed at slamming religion, and atheist dystopias aimed at slamming atheism. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rj_anderson Uh, confession time: It does me too. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard @elissacruz yeah, that's why I also mentioned the museum of thieves, which is more mg but its not as popular #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @PippaBayliss Well, you know, I didn't think that when I was ten. But now... #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder Self destructive bad-boy syndrome. Too many kids think they'll die young anyway. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rachelnseigel You can maybe blame romance novels for that. Angel heroes have been populating romances for years. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @rj_anderson AGREED. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz If you haven't shared, now is the time to do so. Favorite MG books with religion/religious beliefs. And..go! #MGlitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA Was never my cup of tea... #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @sarahlaurenson I've seen the opposite: Teens think they'll live forever. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson The only person I know who's written a legit Biblical-type angel is L'Engle. Proginoskes FOR THE WIN. Eyes and flames all around. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss Superbeings! That's wot we love ... have I transgressed? #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford So here's a weird thing I'm thinking, esp. re the angel trend. Creepy thought coming up in 5-4-3- #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea @sarahlaurenson More that they think they are indestructible. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @ixtumea It is their personal dichotomy. They're invincible, but they won't live to be 30. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @KDuBayGillis It won the National Book Award a few years back, and it stuns me every time I re-read it. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss Now maybe it's because of my background but I never got the angel thing. Would not feel at home writing in that vein. #MGlitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @elissacruz Have to be @sarazarr book that addressed a girl questioning her faith. Done tastefully. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @kellybarnhill Yes and doubt to anger when faith doesn't come through. I have a MS in the drawer that explores this. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Nov 17th, 2011
debamarshall bye & thanks.I came in with too narrow view on religion & faith in story, so many layers, even in my books, didn't see it! #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Read an article recently suggesting that a lot of current YA (I know, off-topic, but maybe not so much) romanticized early death #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ixtumea @elissacruz @sarazarr I liked that one. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @AudryT I have a real issue w/ slamming religion. I may not see God as others do but I don't see religion as the root of all evil #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford Does angel thing play into that? I've been obsessed w this thought esp since I hear that awful "If I die young" song all the time #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford The covers seem to have lots of dead girls. Addicted to excitement? #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
coachhays64 @kellybarnhill Putting that one on my reading list. Sound like something I may have done as a kid. I bet complications ensued! #mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @ixtumea But that's YA, right? Not that I'm complaining if it is... #MGlitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel #MGlitchat name is escaping me right now, but there was a book about two-three years ago about a girl who wanted to become a saint. -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @elissacruz Well, obviously the collected L'Engle.....#mglitchat -7:55 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @elissacruz Hmmm, you know I loved BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @rachelnseigel Me neither. But then, I just can't get into vampires either. I was enamored with vamps 40 yrs. ago but no more #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kurtisscaletta @KateMilford #mglitchat supports my theory that dark/paranormal YA craze is a lot like the "angel" ballads fad of the 1950s. -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @sarahlaurenson Well, I think worry about dying a "good death" has been around for a long time. Creeps me out to think of it 1/2 #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @elissacruz The main character's father is a preacher and she does question about his church and herself. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson Narnia! I still re-read the books every few years and get all misty-eyed. Yes, even THE LAST BATTLE, painful as it is. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @karensandlerYA I never really was. Paranormal in general isn't my thing and never was. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Nov 17th, 2011
Ruthven4 @ixtumea Ditto! As well - The Higher Power of Lucky. #MGlitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @rj_anderson Loved Narnia! Great series! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @sarahlaurenson 2/2 being something kids are in any way consumed with. That worries me, a little. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
almadsfeika @rj_anderson I had that problem recently with Angel by L.A. Weatherly. It was just totally different angels. Not MG though. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @rj_anderson I read it when I was 9, and remember finding Last Battle confusing. Had to re-read as adult. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @kurtisscaletta Ooo! Remember "Tell Laura I Love Her?" I loved that song. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel Donna Freitas. Possibilities of Sainthood #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @kurtisscaletta Ah, so...interesting. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kurtisscaletta #mglitchat I am of the statistically most reviled religious group and one least represented in books -- atheism. -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea And I loved the first books in THE GOLDEN COMPASS. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford Sometimes I think the pain of school, bullying, peers is so hard they just want it to stop. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA Not MG or YA, but has anyone read Sharon Shinn's angel books? They're SF. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder That's it! Thanks! I could picture the cover and everything! #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder Southern MGs incorporate kids who do church more, I think. Not SO religious, but religion is a backdrop. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @kurtisscaletta You're here! #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @kurtisscaletta @leewind has one for you but it's not published yet. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @sarahlaurenson Which is a frightening place to think of kids finding themselves in. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
smozer Ooo, is the #mglitchat still going? What's the topic? -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea Lois Lowy has some great book too like THE GIVER. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard Angel fiction. I just can't do it. I blame readers looking for sparkly vampire alternatives #mglitchat -7:58 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson But some lesser-known gems are George MacDonald's THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN and THE PRINCESS AND CURDIE. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @toddedillard Seems to have become an off-shoot of fairies. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
elissacruz @smozer religion in MG fiction. #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford It's the permanent solution to a temporary problem. Only they don't see life changing. #mglitchat 1/2 -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss If there was religious undertone 2 WRINKLE, I never noticed it as kid. That's why it's classic. Story appeals across generations #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder #MGlitchat I wonder.... Do you think wishing is some form of faith or religion? -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford And that brings it back to faith and can that see them through or does it make it worse? #mglitchat 2/2 -7:59 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rj_anderson @KateMilford I think the angel/demon obsession does definitely play into teen fascination with death & the afterlife, yes. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @kurtisscaletta Talking of things that make people edgy...I well know your pain. It isn't my pain but it's close to my heart. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kellybarnhill @kurtisscaletta Pish posh. You guys got the golden compass and all of Pratchett. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT! ;-) #mglitchat -8:00 PM Nov 17th, 2011
almadsfeika totally seconding Narnia. @rj_anderson #mglitchat -8:00 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @rachelnseigel I talk abt this with kids sometime. I think faith and magic are related to kids. Belief in things they can't SEE. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KDuBayGillis @rachelnseigel I think prayer is a type of wish at this age. #mglitchat @LaurelSnyder -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
fullofstars @karensandlerYA Yes. I love those books and I like how she evolves the religion and society in each one. #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder I agree- I think they are intertwined. I wish on stars whenever possible! ;-) #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ek_johnston @rj_anderson You know what surprised me? Divergent. I was very impressed. #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @sarahlaurenson I don't know. Kids need real solutions for that kind of thing, ways to change their circumstances. #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss A lot more dark/death themes around. SciFi been replaced with dystopia as an example. We only see doom in our future, but 1/2 #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ktubb @rachelnseigel Wishing, to me, is hope, and hope is a major part of religion. I think closely tied... #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel @ek_johnston @rj_anderson Yes! And just when the whole genre was starting to annoy me. #mglitchat -8:01 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @KDuBayGillis Yes, me too. #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
toddedillard @WriterRoss are you saying angels in fiction doesn't necessarily mean including religion? #mglitchat or it's a classic bc relig isn't obvi -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
AudryT @karensandlerYA To write as if religion is to blame for evil is superficial; as I see it, evil is rooted in human nature itself. #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford Yes, but there's a lot to be said for knowing others experience the same thing. #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
PippaBayliss 2/2 faith & hope are still needed 4 MC's to survive ... tho maybe I'm in YA territory here #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
kurtisscaletta #mglitchat Ironic because secular is fine (even preferred), but open atheism is too controversial. You can be godless, but not Godless. -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss @LaurelSnyder I thought I was a 10 yr old genius the day I sat up in Hebrew school & said: "I can't see G-d. G-d is a power." #MGlitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @sarahlaurenson I may be odd, but I don't (or didn't) find that comforting. Just sad for the others. Didn't help me feel better. #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
smozer Has anyone mentioned Confessions of a Closet Catholic by @SarahDarerLitt #mglitchat -8:02 PM Nov 17th, 2011
WriterRoss p.s. Teacher (a rabbi) wanted to kill me. ;.> #MGlitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
LaurelSnyder @kurtisscaletta and I have a pretend secret project that is ALL ABOUT GOD. #itsasecret #mglitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
maryj59 @rj_anderson Religion-based dystopias? In MG? I don't like the oppressive-religion stereotype, but could you give some examples? #mglitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
ixtumea @smozer I couldn't get into that book. But that's just me. #mglitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
rachelnseigel #MGlitchat it was totally fluffy YA, but loved Goy Crazy. -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
karensandlerYA @AudryT I absolutely agree. To equate religion with evil is a lazy and not very effective attempt at conflict. #mglitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
sarahlaurenson @KateMilford Solutions are best, of course. Sometimes there is nothing to do but hold on and get out ASAP. #mglitchat -8:03 PM Nov 17th, 2011
KateMilford @kurtisscaletta Absolutely, sadly, unfairly true. #mglitchat -8:04 PM Nov 17th, 2011
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