A Dog's Eye: Launching Scorpions

My sixth novel was unleashed on the world last week. Scorpion's Breath joins shelf mates, Devolution, Loathe Your Neighbor, Ashmore Grief, A Muddy Red River and Love Sick Love.

I started writing Scorpion's Breath while I was working on Love Sick Love, but it got shelved until such time as I could write that kind of story. It was really only an idea, perhaps a dream to write something fun and light; something easy to write and entertaining for the reader. In short, because of how emotionally intense it was to write Love Sick Love, I wanted to write something different. Unfortunately, the circumstances of my life at that time exacerbated my somewhat negative feelings, and strengthened my resolve to get it all out of my system.

When I finally returned to the idea of Scorpion's Breath, I wrote it quickly and easily. Divorced from any auto biographical content, and removed from reality, it was a chance to have a party. Scorpion's Breath is a literary version of a personal happy dance. 

Although not without humour, my earlier novels dealt with much more serious themes. Grounded in reality and focused on dysfunctional relationships, they reflected the challenges of my personal life, as well as the every day sights, sounds and experiences which I have always integrated both into my writing and into my character.

I can't remember the origins of Scorpion's Breath, but let's just say I love The X-Files and Supernatural, so certain elements from these two iconic television series have no doubt influenced it. However, I've never been satisfied with the post modern narrative which champions relative morality and always raises a human saviour. One of the things I liked about The X Files is that they avoid always needing rationalistic explanations for the weird stuff Mulder and Scully encounter. Funnily enough, Supernatural presents supernatural explanations for everything, and yet our human saviours, Sam and Dean Winchester, always triumph. These exceptional shows blur the lines between right and wrong, between natural and supernatural, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind. I am not a humanist though, so I feel the weight of what is missing.

I am a supernaturalist who is fascinated by religion and mythology. As a Christian, I've chosen my path and made my stand, but that does not stop me exploring the world I can see as well as the one I can't. I view it all through the prism of my faith in Christ Jesus, which means I see echoes and shadows in many people, places and situations. The interplay between the worlds is what I explore in Scorpion's Breath, but that is not all. It's also about relationships, about power and about forgiveness. And did I mention there are lots of demons?

Let the reader extract what they will with respect to deeper meanings, but let them be entertained while doing so. Scorpion's Breath is supposed to be fun, but naturally I have something to say. I always have something to say. I guess that's one of the main reasons I write. When no one but God is listening, or those who do listen don't understand, I can 'put pen to paper' and I have a voice. I'm learning, growing into a better man and writing is an important tool for me to facilitate this growth as I work my way through the rollercoaster ride we call life.

I don't like angels because...

Here's my beef with Supernatural's portrayal of angels.

There is an angel called Joshua (left) who is the only one who talks to God, and as he points out, it is mostly him talking because God doesn't have much to say. Another angel called Zachariah plays tricks on people, and manipulates them and calls them offensive names. He gets angry when he doesn't get his own way, and he keeps on talking as though only he speaks the truth when his actions belie his words. 

Castiel (right) rebelled against Heaven, because he has a soft spot for the Winchester boys. He looks confused most of the time, and at one point was searching for God but has now conceded that God is gone and He doesn't care. Gabriel disguises himself as a demi-God and torments people for his own amusement. Anna became human and had sex in the back of Dean's car before becoming an angel again. And let's not forget Lucifer (below right) who is roaming the earth now, footloose and fancy free.

I could go on, but all this proves is that what I am watching is complete fantasy. Wow! What a revelation. I know it's fiction, but before the apocalypse story line, I could distinguish between good and evil in Supernatural. Castiel was a 'good guy': a fearsome solider of Heaven, for example. That's what post modernist story telling does; it blurs the lines between good and evil. Supernatural's angels are all nearly as bad as the demons.

I prefer my angels like they are in Touched By An Angel. They speak God's truths into people's lives, they protect them, guide them, counsel them and encourage them. They demonstrate real love and at the same time, obedience to their father who sent them. They are not morally ambiguous, and they don't hurt people or cause trouble.

Assuming you also believe in angels, which kind do you prefer. Which do you think is closer to the truth?

Although this mini series on angels has captured the imagination of the world, it is time to move on. I'd love to hear your thoughts on angels.

Bad Angels

Nearly everyone knows the story of Lucifer: the chief of God's angels who rebelled against God and was cast to earth. This angel is also called Satan or the Devil. The Bible tells us that a third of the heavenly host was also banished and Satan leads this group of troublemakers. We call them demons.

Angels and demons abound in popular fiction and film. Interest in the supernatural realm has always been strong because humans are also spiritual beings. Although we have earthly bodies now, the essence of who we are is spirit just as God, who created us, is a spirit. Angels and demons often appear in human form, in disguise as it were, so that many who have encountered them have not recognized them as supernatural beings.

Leaving demons aside because we can safely say that they are all evil, let's consider the question of the character of angels. People are described as angels if they are either beautiful and kind, or both. A Google search of images of angels brought up a plethora of female beauties with wings; some of them even sexy. The Bible mentions angels 273 times, and describes them as created beings who cannot die. They most often appear in masculine human form, or in dazzling white. The typical response to seeing the latter is fear and awe. Most angels do not have wings. Humans do not became angels when they die.

Angels are essentially ministering agents of God who are more powerful and more knowledgeable than humans but not omnipotent or omniscient. The carry out a range of benevolent functions including the provision of physical needs, encouragement, guidance and protection. They also rescue people, deliver messages to them. and care for them at their death. These nice functions are why we like angels. Even people who don't believe in God, sometimes like to believe in angels because they are nice and helpful.

Angels are also warriors and executioners. An angel destroyed the Assyrian army, and another one smote the firstborn of Egypt during the time for Moses. Angels can cause blindness and bring plagues. Angels can do things which most people would not consider very angelic, nevertheless they exist to do the will of God so we can assume they are righteous and holy. They also have free will as we do.

I have allowed myself to be sidetracked again from my promised comparison of the angels in Touched by an Angel and Supernatural, but as I find the general topic fascinating I am rolling with it. More next week.

What do you think of angels? Have you ever seen one? Do you believe in them?

Further reading about angels according to the Bible.
http://christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t005.html

Photo sources:
http://warui-shoujo.deviantart.com/art/Lucifer-s-Fall-184183566
http://www.indigoangelslight.com/
http://dark.pozadia.org/wallpaper/Dark-Angel-Lord/