  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Puditat  
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Spiritual: relating to the spirit or soul and not to physical matter; intangible. Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus
This newsletter explores ideas of the spiritual nature that exists in each and every one of us in an open and non-judgemental manner.
Each editor brings to the newsletter their own backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and opinions. Whether you disagree, agree, doubt or applaud the views expressed, let us all show respect to each other. Together we can learn something about the many varied aspects of the spiritual self and enjoy our differences in true meaning of the Spirit of Community.
Enjoy! 
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** Dealing With Difficult Elements **
Last month I wrote about reconciling your beliefs with your writing. Those who hold firmly to their faith do not want to compromise themselves within their creative output.
I received lots of wonderful feedback (below) - thank you all.  It got me thinking. It was not my intention to say 'evil' things should not be included, as they are unavoidble realities. They also make for great tension, drama, not to mention those 'good triumphs over evil' storylines.
Sometimes it is not the subject you write about, but how you deal with the subject within your writing. Is what you know to be evil shown to be good? Is 'good' portrayed as something undesirable? Are details gratuitous or do they have some deeper meaning that supports your beliefs?
So I put my mind to coming up with some guidelines, which could be used to include scenes or factors you might not be comfortable with in a 'safe' way.
 Is the element necessary for the storyline?
If this is the idea that came to you, then most likely it does need to be in the story. However, you could consider whether there is another way to: reveal the same problem/character; a different way to set up the conflict; other traumas to effect difficulty for the character(s), etc.
For example, instead of a hero with psychic abilities, he may have an informant, be a prophet or be guided by one...
Do you need to include the actual scene?
This refers to individual scenes. Does that tryst in the Hotel need to be laid out detail by detail for the reader? Or can it be referred to in other ways? A conversation between two friends, a joke between hotel employees, a P.I. handing photographs to the wife...
If it is something you consider evil, then do not glorify it
As an example, I do not like Harry Potter. In my opinion it glorifies magic, making it 'friendly', 'acceptable', and 'fun'. Magic could still be included, but made into a tool of the antagonist -- something undesirable and ultimately fails.
Be creative with scenes
It is not always necessary to be explicit with scenes to give enough detail. This applies to sex scenes, but also any violence, or other scenes which are uncomfortable for your beliefs/likings.
I am using dream sequences to reveal to my heroine that she was raped as a little girl. This is only one method, though. Make use of innuendo, inference, and other scenes which remind the character of something or affect them more so than normal because of the 'other' factor.
Use emotions to describe events
How about using the reactions of the character(s). Describe the thoughts and emotions of the witness to the murder, and not at the gory murder itself.
Flip the Factor
This applies to specific Spiritual elements, as many things can be described in Biblical terms. Miracles can be used instead of magic, potions, resurrection, or translocation. Guidance can come from prophecy or prayer instead of precognition. Use evil spirits instead of ghosts.
All of these suggestions are springboards for you to establish how far to go. Each person must decide where their comfort level lies and translate that across into your writing in a way you can live with.
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9
Till next time:
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Puditat, you have some excellent questions here that everyone must answer about their writings. No matter what our faith, we must be true to it in our writings, I think. In Proverbs 20:11 NIV, we read, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
In the old days Christian fiction used to be really boring because it didn't usually include anything bad. But the world around us is full of bad and evil things. Now, Christian fiction does include those things, although not to glorify them, but to admit they are there and that people of faith must be ready to address them.
Kenzie 
Your scriptural quote is very fitting, Kenzie. You also make a vlid point. Christian fiction does not have to be boring. In fact, using those evil elements provides some real, identifiable answers to people in how God conquers over evil. Thank you for the loevly feedback.
I faced this dilemma in my last Horror newsletter - I wrote about Possession, which is a subject that is viewed in very different ways by different religions. As someone who believes in the power of good and evil it was difficult to write, because I didn't want to inflict too much of my own beliefs on readers. I kept it factual... but it wasn't easy!
zwisis
Oh! You did choose a tough subject.  From a Christian POV, possession is a very real and scary possibility. I have not heard much about it in today's world, but it was certainly present vividly in Biblical times. (Jesus casting the demon out of the man into the pigs Mark 5:6-13)
re:spiritual newsletter 09/28/06
Thank you for mentioning that you do not plan to write explicit details about a rape scene. I think writers do a great disservice to rape victims when a rape scene is written in great detail.
I always look to Maya Angelou for inspriration on writing about scenes involving sexual assaults. Her poetry contains many allusions to these hidious acts, but no details.
Thanks,
salliemoffitt
I must admit, I had not thought of the subject from this point of view. You are correct though, and I appreciate you making this point for all the readers. 
excellent editorial (and very useful to writers with a deep spiritual life)
but where's the ask&answer? you know, you can always ask us fellow mods to give you a big beefy question to answer!
John~Ashen 
 It was a bit light on the ground last month. How's this month?
Hello Puditat!
I'm glad that you addressed this topic--it's something I've thought a lot about, and I found your questions helpful.
What happened was that a while back I was going to have a main character in my current novel rape someone's sister, so that that person would have a reason to hate him (which was important for the story). I started to go ahead with the idea, but I realized I didn't feel comfortable with it (partially because he would never be reproached for the deed), so I cut it out, along with a whole subplot. Though I thought the rest of the subplot was good, I figure I'll make up for it with other strengths.
alissaameth
Thank you for your feedback on my newsletter. It is very encouraging to know I've helped someone.
Congratulations on making a stand with your story, and I hope you came up with an even better sub-plot! Maybe this week's newsletter might give some further guidance.
reading the Bible seems to make me quiry as to the fear of being unrealistic. the above piece while seeks to promote positive and conservative ideals unfortunately it seeks to hide in the shadows. this is because the Bible rights stories that are truthful and sometime without putting a value on them thus allowing the reader to evaluate. for instance, the story of Abraham lying about his wife. the story of Judah and Tamar, the very sometimes harsh words of Yahweh when he tells Israel to kill all and sundry. while someone should be carefull in his plot, one should not be afraid to write sometime very unpalatable issues.
maich
Perhaps I was not clear enough in my last editorial. My advice was not that people shouldn't write about 'bad' things, but that they find within themselves the point at which the subject -- or treatment of a subject -- compromises their faith. Indeed, the Bible covers many shocking and horrible events, and yet the scriptures convey the horror without being gory. Perhaps there is a lesson in that...
Excellent issue Puditat - you've touched on an important point that, up to now, I'd not given any direct thought. Although, it is usually my practice to keep it real, which is to say, if I'm not comfortable with it, it doesn't get written. Well.... usually. Good job!
windac
if I'm not comfortable with it, it doesn't get written It is a fair comment. Perhaps this week's editorial will put a different light on some things - ways to tackle difficult issues in a way that they are not so uncomfortable. Thank you for your enduring support! 
Dear,Puditat I fully agree we cannot be jugemental. When writing spiritual articals.
All articles should be shared with friends and
family.That is why I submit all my spiritual articles at FaithWriters.com so family and friends or in that matter anyone can read them at any time.Don Mulholland.
donald
Thank you.
I so identify with your concerns. If i write a novel dealing with magic...is every magician evil? I don't think i would want that in my story. I am thinking about creating a world with several god-like beings but only one true and high God. The others were supposed to be servants but they took power for their own. But you are right it is a tricky subject
werden
I like the sound of your story. Satan was an angel who decided to go out on his own and do a 'better job', so there is Biblical significance in your storyline. I think it would make a great novel - and of course, *whispers* I expect God wins at the end.
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Spiritual: October 25, 2006 Issue [#1334]
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