Writer's block.

[Arsen]

Okay guys, listen up. As of now I am currently writing a story which I plan on turning into a full fledged novel one day. I have unfortunately, hit a roadblock when it comes down to idea's.

I am trying to make the idea of God's and Goddesses seem as realistic as I can possibly make them. Does anyone know any techniques you can think of that can bridge the gap between realism and fiction? I am trying to basically destroy that wall while at the same time having the story make sense.

 

[captain awesome 12]

What is the time period that this novel is taking place?

 

[Arsen]

I think Forgotten Realms does this pretty well.

I suggest you take a gander at it?

When I say realistic, I mean "Dark Tower" and "Jurassic Park" realism. Something which particularly strikes the audience and can hit all levels.

 

[rottenbutter]

The best you do with making realistic gods, is by going with god like aliens.

 

[Baby Tea]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

 

[Ursus Astrorum]

The main problem with most gods is that they're too perfect. Shinoism and the Greek Pantheon had quite a good grasp on the best characterization: Powerful beings who nonetheless were very human. They make mistakes, they feel emotions, and when the world rests on their shoulders, things can go topsy-turvy in the case of a goof.

Appearance-wise, you're rather on your own, there. I usually manifest them as a character that seems characteristically generic. In a word, almost too generic, with some detail that nonetheless betrays their godly nature. For example, Amaterasu would be a golden-haired woman with very warm, sun-colored eyes. She'd dress casually, but with an obvious liking for warm colors, particularly golds and reds. A necklace with a sun-shaped pendant would also be a good touch.

 

[Jav3lin]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

that might be good material for a movie, you should copy paste that to Hollywood man xD i'd atleast pay a movie ticket to see it

 

[Arsen]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

that might be good material for a movie, you should copy paste that to Hollywood man xD i'd atleast pay a movie ticket to see it

Don't get me wrong, it's been done American Gods style and in so many other forms, ways, etc.

But otherwise, that's what I'm doing right now.

 

[fd18e3d0-816e-11e4-b4a9-0800200c9a66]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

That is actually quite a good idea.
*Moves mouse to word processor*

Seriously though that could make quite a good novel

To the OP my friend read a book called [a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods']American Gods[/a]

I'm yet to read it but it sounded like the thing you where walking about

 

[Arsen]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

My idea more or less "one ups" the idea of making them a "insert them into this era" thing that's already been done by Neil Gaiman. Seriously, if I wrote a book about that he'd probably give me a call somewhere along the lines and ask "What's up?" then send his lawyers my way. And besides he's done that with his series "The Sandman" and "Anasi Boys" as well.

Other than that, my idea DOES truly elevate certain characteristics of the tale... but nonetheless thanks for the advice.

Now to go onto page three hundred. I already have a book deal with this and just wanted to know what some people thought of the subject.

 

[Jenny Creed]

What I do is imagine things so hard that they become real in my head. Failing that, look at the work of Neil Gaiman. He's probably better at layering realistic and fantastic story elements together than anyone who's ever lived.

Or, a random idea, look at the chaos magic interpretation of gods: They are the emotions they represent. Take Mercury, a popular example, he's the god of quick wit, creativity, writing and so on. What you do when you summon him is turn to the aspect of yourself that has those qualities, focusing on them, making them more pronounced and relevant. Basically, gods are masks that we wear.

 

[Arsen]

I guess it depends on the gods or goddesses you are referring to.

If it's Greek angle, and they are all the gods of a cause or feeling, then make them the human embodiment of said cause/feeling...but modernize it.
Hades, the god of the underworld, might be the leader of a cruel prison in some third-world nation.
Ares, the god of war, might be a soldier in an army.
Hermes might be a bike messenger.

Now these would all be 'guises' of course, as they would still invoke their 'godly' duties.

But I guess it depends on the story, the era, and the direction you're going with humanizing gods and goddesses. I guess I accidentally assumed you were speaking in modern terms.

That is actually quite a good idea.
*Moves mouse to word processor*

Seriously though that could make quite a good novel

To the OP my friend read a book called [a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods']American Gods[/a]

I'm yet to read it but it sounded like the thing you where walking about

I've read it and as I've said previously...I have an idea which one ups it and basically have a deal written down in stone.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

The best you do with making realistic gods, is by going with god like aliens.

You mean like Stargate? with higher levels of technology being misinterpreted as god powers?

 

[ioxles]

to seem more realistic I guess you should make the gods and goddesses seem human. In their thoughts and actions, maybe explain their thought processes, place them in situations that can be related to emotionally, well, just flesh them out.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Try making a god that has no image and has messages in shadows, reflections symbols etc. And try not to overhumanize; it is a god after all.