A Novel idea!

[Caesar]

As some of you know from a previous thread, I am trying to write a short novel for a class. Today I was reading about the series of books called “Left Behind”, based on the protestant idea of a rapture before the end of time.

Anyway, I came up with an idea. How about a novel based on the Catholic beliefs regarding the Last Things? Use of traditional prophesies regarding Catholic eschatology; Biblical prophesies; ect.

What do you all think? What could this be about?

 

[Della]

I’m a writer but I can’t think of a scenario about the end times from the Catholic perspective that would be entertaining. After all, Catholic beliefs in this area are pretty dull compared to Fundamentalist ones. For Catholics there will be no Rapture, no “signs” that would lead one to have to conclude that Christ is coming soon, and no one character to blame for all the troubles in the world.

We Catholics are always supposed to be ready for Christ’s return because as he himself said, he will come like a “thief in the night”. And when he comes it will be the end of the world as we know it and not a lingering time of trials and tribulations filled with colorful characters and poor schmucks who have been “left behind” and lived to rue it. Too bad, huh?

 

[bluerose]

Bud MacFarlane wrote a series of three books that could be considered Catholic End Times novels. They are available from St. Jude Media. The two main problems I see with the books are:

1. they rely heavily on Marian apparitions–both approved and those not approved by the Church–as the basis for the End Times warnings and events, which may lead some people to ignore what Scripture actually says (refer to Della’s post) and put their trust in private revelations.
2. the quality of writing is, to be blunt, atrocious.

There is also another novel by William Santmeyer, also about the End Times (the title escapes me). Again, based strongly on private revelations, but the writing quality is better (not much) than MacFarlane’s.

Still, it might be worthwhile to check them out and see how another writer has treated the same subject (don’t be disheartened; any writer will tell you that there are no “new” plots. If you don’t believe me, look at the wildly successful category romance and western genres… but they keep on getting written–and sold–right?)

 

[leonie]

It’s been awhile since I read them, but it seems like the Michael O’Brien books were sort of along this line.

Does your story have to be geared to any particular age group? I love Children’s literature. The kid that wrote Eragon was 15, I believe. Wouldn’t it be cool to get an “A” then publish it?

 

[Viki59]

I’m a writer but I can’t think of a scenario about the end times from the Catholic perspective that would be entertaining. After all, Catholic beliefs in this area are pretty dull compared to Fundamentalist ones. ,We Catholics are always supposed to be ready for Christ’s return because as he himself said, he will come like a “thief in the night”. And when he comes it will be the end of the world as we know it

Didn’t He also say his coming would be like lightning, shining from the east to the west? Unmistakeable, in other words.
I think you could make a fine novella about the Catholic perspective. I don’t think I would be bored if I were alive at the end of Time!
You could have characters discussing it, going about their lives, struggling with temptations, with a romantic plot (a la Arms of Love), then abruptly the ground shudders, graves open and dead people start coming back to life, and a brilliant light shines across the sky, people see a huge Sign in the air (a cross?), maybe a rider on a white horse . . . The lovers mount into the air together like the hero and his girlfriend in The Robe. . . fade to The End.

 

[bluerose]

It’s been awhile since I read them, but it seems like the Michael O’Brien books were sort of along this line.
quote]

Yes, they were and while I loved “Eclipse of the Sun”, the boat trip could have been shortened by about five pages (not just my opinion; everyone in my family that read it asked, “so what was the point in going on and on about the boat trip?”)

 

[mommyof4]

How’s the story coming, Caesar?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Why don’t you base it on the prophecies of Fatima?

 

[leonie]

Why don’t you base it on the prophecies of Fatima?

ooo, that would be a cool story–an athiest–perhaps a policeman (an embittered former soldier) who happens to be on duty on the day of the miracle. How would that affect his life? would he be able to explain the miracle.

 

[Vidi_Aquam]

I’m a writer but I can’t think of a scenario about the end times from the Catholic perspective that would be entertaining. After all, Catholic beliefs in this area are pretty dull compared to Fundamentalist ones. For Catholics there will be no Rapture, no “signs” that would lead one to have to conclude that Christ is coming soon, and no one character to blame for all the troubles in the world.

We Catholics are always supposed to be ready for Christ’s return because as he himself said, he will come like a “thief in the night”. And when he comes it will be the end of the world as we know it and not a lingering time of trials and tribulations filled with colorful characters and poor schmucks who have been “left behind” and lived to rue it. Too bad, huh?

Amen. Leave it to protestants to take verses out of the Bible cut them up into little pieces and rearrange them into some ‘biblical’ doctrine or idea.