WE LOVE FALL DECORATIONS.... We focus on harvest, but we've added in some fun Halloween-style things to our hand-crafted decor..... This antique box was from a Clematis Nursery 45 minutes away and when Mandy and I went to sort through these boxes, there was rodent poop... and some kitty smell.... but we found 80 boxes that will work for fun projects. We saved 80 from a landfill and look what Mandy did with them! A power washer is a wonderful thing! :)
In the interest of full disclosure, my kids went trick-or-treating every single year and we had a ball... so there's that!
TWO WORDS: FREE CANDY!!!!!
Why wouldn't we chase down the rainy, dark country road and laugh with neighbors, gather treats, and come home to sort the bounty. Very pirate-friendly and no one walked a plank.
I've never taken the history of Halloween into consideration. To me it's a fun night of pretend, dressing up, finding old capes and sheets and make-up and letting the kids have fun.
And I never tricked anyone, LOL! Ever.... I was in it for the treats. Totally.
But you don't see Halloween in Christian fiction. You see it in inspirational movies, but not books, and that's an interesting divide possibly driven by shelf-space, reader reaction. If Christian readers don't like or participate in Halloween parties, trunk-or-treats, neighborhood stuff, etc. why would a publisher risk offending them? For a while, authors were rarely allowed to let people dance in their stories... so if you couldn't dance, dressing up as a ghost was clearly verboten! Cate Nolan shared some "Fall in Brooklyn" images she featured on a blog a few years ago, so I'm sprinkling them in here.
One of these days I'm going to write a book with some fantasy attached just because it's fun. Not because I don't love God. I do. But I do like a vivid imagination, too. So there's the rub....
So what about you?
How do you feel about this as a reader or writer? And as an author, we do need to follow our publishers' rules... they pay us to follow their rules and I'm okay with that so my fall books focus on harvest, on gleaning, on gathering, on thankfulness. And that's an easy segue to gratitude. That's how we run our amazingly growing-by-leaps-and-bounds pumpkin farm, too. We start September 1st with a celebration of harvest, of color, of wonder... but we have fairies and gnomes and make-believe ideas ALL OVER THE PLACE because I love a vivid imagination!
I haven't personally had a hard time glossing over Halloween in my work... because to me the beauty of harvest (especially here in Northeast Woodlands, so many colors) is the glory of fall color!
So tell us what you think!
I brought hot cider and cold cider and fresh cider fried cakes.
And apple fritters!
LET'S TALK!
Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne loves running her own businesses and bossing people around. (Put on your shocked face!!!) and while her pumpkin farm keeps her spinning plates 5 months of the year, her first love (after Jesus and family) is writing stories! And this new one is on sale nationwide right now, at Walmarts and select grocery stores... and I'm going to give one copy away today to some wonderful commenter! Or grab it from the AMAZON LINK HERE!
Ah, Ruthy! You've opened up two cans of worms here!
ReplyDeleteThe first is the delightful imagination! Fun, pretend, fairy tales, and fantasy! I firmly believe that we benefit greatly from pretend and fantasy because it helps train our imaginations to understand the spiritual world. God is a spirit, we live under the care and security of the Holy Spirit, angels...and yes, demons...are all part of the spiritual world that is hidden from us unless we know they are there. But when we do, we get glimpses of the spiritual activity and the battles that rage all around us, and we can give thanks for God's protection.
But the other can of worms... My take on Halloween is that most people enjoy the very things you describe. The fun of dressing up, trick-or-treating, FREE CANDY! (never forget that delight!)
But there are others who take it very seriously. Adults and teens who do celebrate the satanic aspect of the day.
Many years ago, our family decided not to celebrate Halloween. Now that the children are grown and gone, it's pretty much a soft blip in our lives. If we have neighbors with children, we'll have some candy available and our porch light on, but it isn't a big deal.
So to answer your main question - I don't think Halloween has a place in Christian fiction, at least not as a main theme of the story. Perhaps not even as a scene in the book. Because of the satanic aspects (ancient and modern,) many Christians will not even read a book about Halloween. I know I wouldn't, and I won't write one.
But the rest of autumn? We can't have too many stories about the Harvest in all its meanings. "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." John 4:35b
Thanks for the opportunity for discussion!
Forgive my lack of clear punctuation in my first paragraph!
DeleteIt should read: The first is the delightful imagination! Fun, pretend, fairy tales, and fantasy! I firmly believe that we benefit greatly from pretend and fantasy because it helps train our imaginations to understand the spiritual world. God is a spirit, we live under the care and security of the Holy Spirit. Angels...and yes, demons...are all part of the spiritual world that is hidden from us unless we know they are there. But when we do, we get glimpses of the spiritual activity and the battles that rage all around us, and we can give thanks for God's protection.
I agree with you... I have never missed writing about Halloween because I love the harvest aspects of fall. So I'm doubly blessed to have the opportunity to manage this farm that celebrates harvest from September 1st on... and you know what's funny? I think the growth of the farm that champions harvest is an absolute blessing of God and gives people a whole other view of fall and hay bales and cornstalks.... the celebration of color.
DeleteYou made great points, Jan. And being on a country road (a very dark country road!!!) no trick-or-treaters even come to my house... but we take Beth's kids to the neighbors and they all have a special treat for them because those four kids are the only trick-or-treaters they get. :) What a nice bunch of neighbors!
I've never been an overly enthusiastic Halloween particpator. My kids dressed up every year and I do like to hand out candy, but I'm not one for all the other things like scary decorations, etc.
ReplyDeleteI can see why Halloween can be problematic for the Christian market because there is a wide range of views. For some, it's just good fun, and for some it's deeper than that. Here's a quick story: a friend I grew up with joined a coven when she was in college. A few years later she became a Christian and had very strong views against Halloween. Then her first niece was born on that date and she told me, "I feel like God redeemed that day for me. He gave me something beautiful to replace what I was ashamed of and upset by." That's what God does, doesn't He? So I'm not sure I answered your question, but it's an interesting topic, for sure.
Wonky internet deleted my wonderfully written post to you, Glynis!
DeleteDagnabbit.
My firstborn was/is a Halloween birthday. So we get to celebrate in a whole other and wonderful way!
Halloween has always been about the candy for me and mine. My kids always tried to outdo the next one or they'd want a bigger bag. But overall, it's fall that I celebrate. So I love having fall festivals in books and have never once thought, "What about Halloween?"
ReplyDeleteThat makes perfect sense. And I feel the same way, especially after seeing how people flock to the farm to celebrate harvest in September. We are so blessed!
DeleteWe live in the back of beyond and don't get trick or treaters anymore.
ReplyDeleteBut I always buy candy just in case and sadly, end up eating it myself. (just kidding about the sadly)
Hahahaha! DITTO!!!!!
DeleteI'm like Mindy O., I've never thought about Halloween and I haven't read any fiction with Halloween within the pages. I'm too wrapped up in the whole Autumn thing as you all mentioned. My kids did dress up in homemade clothes & had fun. Ruthy, I'll take a hot cider and your book, please! :)
ReplyDeleteWe did homemade, too! It's amazing what make-up and old capes and jackets and Dave's old flannels can do... they create quite a hodgepodge of images, LOL!
Deletewhew, Ruthy! Interesting thoughts.... :)
ReplyDeleteI did read one CF book once that had a scene with Halloween in it. I remember being surprised, but it was all about the candy and cute costumes. It didn't offend me, but it was a bit of a shock to the system. lol
As a kid, I grew up in a strict conservative home, so no Halloween celebrations for us (although we did have to go to school and were the only kids NOT dressed up).
As an adult, we've talked to our kids about the origin of Halloween and how the holiday has become a fun tradition for people to dress up and get candy. We don't take them out (but it's not to say they don't get candy - hello candy clearance on November 1!), and we don't make them go to school on the day of the festivities. I hated being THAT kid, and I never wanted my kids to experience it. So we do something educational instead like visiting a museum or zoo.
We usually give out candy with gospel tracts and the kids love passing them out to the other kids that come to the door. It's an opportunity to be a part of the community while being a testimony at the same time.
I think it comes down to perspective, educating yourself, and then making a decision based on what you've discovered and/or what's best for you and your family. And what is acceptable for one family might not be the same for others.
But I'm not sure CF readers would readily accept Halloween in CF books just yet.... I could be wrong though.
Oh, I think you are spot on correct. And thank you for your frankness... I love being able to openly discuss things here. I've never been an absolutist on right vs. wrong but there are times when it's a very clear to us... And I'm okay with skirting the October 31st celebration in favor of apples, pumpkins, cornstalks and pie!
DeleteI don't "do" Halloween. Even as a child, I hated dressing up. I have pretty bad claustrophobia and hate anything over my face. Where I work, they dress up for Halloween. Today I wore a sweatshirt I made over 40 years ago. It has a jack-o-lantern on the front with a black kitten coming out the top and a teddy bear looking in at the kitten. I don't want to read about Halloween in Christian fiction just for the very reasons of the satanic emphasis on the day. Fall, harvest, fall/harvest festivals are great.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for your honesty! We are all blessed by your frank assessment. I'm so glad you stopped in today and shared with us.
DeleteAlthough Halloween is often considered to have originated from a pagan event, Christians did have their own part in the day as well. Nov 1 is All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, or Hallowmas, when the saints are celebrated--those who have gone before us whether recognized as a capitol "S" saint or a small "s" saint. Christian children often dressed in their favorite saint costumes on All Hallows' Eve or Halloween. Of course, that's going back a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteI love to see the little children come to the door. They're so cute! We always make them do a trick before they get a treat. Sing a song, clap their hands or touch their nose, if they're really little. It adds a little more fun to the night.
Debby, thank you for this perspective! My grandkids in Catholic school celebrate All Saints Day on Monday and they'll all be dressed in costumes resembling the saint of their choosing.... and the older kids give a short record of that saint's history and blessings. And I've never heard of having the kids do a "trick" but that's endearing. Thanks for taking the time to chime in.
DeleteRuthy, I don't have a problem with children celebrating Halloween by dressing up and trick-or-treating. I loved it as a child and I loved taking my son trick-or-treating when he was little. (Although I am terrible with costumes and my hubby actually came up with costumes for our son.) We don't give out candy now because our dog would go nuts every time the doorbell rings. We will hide in the basement watching movies! But I prefer the harvest theme for decorating and don't really do the scary things. We have a neighbor who puts out all kinds of skeletons in all kinds of poses. I will leave her to do that!
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha! I have kids who do the scary skeletons in trees.... and I have kids who do harvest... and it's an interesting sampling, Sandy!
DeleteAnd making animals crazy is tough on pet owners so I absolutely understand!
Wow, I gotta say I never even noticed that Christian Fiction doesn't have Halloween in it, but then I haven't read strictly Christian fiction in a looooooong time. Personally I'm a huge fan of spooky elements and such, however I primarily write fantasy so there's not really any room for Halloween in my books either.
ReplyDeleteAlso I think a fantasy book written by you would be A-mazing.
Nicki, I love you so much right now!
DeleteI have a really fun fantasy that's been 1/3 written for years but there was no market for it according to my agent and the publishers... but it's a beautiful story of good over evil and I have to say the pandemic and whispers of origins will now play a part in its completion.... and then I'll put it out via Amazon. I have two more Wishing Bridge books to finish up and a new series starting, but that fantasy is on the list, God willing. Thank you for your confidence in me.
We were allowed to trick or treat growing up but I never enjoyed it much as I always got cold. I let my children but no witch, ghost etc costumes just fun things I made for them. I decorate for fall but not Halloween. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteLucy, it's cold and rainy here on lots of Halloweens and that's always a trick, isn't it???? But my greedy and adorable children were driven by pillowcases of candy. And I got the Mallo Cups, one of my favorites! :)
DeleteI think there is a need for Christian publishing in general to get better at reflecting the world we actually live in as contemporary Christian women. We do believers no favors when we present a scrupulously scrubbed Christianity that no one really lives. In real life, there are situations in which Christian moms feel judged by friends or family for allowing their kids to trick or treat. There are also situations in which moms who refrain feel condemned by their unbelieving neighbors. There are, like Jan said, teens who use the holiday to explore the occult and celebrate death. If these are problems we as Christians are confronted with in real life, why would we want to pretend that they don't exist in our fiction? Our God is big enough to deal with the reality we live in and all the problems that come with it.
ReplyDeleteI understand that a line like Love Inspired would not be the appropriate place to address more complex issues like this, but there ought to be someone somewhere who is willing to publish stories about strong, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing women grappling with real life in the 21st century. Like the fact that not all husbands of Christian women are good, Christian men. Or if they are, they may not choose to attend the same church. Or the fact that many women have a prodigal child who breaks her heart. Or that some have a sister or a niece who is married to someone of the same sex. Even if you don't agree with it, how do you hold that line and still love the person? Where are the stories that speak to the hearts of Christian women like that? I think Ruth is right. Publishers avoid these messy issues because of the potential of negative reader reaction - there are too many ways to offend too many people. But what we end up with in our Christian fiction is a reflection of a God who is so small that He can't handle anything that doesn't fit into this small sanitized box we put Him in. That's not the God I worship.
Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place. Maybe these stories ARE out there, and I just don't know about them. If so, please, enlighten me!
Terri, I'm so glad you stopped by and shared frankly.
DeleteSo much of what you said resonates with issues way beyond Halloween.
Here's an example: About nine years ago I wrote the opening chapters/synopsis for a beautiful story about an Amish woman from a harsh church community. It's a story of light and redemption because she escapes that community and finds light and faith as she searches for the babies that were initially stolen from her. Babies that were the result of a date-rape drug and yet it was the pregnant young mother put into the Bann and shunned... labeled a loose woman, like Hester Prynne. The book was rejected and my then-agent was told "It's not the writing, the writing is pristine but we won't publish anything negative about the Amish. It just isn't done."
Of course the reality is that any church can be rife with sin against its community if secluded or shrouded enough... and the heroine realizes that her Old Order church isn't representative of all Amish, but it's her courage to flee and seek her babies that brings her the chance to learn so much...
That book will come out next month as "Embracing Light in Wishing Bridge" and it's funny how the God-moments of this came about... first those rejections... then Waterfall (Amazon's) enthusiastic acceptance to my Wishing Bridge series... A woman carrying her cheating lover's child gives up her job to secretly give up her baby for adoption... a woman who was sold into sex slavery as a young teen so that her mother could score drugs, now a nurse-practitioner who defied the odds to achieve success in a big city medical practice because it's so much easier to hide among millions than be seen among thousands ... a woman whose mother and grandmother died when she was young, leaving her nothing but the system to raise her... she comes to Wishing Bridge with a life-threatening eating disorder and anxiety... So this story of the stolen Amish babies, the twins, and Rachel's quest to fix old wrongs fits right in.
Our world is scarred. It's tarnished in so many ways, and I think stories should be able to reflect that, but what I love, love, love about so many of the publishers I've worked with and the ability to publish independently now (especially with so many lines closing, sales down and fewer opportunities to break into the business) is that the theme of forgiveness and redemption (both God's and family and friends) is so blessedly relevant in every day and time because we are so absolutely human.
Terri, thank you for being here!
Thanks, Ruth, for your wonderful response. Looks like your Wishing Bridge series is next on my TBR list. I'm so looking forward to it!
Delete