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Guest Post With Melanie Nilles

Sunday, May 29, 2011
SUBJECT: In the Beginning… (aka How Angels Became Aliens)



Angels, messengers of God, are often seen as having wings. Why? They aren't mentioned in the bible as having wings, so why do painters give them wings?

The three major religions of the world all share a belief in angels. Some may say that angels aren't myths, but that's not the opinion shared by everyone. I believe they're real, but not as artists portray them.

In my Starfire Angels series, I wanted to cast angels in a new light. Instead of the usual supernatural beings, I thought it would be fun to make them real but not as we expect. I asked myself "What if..." (Yes, a writer's favorite question, because every story expands on a "what if" scenario.) In this case, I thought what if we see angels in pictures with wings--since I'd never read a Bible passage that mentioned angels having wings, although found in my research it's mentioned once--because they weren't angels as we know? What if they were alien visitors; but early civilizations didn't understand or accept the idea that the world wasn't only one of a million in a vast universe and thought what was technology was magic. What if those primitive Earth civilizations saw them as supernatural beings, messengers of a higher power when they were really a far more advanced civilization?

Because I wanted to use that and keep it plausible to what I knew of angels in the Bible, I wanted to have a way to make these beings match much of that. I gave them a purpose, which came from an element of a story I wrote in college. In this case, some of their species have the power to hide their wings because of a special symbiosis with a higher intelligence, or rather a collective of creatures from another dimension. It fit perfectly with what I wanted to do. I had my explanation for how they could hide on Earth among humans, since they otherwise looked human and didn't always have wings.

Usually, we think of angels as helpers and that's how I wanted to use them. If my aliens came from an advanced civilization, they might come to help us. I'm an optimist and took that road. However, even aliens can have their problems. The fun part was then to bring those problems to our world as those jealous of the small group with powers hunted them down.

I've also created a history for my Inari angels that links the present to the past and shows how so much has changed yet some things always stay the same. Those are shown through the Starfire visions Raea receives as guidance. The entities are ageless, being of pure energy, so they have much to impart to their Keepers. In a way, I also created a life after death, as you'll see in more of the entities' perspectives in CRYSTAL TOMB. I wanted to show the beginning of the crystal's creation, so I give the reader a window onto their home dimension.

It's been a lot of work, but I've set up a world that could explain the stories of angels visiting humans by giving it a new twist.

Learn more about the Inari as angels on Earth in the Starfire Angels series (STARFIRE ANGELS, BROKEN WINGS, and CRYSTAL TOMB) and  the website at starfireangels.melanienilles.com.

To enter the drawing of an original bookmark and signed paperback of STARFIRE ANGELS, please post your comments on or before May 31st. (Comments may include questions for the author.)

22 comments:

  1. Anonymous said...:

    This seems like an interesting book that I would love to read. Thanks for posting!
    piabernardino(at)bermillion(dot)com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I'd love to get a chance to read this book!

    Thanks for your post!

    Amanda
    amanda(at)lettersinsideout(dot)com

  1. Though angels as aliens isn't a new concept, I do like the idea behind your story(ies). Very interesting and something I'd love to read more about.

    sapheyerblu AT gmail DOT com

  1. I love angels and am interested in reading about them. Your story sounds so intriguing! I love your take on it. Thanks for hosting the cool giveaway. -laura
    L_Hogg at comcast dot net

  1. I really want to read this book! It seems very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway and feel free to stop by my blog as I will be hosting two events next month!!!
    Tasha

    hellota-ta.blogspot.com
    n.hurtt@gmail.com

  1. This sounds really interesting. I'd love to be entered to win.

    khashway(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. I think this is a wonderful concept to explore. I would like a chance to win.

    rljohnson(at)rljohnson-writer(dot)com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    This is an interesting topic--what are angels actually as beings, and not just based on the deeds they do on Earth?
    Question for Ms.Nilles: were you a believer in angels before you started researching for your series? thanks, Rae
    http://thebestobooks.blogspot.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    I believe in angels. I would love to read this book. Please enter me. Donna
    http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
    dkmtheriot@yahoo.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    I would love for you to visit my blog and enter my give away. With GFC it is low on entries. Thanks. Donna
    http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

  1. Interesting post. Interesting that man would choose to give angels wings...things that make you go hmmm! I like the concept that angels could be aliens from advanced civilizations, makes total sense actually.

    writetomakealiving(at)gmail(dot)com

    Oh and I'm a new follower from Book Blogs :-)

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Thanks for all the interst.

    @Rae -- Cool name; very much like the main character in the books--Raea.

    To answer your question, yes, I believe in angels, but not with wings. I believe that we don't see them, that they work through others to guide us but we just have to learn to listen to their messages. We can also act as angels to others, whether we know it or not.

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Oh. FYI--amsaph is me, Melanie. Sorry. I had so much trouble posting a reply for some reason that I didn't even think until now to sign my real name.

    Melanie

  1. Paula said...:

    This book sounds really interesting!
    paulajomyers@yahoo.com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I really have been wanting to read this book, thanks for the awesome chance to win!
    dakotagirl16AThotmailDOTcom

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I love stories about angels. This one has a very nice twist to it. Congratulations and best of luck to you.

    Beverlysmcclure(at)aol9(dot)com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Thank you, Beverly, and everyone who has commented.

    @chelseacarson1--You can read it free as an ebook, whether you win the paperback or not. The major booksellers all have it--Amazon, Kobo, BN, and Sony.

    Melanie

  1. MannaB said...:

    I have been wanting to read this for a while now but I dont have an ereader so this will be wonderful! Thanks!

    crazypplrok at gmail dot com

  1. Great post! This was said before but I'm saying it again...it sounds like a great read! I don't remember reading in the Bible that angels have wings either but you see that in all the pictures. You have a great looking blog! It's clean, uncluttered & easy to read. I have 2 blogs that you might be interested in seeing. One's at: http://thebumpyroadtopublishing.blogspot.com & my review blog is: http://debsbookreviews.blogspot.com.

  1. What an unusual explanation--not something I've read about before. Good luck--looks like your blog is off to a great start!

  1. tori_r said...:

    Just downloaded Crystal Tomb :) I can't wait to start reading it.

    -Tori
    tori_rATymailDOTcom

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Thank you, everyone, for commenting. Yes, Crystal Tomb is available earlier than expected.

    @Donna, your name was drawn for the Starfire Angels giveaway, but I don't have an email for you. Please contact me at my public email--melanie_nilles at yahoo dot com