Jason Howell asked M.G. Nelson:

What is the biggest issue or concern -- personal, global, or spiritual -- that you haven't quite found a way to deal with in your fiction? Why do you suppose this issue or concern occupies you? And what makes it so challenging to write about?

M.G. Nelson Hi Jason. Fantastic question. I’d say spiritual—the fact that I’m even saying this as my answer might scare people off. As you know, spiritual matters in “polite company” are somewhat taboo. However, I feel most, if not all people, have some component of the spiritual in their fabric of their being. I’m no exception so it does occupy some of my thoughts quite frequently. I’m cognizant of the fact that the spiritual can be a touchy subject and I don’t want to alienate my readers so it is a hard topic to tackle in my books.

The roadblock the persistently keeps me from going deeper into this issue is although I have my own closely held religious beliefs I’m aware that for many people it’s a no-go subject. In a work of fiction as it’s not what they necessarily signed up for when they picked up the book to read. I do try to touch upon it to make my characters well-rounded but hold back a bit so I censor my desire to delve into the topic. I’m hoping as I continue to write and mature as a writer I’ll be able to find a good balance.

Thanks for your great question!

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