Thread: Writing about demi-gods?

I have always been interested in Greek mythology and tragedies since I can remember. Studying all types of heroes, gods, and monsters whenever I could find the time.


So, when Percy Jackson came out I was excited as you can imagine. But the story didn’t appeal to me, couldn’t even hold my attention for than a couple chapters. It wasn’t anything like I expected, it was more or less a teen novel that was beyond the realms of comprehension.


I have always wanted to write a novel based on the demi-god factor, but I want substance and meaning beneath the words. Would it be cliché to write about demi-gods now that Percy Jackson has taken the leading role?


I’d love to write about an even more morally corrupt Pan who is simply smitten with a woman, and will do anything to get her in the end. Or something else, my mind is always spinning and I get high on excitement when I start putting pieces together with Greek myths.

You don't need to necessarily base it around the demi-Gods. If you want to make it more accurate to the Greek Pantheon have the basis around the Gods. The Gods were worshipped, the demi-Gods were just the Heroes that slew monsters.

I haven't read these Percy Jackson books, but I have no want to. If the audience is a teen audience, it might be compared to the Percy Jackson books, just as any vampire novel written for teens will now be compared to Twilight. You'll just have to have clear differences between the Percy Jackson books and your book.

Thanks for the advice, Nick.


I really want to make a book that gives insight to these gods and those around them. It just seems like so many people don’t understand the old Greek Pantheon and find it boring, I’d like my book to shed light in a different perspective. I'd hate to be compared to Percy Jackson because I can already see the major differences between the two books, starting with the fact that mine is more dark and grotesque than those books.

I'm sure you've read The Iliad and The Odyssey if you into Greek Mythology. Maybe a modernising of the Battle of Troy with the full involvement of the Gods? With a demi-God hero like Achilles, you can't go wrong.

Ignore Percy Jackson. Yes, if this is a YA story, it may be compared, but that doesn't mean a book unlike PJ wo't do well.

Who cares about Percy? Write the story like you want it. Maybe read a synopsis of teh PJ books to avoid glaring similarities if you feel so inclined. No big deal.

I've dealt with demigods in fiction. Done well, they're like any other character and can fill all the usual character niches.

I'm currently writing about demi-gods but not the usual greek ones. I did a different take about them, like those heroes of old slaying monsters are superheroes today slaying criminals. you can basically do what you want with them.

I am extremely fascinated by this subject. Always been a fan of the Greek gods, and later on when I learned about them, the Norse ones. Much of my own works take place in an original universe that features my own pantheon of gods, or Elder Spirits. I was excited to watch the Clash of the Titans just to see the Greek gods interacting. Perhaps I'm a little pagan. On a random tangent, I used to be a huge buff at Age of Mythology, which is a myth fan's paradigm of a game.

Those Greek gods should be endless fodder for stories since they are the archetypes of human nature brought to life. How about bringing them forward into modern times? Or you could do a fish out of water thing. Guy wakes up in New York City with massive hangover. Knows he is Apollo. Pissed at Dionysius for getting him into this. But where is Zeus?

Watched Clash of the Titans the other night. Excellent CGI and good telling of the myth. But the writing gave the actors nothing to work with, so the thing had zero personality.

SoNickSays, a re-telling of a modernized Troy would be interesting. Maybe non-deities cannot see the battle, or something?


Ilasir Maroa, I’m not sure if I want to do a YA novel or not. My characters tend to be at least in their twenties, if not above. But you never know what will capture your imagination.


Seigfried0007, I’ve actually read almost all the first PJ novel and seen the film; hoping on a whim it’d be better, it wasn’t. Honestly the story lacks in a lot a of places, easy to avoid re-telling it.


Darnite_Johanne, sounds interesting! Love to read it!


Caelum, its always been a big thing with me as well. Love everything to do with mythology and pagan gods, its just fascinating to learn about. I’ve seen Clash of the Titans before, it was different than the actual myth. But it was still a must see for me.


J.R. MacLean, really love your idea! I was thinking about going for this sort of Pan falls in love with a mortal woman, becomes a slight stalker. Then have some other god, perhaps Apollo, come in and smash Pan’s dreams. Haha.

SoNickSays, a re-telling of a modernized Troy would be interesting. Maybe non-deities cannot see the battle, or something?


Ilasir Maroa, I’m not sure if I want to do a YA novel or not. My characters tend to be at least in their twenties, if not above. But you never know what will capture your imagination.


Seigfried0007, I’ve actually read almost all the first PJ novel and seen the film; hoping on a whim it’d be better, it wasn’t. Honestly the story lacks in a lot a of places, easy to avoid re-telling it.


Darnite_Johanne, sounds interesting! Love to read it!


Caelum, its always been a big thing with me as well. Love everything to do with mythology and pagan gods, its just fascinating to learn about. I’ve seen Clash of the Titans before, it was different than the actual myth. But it was still a must see for me.


J.R. MacLean, really love your idea! I was thinking about going for this sort of Pan falls in love with a mortal woman, becomes a slight stalker. Then have some other god, perhaps Apollo, come in and smash Pan’s dreams. Haha.