Write a story that involves characters learning that they are part of a fictional construction, and reacting in different ways. Probably also involve the author entering the story and doing things parallel to the Gospel. Conclude with a reflection that points out parallels to Bible passages. Or should that be in a separate volume?

This could be parallel to the Bible nearly all the way through. One difficult part would be how I, the author, would give a greater existence, at a higher level, to the chosen characters in the story at the end. But is the new heavens and the new earth a higher level of existence, or is it more like a new story with a different plot?

So I might end with something like, all these characters were able to pursue their interests in a world where they are even more rewarding, they understood each other’s previously unique interests and enjoyed them together, and, being in constant contact with the author, turn their heads frequently to thank him. (To include the next world, or even heaven, would be quite an undertaking, requiring much care – readers may well decide whether heaven sounds good or not by how my parallel sounds.)

Ideas to include:

• Heaven as a place where people of like mind interact freely
• Praise for the author is continuous yet voluntary
• The author, and maybe a friend, talking about the idea of writing the story, including the fact that once a story is written, the characters cannot be completely terminated; anyone can read their story again

(Originally written as a note on April 11, 2018)