Hey there, just popping in because this was so well-done I needed to share about it. The Gospel Coalition published this fantastic article by Brett McCracken today. I highly recommend reading through it -- it mentions some of the issues I've been discussing recently and really explains the decay of storytelling in our culture well.... Continue Reading →
The Victim Villain: How Should We Portray Evil?
Ah... the misunderstood villain. The guy who murders and steals and blows things up because he had a rough childhood. It's becoming a bit of a cliche these days. Can horrible life circumstances change personalities and behaviors? Sure. Every writer knows that your villain must have a backstory of some sort, because a guy who... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Read About Magic?
In July of 2000, The Onion magazine released a fake satirical article about the Harry Potter series leading to a rise in Satanism among children. Unfortunately, some people thought it was real, leading to a small wildfire of panic and condemnation toward J.K. Rowling. It was a simple mistake -- but people believed it. There... Continue Reading →
The Hero Against the World
There's just something about the hero-against-the-world -- and I'm not the only one who feels that way. I heard it discussed on SASF -- Stories are Soul Food -- to whom I owe the credit for this term, 'hero-against-the-world.' Immeadiately the 'ooh, that could be an article' light lit up inside my head. Our culture... Continue Reading →
The Sinking City: A Review
This is my absolute favorite standalone novel of all time. There is so much to be learned from it as a writer, and a touching theme that reaches your heart for a reader. Explore the mysterious depths of Venice with The Sinking City, a thrilling mystery book for teens! The captivating story follows Liona Carvatti,... Continue Reading →
An Exploration of Theme
What is The Wingfeather Saga about? Redemption? Family? Responsibility? Good vs Evil? Loss? Hope? What is The Cloak of the Light about? Spiritual warfare? Love? Sacrifice? The existence of God? Persistence? What is The Lord of the Rings about? Friendship? Courage? Deception? Mercy? Justice? Allegory? I am basically asking, what are the themes of each... Continue Reading →
Should Christians be a Thermostat or Thermometer?
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in... Continue Reading →
We Need More Platonic Relationships in Fiction
I come before you to make the case that we need more platonic relationships in fiction, especially YA. *Ehem.* Practically every mainstream YA book out there has some sort of romantic relationship. Why? Because the teen years are when romance and sex are common -- at least in this day and age. However, I was... Continue Reading →
