I've heard the opinion in the Christian world that reading speculative fiction (eg fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk) is a waste of time. It's been called 'escapist.' I've already gone over the topic of escapism before, but I'd like to reiterate that something is only an escape when someone makes it into that. Fantasy isn't inherently escapist... Continue Reading →
I know many of my current subscribers are teens or young adults. You probably love writing, or at least reading, given that you put up with the highly-specific material I publish. Maybe you too grew up reading ravenously and can point to the books that marked your childhood -- the Chronicles of Narnia, 100 Cupboards,... Continue Reading →
Every child who's grown up on fairytales or Disney has heard the refrain, 'and they lived happily ever after.' It's a theme of every fairytale -- not counting the Grimms', naturally. Why? Why were stories finished with this line or something like it? Because it was convenient? Perhaps. But why are stories that don't end... Continue Reading →
This summer, my youth pastor preached a series on worldview. His lecture on animism was particularly interesting, as he pointed out just how deeply it's infiltrated the entertainment of today. In what ways? Let's start by defining animism. It was certainly a term I had never heard before. My pastor defined animism as the over-emphasis... Continue Reading →
If you're familiar with the hero's journey story structure, you're well aware of what lies at the bottom of it -- a nasty, unhappy miasma of gloom, misery, and yes, despair. The Save the Cat method has the similar 'all is lost moment.' No matter what it's called, it's that place the hero goes when... Continue Reading →
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. Many... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Well, last summer, I decided to get a head start on my British literature homework and hey, why pass up an excuse to read more, am I right? So, without further ado, I plunged into everything I could find written by British authors or about Britain. From Lawhead’s Song of Albion to Dark Rising... Continue Reading →
“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” ― C.S. Lewis I was driven to reflect on the veracity of this quote early last autumn, whereupon, after having spent a summer binging on everything British I could get my hands on, I returned to... Continue Reading →
