Gillian Bronte Adams

YA Epic Fantasy Author

Fantasy Reflections

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If you’ve been around here for any length of time, then you know that fantasy is my favorite genre both to read and to write. I’ll read plenty of other genres as well, but fantasy is my favorite.

So I’d like to start something new over here. Each Friday, I’ll post a Fantasy Reflections question to spark a little discussion about common fantasy elements, or characters, or favorite books. You can answer the question in the comments and dialogue back and forth with one another. But you can also copy the image and past it on your blog and invite your readers to participate as well. All I ask is that you link back to my original post.

If you’re anything like me, some of these questions will be pure torture trying to narrow down to one answer. But I encourage you to do so! If it’s at all possible. It’ll be fun. Painful but fun.

We’ll focus the questions on fantasy, but feel free to answer from any sort of speculative fiction novel you desire. Sci-fi. Dystopian. You name it.

So without further ado, our first Fantasy Reflection:

Fantasy Reflections
I had to start this off with a difficult question, didn’t I? *sigh*
I would have to say, Aragorn son of Arathorn, from the Lord of the Rings. He’s just the sort of tough guy who could help you survive pretty much anything. And he’s got a wide variety of useful skills: woodsmanship, sword fighting, healing, orc tracking …
I think I’d have a fair chance of returning alive with Aragorn at my side.
How about you? 

Of War-Horses and Their Masters

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Thundering hooves echo through the arena accompanied by the harsh throb of ragged breathing. Rippling muscles testify to the sheer power stored within. A spirit that submits, but is never subdued. Even through the layers of saddle and pads you feel it.


But you feel it most of all in your aching forearms. The constant pressure on the reins as your steed strives to throw off all encumbrances and embrace the heady power of the wind and freedom.

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of horse novels, never considered myself a horsey-girl, and might not even reply with a horse if asked my favorite animal.

Why? There are a couple of reasons, but mainly because I’ve grown up around horses. I started taking riding lessons at seven, and have owned my own horse since the year I turned twelve. Now I work at a place where I have a whole herd of horses under my charge, to look after and ride.

So folks automatically assume I’m a horsey-girl.

But I’m not.

Don’t get me wrong, I love riding. There’s nothing quite like the feel of the wind in your hair, and the strength of the steed beneath you, and the beauty of willing submission when the horse bends its will to yours.

But I don’t love each and every horse. And I don’t think that every horse is a sweet-tempered beast that just wants to be loved and adored and given its freedom. Trust me, there are some lemons in the mix.
Growing up, I refused to read horse novels or watch horse movies. (Other than the Black Stallion series and the Scorpio Races—my two exceptions.) Both novels and movies exaggerate the sentimental bond between horse and rider, giving horses unrealistic human characteristics and failing to present them as animals.

True horsemanship becomes about understanding and sympathizing with the horse, rather than having good old fashioned horse sense. A horse that misbehaves is just a horse that is misunderstood.

It’s due in part to these novels and movies that horses seem to have been relegated to something that only girls are allowed to enjoy. That bothers me. What happened to the age of the cowboys? To mounted warriors and the magnificent chargers ridden into battle by knights.

True, horses and riders can bond. And when it truly does happen, it’s beautiful to watch. I’ve experienced it. I’ve owned my horse, Ariat, for five years now. Seems like sometimes he can tell what I’m thinking before I have time to cue him. Horses, like dogs or cats, get to know their riders and their habits. Ariat recognizes the sound of my spurs and knows my whistle—and if I’m lucky, he’ll actually answer it and come when I call.

I’m a one-horse rider, and he’s a one-rider horse. We get along just fine.

All that to say, I never thought I’d write a horse novel.

But I am.

Of a sort.

It’s an epic medieval fantasy that takes place in a country of horse-masters. Horses tend to be a natural part of most fantasy—who could resist the knight in shining army, or the flash of the tournament lance, or the charge of the Rohirrim?—but even more so of the fantasy world I’m imagining. The novel may not be about horses, but they are a necessary piece in the story.

There is a delicate balance required to write unique steeds that are realistic and horse-like and to present the true bond between horse and rider, without painting horses with a human shaped brush.

When we do that, we fail to portray the true beauty and majesty and nobility of a war-horse and its master.

What do you think? Do you enjoy reading novels where horses have more human characteristics? Is there a book you can think of where this has been done really well?

Coming Home – The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

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“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty,
dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a
dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a
hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
– The Hobbit, J.R.R Tolkien
Thus began the first story my dad ever read aloud to me. At
least that I can recall. I was five years old at the time and the strange creatures
of Middle Earth—hobbits, dwarves, goblins, and the dragon—speedily populated
the world of my imagination.
By the time I was seven, my dad had finished reading The
Lord of the Rings aloud. He gave me my own copy for my seventh birthday and I
loved it so much that for the next year I slept with it at the foot of my bed.
Tolkien’s Middle Earth became a sort of home away from home
for me, the backdrop of all my imaginings. The characters became than a child’s
imaginary friends. To this day, The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings remain my
favorite books. And yet, unlike some Tolkien purists, I also absolutely love
the movies, despite their differences.
Around Christmas time, I went to see The Hobbit: Desolation
of Smaug. I’d heard mixed opinions of the movie—lots of comments about the
addition of Tauriel, Legolas/Tauriel/Fili, and the extended plot lines—so I
wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
But I loved it. Differences. Mistakes. Drawn out plot and
all.
Tolkien set out to create an epic worthy of the Norse
mythologies he studied. Mythology grows over time. It is not the work of a
single author. It’s bigger than that. It power rests in its ability to capture
and stimulate the imagination of others. And in turn, to absorb their
interpretations and additions.
Because of that, I think that Peter Jackson’s imagining of The
Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings remains true to the spirit of Tolkien’s work,
if not true to every detail. I watch the movies as much to see the beauty of
Middle Earth in living color on the screen as to know the characters and follow
the story.
Mirkwood. The Woodland Realm. Lake-Town.
All there. So much more fantastic than I could have imagined
them.
So yes, I loved The Desolation of Smaug. Just as I loved An
Unexpected Journey. And just as I’m sure I’ll love the third and final installment
when it finally comes out!
I think because Tolkien’s work was such a huge part of my
childhood, watching The Lord of the Rings movies and reading the books feels
like coming home.
A journey there and back again.

‘Ere Break of Day

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Some of you might have
noticed that things have been a tad quiet around here lately. At least, I rather
hope some of you have noticed. (As Sherlock Holmes would say, “Elementary, my dear
Watson!”)
There is a very simple
explanation. It involves the crack of dawn, faithful companions, an adventure …
and a treasure map.
Well, perhaps not the
treasure map. (Though you must admit, it does make the story sound more
exciting!)
As some of y’all may know,
whenever I’m not chained to my desk slaving theatrically away at the next
brilliant fantasy break-out novel—ahem, sarcasm
alert—I work at a Christian youth camp. And for the past several years, I’ve
been blessed to travel with a group of camp staffers on a mission trip to
Haiti.
Ah … now you follow me. (In
the words of Sherlock Holmes, “the game’s afoot!”)
As you may have deduced by
now, I’ve been off on an adventure on a mission trip in Haiti. We flew down to
work at the first Christian camp in Haiti, Jacob’s Well. During our trip, we
continued work projects on the campsite and met and played with the village
kids (some of them remembered me from last year!).
We also ran day camps where
the kids participated in super fun activities—like archery (dangerous!),
riflery (BB guns), and four-ball-and-a-rubber-chicken-baseball (should be an
Olympic sport)—and also watched Bible Dramas of the story of Ruth and Boaz,
learned memory verses, and heard the Gospel.
My favorite thing about the
trip was witnessing the Lord doing incredibly awesome work in the lives of the
kids and the Haitian counselors and the village … and in my own heart and the
hearts of my team members as well.
Truly awesome.
We always come back with
great stories to tell, too. Stories no less incredible than my favorite genre—fantasy—and
a little more true.
Speaking of stories, somehow every time I return from Haiti, I’m that much more inspired to write. Little details like the thin tendrils of fog creeping over the mountains, or dew dripping from jungle fronds, or cattle grazing in lines across terraced hills stick in my mind and beg to work themselves out my fingers next time I sit down to type.
I’m so grateful that I had the chance to go on this trip to Haiti. Each year, I leave a small piece of my heart behind. Saying farewell to the children and the staff of Jacob’s Well is always a bittersweet moment. Though I’m happy to be coming home, I’m heartbroken that I have to leave.
And yet, that is a good thing, is it not?

December Characters in Costume Challenge Reveal

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Sidekicks …

Such wonderful characters, aren’t they? Without the sidekick, the hero would never be able to complete the quest. The sidekick never looses hope, always manages to smile when the night looks blackest, and somehow knows just what to say to encourage the hero at the end of all things.

The sidekick doesn’t get the acclaim. At the end of the day, no one sings the sidekick’s praise. They are underrated, ignored, forgotten.

But they don’t care.

And that is what makes a sidekick a true hero.

I had a terrible time deciding which character to highlight for this challenge. Most of my sidekick characters are of the male variety … and although I don’t mind throwing on boots, trousers, and a cap every once in a while, the last few characters I’ve done have been boys, and I decided it was high time I dragged a dress out of the wardrobe instead of a duster.

So for this challenge, I decided to highlight a character from my newest fantasy novel, The Epic of Aedonia.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Astraea tor Telweg of Aedonia.

medieval girl

Here she sits beside the large fireplace in her chambers in Rysinger Fortress. The style of her gown is simplistic, but it is fashioned from fine rich fabrics of muted blue and green, like the sea surrounding her home fief, Cenyon.

A home she has not seen in several years.

Like her mother, renowned beauty and chieftainess of Cenyon, Astraea is slender with pale skin and long dark hair. But unlike her mother, her pale skin is too pale and her hair too inky black to be truly striking.

medieval girl

Astraea tends to be quiet and soft spoken. Before the accident that landed her with the crutches three years prior, she was considered a highly skilled tracker. Like so many of the “quiet ones,” she observes far more than she reveals.

She may no longer follow the hunt, but she possesses an invaluable knowledge of the workings of the court and the politics behind the seven fiefs of Aedonia and their chieftains.

wistful medieval girl

Some consider Astraea weak because of her quiet nature and infirmity. But strength comes in many ways and many forms.

Sometimes it is the quiet ones who feel things the loudest. The weakest ones who becomes the strongest. The injured ones who are able to rise above all difficulties and stand tall.

****
Be sure to visit the sites of the other participants in this month’s Characters in Costume Challenge:

Care to find out more about the Characters in Costume Challenges? Stop by the Characters in Costume Challenge page for more information or to see examples of previous challenges.

Characters in Costume Challenge – December

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Characters in Costume Challenge

I apologize for the recent lapse in Characters in Costume Challenges on here. It’s been fairly busy lately, but I think I’m finally settled enough into my new place and job, that I can start these up again.

The next challenge will take place on December 6th. Far enough out from the holidays so it shouldn’t get in the way.

And we’ll be focusing on Sidekick Characters.

Everybody loves a sidekick, right? Where would our protagonists be without that loyal friend who sticks beside them through thick and thin, always seem to know just what to say, and somehow maintains a grin in the face of danger. It’s time to dig a little deeper into those sidekick characters and show us just who they really are through their costuming and characterization.

If you’re interested in joining, leave a comment with your blog address and I’ll be sure to add it to the list of participants. Please make sure you mark it on your calender and don’t sign up if you aren’t able to post on the day of the challenge.

Here are the guidelines for this month’s challenge:

1. Choose your Sidekick character. Or if you’re not a writer, or not currently writing a story, feel free to choose a character from one of your favorite books. (Because dressing up in costume is just so much fun!)

2. Find a costume that fits your Sidekick character, then take a picture of yourself in said costume (and in character — i.e. if your character is prone to scowling, it’s best not to smile).

3. Post the picture on your blog, facebook, or somewhere online where the other Challenge members can see it. For an example of a previous Challenge post click here.

4. Feel free to write a little bit about your character too, or if it’s a character from someone else’s book, tell us why you chose that character!

5. Then hop over here and post a comment on my “Characters in Costume” post, and I’ll be sure to stop by and see your costume!
6. Don’t forget to share the challenge with your writing/reading friends. The more people who participate the more fun it is!
Not sure what I’m talking about? Check out the Characters in Costume Challenge Page for more information and examples of previous challenges.

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