Gillian Bronte Adams

YA Epic Fantasy Author

Valiant as a… Mouse?

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An Echoes of Eternity post – seeking the echoes of eternity in fantasy and speculative fiction.

Where sky and water meet, 
Where the waves grow sweet, 
Doubt not Reepicheep,
To find all you seek,
There is the utter east.
(from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S.Lewis)

courtesy of Google images :)

Reepicheep.  In my opinion, Reepicheep is one of the best characters ever to fill the pages of a novel.  He is somewhat of an enigma.  He is a mouse, who is braver than most humans.  He is small, but his spirit makes up for his lack of stature.  Though trapped by the limits of his size, Reepicheep is not bound to the common conceptions of a mouse – his love for adventure and his strict code of honor and nobility are worthy of a giant!

If anyone were to ask me what a true knight of Narnia looks like, Reepicheep would immediately come to mind.  Courageous, courteous, chivalrous – Reepicheep fits the image of a hero in character if not in appearance (somehow, I can’t see Reepicheep charging into battle on the back of a white horse!)

But I think, perhaps, the greatest part about Reepicheep’s character is his deep and unflinching devotion to Aslan demonstrated so clearly in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

When the Dawn Treader reaches Ramandu’s island after months of hardship at sea, many of the crew wish to turn back, afraid of what lies in the unknown waters ahead.

Reepicheep responds:

“My own plans are made.  While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader.  When she fails me, I paddle East in my coracle.  When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws.  And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan’s country, or shot over the edge of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise and Peepicheek will be head of the talking mice in Narnia.”

If only we possessed this same one-mindedness in our own lives.  Would that we had this same attitude toward God and seeking Him.  Too often, our coracle sinks and we flounder in the water, wallowing in our misery.  We take our eyes off the East and drift aimlessly, seeking first one thing and then another, forgetting our first love.  We grow weary and tired of pressing on and we allow ourselves to float off course.

Why do we do that?  Why do we allow the distractions of this world to draw us away from the most important thing of all?

The author of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If we but fixed our eyes unswervingly on Jesus, every day, how different our lives would look!

In contrast to Reepicheep’s single minded goal, Caspian becomes distracted from his purpose.  Lured by the promise of adventure on a journey to the world’s end, Caspian seeks to abandon his throne, his quest, and his duties to the people of Narnia.  All so that he might glimpse the Edge of the World.

This event reminds me of the story of Odysseus and the Sirens from Greek mythology (oddly enough, Edmond comes to the same conclusion, threatening to tie Caspian to the mast until he comes to his senses.)

The Sirens possessed incredibly beautiful voices, and their song was so alluring that it drove unwary sailors mad until they plunged over the side of their ship to a watery grave.  In order to get past the Sirens safely, Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with wax so that they could not hear the song.

But he, desiring to hear the song of the Sirens without fear of leaping to his death, also commanded them to tie him to the mast so that he might listen under restraint.  His men went about their work, ears blocked to the song of the Sirens, but tied to the mast, Odysseus wept and raged beneath the spell, imploring his men to release him.

Like the song of the Sirens, the distractions of this world seek to lure us astray.  To draw us off the path.  But like the author of Hebrews, like Odysseus’ men, let us throw off the entanglements, block our ears to the call, and run with endurance the race set for us.

Like Reepicheep, longing to reach Aslan’s country, let us fix our eyes on Christ and seek Him with all of our hearts.

Let us be like the Psalmist and say, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  Where can I go and meet with God?”  (Psalm 42:1-2 )

“The coracle went  more and more quickly, and beautifully it rushed up the wave’s side.  For one split second they saw its shape and Reepicheep’s on the very top.  Then it vanished and since that moment no one can truly claim to have seen Reepicheep the Mouse.  But my belief is that he came safe to Aslan’s country and is alive there to this day.”  

~ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis

Villiany 101 – 5 Things Every Villain Should Do

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[Editor’s Note: Welcome back from the Holidays!  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  And that you didn’t spend Christmas like me, dodging down black alleys, hiding in trashcans, and sneaking around in a coat and ski mask, all so that I could obtain the following transcript from my top secret double agent currently undercover at the Academy of Ultimate Villainy. 

It was harrowing.  But I survived that 3 story fall from the rooftop into the dumpster and (most importantly!) the briefcase with the precious transcript remained intact! 

Here is installment number two from the Academy of Ultimate Villainy on Villainy 101 – 5 Things Every Villain Should Do.]

SPEAKER: Ladies and gentlemen, students, sub-villains, villains, and arch-villains, and any evil henchmen too dull to read the “no evil henchmen permitted” sign on the door, welcome to Villainy 101!

Once again our illustrious Instructor of Villainy has returned safe from battling heroes and their sickening good causes, to speak on the FIVE things a villain should employ to achieve Ultimate Villainy.  Pay attention like evil little villains and learn from the worst of the worst!  Our dastardly villainous Instructor!

*raucous applause*

INSTRUCTOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  Once again, may I say what a terrible pleasure it is to be here this evening!  Ahem.  No cameras, if you please.  Pictures are absolutely forbidden.  Violators will be fed to the dragon!

Now, to begin.  5 things a villain should employ to achieve Ultimate Villainy.

1) Mystery

Mystery is the key to evil villainy.  Now, I know that you will recall from our last session that I warned against the dangers of the grandiose speech and info download, and said that silence was key to villainy.  Mystery outranks silence.

There are two forms of mystery which may be employed by the astute villain.

The first is in regard to planning.  You must maintain mystery in regard to your evil plots and devious plans.  Do not speak your plans aloud – you can see how this is tied to the speeches, do you not?

Heroes are the worst eavesdroppers in the world!  Many a poor villain has spouted off the particulars of his plan in what he thought was the privacy of his secret lair, only to discover too late that he had company!  You may have the most elaborate security system in the world, the best guard dog, the finest trip wires, and a state of the art alarm system.  Regardless, the heroes will get in, and they will overhear, and you will die.

In fact, it’s best if you don’t even think your brilliant plans.  Authors are mind readers.  And as we’ve already said, authors are always ALWAYS on the heroic side.  Keep your plans a mystery!So, don’t speak your plots aloud.  Don’t write them down.  And never, ever, leave top secret files lying around.  Or passwords already typed into computers.  Seriously?  Better yet, don’t store your top secret plans on the computer.  Heroes are excellent hackers.

The second aspect of mystery employed by dastardly clever villains is the mystery of identity!  On the whole, we villains are a terrifying breed.  Men quake at the merest whisper of our names.  Identity and reputation is everything.  There are some, however, of a less fear inspiring sort (or those who wish to keep their identities hidden for nefarious purposes) who must resort to other methods.  A mysterious identity is the thing for these villains.

3 steps to achieving a mysterious identity:

  1. Forget your own name. It is no longer yours.  You have a new name.  There is some controversy over whether a mysterious villain should suggest his own name or leave it to the terrified commoners to supply.  I have seen many a poor mysterious villain labeled with the ignoble epithet of Bigfoot or Boogeyman due to bystander ignorance and lack of creativity.  Generally, I find it best to use one of those random Villain name generators available on the Internet.
  2. Choose a wardrobe – preferably something dark and scary.  Ordinarily, I am in favor of a wide range of colors for Villains (black is so cliched!).  However, when it comes to Villains maintaining a mysterious identity, dark colors are necessary to inspire the proper fear and elusivity.  Ski masks, eyes masks, hooded robes, black top hats, walking sticks, strange face painting jobs, etc. are considered absolutely necessary accessories.  If you are in need, contact our Villainous Wardrobing department to acquire these basic necessities.
  3. Work out. I’m sorry, one does not become a Top Villain by sitting on the couch and munching on cheese curls.  Prospective mysterious villains must take evil ninja lessons.  You must be able to appear and disappear like a flash.  Here and there.  Now then gone.  Like a shadow.  Or a big black butterfly flitting from place to place.  Yes, Mr. Speaker, I know that “butterfly” is a taboo word.  Bat then.  A big black bat.
  4. A bonus one! I’m really too generous for my own good.  A mysterious villain must strive for unpredictability.  Spontaneity is necessary.  Rule of thumb: Never show up when expected, and always show up when not expected.

*door bursts open and black clad figure rushes across stage, pauses to bow to the audience, and disappears in a flash, bang, and cloud of smoke.*

Ah yes, the Black Phantom.  Excellent, isn’t he?

2) Sinistry

Yes, I invented the word.  No, don’t summon the linguistics or grammar police!  I doubt they would care to show up here anyway.

Villains get such a bad name in regard to sinistry.  The villains portrayed in modern television shows as supposedly dark and sinister are scarcely more than bumbling idiots prancing around in black robes, throwing in an evil chuckle now and then (horrors!) and utterly failing in the department of sinistry!

A true villain should be sinister.  Not merely frightening.  But soul shattering, knee quivering, lip tremblingly sinister.  How does one attain sinistry?  By attending my classes of course!  Sinistry is often tied to mystery.  The unspoken word, the all-knowing look, and the foul smirk all add to sinistry, and unfortunately, the grandiose speech does not.

Villains often use physical tools or appearance to achieve a sinister impression.  What is more sinister than Captain Hook’s hook?  Or Darth Vader’s creepy breathing?  Admittedly, the movies did not give full justice to Captain Hook or Darth Vader.  If the common humans ever met the real villains!  Pray excuse me a truly evil chuckle as I contemplate the incident.

3) Insanity

It has often been said that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.  Never was a truer word spoken.  Villains are geniuses.  We are also often insane.  And proud of it!  Insanity coupled with power inspires fear and terror in the hearts of men like nothing else.

In fact, this route to ultimate villainy has proved so effective throughout history that many villains – regardless of their mental stability – claim insanity and act insanely in order to further their own reputations.    Insanity also gives the villain a slight advantage.  Who can help but pity a madman?  And who can hold a madman wholly culpable for his insane acts?

As I mentioned last time, unless you have received complete and adequate training in the true evil laugh (as of course, I have!), the insane approach is the only time when an evil laugh may be usefully and most fearfully employed.

4) The Miserable Backstory

“But I didn’t ask to be like this.  It was my poor upbringing.  It was my miserable childhood.  It was my abandonment at the age of three that embittered me.  It was the author’s fault.  It was anyone or anything but me!”

The miserable backstory.  Make the most of it.  Tell it wherever you can.  Even if you have to make it up on the spot.  Every evil villain has a miserable backstory.  Nowadays, when commoners are more concerned about motivation and psychology than criminals actually taking responsibility for wrong doing, it is easy for the sagacious villain to pass the buck.

An evil villain is often called upon to drop the Miserable Backstory at a moment’s notice, so I suggest writing it out beforehand and memorizing it until you can say it effectively.  A few tears work wonders.  And that terrible little catch in your voice when you talk about “Mumsie dear’s piteous end!” will catch the hero off guard every time.

Heroes are tough in battle, but incredible softies when it comes to actually pitying people.  The Miserable Backstory will work every time!  It is also an excellent way to engage reader sympathy and interest.  Once the reader is emotionally involved, the battle is half won!

And once the hero falls for the sob story, victory lies but a quick blow away!

5) —

But wait, before I introduce my next topic and while I am still on the topic of victory, I must… yes, I must make one disclaimer.  Bear with me.

A villain strives for victory, but a villain should not expect to win.

*the crowd erupts*  What?  Lies!  Treachery!

Silence.  Silence.  Cease this uproar immediately!  Villains are doomed to failure.  It’s a hard fact to swallow, but it is all too true.

Heroes have omniscience on their side.  The authors know everything.  Why, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there are authors listening in right now.

[Editor’s note: You can be sure that when I read this I was glad that I wasn’t there!  I shudder to think what might have happened to an author caught eavesdropping in the Academy of Ultimate Villainy!]

Booooo!  Hisssssss!  He’s a hero-friend!  Kick him out!

Hear me out!  I’m simply stating the truth.  And then there’s something about this age old battle of good against evil, light against darkness, that keeps cropping up in so many fantastical and fictional works.  Something about evil going to be destroyed forever.  It’s depressing, but villains must not be dismayed!  Instead, we must…

BOOOOOOOO!

Double-crosser!

Traitor!

TAKE HIM TO THE DRAGON!

What?  No.  You can’t do that to me!  *static on radio* Red Alert.  Riot in subterranean room 112, class Villainy 102!  Send backup.  Please!  Ahhhhh!

[Editor’s Note: At this point in time, my contact thought it prudent to slip away before the building collapsed beneath the villainous tumult.  Sadly, I therefore do not know what became of the evil Instructor of Villainy, what number 5 was going to be, or whether I will be able to obtain any more transcripts from the Academy of Ultimate Villainy or not.]

The Story behind the Story

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         And the Starting of a New Adventure…
                 (In which I announce some epically exciting news!)
I hope you enjoyed all the subtitles.  I couldn’t resist!  In my last post, I promised you some very exciting news and here at last you have it:
Today I signed my first book contract!
Still tentatively titled Out of Darkness Rising, my novella is going to be published by Flaming Pen Press and is currently planned to be released in summer of 2012!
In October of 2009 I started a story.  It was originally written for a short story contest and supposed to be limited to 1200 words.  I hadn’t been writing for more than a few hours when I realized that the story I wanted to tell could not be adequately told in 1200 words, so I kept writing.  And a few days later, I ended the story at 9,000 words, scribbled “the end” at the bottom of the page, and buried it in the dust bound trunk of my computer’s hard drive. 
At the start of the summer of 2010, I rediscovered the story, blew away the dust, and discovered as I leafed through the moth-eaten pages, that there was still more to tell.  So, I started rewriting and expanded the story with the goal of turning it into a novella.  By October, after months of writing, rewriting, editing, and revising, I pronounced it “finished,” and having also spent the summer months researching publication, I sent a query letter to Flaming Pen Press. 
Several months passed while I waited to hear back, and in the meantime, I started work on a new fantasy novel Song of Leira, and for a while I forgot about Out of Darkness Rising.  In January, I went on a mission’s trip to Haiti and happened to share an excerpt from Song of Leira with one of my team members on the flight home.  I had begun to feel discouraged about my writing, but she was so encouraging about it that I came home ready to dive once more into Song of Leira and finish the first draft.  When I got home, however, there was another surprise awaiting me.  
I received an email inviting me to submit the complete manuscript for Out of Darkness Rising to Flaming Pen Press.  I hastily polished the manuscript and sent it off a few days later and then waited again… 
About two months later, in March of 2011, I again happened to check my email one night and discovered a message informing me that Scott Appleton of Flaming Pen Press had decided to accept my manuscript for publication!

We spent the next few weeks discussing book titles and cover ideas, etc.  Then I moved away to camp for the summer and only had computer access on the weekends, so further work was put on hold for a while.  Finally, last Saturday, I received an email with the book contract attached!  And now, after a few days of careful scanning and deliberation :) the contract is signed and sealed and en route to Flaming Pen Press!  
Signing the contract
signing the contract…
Needless to say, I am very excited about this!  A dream come true!  I know that there is a lot of work left to be done, but I’m looking forward to it!  It is said that adventures oft’ come in pairs and that certainly is the case in my life!  This past year has been a series of adventures, one right after the other.  And yet another adventure begins tomorrow: college!
Between one adventure and the next, I’m going to be very busy!  But it is a good kind of busy!  And I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.  At times, life is like a wild stagecoach ride, but it’s nice knowing that God has the reins and I can sit back and trust Him to steer things according to His perfect plan!
~ A Servant of the King
Out of Darkness Rising
For the villagers on the accursed Island, life has only one meaning: death.

Bound to the Island by the curse, the villagers suffer beneath the iron claw of the serpent, daily breathing the poison of his breath, and dying to appease his insatiable appetite.  Darkness reigns unchallenged.  With the constant threat of death looming over her, Marya lives the life of an outcast, longing for something more, yet scarcely daring to hope… until the stranger arrives.  Kind, in a world of cruelty, unafraid in a place of terror, the stranger clearly is no ordinary villager; his footsteps echo with the forgotten lore. 

Torn between legend and the harsh reality of the Island, Marya gradually begins to realize that everything she has ever known is only a small part of a greater tale, an ancient promise marching down through the centuries to ultimate fulfillment on the Island’s barren shore in a sword abandoned and arms opened wide… yet which will prove stronger, the promise or the curse?  

‘Twas a Dark and Stormy Night when I Finished My Novel…

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Seriously though, it is and I did!

It is a dark and stormy night and I did finish my novel!

Amidst thunderous crashes and brilliant flashes of lightning, I typed two very important words onto the last page of my novel: The End.  

I stared at the screen for a minute, reveling in the beauty of the moment.  When I started Song of Leira in September, I had the tiniest smidgen of an idea, scribbled down one evening while working on another story and stored away until I had time.  That idea has grown into a story that was far bigger than I first imagined and will eventually fill three books – that’s the plan at least! :)

Right now, the first draft of Song of Leira stands at 121,441 words!  In Times New Roman, font size 12, double spaced lines, that equals roughly 408 pages on my computer!  Unfortunately, that’s a little too long for a young adult fantasy novel according to most standards, but that’s ok!

I know there is plenty for me to edit.  That’s why this is the first draft!  And I can’t wait to start going back through the story polishing, shining, cutting (yes, hacking away at my beloved story) until the diamond shows through the rough stone of the first draft.

And so, it’s not truly the end.  Well, the story has reached the end, but I’m not finished with the story yet!  And I’m glad because I really have grown to love my funny little characters with their odd ways and individual failings.

I’m so thrilled that I’ve finished!  And so thrilled that there is work yet to be done.  Thrilled that I don’t need to leave Leira yet, that I don’t need to say goodbye to Birdie, Amos, and Ky, or Gundhrold or George.

I am so thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to write this novel!  Taking a year off from school was a big step and there were many times when I asked myself why I did this and what I could possibly have been thinking.

But if I hadn’t taken a year off, my writing would not have grown the way it has, I probably would not have written this novel, and, well, I would be studying right now which is a lot less fun than writing the ending to my novel!  :)

So thank you Lord for the gift of writing!  I pray that my writing would always glorify You!

I can’t wait to edit this story and I can’t wait to start on book two!

But wait… I finished… so that means I get to go to sleep tonight!  (See previous post for context!)  Haha, but I’m way to excited to sleep right now… and tomorrow I will be wielding the dastardly red pen!

[The title of this post was suggested by my awesomely clever Mama!  Thank you Mom for your encouragement!]

The Death of a Character

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As a reader, nothing enrages me more than the arbitrary and unnecessary death of a beloved character!  I still remember books that I read growing up where I was absolutely furious at the author for killing off a character that I loved… for no reason.  Well, there probably was a reason, but whatever it was, it didn’t seem enough in my mind to justify the death of the character. 
Sometimes, it gets to be so bad that I’m afraid to allow myself to like any of the characters beside the main character.  Especially if they possess certain qualities like goodness, heroism, selflessness, etc. because the author almost inevitably kills them off! 
And nothing makes me angrier than when a character is killed simply to elicit an emotional response from the reader!  I don’t like to feel emotionally manipulated.  There’s a difference between a moving death scene and a death scene that is rigged to make you cry… I refuse to cry over the latter!
That’s from the perspective of a reader, now as an author…
Obviously, since I write in the fantasy genre and my present story falls under the category of high fantasy, and it involves desperate battles, overwhelming forces, and the fight against evil, some of my characters are going to die.
So, an author, how do I approach “killing off” one of my characters?
First off, the death of the character should always be justifiable.  A character should never be killed off arbitrarily (and by “character” here I’m referring to both important minor and main characters).  The death of a character should always accomplish something – either adding something necessary to the plot or to the development of another main character.
In the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Gandalf’s death in the Fellowship of the Ring was justifiable.  It was necessary even.  His death stayed true to his character – a sacrificial death to save the lives of his companions.  It accomplished something – his death allowed the others to escape.  It raised the stakes and added to the tension of the plot – the Fellowship suddenly lost their leader and the guidance behind their mission.  And it caused character development in both Aragorn and Frodo – Aragorn’s emergence as the leader and soon to be King of Gondor and Frodo’s resolve to carry on his quest alone so that the rest of his companions would not be endangered. 
Secondly, the death should remain true to the character.  If your character is a hero, let him die heroically!
In the play Cyrano de Bergerac – yes, I’m talking about Cyrano again!  If you have not yet read it, I suggest you get your hands on a copy forthwith and bask in the warmth of the epic genius.  I hate to spoil it for anyone, so if you haven’t read it, don’t read the following paragraph!
Cyrano dies at the end of the play.  A hero the equal of the Three Musketeers, Cyrano meets a rather ignominious end when he is struck on the head by a log of wood thrown out of a window by a servant…  The fact is lamented in the play itself!  But although the circumstances of his death are far from heroic, Cyrano meets it with the poise, courage, and heart of a warrior!  His response is what makes the death fitting.  A humble death met heroically by a hero!  And the death scene is amazing!  Since I can’t quote the whole thing here, I shall have to repeat my encouragement that you read it yourself!
If you are going to kill a character, make it an end worthy of the character!
Thirdly, don’t let the death be wasted!
Have you read/seen this scenario before? 
The battle is raging fiercely.  The main character spies the villain and rushes to attack.  But, oh no!  Suddenly, the main character is trapped or pinned down… he can’t escape… can’t even defend himself!  And the villain steps forward to deliver the death blow.

Just then, a friend rushes in, right in the nick of time, and takes the blow that was meant for the main character!  “NO!”  But as the friend dies, the main character is suddenly so angry that he manages to get free and defeat the villain!
What a wasted death!  Certainly it met the first two requirements: it was justifiable (otherwise the main character would die), it was a worthy death (self-sacrificing) but it was wasted!  If the main character could have gotten free on their own in the first place, then there was no need for the friend to die!
Anyway, to wrap up my thoughts, if I’m going to kill off a character (that sounds so terrible doesn’t it?) then at least I need to make sure that my reasons are justifiable and not arbitrary, that it is a worthy end, and that it is not wasted!
If you can’t tell, I’ve been writing an epic battle scene lately!  ;)
So, what are your thoughts on the death of a character?  Any other important things to remember?  Good examples?  Bad examples?  

Of Inspiration

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The skeletal silhouette of a dead tree against the fiery orange and blues of a western sunset; the first whisper of rain on a tin roof; the chill breath of winter wind rustling through the dry fingers of an oak tree; the peaceful milling of horses grazing in the purple twilight…
I’ve been thinking lately about what inspires me to write.  Oftentimes it is something that I observe in nature, like the examples above.  
I suppose it’s like an artist who sees a gorgeous mountain garbed in wild flowers, wreathed in clouds, and crowned with the glory of the rising sun and can’t help sitting down and trying to capture the beauty on canvas.  I’ve tried my skill at the canvas… and frankly, though I can get a recognizable painting, I’m better with a pen and paper.  
[Random note: You can’t imagine how hard I tried to find an image that fit the description of the picture I had in my head… I couldn’t, so I’m afraid the word picture will have to suffice!]
I have learned the value of listening.  We like to work… and to feel like we’re working.  So we tend to hurry a lot and the concept of sitting still seems lazy.  But you’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish – what you hear, and what ideas come – when you simply sit in silence amidst the glories of God’s creation.  His work declares the glory of His name and as a writer, who is first and foremost a Christian, I want my work to glorify His name.    
Other times, inspiration is sparked by a random thought from a book I’ve read, a movie I’ve watched, a conversation, or something I’ve seen.  But I would have to say that the greatest inspiration for my writing would have to be the Bible.
Think about it!  The basic concepts found in most fantasy of good fighting evil or light rising over darkness, are all drawn from the Bible!  And here and there as I’m reading, a verse literally leaps off the page that corresponds with what I’m writing and inspires me to keep going!
Lately, I’ve also been asking myself why I do what I do.  I read things that others have written – even other aspiring authors like me who have not yet been published – and I wonder what I’m doing!  Who am I to think that I could ever write anything good?  I must be crazy!  How could I ever even dream of being published?
At the same time, I can’t help believing that someday something will come of it.  Even if I never get a single story published, I can’t help hoping that at least someone will read one of my stories and it will speak to that person like all the books I read speak to me!
Why do I write what I do?  Why young adult fantasy of all things?  The obvious answer would be that it is something I love.  I love both writing and reading young adult fantasy!  (I’m a kid at heart!)  But there’s more to it than that.
I believe that fantasy offers a unique opportunity to present great truths in a new way.  I know that the books I have read have in many ways shaped me into who I am.  Many times it was the characters in the books I read that made me love things like courage and self sacrifice and the strength to do what was right regardless of cost. 
These are all character qualities that Christ fully exhibited and we should therefore have as Christians growing to be like Him.  I’ve read about them many times in the Bible.  But often, it was the books I read that helped bring it down to a personal level as I saw those qualities portrayed in the characters’ lives. 
Now, perhaps I was just a strange child (and perhaps I still am)!  But it was enough to make me want to create stories and characters of my own.  Stories and characters that reach into a reader’s heart and grab hold, that resonate within, so that the reader comes away feeling strengthened and encouraged.  
I don’t know if I can do it.  But I believe that I have been given a love of writing for a purpose and I want to use that love to glorify God whether that involves publication or not!  
  
But I’m rambling now… sorry!  I will simply leave you with these quotes from C.S. Lewis:
“The value of myth is that it takes all the things you know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by the veil of familiarity.”
“At all ages if [fantasy and myth] is used well by the author and meets the right reader, it has the same power: to generalize while remaining concrete, to present in palpable form not concepts or even experiences but whole classes of experience, and to throw off irrelevancies.  But at its best it can do more; it can give us experiences we have never had and thus, instead of “commenting on life,” can add to it.”   
Oh and as a side note:  This month’s Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour is for the book The God Hater by Bill Myers.  I did not actually participate in the blog tour this time, but I wanted to post the participant’s links so that you can see what everyone is saying about the book! 

free short story: Of Shadow and Rust

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