This past Monday, author Emily Hayse explored how fantasy books help us recover reality:

Fantasy opposes the idea that the natural world is the only reality that exists. Fantasy keeps our imaginations open to things beyond the visible and creates a category in our minds for a reality outside our material experience. It helps awake the longings that come from being creatures of flesh and spirit.

To live in accordance with the truth, we must be aware of the true realities of this world, and not just the ones we can see and touch.

She will continue sharing articles at Lorehaven about once every quarter.

2020 Realm Award Book of the Year winner Seventh City by Emily Hayse

Emily Hayse is a lover of log cabins, strong coffee, NASCAR, and the smell of old books. Her novel Seventh City (prologue, review) won the 2020 Realm Award for Book of the Year. Her writing is fueled by good characters and a lifelong passion for storytelling. When she is not busy turning words into worlds, she can often be found baking, singing, or caring for one of the many dogs and horses in her life. She lives with her family in Michigan.

1. How did you first discover biblical faith and fantastic stories?

I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at a very young age. My family are readers, so when I was very little we read aloud and I read a lot once I could read for myself. So both of these things started very early in my life. However, I realized the importance of the two of them together later on when I decided to pursue publication. I was torn and wondering if stories were an okay way to glorify God, especially when a lot of people I knew were going straight into ministry. After a lot of prayer and consideration I came to where I am now, where I believe that stories are a uniquely powerful tool for changing lives, and that if God made me a storyteller he will use it to good purpose.

2. What stories are you enjoying presently, non-fiction and fiction?

I am currently reading Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund for non-fiction and Brand of Light as well as Shadow and Bone for fiction.

3. What are your fantastic goals for the future?

My first book in a western fantasy trilogy, These War-Torn Hands, is coming out in June and the rest of the series will be out inside the next year. I also have some exciting projects in the works that aren’t books but are related to writing and stories that I can’t wait to share this year. Long term, I plan to keep writing and, as I tell people, stay in the story business.