Fiction Friday — Foundling by D. M. Cornish
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 29, 2018
The Half-Continent is a world at war: humans and monsters have been fighting for centuries. Biotechnology supplies light, engine power and even, in some cases, superhuman powers.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 11: Consciousness
Travis Perry, Jun 28, 2018
Consciousness is unique. It’s more than just a product of brain function–its origin is a mystery which makes more sense if we’re willing to talk about God.
When Women Weren’t People
Catherine Jones Payne, Jun 26, 2018
Novelist Catherine Jones Payne: Sometimes evangelicals struggle to view women as fully human, in reality and in our stories.
Christian Speculative Fiction: What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 25, 2018
But the problem remains: how do those books find their readership? That’s where reviews come in. And social media. And word of mouth. Those who read books they love need to take the few minutes it takes to write a brief review
Star Wars Fans, Don’t Act Like New Testament Legalists
John Otte, Jun 22, 2018
Some “Star Wars” fans, upset with new fans and “The Last Jedi,” sound like legalistic leaders in the book of Acts.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 10: Life
Travis Perry, Jun 21, 2018
Life coming from non-life on its own is a staple of science fiction. But is so unlikely in the real world that even recent advances in science are a long way from explaining it.
Show Your Hand
Shannon McDermott, Jun 20, 2018
Beliefs about God, the universe, and right and wrong have a way of becoming apparent, even when left unspoken.
Which is Greater: Faith or Truth?
Brennan S. McPherson, Jun 19, 2018
Biblical fiction novelist Brennan S. McPherson: “Without human imagination, faith, worship, and pleasing God are impossible.”
Where Do You Find Your Speculative Fiction?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 18, 2018
This post is really my effort to understand the state of speculative Christian fiction as it stands today. Any thoughts you care to share would be greatly appreciated.
Blood and Guts
Mark Carver, Jun 15, 2018
I’ve enjoy plenty of creepy and ghoulish tales, and I know that everyone has different tolerances and sensitivities. But when I see some of the descriptions and covers of these insanely brutal stories and films, they can look positively nauseous.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 9: Boltzmann Brain Matrix
Travis Perry, Jun 14, 2018
The multiverse + anthropic principle blows itself up. It doesn’t give us the universe we see, because starting with randomness leads to Bolztmann brains, to a self-generated Matrix.
Creating Literature that Leaps the Spiritual Divide
Gray Rinehart, Jun 12, 2018
Sci-fi novelist Gray Rinehart: “What does it take to cross the spiritual divide effectively in a literary or artistic work?”
The Myth That Will Not Die
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 11, 2018
Good speculative novels, written from a Christian perspective, by Christians, or about Christians, are out there. The myth that Christian fiction is like a soiled diaper, that it is only for elderly ladies, is simply a myth.
Fiction Friday – Escape To Vindor By Emily Golus
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 8, 2018
For as long as she can remember, Megan Bradshaw has imagined herself as the heroine of Vindor, her own secret world populated with mermaids, centaurs, samurai and more. When school pressures and an upcoming move make life unbearable, Megan wishes she could escape to Vindor for real. And then she does.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 8: Multiverse
Travis Perry, Jun 7, 2018
The multiverse, though fodder for great speculative fiction stories, is based on a desire to explain wild improbabilities seen in the formation of the universe that should lead a person to realize there must be a Creator.
A Christian Twist
Shannon McDermott, Jun 6, 2018
Christianity itself introduces different elements into fiction.
Here There Be Creatures: Mythology and the Sense of Wonder
Grace Bridges, Jun 5, 2018
Rotovegas author Grace Bridges: “New Zealanders feel a strong sense of identity with our unique culture, and I wanted to convey that in my Earthcore series.”
Realism And Twenty-first Century Storytelling—A Reprise
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 4, 2018
I think there’s something else not particularly real in twenty-first century stories, no matter how real the computer generated characters might appear. We could chalk this up to “that’s just movies” if it weren’t for the fact that screen writing is beginning to dominate the way we write novels, too.
When High Fantasy Becomes Porn Fantasy, Part 2
Cap Stewart, Jun 1, 2018
When porn invades fantasy stories, we must honestly face the power of visual media and our risk of self-deception.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 7: The “Darks”
Travis Perry, May 31, 2018
Dark matter, dark energy, and dark flow are three terms applied to unknown or mysterious elements of the cosmos. These “darks” reveal that scientists prefer explanations that fall in line with preconceived paradigms than explanations that don’t.
God’s Mistake?
Mark Carver, May 30, 2018
Death is not a mistake. Death is not wrong or evil. For those who are saved, death is a gift.
Dongeng: An Exploration of My Malaysian Identity
Anna Tan, May 29, 2018
For her fantasy novel Dongeng, Anna Tan knew she wanted to explore uniquely Malaysian myths and legends.
Memorial Day: Remembering The Soldiers Who Died—A Reprise
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 28, 2018
It doesn’t seem to me that speculative stories are short on wars, and therefore people serving the rest of their culture or nation or species by marching into danger and possible death.
When High Fantasy Becomes Porn Fantasy, Part 1
Cap Stewart, May 25, 2018
Porn has invaded fantasy stories, and Christians must listen to warnings from outside and inside the church.
The Car-Universe Without A Motor, part 6
Travis Perry, May 24, 2018
Many people believe dark matter exists, though we’ve never directly detected it. Belief in God makes even more sense.
What Propels Modern Steampunk?
Jon Del Arroz, May 22, 2018
Jon del Arroz surveys modern steampunk and considers how to bring back the aesthetic’s adventure elements.
Is Black Panther too Pagan for Christian Fans?
Parker J. Cole, May 18, 2018
Fans can discern Black Panther’s mysticism to find a story that celebrates human heroism, royal beauty, and African culture.
“Better” Christian Entertainment
Mark Carver, May 16, 2018
Does better artistic quality mean better Christian entertainment?
Unraveling ‘Frayed’
Kerry Nietz, May 15, 2018
A new short story and the memoir “I Was Saddam’s Son” brought Kerry Nietz back to his fictional future world ruled by sharia law.
Getting The Most Out Of Conferences
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 14, 2018
What an opportunity, then, for writers to pick the brains of these professionals at a conference, starting with a presentation—a pitch—of their own work. How else can writers find out if they have an idea that captures the interest of those who are experienced?
