Liturgy and Lunacy

Since Christianity is such an integral part of the Western society we inhabit, it’s only natural that it will have a prominent place in our stories. It shows up in all genres but we often see Christianity or its derivatives in fantasy, horror, and surprisingly, science fiction. —Mark Carver in November 2016

We’re All Mad Here

The latest movie from Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass, just came out on DVD. I haven’t seen it yet, but I did see, and moderately enjoyed, the Tim Burton-directed first installment, Alice in Wonderland. Of course, nothing will ever […] —Mark Carver in October 2016

Who Vs. What

There is undoubtedly a cyclical and symbiotic relationship between character and plot. Who the character is determines what will happen in the story, and the events of the story shape who the character is, etc. They are both cogs that turn each other. From a writing craft perspective, this can be a very existential and convoluted discussion, so let’s take it to street level. —Mark Carver in October 2016

Finding Truth In Fantasy

Often, the dark trials are what strengthen us, not the ease-filled traipses through flower-strewn meadows. This is a recurring theme in fiction, nowhere more apparent than fantasy. —Zac Totah in October 2016

Characters Matter, And Their Character Matters

What we see in Christian novel after Christian novel is a flawed character in need of a Savior. The impression this gives is that people without Christ aren’t likable, that their flawed character means they won’t do heroic deeds or stand up for right. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in September 2016

Courage, Dear Heart

One of the beautiful things about stories is the presence of fear. But more than that, the presence of courage in the face of fear. —Zac Totah in September 2016

Unlocking The Theme Of A Cast Of Stones

Fantasy novelist Patrick Carr reveals the secret themes he discovered for “A Cast of Stones” and “The Shock of Night.” —Patrick W. Carr in August 2016

Frodo’s Failure—When Doing Your Best Isn’t Enough

This image—Frodo’s failing despite his best effort—gets at the heart of the Gospel and the fact that left to ourselves, we can try-try-try all the livelong day and never measure up to what God requires. Never hope to come close. —Zac Totah in August 2016

Fantasy – Not Anybody’s Leftover Stale Bread

One of the unfortunate impressions about Christian fantasy that still lingers seems to be that all fantasy is the same, that it is derivative and stale. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in August 2016

Guess That Fantasy – A Different Take

I don’t think we can create the contestant aspect of that old TV game show, but it would be fun, I think, if you would post in the comments how many clues you needed in order to guess the title. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in July 2016

20 Book Titles Reimagined

What if books we knew well had different titles? What would be the result? —Zac Totah in July 2016

Magic, Fantasy, And A Christian Worldview

Part of the inexplicable is that God has allowed His enemies some measure of power (magic), and He chooses to let evil ripen before He puts an eternal end to it. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in July 2016

Heavy Metal

After the recent shooting in Orlando, the media’s attention once again turned to gun control, the meaning of the Second Amendment, and the nation’s obsessions with firearms. Everything that could possibly be said on both sides of the issue has been said, but there is one truth on which I believe everyone can agree: entertainment without weapons would be pretty boring. —Mark Carver in June 2016

Make Stories Succeed With This One Weird Trick

One “weird” trick can help anyone who wants to share or craft great stories. —E. Stephen Burnett in June 2016

Body Count Vs. Human Cost

Unless violence and death happen to the main characters in a story, we rarely see and feel the human cost of those deaths, of the families left behind, of the children now orphaned, of the villages and kingdoms without their leaders, of the friends and lovers whose hearts ache for those they can never embrace again. —Mark Carver in June 2016

The Power Of Ink

Tattoos have historically been associated with strength, aggression, power, status, rebellion, and tribal identity. —Mark Carver in May 2016

Fiction Friday – Dragonfriend By Marc Secchia

The traitor Ra’aba tried to silence Hualiama forever. But he reckoned without the strength of a dragonet’s paw, and the courage of a girl who refused to die. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in May 2016

Finding Hope In A Hopeless World

One theme runs through almost every epic tale. The fragile hope that the hero will conquer in the face of what seem to be insurmountable odds. Hope. A small yet profound word. It’s an idea that recurs time and again […] —Zac Totah in May 2016

Fantasy, Theology, and The Depiction Of Evil

In contrast to reality fiction, fantasy can have evil show up in whatever imagined form, but inevitably, the real truth about evil comes out: it is opposed to good. That’s the heart of evil. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in April 2016
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