Seeking A Better Country Than Middle Earth

Watching Peter Jackson interpret J.R.R. Tolkien is like watching a master jazz impresario play Beethoven. The original is classic; the interpretation as a new work is equally brilliant. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in December 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 6: Out Of The Frying-Pan Into The Fire

(How) do you plan to see “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”? Be prepared for the film to climax with an expanded version of the book’s chapter 6, “Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire.” —E. Stephen Burnett in December 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 5: Riddles In The Dark

“The Hobbit” chapter 5, “Riddles in the Dark,” marks a turning point in the careers of not only Bilbo Baggins, but J.R.R. Tolkien. —E. Stephen Burnett in December 2012

What Constitutes “Derivative”?

Some scholars claim J. R. R. Tolkien owed a debt of influence where he claimed none. I find this criticism to be thoroughly ironic because the great accusation against writers of high fantasy today is that their work is derivative, a mere shadow of, you guessed it, J.R.R. Tolkien. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in December 2012

What Makes A Villain?

John Otte has villains on the brain today. He’s trying to figure out what makes a villain truly effective in a story. Stop by and help him figure it out. —John Otte in December 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 4: Over Hill and Under Hill

Reviewers, publishers, and readers keep making up Middle-earth myths, including the notion that it can’t have “stone-giants,” as mentioned in “The Hobbit” chapter 4. —E. Stephen Burnett in December 2012

The Power Of Christian Fiction

Kingdom Series and The Knights of Arrethtrae series author Chuck Black: The spectrum of Christian fiction literature is broad. Does it have the power to change lives? How responsible is the author for his work’s influence? How far is too far? —Chuck Black in November 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 3: A Short Rest

Do your fantasy-world Elves sing “tra-la-la-lally” from treetops? J.R.R. Tolkien’s do. And he entreats us to meet these unique Middle-earth residents in “The Hobbit,” chapter 3. —E. Stephen Burnett in November 2012

Reading Is Worship 12: Desiring God As Fantasy Fans

As we come to the end(?) of this series, I’m curious: How is your God-glorifying, worshipful, speculative-story “singing” voice? What fantastic fiction have you read, seen, or heard that moved you to worship the Author? —E. Stephen Burnett in November 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 2: Roast Mutton

In chapter 2, Bilbo Baggins, the reluctant member of Thorin Oakenshield’s Dwarf-company, first tries to put his “burglar” skills to the test. —E. Stephen Burnett in November 2012

The Fine Line Between Reality and Fantasy

When I started writing my recently released young adult novel, Fathom, I knew there would be otherworldly creatures involved and that they would play a big part in the story. However, I always felt that at its heart, Fathom was a contemporary story —Merrie Destefano in November 2012

Reading Is Worship 11: Glory Spectrum Of Stories

If God’s multihued glories shine in all of reality, how do we find such glories in stories and be moved to worship Him? —E. Stephen Burnett in November 2012

Voting And Speculative Fiction

I don’t see democracy held up in fantasies or in science fiction as The Answer to the ills of the world. Rather, it seems as if democracy is not an option or it has led to a despotic take over, a la Rome or, in modern times, Germany. The Answer to the ills of society seems instead to be either the benevolent rule of a King or hero, or the anarchy of the individual. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in November 2012

The Success Of Fantasy By The Masters

According to Dr. Drout, Tolkien, and I would argue Lewis, created a bridge for contemporary readers to step into the realm of the fantastic. These writers tied their magical, mystical worlds to the world readers knew and recognized. Interestingly, they did so in vastly different ways. —Rebecca LuElla Miller in October 2012

Oz Four Ways: Wicked, The Musical

See and hear the Merry Old Land at its very best in our carefree Musical Tour of Oz! —Fred Warren in October 2012

Oz Four Ways – Wicked: The Life and Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West

This isn’t your grandfather’s Oz, not by a long shot. —Fred Warren in October 2012

‘Changing The Future; It’s Called Marriage,’ Part 2

In Doctor Who, some people hated Rory’s and Amy’s relationship. Maybe people dislike seeing a stable relationship. Maybe, similar to the Doctor himself, they can’t stand committed, heroic, happy endings to a love story. —E. Stephen Burnett in October 2012

Oz Four Ways: The Wizard Of Oz

Oz as you’ve never seen it before! —Fred Warren in September 2012

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 1: An Unexpected Party

One great way to explore “The Hobbit” is by reading it yourself. Yet if reading stories is worship, we should also read and discuss this classic together. —E. Stephen Burnett in September 2012

‘Hobbit’ Film Hopes: An Unexpected Journey

Much has changed since my last “The Hobbit” update after the teaser released in December. Now with the new trailer’s release, what are your thoughts, hopes, and predictions for “The Hobbit” film series? —E. Stephen Burnett in September 2012
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