A word from master writer John C. Wright, readers: On Christian Magic A reader posed an earnest question to me, and one of great interest to a man of my profession of faith in my profession as a fantasy author. The question is one wiser heads than mine have pondered, so my answer was to … Continue reading Reposted: On Christian Magic
J.R.R. Tolkien
Smoking in Tolkien
Well worth the read. Check it out! J.R.R. Tolkien: Builder of Pipe-Centric Worlds August 27, 2021 by Chuck Stanion in Pipe Line The influence of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien on modern literature, culture, and even pipe smoking, is immeasurable. He supercharged the fantasy genre and made it more accessible to millions. Enormously popular games like … Continue reading Smoking in Tolkien
Nice Girls – Are They More or Less Difficult to Write than Bad Girls?
“Playing good girls in the ‘30s was difficult, when the fad was to play bad girls. Actually I think playing bad girls is a bore; I have always had more luck with good girl roles because they require more from an actress.” Olivia De Havilland via BrainyQuote.com Olivia De Haviland as Melanie Hamilton in Gone … Continue reading Nice Girls – Are They More or Less Difficult to Write than Bad Girls?
Music in the Void
Enjoy this excellent piece by the late Stratford Caldecott, readers: Ainulindale: Music of Creation in Tolkien By Stratford Caldecott July 17th, 2013 “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will.” (Hamlet V.II.) Both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien saw the creation of the world as taking place in some way through music. Readers … Continue reading Music in the Void
Writerly Sound Bites, Number 11: Write What You Know, or Who You Know?
Mr. Haldeman’s statement appears rather condemning at first blush. “Write what you know” – what do you know? In the speculative genres, none of us know what space travel or Faerie is like. We can study the biographies of astronauts, but that does not mean we know, firsthand, what it is like to visit space. … Continue reading Writerly Sound Bites, Number 11: Write What You Know, or Who You Know?
Writerly Sound Bites, Number 10: Character Progression – What About Characters Broken Beyond Repair?
Per the sixth installment in this series, we have seen that characters do not simply break due to an “earthshattering event.” The eighth installment, which had to be split into three separate articles, went into detail about how characters broken by other people can heal from this trauma. Some rightly ask, however, about the Character … Continue reading Writerly Sound Bites, Number 10: Character Progression – What About Characters Broken Beyond Repair?
What a Shame
This article got me to tear up a bit, readers. Click the link and see if it will help you, too: Dispelling the Shadows of Shame JUNE 5, 2020 BY FR. DEREK SAKOWSKI I have come to realize that shame is the devil’s tactic of choice in his efforts to ruin our human existence. Certainly he entices … Continue reading What a Shame
Reposted: The taste for magic
A thoughtful and inspiring piece, readers. Check it out: Why do we hanker for magic? That is a question that the large-C Catholic fantasy writer must squarely face, and the small-c catholic reader ought at any rate to find interesting. The practice of magic as such, whether effective or not, is explicitly forbidden by scripture … Continue reading Reposted: The taste for magic
“Good Morning.”
Forgive the reference to Professor Tolkien’s The Hobbit*, readers, but you will soon see why I headlined the quote for this article. It was simply irresistible considering the unusual subject matter! Anyway, without further ado, here is Gandalf’s response to Master Baggins’ comment: “What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good … Continue reading “Good Morning.”
Motivation
Found this video full of inspirational speeches. Enjoy, readers! Seven Great Movie Motivational Speeches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-syuTraYo
A Song of Joy by Caroline Furlong 