American Football, and giving a book a second chance…

I must admit, I once was a music snob. I’d call it hipster, but that wasn’t invented yet, and there were no fashion statements involved. At one time I was introduced to the band “American Football” by multiple people. I popped in a CD and listened for a bit, but then, for some reason, I chose not to continue. Fast forward fifteen years. A friend’s status came up on my newsfeed “listening to American Football” and I couldn’t remember the band’s sound. I flipped over to itunes and began to listen. I couldn’t figure out what I didn’t like about this band. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t ready for them yet. I simply needed to mature into their sound.

I think the same can be said about our reading tastes. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I began to love reading, and at that point, I was devouring everything that I could get my hands on. My journey started with Chesterton’s “Everlasting Man”, then C.S. Lewis’ works- especially fascinating was his space trilogy. Then I read somewhere that what started Lewis on this grand adventure was George MacDonald’s Phantastes. What a weird name for a book. When I finally did find a copy of this book years later, I dove right in, just to find that the pool’s water was cold and shallow. This was the first MacDonald book I’d ever read, and my expectations were very high. Yet, I simply couldn’t get into the book. I know we’ve all had that experience where we’ve read a few chapters in a book, but then it just sat for weeks, months, dare I say a year? There sat Phantastes until I put it back on my bookshelf, unread.

It wasn’t until four or five years ago, that after reading much more of MacDonald’s work (especially his highly accessible Princess books), I tried reading Phantastes again. I now list it (along with Lillith) as one of the deepest and most thought-provoking books I’ve ever read.

All this to say, if you’ve changed and matured, it’s possible that you have a book to add to your favorites list- and it could be sitting right there on your bookshelf- waiting to be dusted off and consumed.

Each of us have a little bit of Capitol in us…. a Hunger Games Review

First let me say that expectations were high for this movie, but I have to be honest, once I saw the trailers for The Avengers and Promethius I forgot why I was there in the first place. After my wife quickly reminded me, we were transported to the world of Panem.

For a fan of the books, it was quite well done and true to the original. I would easily give it 4 out of 5 stars. My only complaint was that the books seemed to give the reader a much more intimate knowledge of the mind and emotion of the main character, Katniss Everdeen. Throughout her ordeal she shared every thought, hesitation, insecurity and worry. This didn’t seem to completely rise to the surface in the movie- but I don’t know if that’s anyone’s fault or simply the transmission of the written medium to the big screen.

My biggest struggle (not a complaint) was that for the entire two hours and 22 minutes I was uncomfortable, unsettled, and disturbed. While reading the book, I could put it down whenever this feeling arose and watch a little Phineas and Ferb. This always cheered me up; but alas, on this night, Perry the Platapus was busy with Dr. Doofenshmurtz, so I was stuck in Panem. The content of the movie wasn’t anything different from the book, but apparently watching kids struggle to survive in an evil system and eventually strive to kill each other somehow affected my sensibilities. This became obvious when the audience in my auditorium cheered when Thresh saved Katniss by killing young Clove by slamming her against the cornucopia. Did they know what they just applauded? A teenage boy just murdered a teenage girl. A little throw-up came up in my mouth; because I caught myself starting to cheering too. What had this author and director done to me? For this one second I realized, and I recoiled at the thought, that each of us have a little bit of Capitol in us….

Book ‘Em North Carolina Visit

I had a wonderful trip to a North Carolina event yesterday ( http://bookemnc.org ). While I sold a double-digit amount of books, that wasn’t the point, the proceeds went to the Book ‘Em foundation. The Book ‘Em Foundation’s goal is to “highlight the connection between illiteracy / poor reading skills and crime rates.” Visit http://bookemfoundation.org/ for details on the organization.

While I expected meet many readers, which I did- young and old alike, I didn’t expect to meet so many cool, interesting, helpful and encouraging authors at one place. To be honest, I’ve never been around so many authors at one point in time. Yes, I’ve met authors before. One or two here or there…maybe a writers group meeting, but never 75+ authors under one roof.
What I found most exciting about this was how I, along side of another author new to these sorts of events, were both welcomed with open arms. I thought that since we were in essence “competing” to sell our books, there might be some sort of resentment. Boy was I wrong. We sat next to a seasoned author who, during the breaks between shoppers, gave us a verbal to-do list to help us promote our books on the web. I was stunned. Why was she giving us her secrets? They apparently worked for her; they shot one of her books to #6 on Amazon. (Yes, I will be implementing this in the near future! ) I met other seasoned authors, one being on a panel of which I was a member, who eagerly doled out amazing tips on character development, outlining, and even the current state of publishing.

Needless to say, I’m still overwhelmed with the experience, as well as the information I garnered from the event. If you hear of one of these Book ‘em events coming to your neck of the woods, make sure you take time to visit!

George Macdonald’s fantasy Lillith made me want to die.

While George Macdonald’s book Lillith is one of his more “literary” fantasy books, it may embody exactly what I long for when I read books in this genre. In fact, and more specifically, it made me long for death. This sounds morbid, I know, but let me explain.

If you haven’t read the book, there are a few major themes that are threaded through the novel- the ones I noticed most were redemption and the providential role of death in God’s plan. MacDonald approached these topics in a very unique way. Usually when we watch a movie or we read a book, the theme of redemption presents itself something like this: the main character is described, he has a problem and often fails at something, then somehow, through his own power (or even a little help from others) he solves the problem and reaches some sort of “redemption.” Even in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series both Edmond and Eustace (who are some of the most unpleasant characters) eventually come around and end up doing “good” and essentially redeeming themselves at the end. In Lillith, there are characters that do what we would call good and bad actions, but that has little to do with their development. Their behavior is merely a part of the story- none of them are redeemed until they are invited, and eventually succumb, to sleep in Adam and Eve’s chamber.

I’ve read through much of Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven” and while I thought it was exceptionally well done, it didn’t satisfy my appetite. I started the book expecting it to cause me to anticipate heaven. It didn’t. It was too factual and stale. (Trust that I am used to factual and stale- I’m a philosopher!) On the other hand the book Lillith made me wonder. Isn’t that what all good Christian fantasy is supposed to do? It made me think about how “redemption” and our eventual complete salvation might take place. It made me consider how I will respond when I find myself at death’s door, knowing that salvation is on the other side. It made me long to be who God has created me to be in this life, but also imagine how things might be in the next. I can ask no more from a fantasy book than this…

Speaking to students on the Steps to becoming an Author

I really enjoyed speaking to 5th grade classes at Charlotte Christian School. The enthusiasm of this class was infectious. Their imaginations ran wild…even though most of the classes hadn’t read the book. All I had presented was the trailer and the back of the book. (The actual point of the presentation will come later.)
I am very surprised that some of the students’ first reaction about the premise of Magnus Kir is that it reminded them of the Garden of Eden. So, Zack supposedly represented humanity in the book. It’s funny to me because that wasn’t intentional at all- and it seems so obvious to me now.
The actual presentation revolved around the steps to becoming an author. Here are the steps I can up with…if you think I’ve missed something let me know!

Have an idea!
Write an Outline
First Draft / First Edit
Find an Agent or go directly to a Publisher
Professional Edit
Cover Art
Marketing

Contest winner for day two…and a hint for DAY THREE!!!

Our second winner for the week was Noah Arsenault. Way to go NOAH!

A little hint for today’s contest:
The question will have to do with the book trailer for the video. This can can be found HERE!

The question will be posted about 4 PM on our facebook page!

New Magnus Kir Study Guide, Day one of “5 days of giveaways”, and a HINT!

Our first winner for the week is Marissa Franks Burt. She’s also an aspiring author who’s slated to release “Storybound” in April. You can check out more about the book at her facebook page:
Storybound

Every day this week I will post a blog entry with a clue about what question will be asked on our facebook page. This may give you a bit more help as the questions may get a little more difficult during the week. Hint: In the first chapter there a couple young women that are named. Last time the answer was Maybelline. This next question will be about one of the other women. See the first chapter here: Magnus Kir First Chapter

Also, I’ve written a discussion/study guide for Magnus Kir for individuals or groups who’d like to dig deeper. You can find a link to download here: Study Guide

5 days of giveaways start on Monday the 3rd!

Here’s some information on our celebration of 1,000 likes on the Magnus Kir Facebook page!

Starting Monday the 3rd we will start the celebration of 1000 likes! Each day we will have a giveaway on the facebook page. I will ask a random question or assignment sometime during the day. It could be about the first chapter of the book (found here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/51542868/Magnus-Kir ) or we may ask you to do something crazy and post a picture. There will also be special deals on www.MagnusKir.com during the week if you don’t happen to win a copy.

Other happenings:
I’ve sent in the draft of my article for the Res Aliens website. The topic ended up being a little different than I initially thought- but I think it turned out well. The title: The Metaphysics of Magic: Writing Christian Fantasy from a Christian Worldview

Upcoming events…

Quick events post:
I’m speaking tonight at a homeschool community gathering. I’m looking forward to a discussion on apologetics as well as Magnus Kir.

I’m starting an apologetics series at Team Church on Wednesday nights. Would you like to join us? http://www.teamchurch.com/

I just noticed that the National Apologetics Conference is a little over a month away! Wow… I am speaking on atheism and our response to modern atheists. http://conference.ses.edu/

Lastly, keep an eye out for two things: 1) I’ve been asked to write an article for the Resident Aliens website. I’ll post a link when it’s finished and posted. 2) I’ll hopefully have a signing at Park Road Books in the next few months…it’s in the works!

Day Three of CSFF tour of ResAliens.com- articles on Christian Fantasy

I’ve looked at a piece of fiction on day one, overviewed the actual website and its editor on day two, so how about a few pieces of non-fiction on the ResAlien.com website and blog?

 

First, John Ottinger’s Christian Fantasy: More than Tolkien and Lewis 

When I read this post today, I quickly noticed that I was re-reading it. I had seen the post months before and even had posted it on my Magnus Kir facebook wall.  It’s a great article that all who are interested in the genre should read. In the post, after reminiscing on his personal introduction to the world of fantasy, Ottinger notes how, “There are many accomplished Christian writers of science fiction and fantasy who are not recognized globally or even nationally. While some Christian leaders trumpet how much modern fantasy has been shaped and molded by Christian authors, few can name more than a handful of contemporary, faith-inspired fiction writers. And those in the pews have little knowledge of fantasy or science fiction beyond Lewis and Tolkien. Most people of faith are simply unaware of the wealth of speculative literature available today that both edifies and entertains.”

While I completely concur with John’s statement, I cannot help but wonder why it is so? Why haven’t any of our amazingly talented, modern Christian authors become “the face of modern Christian fantasy” in the way the inklings and others of their era did? Is it bad PR? Do they not have the wit and humorously plump tummy of Chesterton? Do they not have Lewis’ ability to speak to an entire nation over the airwaves of the BBC?  It is pretty interesting that we live in the age of the interwebs and social networking, but for some reason, something is just not “clicking” with the public. Is the problem in the marketing, the quality (which it likely is not), the Christian public, or the fact that Christianity itself has been placed on the backburner? Your comments are welcome.

Second, in R. L. Copple’s Fantasy and Christianity he takes an apologetic approach and defends the genre of fantasy.  He writes, “Therefore, on the issue of magic and fantasy, which on the surface can appear to be pagan, an attempt to apply the faulty logic of “guilty by association” derives from a view of the world where some elements are not from God and so should be avoided at all cost, even the appearance of a relationship. But this very division is not a Christian worldview.” I thought this was really interesting, but I sure he’d differentiate between the author’s promotion or demotion of these instances of “apparently pagan” magic. This would obviously cut a clear line between Christian and non-Christian fantasy.

While it was an interesting read, he didn’t really tackle the ideas that even I, as a writer of Christian fantasy, wonder about how my writing fits within the lens of Christianity. For instance,  Copple writes, “So, one characteristic of good Christian fantasy is the underlying reality that all comes from God, whether the characters realize that or not.” For me this begged the question; can a Christian write a tale in which there actually is no obvious recognition of God as the source of everything natural and supernatural?  He mentions Tolkien’s LOTR; but is there an obvious God figure there?  I for one am still considering my answers to the former questions, but I think I will likely land at “no” for both.  (Possibly we’ll discuss why at another time?)

Comments welcome!

 
*Participants’ links

Noah Arsenault
Brandon Barr
Thomas Clayton Booher
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Carol Bruce Collett
D. G. D. Davidson
Dean Hardy
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Lyn Perry
Sarah Sawyer
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler