Magic in Fantasy Fiction: Powers of God and powers of the Devil

AuthorAppleton on January 26, 2015

There are many ways that various writers have dealt with the subject of magic in their stories, but most pitch a “good” wizard or witch against an “evil” wizard or witch.

What is acceptable when creating a fantasy story from a Christian worldview? We know that God condemned wizards, witches, sorcerers, mediums, and the like. Some Christians are apt to ignore or else deny that the Devil has real power in the world. He, like God, can perform signs and wonders, but just because there is power in such things does not mean that they are right.

We read of magic in fantasy stories and, interestingly, throughout Biblical history we have stories of what we can term “magic.” Moses’s shepherd staff was empowered by God. At will he or Aaron could throw it on the ground and it would transform into a snake. He stretched it over the Red Sea and the water dramatically divided, leaving a dry path for the Israelites to pass over. Angels of God were seen with flaming swords and chariots of fire and other spirit beings manifested themselves. Even after Biblical history signs and wonders of God continued. In Eusebius’s History of the Church he details a war in the heavens above Jerusalem, and other wonders.

The Devil is a chief imitator. It gives him great pleasure to copycat God’s marvels. God sometimes allows it and certainly he allows it in the devil’s followers.

Magic, if we are using it to refer to all of these things, can be good or bad. In writing fantasy we need to be intentional when dealing with magic. If we are intentional then people can analyze and determine what is proper and good, and what is demonic and wrong.

It is important to remind readers that just because something is unexplainable, miraculous, or extraordinary does not mean that it comes from God. Be sure which Master the “magic” serves.

Question: How does your worldview affect the use of magic in a story?

3 Elements of Creative Thinking

AuthorAppleton on January 19, 2015

Often the best things in life cannot be forced into existence. It is not easy to think creatively. Sometimes the creation flows, bringing us endless smiles. Other times we are hanging on a thin rope over the edge of a black chasm, groping helplessly for that sliver of light that will bring our creativity back.

Creative thinking is composed of three key elements:

  1. Absorption
  2. Reflection
  3. Inspiration

We start by absorbing books, music, movies, conversations with friends, and activities with family. Thinking of ourselves as a large pool, absorption is the process of filling up with so many ideas or concepts that our creative reservoir reaches maximum potential.

With all the new ideas, considerations, and dilemmas flowing through our mind we are ready to sit back and reflect. Meditation frees the mind to examine how best to use our creativity. Process it before we move forward on a particular creative path, whether that be writing a blog post, drafting a novel, painting a picture. The possibilities of creativity are endless.

Inspiration at last kicks in. Our brain is overflowing with ideas. Some good and some not, yet we can move forward. The reservoir is full and ready to take pen to paper, plan to the drawing board, hands to the loom.

Question: What have you done to break into creative thinking?

Backstage Pass! Creating an original Fantasy creature: the Megatrath

AuthorAppleton on January 12, 2015

The many aspects of the creative writing process includes designing creatures never seen before. I love this process! It brings the fantasy world to life and enables visual representations that make it real for the reader. One such creation was the Megatrath.

Dragons, elves, fairies are all great in fantasy fiction. Also, they are undeniably linked to classic and established fantasy. When writing your own fiction the last thing you want to do is appear to be stuck using other writers’ ideas. While I do appreciate using the classic fantasy creatures in my stories, I find greater satisfaction in designing new ones.

In my old fantasy sketchbooks I have a wealth of creature ideas. These were first conceived of during the initial creation of The Sword of the Dragon story. Looking back, I am glad I took the time to create not only written content, but sketches and maps, too.

For the Megatrath I drew inspiration from the head of an alligator, the tail of a lizard, the feet of a dragon, and then I gave it six legs. The sketch that you see in this post is artist Amber “Vantid” Hill’s representation of one of these creatures. It was not easy at first to get her to sketch what I had envisioned. The process took several hours of live video chat so that the Megatrath turned out right.

You will recognize this creature from my novels Offspring and Key of Living Fire.

Question: Have you envisioned any original creatures that you would like to see used in fantasy novels?

Are New Year’s resolutions overwhelming you?

AuthorAppleton on January 5, 2015

If you are anything like me you have looked at the New Year and put together a detailed list of your New Year’s Resolutions. I have done this for a long while now, and each year I find I have fallen a little short of my goals and, often, I have burned myself out in the process. This New Year I approached things more simply.

If you are an author, artist, business professional, or entrepreneur the likelihood that you overcommit your time and resources is high. I know with myself it’s become a sometimes self-destructive pattern. The drive to achieve goals, complete projects, and prepare for future projects comes with the territory when we are highly motivated to succeed. Yet when I commit to many objectives I am unable to give each my best effort, and inevitably I fall short of some due to lack of time. 2015 is a new year and it’s time to resist the urge to create a long list of New Year’s resolutions.

This year I have committed to only three things:

  1. Finish writing and then publish “In Search of Dragons”
  2. Eliminate all remaining debt
  3. Build financial savings

These things are very achievable and necessary to my happiness and that of my family. In years past I have had a long list of resolutions. Most years I achieved the majority of the goals I had set, yet I left myself no breathing room. My days away from my day job have so many other commitments that I often feel overwhelmed, which has led to stress and exhaustion. This year will be different and I believe it will boost my productivity and happiness.

If we take better care of ourselves, we can better care for those we love. If we over commit, we will work ourselves to a frazzle and lessen the quality and impact each of our achievements have.

This year take a look at your resolutions. Have you over-committed?

By shaving your list to the bare minimum you will:

  1. Increase the quality and impact of the work you do
  2. Reduce your stress, and
  3. Improve your relationships

These are the results I am looking to have. This is why I have such a short list this year.

Question: Would your year benefit from trimming your New Year’s resolutions to a minimum?

How to Avoid Self-doubt

AuthorAppleton on December 29, 2014

Sometimes the biggest challenge to writing is yourself. You can get in the way of your own accomplishments by doubting yourself and your ability to achieve. It is important that, if you want to accomplish your vision/dream, you understand how to overcome self-doubt.

There is no formula for avoiding self-doubt, but you can determine the causes and minimize them so as to maximize your potential.

Self-doubt is often caused by understanding or realizing your own limitations. Humility is also a factor. Often it is we who are artists that are our own worst critics. We want our work to be perfect. Writers, musicians, painters, etc. most of us struggle with this.

It has been accurately deduced that if artists are to produce enough work to generate any substantial income, we need to learn to accept when our work is ‘good enough.’ But what is not often realized is that there is a way of minimizing self-doubt and that will help clear your mind and focus your vision to realize the next steps you must take.

As an artist you must surround yourself with people who build you up. They may give you constructive criticism, but when it comes down to supporting your dreams, they are your cheerleaders. An artist questions his or herself often enough. The last thing we need is for those who are closest to us to give voice to what things they think we should fear to do.

So if you are an artist, recognize that you need to listen to people who encourage your dreams… and you need to minimize your interaction with those who do not. You are a dreamer, but you are looking for ways to achieve what you dream. You think outside-of-the-box, therefore do not fear to take a leap of faith where others never dared to go.

Question: Have you let others’ fears discourage you from achieving your dream?

Should any character be both villain and hero?

AuthorAppleton on December 22, 2014

Interesting things are happening in speculative fiction. New ideas are coming out and they must be analyzed to determine the validity of their argument. Today’s question: Can a fictional character be both hero and villain?

In the past I have not taken this concept seriously, but a couple of recent examples in film have made me consider this again and consider how to use this in my writing. The best example I have seen of this is in Disney’s Maleficent. Other stories have tried but most fail.

(Warning: the following material will give plot spoilers from the movie.) In Maleficent we find a startling re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty. Maleficent is not a witch. She is a fairy. A human-size fairy but a fairy nonetheless. She is pure in her heart and that purity is taken advantage of by a greedy lad who steals first her heart and later her wings. What follows is Maleficent’s transformation into a vindictive creature who places the infamous curse on Aurora. Yet Maleficent is fated it seems to watch Aurora grow up, and she, like the lonesome creature she is, ends up fully vesting herself in Aurora’s future. The ultimate and fantastic conclusion to this is that the villain seeks to undo her own curse, even throwing her life on the line to selflessly protect an innocent life.

I have seen a similar concept attempted before when Marvel showed the progression of Magneto from lone wolf to repentant ally. But Magneto’s story did not leave me fully convinced that he was ever truly a hero. Left to his own devices again (and without an enemy common to him and Professor Xavier) Magneto, I have no doubt, would fall into other dark paths.

Can a character be both hero and villain? I think so. Under the right circumstances.

If we look historically we can find some interesting examples of this. An obvious example is Saul who was blinded on the road to Damascus and thereafter was called Paul. He went from persecutor of the church of Christ to one of its most prominent leaders. A leader of the faithful and a godly man. But that sort of shift, the change from villain to hero, is made in the change of a heart. Radical conversion is one example of this, and another avenue for this shift is if the individual in question is like Maleficent. She began as a child, then her heart hardened, but another child softened it.

Question: When do you think it is ok for a villain to become the hero in fiction?

Angels: You Cannot Trust All of Them

AuthorAppleton on December 15, 2014

Angels have gained a level of reverence in western society. A reverence that remains even when many people do not reverence God, and this reverence for angels extends into Fantasy fiction. Yet the truth is, when it comes to angels, you can NOT trust all of them.

Worldview is pivotal in fiction. Let’s first acknowledge that a majority of the world’s population agrees that angels do exist. The three major faiths worldwide are Christianity, Muslim, and Judaism. All three concur on the existence of angels and their involvement in the affairs of mankind. And they agree that these angels are ministering spirits who act as agents for the All Mighty. But have we forgotten that a third of the angels fell with Satan?

There are strong implications from this that should impact the way writers approach fantasy and are including angels. The word of an angel should not be taken as the word of God himself if it contradicts God. Also, the Devil is the great Deceiver and his Fallen are as full of guile as he. An interesting Biblical reference for considering this is 2 Corinthians 11:14

In my novel Key of Living Fire I used my worldview to shape the story of a deceiving angel. Disguised as an angel of light this being deceived the heroine, leading her nearly to her death. When dealing with angels I want to show the reader that not all that appears good really is good. Instead we must use discernment to find the truth.

Question: How do you view angels? How do you see them used in fiction?

A Hard Decision

AuthorAppleton on December 8, 2014

Last month I found a Bus RV conversion online. It met all the criteria in what I was looking to get to put my family on-the-road again. I committed to going down to Oklahoma and checking out the bus and then buying it. My plane ticket was purchased but…

Sometimes God closes doors for reasons that we never know, and sometimes we find out why he does later on.

My wife and I have an exciting announcement: we are having another baby Summer 2015. I am so excited to become a father again!

Prompted by this realization I went back over our finances and factored in setting aside the money for the baby, as well as the payment for the bus. There is also another factor that God wants me to stay open to but right now I cannot divulge. Unfortunately the financial figures for buying the bus just didn’t add up. (To my shame, because I should have factored the possibility of another baby in). I am convinced that God will be able to use us more effectively if we are debt-free, so I am trying hard to stick to that.

The pastor who owns the RV Bus was very gracious in his response when I called to let him know I had to back out from purchasing it. But calling him to say I was backing out was the most difficult decision I made this year. Please pray that God brings along the right buyer for his bus as it would be a tremendous blessing to his family.