Author Appleton

Writing. Fantasy. Sci-fi. Mystery

writing

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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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?

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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?

Subscribers: My early Christmas gift to you!

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Nothing keeps you connected to the content on my site like subscribing to my Email list… And this week I released a new product, an Ebook on writing, as a Thank You to all my subscribers. But that is only one reason you should be on this list.

Here are 3 benefits to subscribing to my email list.

  1. Weekly blog posts straight to your inbox, focusing on Family-Friendly Fiction
  2. The Writer’s Scrapbook: 10 Tips to Fantasy Storytelling eBook for Free! This little book is packed with writing advice that I’ve gleaned over the years. This is not your typical book on writing. I take it from the perspective of a Christian author trying to create meaningful content.
  3. Exclusive content offers and updates related to writing and my novels.

The Writer’s Scrapbook. I am so excited to put this Ebook in your hands. Many, many people have asked me for writing advice and have questioned how I can write fantasy as a Christian author. Packed into this short book is potent advice I have formulated to encourage you to understand the writing process and even how worldview impacts the stories I create.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! I have some cool posts planned and a couple of fun announcements coming soon.