Azalea Dabill's Blog
July 27, 2025
How to Save the West
This book gave me clarity, determination, and great ideas to work with. I pray it does the same for you.
Happy reading and have a great day,
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
April 14, 2025
Culture is Not Truth
Truth supersedes culture.
On Mithgar, among the races of Elves, Trolls, Dwarves, Baeron, Men, Mages, Pysks, and Warrows, beliefs can be very different, or interestingly similar. It is what we would expect if there was one central truth they all [in every culture], consciously or unconsciously, saw with varying degrees of muddled sight.
But, some may say, aren’t we all muddled in our view of truth to some extent? Yes. Thankfully, our less than perfect perception does not negate the truth we do see. Far less him who is truth, the Creator of all, who brings us to ever clearer sight as we follow the light.
Though sometimes we try to create our own reality, our own truths, real truth constantly intrudes, disproving our false beliefs. Truth is absolutely real.
But, someone may say, everything we call reality is a figment of our imaginations. I would not agree, but I could respect such an honest person, if to prove their point they never ate again, since food is not real.
That is an example of the end result of that person’s thinking; truth has most uncomfortable ways of getting past our false fantasies.
People growing up around central beliefs in Mithgar, including truth, half-truth, and untruth, act on what they believe, and those actions spread through every area of life until they solidify into what we call culture. But culture is not truth, rather an amalgamation of beliefs, from true to false. Culture must be challenged and measured against truth, whether in Mithgar or our own world.
Before we are reconciled with our Creator and pass from spiritual death to life, at any point in our earthly life we are either acknowledging what we do see of truth, or going our own way. And until the fateful moment when all choice is gone, if we see bright glimmers of truth in the dark sea of partial truth and lies in our own culture, and struggle toward it, we are also testing the minds and hearts of others and what they call true. This does not end when we begin to live in our Creator’s love of truth. Our blade is merely honed and sharpened for a battlefield we see ever clearer.
Small people like Warrows who are drawn into battle in their culture contain just as great or withered a heart as those of larger stature. The degree of withering or greatness depends on the amount of truth each of them holds to, and whether they are seeking more truth or denying it. [Quote from Dennis McKiernan’s epic fantasy duology, Hel’s Crucible.]
‘Rael turned up a hand. “The pith of the debate was that Adon argued for the right of all peoples to freely choose the paths they would follow, whereas Gyphon spoke for the domination and control of those he named ‘inferior beings.’”
Beau now stood and stepped to a different portion of the tapestry and climbed upon a chair, and Tipperton said, “I take it then that these Black Mages side with Gyphon, for as you have said, they seek dominion, control, power over others.”
All the Lian nodded in agreement, and Loric said, “They have become allies of Gyphon, yet should Gyphon himself gain the upper hand, he will utterly dominate them as well, much to their everlasting sorrow, though they believe it not.”
Beau, standing on the seat, peered at the figure representing Gyphon. “Why, he isn’t a pure single color at all, but instead shimmers like oil on water.”
“Aye,” responded Talarin. “’Tis because he is the Great Deceiver, showing a given person or people whatever face need be until he has them in his grasp. Then and only then will his true nature show, and it is monstrous.”
Hurriedly, Beau drew back from the tapestry, clambering down and resuming his chair.
“And this Modru in Gron, the Black Mage fighting against High King Blaine, he’s been deceived by Gyphon?” asked Tip.’
–Into the Forge* by Dennis McKiernan, pg. 105
This fantasy duology has a couple mentions of immorality [without graphic description] and a mixed view of truth, which I’ve overlooked. [Because] This story has much to recommend it. We would be the poorer for not reading this tale.
In Mithgar, Gyphon and Modru’s deception led to worldwide war and the testing of many comrades in friendship and love and the crucible of life-and-death loyalty. And those decisions withered the heart or made it greater, truer than it had been before.
The testing of the Warrows’ beliefs lead to their greater knowledge, and to our own. Honest, logical questions about why we exist, even in fantasy, need answered. The next most important question is whether the knowledge we gain progresses to understanding—do we rightly act upon the knowledge we wrest from the war-ground of culture? Truth supersedes culture. Will we follow truth?
-Fantastic Journey: The Soul of Speculative Fiction and Fantasy Adventure, pg. 67
Until next time,
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
March 12, 2025
Can Fantasy Master Motives of the Human Soul?
Characters in fantasy. Motive. Meaning. Mastery. Of what, of who, and where and when? These parts of a story are the hardest and most rewarding to write. Here is one of them from my recent book, Falcon Dagger.
“I would learn the sword from you.” Seldon’s voice was stiff, young.
Stubborn whelp. The broom anchored Rolf’s trembling hands and gave space for his harsh breath. His spear had taken lives enough in defense of right; that did not pain him. But he went out that last morn in a hellish anger, to prove by burning cold murder that he could wield a blade as well as Dugar.
But Dugar was not here. His nemesis was. Rolf could hardly get the words out, every muscle drawn tight as a bow. “My weapons are laid down before our Lord on account of him.” Fixing his gaze on Seldon, who stood straighter, if that were possible, Rolf said sternly, “I will not wield steel or iron. So, what is it to be, whelp? Why have you truly come?” …
Lester cleared his throat. “We came fer’ yer skill in more than blades, Rolf, if ye truly wilna’ take yer own. We’re in sore need of ye, and that’s God’s truth. Seldon doesna’ replace ye as a ten, though his tongue does fly quicker than yers. You’ve led us through tryin’ times before.” He grinned briefly. “None of us can fill the hole ye left. Ye kept us together, despite yer ill sword work. Ye made us more than we thought, somehow. If ye go before us, we fight to good purpose. Others would ‘ave us split to the winds. Indeed, folk hereabouts is right distrustful. Though if ye ask me, they’d be better watchin’ them men of the bishop of Richmond’s. Sword or no, we would stay with ye.” His face wrinkled, and his brown eyes looked pained.
Rolf stared at him, heart thundering. “Tempt me not, as you love me. I cannot touch the iron and trust myself. As for coming here, better that Cierheld stronghold welcomes your strong hands and loyal hearts, even the whelp’s.”
Seldon stepped forward, close to Rolf as a breath. “I am no whelp! My name is Seldon. And your men,” he looked uncertainly at Kilden, “they deserve more.” He stared into Rolf’s eyes. “When you fought me, you had a fire within. A fire I would follow.”
Rolf stared back. “That man is dead, never to live more on this earth. It is well he died.”
Rolf felt his smile breaking before them all, sharp and jagged. I near murdered you, for jealousy of another. His squad would join Cierheld’s armsmen. It was the only way. There, Seldon would not trouble him. Cierheld had armsmasters in plenty to train the whelp. His defeat at the Wall at Rolf’s hands would fade from his mind, with any thoughts of revenge or evil purpose. Mayhap he would find a use for his voice. The squad would find useful employment. They would forgive him.
Seldon looked at him, incredulous. “You waste yourself on moldy books and passing out bread when you could be securing grain for many, defending their lives far better with steel? You cannot be the man we were told to find.” Seldon searched his face. “No. I will not believe we have come all this way for nothing!” – Falcon Dagger, pg. 27
Some of Rolf’s motives were apparent to me from the first: his desire to save the people of Britannia, his desire for his old squad to think well of him, and his overriding desire to keep his word not to bear metal arms and to remain at the abbey where he is safe from temptation. But it became clearer as I wrote that Rolf’s determination to rule himself and determine his destiny by himself alone held the seeds of his destruction.
To achieve his goal and find the meaning he sought, and the mastery of his life, he would have to let go. Seldon’s secret motive, one of the reasons Rolf suspects him of foul play, is revealed near the end. Built to a point of tension, of course, on the interplay of all the motives that come before. Other characters’ conflicting motives show themselves interspersed throughout. Many threads of motive, meaning, and mastery I had to go back and strengthen after the rough draft was complete. What I believe about motive, meaning, and mastery finds its way into my writing, as this quote above shows, and the below excerpt from Fantastic Journey describes.
“The will—how delicate and how tough—at times a desert flower in bloom or an unbreakable Damascus blade.
The will can transform from one into the other as needed, especially with training. For sometimes it is good to be a flower, yielding to another the sweet perfume of friendship or love. At other times any yielding is perilous, and we must hold our purpose as strong as steel.
The testing of our motive to do right, of our will and our spirit is the toughest training, a hard course in how to truly live. Such testing pushes us beyond the mere motions of living—which is the coward’s way—to living with vigorous purpose, in steady knowledge that what we do makes a difference.
Maybe that is another reason we love the adventure of voyaging in the fantasy realm. For the magic and mystery of discovery, where choices matter and we impact everything we touch….
For in fantasy the lie is not so often told that everything is relative, and so of no real effect.
In fantasyland things of no effect find it very hard to breathe, ephemeral as mist, while the ground of choice, watered by acts of will, produce all manner of living things that stretch our spirits toward understanding, knowledge, and power. In fantasy you can, in fact you will, save a kingdom or lose it by what you believe, which drives what you do. And when you return to our world, what you did there touches here, the sphere we breathe in. – Fantastic Journey, pg. 74.
Every character in your story, in my story, will master or be mastered by various things. Driven by motive, etched in mastery and defeat, the meaning of Rolf’s story remains to be seen.
If you have read Falcon Dagger, you can trace Rolf’s path to meaning. If you have not, you can presently find the book on Amazon.
Until next time,
Azalea – Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
January 18, 2025
January 17, 2025
January 16, 2025
January 11, 2025
Fantasy and the Beauty of Goodness
Who does not wish that at least one moment in a beautiful epic fantasy were true? But some of those moments are true, and some of those places. The mystery of beauty, and sacrifice, the brave call of loyalty, and the torch of true relationships make us yearn for something we often cannot name. But we feel it in epic fantasies of courage, perseverance, and friendship that illuminate selflessness. We behold spiritual heights, physical depths, and in far realms we learn to refuse evil and choose good until it influences our adventures in our own sphere. Fantasy relates to deep reality. – Fantastic Journey pg. 7
This is what I search for in fantasy, the beauty of good. I have found it in many great books. From Jonathan Renshaw’s Dawn of Wonder, to writers past and present, and my fellow authors in our Advance Review and Noblebright Collective, where we band together in different ways to bring you new releases throughout the year. From our Creator, and such a cloud of witnesses, the love of goodness flows into my own writing. In Falcon Dagger, the power of truth brings beauty to relationships. Every person who wrote a great book I have read has a part in what I write. How great a debt do we owe to the writers who came before us, and those who are our contemporaries? I think more than we know.
Here is a sneak snippet of Falcon Dagger on the philosophical side, a gem set amid the far-ranging adventure. It took me a fair bit of time to decide what to include – I didn’t want to give away big spoilers!
Rolf shook his head. His eyes stung. “Do you say my heart is not true to you and to my brothers? That I would not die for our Lord, for my oath?” His voice shook. He could not give in. It was all he had left.
“No. No, my son.” Alton laid down the blade on the desk behind him and gripped Rolf’s shoulders, his old hands strong. “I think no such thing.” His face creased in a smile. “It is because your heart yearns to be true, that I pray you may understand.
“I mean ‘the letter’ may reach to our sacraments, even to the ‘grace’ of salvation we thought we began to earn at our baptismal font. But his gift of faith, it appears to conquer everything. Our work cannot. I must search it out further. And so must you. His very Word,” he touched the Vulgate gently, “compels me. I think it likely nothing should be added to his grace, nor truly can be. We have deluded ourselves. We only ever earn ourselves death.” He paused. “Is he not sufficient? That is the question.” He stared at Rolf, burning with quiet fierceness. “Is his love not sufficient? The price he paid? How does any man dare think to add to God’s work on the tree? I dare not.”
Then he sighed. “Now the stakes are greater than you and I alone. Are we to let the innocent die, for lack of a warding hand? Do not let your oath drive you to evil. Will you strain out a gnat and swallow a camel?”
“No.”
He took up the sword and laid it in Rolf’s hands. “Our Lord said, ‘It is finished.’ We love because he loved us. You must go and do the same. Love with heart and head and hand.”
Rolf stared at the abbot, aghast, then at the weapon across his palms. He did not question God’s love or law, but his abbot’s fitness this moment, and his own weakness. Both weakness of the heart, and his hand that had barely begun to heal.
The abbot turned, muttering, “It matters less whether you bear a blade, and much more why you bear it, or do not.”
Rolf wondered at his abbot’s resolve. Nothing would surprise him after this. But was what he said true?
Alton’s voice was a rustling whisper. “Our righteousness is as filthy rags. That point we have got right in the church, though we negate it on the other hand so often. But his sufficiency we deny. Both salt water and fresh from the same spring, when it ought to be faith working by love.” His voice trailed away, and he shook his head suddenly and urged Rolf toward the door. “Come, my son, we will speak of this again, but you must go with all Godspeed. More lives than ours are at risk.” – Falcon Dagger pg. 142-143
I am thankful for all the men and women who have given me their words in stories that will never die, that live in my heart and inspire me to live true. They are a gift. That gift has led to this, the publication and release of the last book in the Falcon Chronicle January 18th.
Though a sad day in a way (I’m sorry to leave Kyrin and Cierheld) this leaves the road of the coming year open for new beginnings. I’ll update you about coming plans soon.
Until then,
Azalea Dabill
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
January 9, 2025
Falcon Dagger – Last in Series – Callouts
Didn’t Emily Moore of Spirited Ink do a wonderful job with this call out graphic? She made two, and I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.
I’m doing a GoodReads 100 Ebook Giveaway for Falcon Dagger, so shelve it as “Want to Read” and enter to win your ebook!
So which graphic do you like best?
#1 Falcon Dagger New Release January 18, 2025 Graphic
Emily Moore – Spirited Ink LLP#2 Falcon Dagger New Release January 18, 2025 Graphic
Emily Moore – Spirited Ink LLP#epicfantasyadventure #NewYearReading #YAhistorical #familyfriendlyread #MedievalAdventure
I’ll be adding a few more quotes soon. This is the last book in the Falcon Chronicle series – now you can read them all. A new YA fantasy series for a New Year!
Here fantasy tropes ignite the imagination – the coming heir, evil lords, court intrigue, haven and hunt, rivals and romance.
From second chances to powerful enemies, trials of destiny to oaths kept, each story offers a spark of hope, a heart of courage, and an echo of meaning.
Enjoy the adventure,
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
December 14, 2024
Writing About Spiritual Themes and Conflict
To my reader and author friends:
Baring my soul on this subject seemed timely this Christmas, since I finally finished a Medieval historical fantasy series that has been more than a decade in the making.
I started writing more than fifteen years ago with the idea I wouldn’t write explicitly about Christ. I had read many books that deeply impacted and enthralled me that never mentioned the name Jesus. But I discovered I could not avoid it.
If we see goodness in a book and it warms us, what lasting good is it, if we don’t know where that goodness, that warmth, that life comes from? Who it comes from?
I think part of my original aversion to writing explicitly about God in our human lives, or in my characters’ lives, as the case may be, was because I often saw it done in a way that broke the story to insert a podium moment. A way that came across as inauthentic and fake.
Storytelling easily lends itself to preaching in the form of anecdotes or parables, but trying to combine preaching, or truth-telling, into a story the other way around is much harder. If it is not done well, it can make the truth we seek to portray less effective.
Despite the obstacles, I began to realize some authors were openly speaking about truth: of His justice, mercy, power, and beauty – and doing it very well. Such as C. S. Lewis in his fiction, Andrew Klavan in If We Survive, and The Homelanders series; Anna Thayer in The Knight of Eldaran series, LA Kelly in her series beginning with Tahn, Jonathan Renshaw in Dawn of Wonder: The Wakening Book 1, Kathy Tyers in The Firebird trilogy, S. D. Smith in The Green Ember series, Andrew Peterson in The Wingfeather Saga, MI McAllister in The Mistmantle Chronicles, and Chris Walley in The Lamb Among the Stars sci-fi trilogy. Some naming Him directly, others indirectly.
Many other authors have presented Christ or a Christ figure in various ways, to varying degrees of success. Blindness to a particular author’s Christ figure may also be my own lack of perception. And of course, there are many authors I have not read, or didn’t have room to name here. You can see I lean toward fantasy, with a smattering of Christian Romance and Sci-fi. I have not read much romantic suspense or mainstream fiction, so I’m not knowledgeable on how they do or don’t present God in those genres. We’re all learning how to do it better, I hope! (I assume in this post I’m speaking to Christian writers and readers.)
So back to the work I know the flaws of best, my own. Any time a more intangible reality comes up in a story, specifically spiritual truth, readers tend to react strongly.
Whether the truth presented concerns an integral part of a character’s goal, something that thwarts their desire, or it is a reality that arises out of the setting or situation, you will get varying reactions to truth. From curiosity, to the joy of triumph and deep satisfaction, to an “aha” moment, or even to tears if they were deeply touched. Conversely, a person may react with indignation that anyone dares speak of such things, or may express amusement at foolishness, or anger, or outright hatred.
Don’t let any potential reaction deter you from striving to learn how to write truth better, with His empowerment and leading. Writer or reader, all truth we encounter we should bring into our hearts, to be lived out. As He says in His Word. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NAS
Be a true ambassador for Him from Whom all good things flow.
However He instructs you to go about it, by direct reference to Him or indirect, by His written Word and the wisdom and advice of godly people, continue to present the truth. This is only part of the story. There is so much more to it, for it to be called a good story. The thrill of a new world, the adventure, the danger, the romance, the growth and triumph. (I’ve added a postscript description of Falcon Dagger as an example.)
In my own work I find myself unable to avoid alluding to, implying, and sometimes outright speaking the truth in short instances. Especially when lives are at stake. In the story, and out. This Christmas season, and every season.
Even after recording the adventures of a warrior who fled to a monastery where God reached out to touch him in the middle of deadly danger to himself, his people and Cierheld, my heart still burns. That everyone may see and love Him Who is the light. (And before you have a heart attack about Brother Rolf in a Christian fantasy, please read his companion story Kingdom’s Fall in Falcon Dagger and see what he came to believe.)
I ask one thing. Don’t obscure the light. He stepped down into darkness. The light of the world. For our sakes. Can we do less for others?
You must determine how well I took my own advice that I’ve given you, or my lack of skill in applying it. If by happy sweat and tears I did learn something about how to get truth across the gap from knowledge to our heart’s grasp, I am thankful for His grace.
You can preorder Falcon Dagger, and give your opinion in a review January 18th. I welcome your thoughts on the story, as well as the thread of spiritual conflict woven through the young adult fantasy adventure. But don’t forget, my friend, to let your light shine in whatever you do.
God bless and keep you, my dear author or reader – or both – as the case may be.
A Merry Christmas to you!
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
P. S. Falcon Dagger short description – you can find the rest of the description on Amazon here.
Falcon Dagger is the thrilling final novel of the Falcon Chronicle series. This young adult historical collection includes the riveting last book, a companion story, and prequels where fantasy tropes ignite the imagination – the coming heir, evil lords, court intrigue, haven and hunt, rivals and romance. From second chances to powerful enemies, trials of destiny to oaths kept, each story offers a spark of hope, a heart of courage, and an echo of meaning.
Kingdom’s Fall: One life. One land. One loyalty.Falcon Dagger: Warrior. Seeker. Apprentice.Cieri’s Daughter: First rival. First oath. First victory.Path of the Warrior: Exile. Traitor. Warrior.Readers who love the epic fantasy series of Anna Thayer, the medieval richness of The Outlaws of Sherwood, and the delightful romance of Melanie Dickerson will be drawn into the final chapter of Kyrin Cieri and the struggle to protect Cierheld stronghold against those who would destroy its very memory.
Are you a fan of …
Noblebright YA fantasy
Strong female protagonists
Myth and legend
Stories you don’t want to end?
Falcon Dagger is a resonant canvas of courage, forbidden alliances, and resilient spirits – a heart song to the Master of Stars. –Anna Thayer, author of The Knight of Eldaran series
Experience the immersive action of A Flame in the North but the Christian adventure and court intrigue of Illusion’s Reign in this collection of family friendly books that includes a dash of women’s fiction and military fantasy. It is a fantasy adventure for adults, as well as a clean and wholesome addition to any teen’s list of good fantasy novels and coming of age fiction where hope is a light in the night.
