David R. Phillips's Blog

Sleeping Princess

     Over the past few weeks I have had a recurring struggle: If fairy tales in their most basic meaning are pointless due to our modern understanding, how can we reclaim them? Of course, In this journey of understanding many of our beloved fairy tales I am yet a babe, I came to this conclusion, instead of coming up with new meaning (like I tried to do in my blog on The Frog King), what if the meaning was just translated into the modern age that we find ourselves. AKA what is the underlying symbolism grew and took on a deeper meaning like so many of the old myths and fairy tales use to. And so, my fairy tale blogs from now on will see to do that! I ask for those of you who read, to take interests and join the dialog of giving greater meaning to classics.
      With this in mind, the tale I would like to look at is none other than the famous Sleeping Beauty,(which the Grimm version can be found here)[1].  At first, on reading about the different symbolism, I was not surprised to find again, that most were about the awakening of sexuality, the maturing of women-hood, and the acceptance of that role. However, I feel that some of the things that our long sleeper dealt with transcending and speaks very deeply to us today.
     A girl no more, a woman not yet- if anything the prolonged slumber which happens due to a curse put the Princess extended her ‘childhood'[2]. At the age of seventeen, the princess would have been sought after to marry and among many things produce and hire. However, she is put into a prolonged sleep instead, never providing a hire, and never maturing past childhood until a hundred years later[3].
     This I feel speaks profoundly today of many who do not grow up. By this I mean a society which fails to understand that with becoming older there are certain responsibilities that come along with age. Providing for yourself, and family. Helping the growth of those around you in lesser situations. Following your dreams, (which in itself is a struggle and not just something handed to you.) Yet it seems to me that many are in a suspended state of childhood. Not understanding that actions have consequences and sometimes those cannot be avoided. And that certain actions must happen in society as a hold is to be upheld and progress forward.
     Pricks and curses happen- This if anything struck me the most, a curse happened, a finger was pricked (and in one version of the story sleeping beauty was raped) yet the story does not end at the bad. In fact, it would not be a fairy tale if it ended there. How many stop following their dream because one or a few bad things that happened. The spindle in many cases can mean a person’s dreams, yet for the princess, her dreaming would lead to her ‘death.' Even in the version where she is raped, she does not give up when she awakens on having kids and a family. We all have dreams, and because of that thing will get in the way of those dreams, (sometimes maybe even the dream itself). However, we cannot allow the fear of what may happen stop us from doing what we love to do. And we cannot allow a few pricks and curses to control our life. If we are always reacting to what a fear tells us, we will never step out on the cliff to see the sunrise (something I have done, and it is awesome)!
     Time’s change, but there is life in it- Of all the miss fortunes that happen to our princess this is to me the most tragic; to fall asleep, the awaken years after your loved one has passed away. In this, there are endless possibilities for psychological problems to be overcome. Yet I am amazed in what the sleeping princess responds with, “I have been waiting for you.” Things change, people, rise to political positions that we don’t like. Laws are passed we don’t agree with, people die, wars, start, relationships fail, yet there is always hope if you seek to see it.  The world is always changing, and we are part of that change. However, the princess’s words can be true for us, the world, love, hope that we have been waiting for can come to pass. The question is when you see it will you notice it, or will you only see the hundred years that have passes, the things you missed, and the strangeness of everything that is new? It is a perspective of do I see a prince (a dream come true) or do I only see the pain and horror (parent's death). Beauty is not the only thing in the eye of the beholder. 


[1]SleepingBeauty. http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/68/fairy-ta.... Accessed June 29, 2017.

[2]RegurgitatedThought.http://regurgitatedthought.blogspot.c.... Accessed June 29, 2017.

[3]AnnotationsforSleepingBeauty.http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/sleepingbeauty/notes.html. Accessed June 29, 2017.

The Cross and the Pen- Part Two

      ​In my last blog, I briefly wrote about the fact that, as a Christian, I do not often overtly mention my faith at conventions or in my writing. In the last blog, author Jamin Melanson wrote why he write’s Christian or Christian world view in his speculative fiction. Today, I will be sharing why I do not.
      My love for reading started with the book This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti, it was the summer of 2001 and I had just become a Christian. At that point, I would only read Christian books. If it was sold in the Christian section or at a Christian book store then I would read it. It was a few years later, when the movie The Fellowship of the Ring was being shown in the theater, that I was introduced to the world of Fantasy. I refused to go see the movie as it had elves, orcs and other demonic things in it. Finally, my father dragged me (literally) to the theater, and I am glad he did. It was through this event that I started to see and develop why I would prefer not to write “Christian books”.“You shove the Gospel down their throat”- While I do not believe this is true, I have experienced that many people are skeptical of Christian books for the simple reason that they feel at one point the gospel is going to be told to them. Many of my friends growing up thought that a large section of the plot would be a set up for a person coming to the realization that they need Jesus Christ in their life. While as a Christian I believe this is true, the fantasy world is not always in need of Gospel. Unless you set up a theological idea of sin, grace, redemption and a Biblical God, the gospel is out of place.“The characters are ‘Paper People’”- Christian have been horrible at making movies in the early 90’s. Low budget, and personal agendas lead to movies being released that from a non-Christian view of movies were poor. That thought transferred onto books. Flat Stanly’s are a fear of every reader, and writer. No one want to write characters that are flat, uninteresting, and predictable. As stated before however, due to the Gospel being so much of a plot, the story becomes predictable and in a way the protagonist becomes flat. We know that they are going to do, we know that these events are leading up to the moment of redemption. No one wants to read about paper cut out people.“Since Christians hate fantasy, this is going to be trash” - Many of my friends now are surprised to find out I am a pastor. Why? Because the idea that Christians hated fantasy (things like Harry Potter, D&D, and other RPG) and that there was no place for it in the Christian world.  The natural conclusion is that the first two things we talked about are going to happen. Even more so the writing may be childish or not well as there is little understanding of the culture and history of creatures like Cathulu, manticore, harpies, and orcs.         At the core of the reasons lays one thing: Many people who do not identify with the Christian faith will write of the book before ever reading the back. Are these stigmatisms always true? Of course not, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien both had very strong Christian elements in their stories. And while Lewis said that the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe was not an allegory, there sure are a lot of connections.
    I want people to read my stories. I understand something call a false-dichotomy, that is, in a made-up world not all the biblical truth and laws are needed. Magic in many fantasy books was created by the god of that world and is not forbidden. Many fantasy books don’t even included a god or redemptive history. Why is that? Because it is not needed for the story to be told. That does not mean that people do not need Christ. It simply means that in the story being told they do not.
      In my books, there are very strong elements of what I believe: that we should care for the earth, that redemption is possible, that people should be extended grace, and that we should strive to do good. To me these themes act as conversation starters. We can express and draw people into a discussion outside of the book, based on those themes.  We can show through creativity the truths of the Gospel, without making the book Christian. That is what I strive to do. To tell a great story that will get people thinking, but doing so within the confines of the world I create.
      There are great Christian authors Ted Dekker, C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, but when I think about them I am struck with what made them great. It was because they were, through the world they created the expressed biblical truths, not that they made everyone a Christian in the books. The story transcends one religion and meets people where they are, wanting to see people transformed, wanting to see the happy ending, wanting to experience magic. They sought the themes, and that is where I seek to be one day, telling great stories that engage people in the wonder of a created world, much like ours but entirely different.      

The Cross and the Pen- Part One

      “I am a Christian. It is not something that I often announce at conventions, or even while talking to people about my books. I am not ashamed of being a Christian, I am after all a Pastor as well as an author. No, I am not ashamed of my faith. But I feel that as soon as you say “I am a Christian” and you are talking about a book you have written in the Speculative Genre, people start to think things. After all, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were both Christians. One may be more known for it than the other, but both were still deeply affected by their faith.
     And so, this is the first of a two part Blog discussing why some choose to write inherently more “Christian” books, and others choose not to, when it comes to the Speculative Genre.  This week the post is written by my good friend Jamin Melason, author of The Palmaran Chronicles: The Humanot Trilogy. My hope is that you find this discussion thought provoking about the motives behind Christians who write.” – David R Phillips
 
Why I Write Christian Sci-Fi
 
“I have been writing since I was in elementary school. I love writing. I love formulating plots, settings, and characters who interact with the world I am creating. I love watching my characters grow, transform, and make decisions I didn’t even know they were going to make. I love to write.
 
I am currently finishing up a trilogy I started when I was 14 called The Palmaran Chronicles: The Humanot Trilogy. Books 1 (Rise of a New Enemy) and 2 (Shroud of Darkness) are currently on sale via Lulu or Amazon. Book 3 is literally a couple pages away from being passed on to editing. But as I come down to finishing this trilogy, I stopped to think: Why am I doing this?
 
If you are not an author, you may not understand what it is like to have storylines and thoughts flying through your mind at a constant pace. Do I change this? What about this idea? Ugh, I feel like I need to re-write this entire trilogy! And so forth. Seriously, these are some of my thoughts. It is frustrating, annoying, and liberating at the same time. Sounds contradicting, but if you are a writer, you understand.
 
But these questions also help me focus on why I am writing Science Fiction. I am not doing this to be famous. I am not doing this to make money (though I wouldn’t mind making money in the future). I do this because God has given me the gift of writing to share stories, and these questions keep me focused on this goal. They keep me evaluating the story to make sure I am writing to the best of the ability God has given me. I want to use the gift in its fullness to bring honor and glory to God.
 
However, I don’t write Christian Science Fiction. I write Science Fiction. Why does it need the addition of “Christian” on there? It honestly doesn’t.
 
There was a time I heavily debated a huge change. It was near the birth of my novels. I struggled with keeping Christian morals and truths in the books, or removing them and writing something entirely different. Except, the more I thought and prayed about it, I knew it wasn’t the right decision. I needed to keep the Christian moral and truths in the books because Christianity has received a bad reputation from our media.
 
Don’t believe me? Turn on your TV and watch any sitcom or show. Christians are either seen as snotty and arrogant or weak and permissive. Neither are accurate, but people seem to be fine with this misrepresentation. So, I knew if I removed all connection to Christianity from my books then I’d be throwing away an opportunity to help shape culture and a be a solution to the problem. Through my books, I can show people that Christians have struggles. We mess up. We are broken, just like everyone else – except for one big difference: Jesus Christ.
 
I don’t preach to the reader in my novels. I write from the perspective of Christians, and let them experience the ups and downs of the Christian journey. I show them Christians struggle with depression, being lonely, making the right choice about the future, being prideful or arrogant, saying things they may later regret, and much more.
 
With this in mind, I also show how Christians live in a relationship the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and also with one another. My characters are not heroes. They are human. They mess up. They suffer loss. They do the wrong things at times. But Elohim (name of God referring to the Trinity, and what I use in my books) is always with them. He never abandons them. And he helps deal with their mess ups, loss, and doing the wrong things.
 
This is why I write Science Fiction with a Christian worldview. May God use it in whatever way He wills.” – Jamin Melanson 

I Got a feeling

            As a writer, I constantly have about 1,000 thoughts going through my head. Some of them I brush away and never come back to, many, however, get stuck in some small corner or dark spot in my mind, and there they fester and grow, until one day I find myself absorbed by the thought. It is at that point that I know I have a new story idea. 
           Often in this blog, website, or other social media, I refer to this as my muse: The inspiration for being a writer and thinking of new ideas. But how does one get in contact with their muse? I once read that there is no such thing as writer's block, only lazy writers. The person was making an argument that if you are waiting for your muse to give you what to write, then you are not disciplined enough as a writer to complete the task at hand when she (the muse) is off resting. It is one thing to be inspired by her, and an entirely different case to rely on her for all your writing.
                I whole heartily agree with that author, a Muse is a source of inspiration and thought for writing, not the drive to write. Writer's block and lack of motivation does not equate to not having ideas. A skilled writer should have at the point of starting their story have plotted, researched, and gotten ready everything they needed for the writing process. By the time pen goes to paper and word count is starting to be counted, the Majority of the Muse's job is over. The Ideas have been thought, and the passion has grown.
              Of course, I can think of many who would argue with that statement. They would say, "Well I still need inspiration while I am writing. I need to love the characters. I need to see and smell the flowers." I would agree, but not seeing that for 1,000 words, is not going to stop you from writing an amazing story. My generation, I feel thinks that if something is not easy, or if they stop "feeling it," is she slips away for a few scenes while they write. That they need to give up or stop writing until she comes back.
                The problem with this is she may not come back, or if she does, she may bring with her something new, that does not fit in with your current work. She may have been spending time in France, or with dragons and comes back now looking completely different. Who can blame her for it, that is who she is, after all, it is her very nature to change to bring about new inspiration. 
                And so here I come to the point of this blog: Ways that I keep my inspiration and reconnect the passion and love when my Muse is off. 
Give her a form-  On my desk are things that I consider my Muse. They are not in any way connect to the book I am currently writing. They are instead pictures (and action figures) of things that inspire me period. When I am having a moment (call it writer's block) I look at them, I think about what it would be like to be in the picture, or about what that person would be doing today. Because they are things I enjoy, and love, I become inspired. It is much easier to become inspired, then to get inspired about something particular (on which there is often a stress of a deadline). Use that inspiration to fuel moving on.Write a part you want to be at- I have often done this when I was really stuck. I hate middle work (aka editing). So often what I do when I am stuck in the most uninspiring work ever, is take a break and write a scene that I have been waiting for. For me, it is often the ending of the book, or where I introduce a new character. It may seem counter-productive to write the part you want to while not doing the part you dread. But it can actually help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. 
Touch and smell something- I love to touch things. For me, different textures invoke different thoughts. Often when I am stuck on writing, I will go for a walk or change that area I am in. This may be as simple as lighting a candle, opening a window, changing my clothing, turning different lights on. The idea behind it is the change in the mood of the room may ignite different thoughts. I have thought things while smelling a pine tree that I would never have thought if I was smelling fresh laundry. Use your senses, we write about them after all, so why not use them to help us push onward. 
 
Talk to her- This one I would advise not doing in a public place. Talk to your Muse. Granted she is just an idea, but think out loud what it is you wanted to do in the first place. What was the first thought she gave you, where did you take it from there, where are you going? Just like talking to a friend about an upcoming vacation, talk about your story, this often gets me excited about it again. 
       These, of course, are four ways that I reconnect with the passion and inspiration that the Muse first gave me. Most of the time it is enough to get me through the hard times when I don't want to write when the pressure is on. I hope that you too find them helpful, whether you are writing fiction or an essay for school. There is a muse for all projects, and when she wonders off, it doesn't mean we have to wait for her… after all, that's not what she would want anyways.       

Seek the Song: Must Read Author C.M. Williams

Back in 6th grade, I remember a girl saying to me that I needed to enjoy books more. I had at the time been part of a school book group, and I was the only one in the group giving a more negative review. It was not that I did not like the book, it was simply I did not feel the genre and age group it was put in was proper.
                For me however this started an ongoing trend, I am hard on books: and even harder on Fantasy. In fact, I could count on two hands how many fantasy novels (or series) I have gotten excited over, that I could not help telling people to read. There are even fewer books that I could not stop thinking and talking about. Many of these authors are top of the class writers: Robert Jordan, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Trudi Canavan… and C.M. Williams?
                     I have to be 100% honest here; I have been waiting a long time to write this post. And I am that excited about Williams as an up and coming author that she is in my top writers. You may not have heard of her, but I have, to be honest, C.M. Williams, is a writer that I wish I had more of her stuff, and I want others to read her work.
                Her short story (8,000 words) is tilted Shadowsong, and it is one of the best fantasy I have read in a long time. In fact, reading it made me think three things: 1) I have to step up my game as a writer, 2) I can’t wait to read more of her stuff, 3) dude I want to write a book with her! I expressed as much to my wife (who also found this book extraordinary!) And so, I would like to take a share with you all in brief what makes this story so compelling, and why I think that all of us should keep a look out for C.M. Williams.

Shadowsong
​
                Her short story does something that very few authors can pull off well; she starts right in the thick of the plot and conflict. It is tough to have the world you created, (full of magic abilities, developed characters, and past event) compel and capture readers right off. Many authors have to spend several pages, even chapters explaining past relationships, culture, and introducing the main quest. C.M., however, does this all in a few paragraphs. More than that, from start to finish it is action packed and suspenseful. It took myself 20 min to read, and my wife read it even faster. There is no point in which you want to put the book down.  It is like you walked into the favorite part of your book, only you didn’t have to read 100 pages to get there. The fact that she has command over the ebb and flow, and can capture the reader speaks of superior writing skills. 
               The second thing that stood out to me was the use of Religion. Without it being crammed down your throat, a clear moral and religious code is established. Mythos in a story, especially Fantasy is pivotal. However, it is too easy to start to place your theology, and views into characters, moving it from fantasy to preaching. I am a Christian, but overall I do not enjoy Christian Fantasy. The reason being is it is just too… churchy. It suspends the disbelief of the world your trying to create. The use of Religion in Shadowsong is not pushy. However, it is very similar to how it is used and seen in Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings. That is to say, something that is full developed, and genuinely a part of the world, but not pushy in “you have to believe this.” I found it to be one of the many ways that I could connect better with the world. And again, in only 8,000 words.
                You would think with a short story that many of the characters would be lacking in some way, more 2d than 3d. Williams has again displayed her unique gift in writing to use the best words. In Shadowsong you encounter 4 or 5 characters, and I would say only one to me seemed 2d.  Through the use of flashback and dialog, everyone else is setup and fleshed out. Even the magical system is consistent. It is clear that she has taken the time to think and plot out everything that happens, and that kind of love and devotion to the craft and the story is always seen through the work.
                I will end my short section on the book, by saying this: Shadowsong is everything you want in a book in a few pages.

Watch out for this Girl

                I would like to take a moment now to talk about C.M. Williams and why I feel she is an author we should be watching for. It is obvious by now, but I will type it anyway, she is a gifted writer. But more than that I am interested in the works she currently has in progress.
When I first dialogue with her, that is asked to read her book, it was from a Christian group, and she was looking for reviews. When I visited her website, I was surprised to find her current projects at not the stereotypical Christian books, but steampunk twist on retelling fairy tales.
                I think that need a whole paragraph to itself: Steampunk retelling of Fairy Tales.
                Mind blown! C.M. Williams is my competitor. Even as I just read the titles of her current projects, I thought, "I need to step up my game." Granted I have never considered steampunk fairy tales, but she has. And it is that fresh look on fairy tales that we know and love that makes excited to read her work.  She has already to me demonstrated a gift for the craft of writing, a lot of people can write, but few have fresh ideas. I see fresh ideas in C.M. Williams, ideas that are carefully crafted, and executed with skill.
                So, this is why my first Review is on C.M. Williams. She is going to bring something new and fresh to the fairy tale universe. A good story can change a person, give them a new perspective on life, or fill their head with thoughts of hope, and playfulness. My hope is that in her upcoming works we see just that. While she may at this time be my competitor, her story is one that is compelling. I have said this to my wife and others, but I cannot wait to read more from C.M. Williams, and I feel that for fantasy lovers out there, that you too will feel the same way.
                Keep an eye out for her because this she is going to bring some great things to the genre. Below and links if you would like to read and connect more with C.M. Williams.
 
Website: https://authorcmwilliams.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15578756.C_M_Williams  

The Frog King

Most of us at one time or another have heard the story of the Princess and the Frog. The details of the story we hear may change, but the core is always the same. Princess kisses a frog, (usually begrudgingly) and he turns into a handsome prince, and they all live happily ever after. 
              When reading the Frog King, this was the story I was expecting. However, like many of the Fairy Tales I loved as a child, the actual story was much different. And the meaning of it I find strangely warming in this time of unrest in America. 
                We start with a little princess who is playing with a gold ball at a pond. The ball falls into the gross water, and she becomes upset. However, a frog offers to get the ball for her at a price. He does not want her gold or jewels; he only wants to be with her forever. The Princess agrees, however when she is given back her ball her runs away, not keeping her end of the deal. 
 Later that night at dinner the Frog knocks, and the king hearing what the princess promised forces her to keep the promise. The frog then demands that he eat next to her, and be carried to her room. It is there, in her room, after he asks to sleep next to her, that in her anger she throws the frog against the wall. As he hits the ground, he becomes a handsome prince. 
                The next morning, the prince’s faithful servant, having heard he was human (again), arrives to take the two off to be married and live in the prices kingdom. As they go, the servant is overjoyed that his prince is back.
 This, of course, is a very short synopsis of the story. As I read about it and learned more, I was stuck with how timely it is. Most scholars agree that the story is about the awakening of sexuality and maturity. The girl at first is innocent, playing with a ball.  She makes a promise, and then (because frogs are gross) does not want to be near him.[1] To most this represents as an allegory the coming of age when boys and girls go from having cooties, to being desired. They know there is a difference but not sure what yet.
 The king, however, forces the princess to keep her promise, and it is when the thought of being intimate (sleeping with the frog on her pillow) that she gets upset and standing her ground gets rid of the frog.[2] This gives the idea that women are not objects to be bossed around and owned by men (or frogs). It is at this point that the frog is no longer gross but in fact a handsome man, showing the acceptance of womanhood.[3] 
                This is all great stuff! But I would like to point out three things (that to most scholars may not be the intended meaning of the story, but to me are very much relevant truths).

Your Word has great Power
                At the start of the story, the Princess is very selfish and, in all honesty, immature. She makes a promise to someone who is offering to help her. However, she did not thoroughly think over what she was saying. The frog was asking for a lifetime commitment; the girl was simply concerned about getting her ball back.
                Our words and promises have great power. Often we may say something in passing and not understand the full impact that it is going to have on those around us, or even to ourselves. I have often said things then not followed through, or even worse, said things and then regretted later that day that I said them. Words impact the way people see us and interact with us. Too often we treat words will little respect, much like the princess did. Saying whatever we feel, when we feel it, and not realizing the impact we may have. Social Media is an amazing way to connect and grow in relationships, yet our words matter and the ease of which we can express ourselves in the virtual world does not change the fact that words demand our reverence. 

Some things are out of our Control
                The princess made a foolish choice in the promise she made. However, in the story, there were many things out of her control: the ball going in the pond, the frog showing up at her home, her father telling her she had to keep her promise, the frog wanting to eat and sleep with her (she had no control over his wishes). However, while things may be out of our control, how we respond is very much within our control.
                As a daughter, the princess chooses to trust and obeys her father. The princess also decides to stands up for herself, when the frog threatens to tell her father to get his way. In perhaps the darkest moment of the fairy tale, she chooses to throw the frog. She has already agreed to allow the frog to live with her, and while she does not enjoy it or want to spend a lot of time with him, when he threatens her she stands up for herself.  
                 We are always in control of how we respond, even when the situation is out of our control. The princess while not understanding the promise she made, obeys the wisdom and authority of her father, (most likely out of respect). She also chooses not the be pushed around by the frog, who uses her respect to try and get his way. Life will throw at us things we do not enjoy. Situations that we cannot avoid. However how we respond to those situations, is always in our control. We must remember that because it is not the situation that will be judged, but how we responded to the situation. 
             Respond positively, and you will be remembered as a person of Character, who is strong, good willed, and growing. Respond negatively, and you could be viewed as bitter, whiny, weak of character, or worse of these a hypocrite to not be trusted.

Character is a powerful thing
             This is perhaps the number one thing that stood out to me. The character of the frog. He is kind to the Princess from the start, offering to help her. Afterwards, when he arrives at her home he does not scold her, he only asks for her to keep her promise. There is only one moment in which he does not shine, and that is when he threatens to tell her father. (I will make a person note here that this is one moment in many. And like in life we often have one wrong moment is a series of good.) The greatest thing that speaks of his character though is his servant. Who is over joyed to see him again.
    You don’t become overjoyed for nothing. You become overjoyed when something great has happened, and when you become overjoyed for a person, it is because that person is great. If we learn nothing else from this story, we learn that our Character greatly impacts people. The Frog Kings’ Character was so great, and kind that his servant came first thing in the morning to see his long missing master.
        His character is such that the princess gets her ball back. It is such that she is willing to leave and live with him forever.
Our Character much like our words changes one's Character. However, we see it in the princess. She changes from being selfish to following and obeying her promise, to willfully wanting to be with the king. Her character changed by the actions she took. 
          Again, granted, this story is about the awakening of sexual desire. However, I think the truth of our words having power, how we are reacting to things out of our control, and Character, are also very active elements here. And ones that in all times we should ask our self, what type of person am I being? And what is the impact that is having on people around me? Perhaps if we looked in the pound would we see a Frog of noble and loving Character, or a princess who is spoiled and immature in need of growth?


[1] Christine Natale, “The Frog King, or the Frog Prince,” The Wonder of Childhood, http://thewonderofchildhood.com/2011/... (accessed 1/20/2017).

[2]JulieDanielson,“Annotations,” Blane, http://blaine.org/jules/annotations.html (accessed 1/20/2017).

[3] The Wonder of Childhood.

Be You

Last week I posted a blog that was near and dear to my heart, that of why I started writing the Gliserwood Series and the ending of the story. However, I thought, while I wanted my readers to know this (and even possibly future or potential readers as well), it was not a reason for a blog. In fact, as far as what kind of blog this was going to be or even why should one read it, not much was said.
                I pondered for hours, "What should my first real official blog be about?" Of course, hundreds of ideas came to mind. But I settled on this; my first blog will be an intro into what this will weekly conversations will be about. And for those who are on the fence about committing the time to reading it, why I feel you should. 
                Remembering Days Gone by
                Most of us grew up hearing stories, be it family history, mystery, religious, all of us were told stories as a child. As an adult now I am amazed at how many of the classics, that I learned and heard, are quite different than the original.  I won't point any fingers at major companies that changed traditional stores to sell to kids in cartoon form, or directors who changed plot and characterization to a fault. But that fact remains that many of the wondrous tales we know were actually entirely different, and had different meanings.  
                So, some of my blog postings will tackle this beast. I will share and look at Fairy Tales, and Folk-Lore with a new eye. Some of these posts will be sharing a Fairy Tale that perhaps is new (at least to many of us), while others will be looking at the meaning of the Tale, and maybe what it means today. (or at least what it could have meant back then).
                Table Talk
                If you are like me, you have friends who are into Fantasy. If you are not like me you know people who are into Fantasy but have no clue what the difference is between a Dragon, Hippogriff, and Cthulhu (for the last one I will help you, think Davey Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean… he’s a Cthulhu).
 The second posting you may see on this blog is more informative, maybe to those of you deep into Fantasy, girlfriends trying to figure out what their boyfriends are talking about (or vice versa), Parents trying to understand their children. It will look at the Fantasy Genre as a whole. There will be information for expert and newcomer alike. This of course if all in the hope of creating more talk about the best Genre there ever was and will be! But for those of you who say it's not your thing, at least you will have a starting point for conversations. And for those who walk the path of being a Fantasy junky, it will give you something to agree or argue with your friends at your next hang out.
                Keeping it PG
                Of course, what is Fantasy without epic stories, books that are 1000+ pages and 6 books long, and movies that portray said 6000-page book in 2 hours! So, every now and then you will find a book review or suggestion of Fantasy novels. For parents, it will include a brief rating system of appropriateness. As well as a basic plot and all the goodies that you wish you knew about a book before buying it (without spoiling obviously!)
                Tools of the Trade
                The last topic that you will see in this blog are tools of the trade. I am of course a Pastor full time. However, a large amount of my time goes into writing Fantasy and Fairy Tales. So, from time to time there will be a blog about how as a writer I find inspiration. Or perhaps a blog (much like last weeks) talking about an upcoming story, or why I am writing the way I am. (If you ever get the chance to find out why an author writes the way they do or the story they do, LISTEN! It will completely change the way you see the story, and 90% of the time it is for the better!)
                So, there you have it! There is no doubt that I would always have my readers knowing what they are about to read, (and hopefully enjoy) over having more readers (but I won’t turn down more readers!!!!!). 
                I am super excited to be blogging on a topic that is near and dear to my heart, and I hope that those of you reading will grow to love it as much! Next Week we will be hearing about The Frog King, until then Keep Imagining!

Why So many Books?

     While at conventions and discussing being a self-publishing author I have been asked many times, "Why a series? Why so many books?" In 4 days something is about to happen that has been 7 years in undertaking, the writing of the end of Laurels journey, and the Gliserwood Series. While this post may be long winded I wanted to write it to my readers.
     From the onset of writing I knew a few things: First, that I wanted my main character to be a female. Second, that I wanted my story to start off as so many do. That it was to have elements of the classic fairy tales that make you say “hum… well this is a lot like that.” Three, and probably most important, I wanted those elements to create a world, a world that you could constantly rejoin, that kids could pretend was real. And so while the classic elements were there I would add new things to grab the imagination, different dragons then what we had seen before, Flipityflops, Mcgongers, Purgers, Reedweavers.
Fourth and lastly, Laurel would be my muse and creator for this world. Through her story, I would start creating the fey world. The world I have dreamed about, that I want others to experience and dream about. It would take four books, I said. The first to introduce the world and my muse. The second to focus on magic, the third to bring focus on the conflict. And the Fourth, to resolve and reconnect to the world I had created. To finish the creation I had started, and allow at last for the Muse to rest, after creating a world of wonder.
     Again people ask me, “Was four books the best idea? It could have been one. It might have sold better.” For me that was not what Laurel was calling. Her song from the first words, were “Four books, Titles: Gliserwood, Winterthorn, Purger, and Summoning Seasons (that has never changed). Listen to my song,” Laurel called to me. “Listen and I will help you creature a world that different, fuller characters and creatures can fill. A place where future books can take place, under my love and protection.” 

    Ultimately you have to follow the Muse who is telling the story. Not the dollar signs you might get. So for those of you who have waited, and read four books instead of one. Thanks!