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The Real Power of Fantasy Writing

The Holy Grail | Image via Wikipedia — The Holy Grail

This article is by Darren Andrews.

Fantasy can be a potent form of writing if you understand how to use symbolism and maintain the inner consistency of reality.

J.R.R. Tolkien, perhaps the greatest of all fantasy writers, observed that “the realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things…” (“On Fairy- Stories”, Tree and Leaf, p. 9).

Fantasy literature is purposely imaginative. The author of fantasy has the ability to engage the reader’s imagination more powerfully than the author of another genre – if it is done correctly. High fantasy has a very clear purpose in doing this: it is to take the reader on a journey to reaffirm certain principles of good and evil, of morals, of the spiritual and unseen. Fantasy breaks free of any attachment to political correctness or populist thought.

eBooks – Taking the Plunge

by Test Administrator

I love books. I love the way that they feel in my hands. I love how they smell. To me, every book is a treasure.

Hence, when the eBook craze began I was a doubter. In fact, I was a fairly vocal critic of the movement. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would choose to download and read a digital manuscript when they had the option of reading a real book.

Slowly, my resistance has been melting away.

First, my sister-in-law showed me her NOOK eReader. At first glance, the screen looked like paper. I was amazed by the E Ink technology, and just how easy it is on my eyes.

Second, I’m running out of space in my home and office. Since my wife and I became parents, space has been at a premium. Our home bookshelves are filled with rows of books, one layer piled upon another. My office bookshelves are also at maximum capacity. I love to buy and read books, but I’m simply out of space.

6 Disappointing Fantasy Movies

by Test Administrator

We’ve previously discussed some of the best fantasy movies of all time. Now we’re going to look at the opposite side of the spectrum.

The following films are not necessarily the “worst” of their kind, but they are major disappointments. In other words, these are fantasy films that had the potential to be great, but went bad somewhere along the way. I went into each film expecting something wonderful, and was left with a feeling of having been cheated.

In no particular order, they are:

The Chapters of Life

by Test Administrator

Here in the United States we just celebrated the holiday known as Thanksgiving. It’s a time to gather with family and friends and count our many blessings.

This year my wife and I traveled to my parent’s house, along with our precious 16 month old daughter. This was a wonderful time for our little one. She enjoyed eating turkey and spending time with her grandparents.

Seeing her with my parents brought back memories. Twenty years ago I gathered around the very same table with my own grandparents, all of whom I loved. I remember playing with them, just as my own daughter was playing with my folks. I still feel the sorrow of losing them, one by one, in the decades that followed.

Imaginative Realism – Interview with Marc Fishman, Illustrator of A Dance with Dragons

by Nathan Lauffer

Divine Hammer: Kingpriest Trilogy, Volume Two (Cover)

Imaginative Realism is the art of painting or drawing what doesn’t exist. It’s the act of bringing visual life to fantasy, often based on the words of fantasy authors.

Several months ago I knew Marc Fishman to be an amazing artist and an insightful human being, and A Song of Ice and Fire was just a series of books that people kept pestering me to read. Then an HBO series (Game of Thrones) based on the books came along, and I decided to live tweet during it for Mythic Scribes. I read the first book, watched the series and was hooked.

Shortly thereafter I learned that Marc was illustrating a limited edition version of George R.R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons.

Fantasy Video Games – Distraction or Inspiration?

by Test Administrator

One of the most important – and difficult – tasks is to make writing a priority. There are so many other things in life that can distract you from your work, including family and career responsibilities.

On November 11, a new distraction arrived on my doorstep: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I’ve been waiting for this game with almost painful anticipation, and thus far it delivers. It’s intelligent, immersive, gorgeous and highly addictive. And yes, I fully expect it to suck up a massive amount of my free time. But is that really a problem?

5 Characteristics of a Hero

by Test Administrator

Ten years ago I began writing a fantasy epic. I spent months building my own world, complete with fresh mythologies and exotic cultures. I had a great villain and an original plot. Everything appeared to be in place for me to write a first class novel. Sadly, a quarter of the way through a terrible realization hit me: my hero sucked.

My story’s hero was one dimensional and boring. Sure, he could swing a sword. But he wasn’t a man of any depth or character. Worst of all, he was passive instead of proactive. Things happened to him, and all that he did was react. At no point did he make a bold decision that moved the story forward. He didn’t possess the qualities of a hero, but rather those of a victim.

So what are the characteristics of a hero?

Conan on the Couch – Psychoanalyzing Conan the Barbarian

by Featured Author

This article is by John Garlick.

Film is a powerful medium for communicating, even on levels which we aren’t aware of. In watching a film, the viewer is able to take part in their own desires and conflicts, literally “projected” onto the screen in front of them. As a viewer’s perception works on the film, so too do elements of the film work on the viewer, playing off of their psychological histories, and even addressing unresolved issues from childhood. By examining elements of a film through a psychoanalytic lens, we’re able to gain a better understanding of the film itself.

To demonstrate how a psychoanalytic approach to film is possible, let’s examine Conan the Barbarian, a fantasy adventure film from 1982. The film follows Conan on his quest to avenge his slain family and reclaim his father’s sword.