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Is Imitation Integral to Fantasy?

As a twelve year old boy I resolved to write my first fantasy epic. Through months of toil I hammered out a draft and set it aside. When I returned to it, I was surprised to discover just how unoriginal it was. The plot borrowed heavily from The Lord of the Rings, with strong shades of Star Wars. The dialogue and description sounded too much like C.S. Lewis. And worst of all, virtually every fantasy cliché surfaced at some point in the tale.

In other words, it stunk. But in retrospect, this was a necessary stage in my development as a writer. Without consciously realizing it, I was imitating the masters – albeit poorly. But by imitating them I was learning how to write. Then, and only then, was I able to move forward and find my own voice.

Why the Star Wars Prequels Failed

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Like most children of the 1980s, I grew up surrounded by Star Wars. Star Wars lunch pales were the rage at school. Star Wars toys, books and magazines littered my room. And the Darth Vader outfit was the Holy Grail of Halloween costumes.

Yet the most admired of all things Star Wars were the movies themselves. Amongst my peers it was agreed that these films were the pinnacle of cinematic greatness. They were spoken of with reverence and awe. And the bearded, benevolent toy maker – George Lucas – was viewed with the same enchanted wonder as Santa Claus.

5 Characteristics of an Epic Villain

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Darth Vader as depicted in The Empire Strikes ... — Darth Vader

For a fantasy story to be truly great, it needs a memorable villain. In some cases the villain is so compelling that he or she overshadows the hero. That’s not always a bad thing. During my childhood every boy on the block wanted to dress as Darth Vader for Halloween. No one wanted to be the whiny farm boy from Tatooine.

So how do you craft a villain so fascinating that he can sell a million Halloween costumes? Looking at some of the villains whom I most admire, I have narrowed in on five common characteristics.

The Third Eye: Unleashing Creative Inspiration

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Česky: Ajna. English: Ajna chakra also bears t... — Image via Wikipedia

Many spiritual traditions teach the existence of an invisible third eye, which functions as a gateway to higher realms of consciousness. It’s believed that this third eye allows us to experience visions and other mystical phenomenon. According to this belief, although each of us is born with an inner – or spiritual – eye, we must learn to open it throughout the course of our lives.

As an academic and an educator, I’m naturally skeptical of supernatural claims. But as I experience new things in life, I have become increasingly convinced that a core of truth lies behind this belief. Call it the third eye, the ajna chakra, clairvoyance, the sixth sense or whatever you may. The fact remains that a connection does exist between our waking, conscious mind and some greater level of consciousness.

How Much Do Endings Matter?

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Recently a feud of sorts has developed between George R.R. Martin, author of A Game of Thrones, and Damon Lindelof, the mastermind behind Lost. When Martin was asked if he felt nervous about ending his series, he answered that he feared “pulling a Lost.” When Lindelof learned of this interview, he lashed out on Twitter, understandably miffed that his show has become synonymous with disappointing endings.

This exchange prompted me to consider a point of crucial importance to all writers. Specifically, how much do endings really matter? If a story is otherwise excellent, can a poor ending bring the whole thing to ruin? Conversely, can an outstanding ending elevate a mediocre story to greatness?

The 10 Best Fantasy Movies – and Why They Rock

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Ian McKellen as Gandalf the White in Peter Jac... — Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf

Like many writers of my generation, my first exposure to the fantasy genre was through films. I’ve previously told the story of how my father took me to see Conan the Barbarian when I was underage, and how this brought about an epiphany in my life. Ever since that first encounter, fantasy movies have helped to shape my imagination. When reflecting on the major milestones of my life, I often remember them in relation to the films that captured my attention during those years.

I recently asked our community members to compile a list of their favorite fantasy films. And as usual, our members provided inspired and sometimes provocative responses. This prompted me to consider which fantasy films have had the greatest impact on my writing, and why they are so meaningful.

So without further ado, here is my personal list.

Is Outlining for Hacks?

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Cover of "Sometimes the Magic Works: Less... — Brooks vs. King

When I first began writing I would sit in front of the computer for hours, staring at a blank screen. I hoped that inspiration would strike, but usually it didn’t. So I would force myself to type something, praying that it would turn out to be half-decent. Back then writing was a long, tortuous process.

And then I discovered outlining.

When I made a detailed outline in advance, writing became a breeze. The outline served as a road map, reminding me where I was headed. Because I knew that the story was going someplace worthwhile, I had the confidence to proceed at a brisk pace. Writing was no longer painful.

So clearly outlining is a beneficial practice, right? Stephen King disagrees.

The Lost Finale: What Went Wrong?

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Benjamin Linus faces the smoke monster. — Ben waits for Smokey

On May 23, 2010 one of my favorite television shows ended its six year run. For me, the airing of Lost’s finale was something akin to a religious experience. I had spent countless hours debating theories with friends and coworkers. I was emotionally invested in the characters. So when the finale began, I was filled anticipation. Finally, I would get answers.

Two and half hours later I posted the following status update: