Beings of Faerie

Need inspiration? Or perhaps you want to revamp your characters, add a new creature to your story, or simply explore the world of Faerie in greater depth?

Well, listen up: I will be writing a series of blog posts on the beings found in fantasy realms.

Here are some of the creatures I'll write about: fairies, dragons, horse-creatures (unicorns, centaurs, etc.), royalty, protectors (knights, rangers, etc.), mythological creatures, and much more.

Remember, though, in fantasy, the imagination reigns supreme. So gain inspiration from the pictures, descriptions, and questions... but ultimately, remember to use your own brainpower to create a world unique to you.

Enjoy!

Resources for Authors

PublicDomainPictures

Writing Resources ~

Holy Worlds Forum {A Christian fantasy forum for writers}

Advanced Fiction Writing {Christian writer Randall Ingermanson with brilliant software and writing resources, plus humor}

FaceFinder {A collection of face-only images for authors' inspiration}

Olorea {Free, modest, fantasy-related stock images site}

Science Fiction and Fantasy World {A collection of science fiction and fantasy-related resources}

Writers' Blogs ~

Dragon Bloggin {Christian fantasy author Donita K. Paul - look for a secret recipe :) }

Enter the Door Within {Christian fantasy author Wayne Thomas Batson - tons of humor}

Christian Fantasy Fiction Books {Christian writer John Edgell - articles on fantasy}

Fairies, Fantasy and Faith {Christian writer Pam Hall - writing techniques and fairy whimsy}

A Christian Worldview of Fiction {Christian writer Rebecca Miller - excellent analyses of Christian writing & publishing}

Cats Eye Writer {Blogger Judy Dunn - articles on blogging}

Wordplay {Author K.M. Weiland - tips on writing in today's world}

Editors & Agents' Blogs ~

A. Victoria Mixon, Editor {Blog & resources from editor Victoria Mixon}

Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent {Blog & articles from Rachelle Gardner, literary agent}

There Are No Rules {Editor and former publisher Jane Friedman tackles many writing-related issues}

Other Writing-Related Blogs ~

Holy Worlds Christian Fantasy Blog {A group of Christian fantasy writers on writing and fantasy}

StoryFix {Website and blog with novel writing tips for publishing writing}

Write to Done {Inspiration & helpful articles on writing to finish and to publish}

Writer Unboxed {Authors, agents, and publishers about the craft and business of fiction}

Marketing Blogs & Sites ~

Copyblogger {Internet marketing "mother of all wisdom"}

Men With Pens {Website to help with all web design needs}

Author Tech Tips {Website to help authors conquer technology}

Book Review Sites ~

Into the Book {Christian book reviews especially for young adults. Excellent, thoughtful resource}

The Christian Guide to Fantasy {Christian fantasy book reviews - excellent, but last updated 2007}

Faith within Fantasy

At last {well, after two posts, that is}, we come to the crux of this site: Christ as reflected in the realm of Faerie and the genre of fantasy.

PublicDomainPictures

Here's the bottom line: God is the Master Storyteller.

Not only is He the Word {John 1:1}, but God created using words {Genesis 1}. Also, God chose to let His Word, the Bible, be written partly as story & narrative. Jesus Christ taught the crowds using parables, or "imaginary" - but meaningful - stories. So we see that God is first among all writers, and as such, all writers take their cue from God Himself. An amazing responsibility indeed.

PublicDomainPictures

What about fantasy and faith?

First, fantasy is defined as "The activity of imagining things that are impossible or improbable."

With that in mind, some of the Bible seems like fantasy - just look at the dragon in Revelation, the fiery serpents in the wilderness in Numbers, and seemingly "magical" events like water turning into wine throughout the Bible. But what both writers and readers of fantasy should remember is that, in God's hands, the "impossible" is always "possible."

PublicDomainPictures

What does that mean for us, though?

Well, as fantasy writers, we can know that imagining the "impossible" is actually a reflection of God's own creative power and God's perfect imagination. So dream big, create, write, read, & delight in mirroring a small sliver of the nature of God.

Two final words:

1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Colossians 3:17 ~ "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

PublicDomainPictures

Greetings & Welcome!

Welcome to my Christian fantasy blog, Of Faerie & Faith! Let the questing, parties, dreams, imaginings, festivities, and book-filled feasting begin!

The name pretty much explains itself, but here are a few quick points for those of you who are so rushed you can't quite fathom how else you'd figure out :) .

1. Christian ~ I am happily and unashamedly, delightedly, blissfully, & thankfully Christian. So, what's that? Well, basically, being "Christian" means I trust Jesus Christ's sacrifice of His life to save me from my sin. If you're curious about specifics, check out my Worldview here. At the *ultimate* core, being Christian means I try to follow Christ in every aspect of my being - which I can only do because of His power strengthening me. Pretty cool, right?

2. Fantasy ~ *smiles blissfully* Welcome to my heart :) . In case you're blind, or otherwise somewhat disabled, you can probably tell that fantasy is quite important to this blog. But what does a "fantasy" blog look like? {Look around} My blog will feature inspirational pictures of knights, ladies, dragons, landscapes, castles, fairies, and much more. I'll discuss magic, quests, and how an imaginary world can fit into a Christian perspective. Satisfied? I hope not, because the best is yet to come!

3. Faerie ~ If you're curious about the particular word in the blog title, quench your curiosity immediately by clicking here: {Faerie} .

I look forward to seeing you and your comments around the blog! God bless!

PublicDomainPictures

{Faerie}

J. R. R. Tokien, "On Fairy-Stories"

"The definition of a fairy-story -- what it is, or what it should be -- does not depend on any definition or historical account of elf or fairy, but upon the nature of Faerie: the Perilous Realm itself, and the air that blows in that country."

MyFreeWallpapers: Lost City of the Elfs

"Faerie contains many things besides elves and fays, and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants, or dragons: it holds the seas, the sun, the moon, the sky; and the earth, and all things that are in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted."

MyFreeWallpapers: Fantasy Sunset

"It is the mark of a good fairy story, of the higher or more complete kind, that however wild its events, however fantastic or terrible its adventures, it can give to the child or man that hears it, when the 'turn' comes, a catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart, near to (or indeed accompanied by) tears, as keen as that given by any form of literary art."

"In such stories when the 'turn' comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart's desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of the story, and lets a gleam come through."

Eras of Elegance