April 22, 2022
Further reflections on Genre
Sci-Fi is about the hypothetical human condition - how do we behave, what changes, when we learn something new about the natural world?
Fantasy is about the superhuman condition - tapping into knowledge beyond the natural world, and asking how we respond to a larger reality.
- Horror is a sub-genre
Drama is about the human condition - how do we behave in natural, human conditions, both happy and sad?
Romance is about the male/female relationship - how do we respond to the other sex?
Further reflections on Genre
Sci-Fi is about the hypothetical human condition - how do we behave, what changes, when we learn something new about the natural world?
Fantasy is about the superhuman condition - tapping into knowledge beyond the natural world, and asking how we respond to a larger reality.
- Horror is a sub-genre
Drama is about the human condition - how do we behave in natural, human conditions, both happy and sad?
Romance is about the male/female relationship - how do we respond to the other sex?
February 1, 2022
Deeper truth penetrates to the things we do not see: emotions, choices, and spiritual realities. This includes things like love, free will, and angels. Fantasy stories use various combinations of analogy, imagination, metaphor, and a free-flow of the subconscious to connect with realities deeper than that which we see around us everyday.
Magic in fantasy stories - What makes a good fantasy story?
Elements: Hints at truth deeper than apparent reality
Apparent reality is what we see around us everyday: through our five senses, our mind, and our heart, we recognize how the world appears, how society is structured, and how people interact in relationships - all as they appear from a physical and sensual reality.
Genres:
Reality Novels:
Stories about apparent reality portray reality according to one’s senses, emotions, and experiences.
Fables:
Presents things as other than how they appear.
Sci-Fi:
Imagines a different world
Fantasy:
Speaks in stream-of-consciousness, tapping into the subconscious, to portray true but unseen realities.
Books that deal with these physical and sensual realities are dramas, mysteries, animal stories, and historical fiction. Fable is more similar to reality stories than sci-fi or fantasy, because fable portrays everything as it truly is, only with the replacement of animals instead of humans.
Deeper truth penetrates to the things we do not see: emotions, choices, and spiritual realities. This includes things like love, free will, and angels. Fantasy stories use various combinations of analogy, imagination, metaphor, and a free-flow of the subconscious to connect with realities deeper than that which we see around us everyday.
No fantasy story is ever a direct metaphor - if it were, it would cease to be fantasy. Direct metaphors limit the fullness of portraying the unknown, because it reduces the imagination back to what can be understood. Fantasy does not aim to show what can be understood, but metaphor does. The purpose of metaphor is to lower the defenses of the reader in regards to truth by telling a story that is apparently about something else, but at the last minute, unveiling the apparent layer to reveal the original, hidden truth. Fantasy, however, is not a layer concealing something beneath - it is a story in it’s own right. Only by accepting the story as it is, and letting it sink deep into your imagination, will you perceive the deeper realities it is portraying.
Magical creatures
No magical creature is a direct metaphor for a deeper reality, although some will symbolize ideas: for example, an imp is impish. Dragons represent evil and temptation (see article on page 130), tree and water nymphs represent nature, and lions represent kingship.
January 22, 2022
Lord, you cannot want me. I am nothing. I have been ill, and ill-equipped. I allow people to give me too many excuses. How can you want me? Who am I, Oh Lord? What are you calling me to do?
Conversation between a Writer and the Lord
Lord, you cannot want me. I am nothing. I have been ill, and ill-equipped. I allow people to give me too many excuses. How can you want me? Who am I, Oh Lord? What are you calling me to do?
Love me.
That’s all well and good, but what do I DO? How does this Love overflow to others?
Creative Writing
Really?
Of course. Tell the stories.
Who’s stories?
No ones. The ones in your head.
Why?
Do not ask why. Ask where.
Where, Lord?
In books. On Creative Anthology. I will tell you more.
And what of coaching?
What of it?
Why did you train me to be a life coach? Am I supposed to be working with women?
Ask me not why. Nor whether you are to be working with women.
Why not? How can I know how to serve you?
Serve me with your writing.
But my desire for women?! To help them?
What of it?
Lord, it’s not about that. I could easily put it on hold if not for the money. What of the money?
How much do you need?
$3,000 dollars a month.
Very well.
That answer does not bring me peace.
Why not?
Because I don’t see your how! And what if I am making up this conversation? What if you will not provide? Lord, I am scared.
Scared is good. Do you trust me?
I am mad at you.
Do you trust me?
My heart hurts!
Do you trust me?
Dangit, yes I do! How can I not?
Publish this.
This conversation? Why?
Do not ask why. Ask where.
Where then?
Creative Anthology
I have peace, my Lord. Thank you.
I apologize, but the search engine can be a bit finicky. First try usually gets you a ‘no results’ message, but just push that enter button again, and what you’re looking for should pop up. Happy Reading!