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Who Vs. What

There is undoubtedly a cyclical and symbiotic relationship between character and plot. Who the character is determines what will happen in the story, and the events of the story shape who the character is, etc. They are both cogs that turn each other. From a writing craft perspective, this can be a very existential and convoluted discussion, so let’s take it to street level. · Mark Carver

Quality Is As Quality Does

Karen Watson suggests that people who scoff at Christian fiction probably haven’t read it lately. Well, have you? · R. L. Copple

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 11: On The Doorstep

“Stop dragging and get to the dragon,” silly critics may cry; but Tolkien takes his time as his heroes finally reach the Lonely Mountain. · E. Stephen Burnett

Realm Makers: Go Beyond The Blogs

Realm Makers offered more than cosplay and shared fandom. It gave deep doctrinal magic and a chance for Christian fans to better “incarnate” their love of fantastic fiction. · E. Stephen Burnett

Deus Ex Machina: The Origins

Two weeks ago, I griped about how Enterprise, the last Star Trek TV show to be aired on television, resorted to using a tired old trope called deus ex machina in their plots. But deus ex machina is not a […] · John Otte

Art And The Clive Staples Award, Continued

The Clive Staples Award is not a popularity contest. Consequently, no voter should choose a book he has not read! Our aim instead is to honor fiction well written. · Rebecca LuElla Miller

Daniels Ex Machina

I should have known better. The last time I was on here (a month ago?!?!? It seems a lot shorter than that!), I did some complaining about the long-cancelled TV show Enterprise (because, hey, I’m up on the latest entertainment […] · John Otte

Have You Visited Your “Inmost Cave” Lately?

The following blog post was written by my brother (and co-author) Allan today while I’ve been on the road. Enjoy! ——————- I love exploring. Whenever I can, I like to take my family out on hikes to explore nature. I […] · Christopher Miller

Advice From “The Story Of My Heart” Part II

So it seems that I stirred up a little bit of discussion two weeks ago with my odd little pyramid based on something I learned from the “story of my heart,” a tale of aliens searching for grace that I […] · John Otte

Advice From “The Story Of My Heart” Part I

Okay, so my last six articles have been about aliens. Maybe I should explain why a Lutheran pastor has little green men on the brain so badly. · John Otte

Dark Is The Stain: Suspense.

Sunday morning Fred posted a lovely series of Advent readings and Scriptures, and yesterday he posted on Hope ( I swear, we didn’t plan this). Now, I gotta say, just as over the last decade I’ve grown incredibly fond of […] · Kaci Hill

Randy Alcorn on Story, Courage, and The New Earth, Part 2

Author Randy Alcorn explores how he wrote the contemporary novel “Courageous” (adapted from the new film), and how anticipating the physical New Heavens and New Earth can change a Christian’s life forever, starting now. · Randy Alcorn

Jill Williamson on Writing, ‘Darkness’ and Light In Fiction, Part 1

Jill Williamson discusses her writing, completing the ‘Blood of Kings’ trilogy, darkness and light in fiction, and what is ahead for herself and the Christian visionary field. NEW: The Portal Podcast — the complete interview in audio form. · E. Stephen Burnett

Deus Ex Machinas and The Doctor

A deus ex machina — a surprise twist at the last second to save one’s characters or story — need not always be wrong, for at least four reasons. · E. Stephen Burnett

John Buchan on A Fiction Author’s ‘cleverness’

Politician, diplomat, Scotsman, Presbyterian, and writer of dozens of World War 1-era spy novels with occasional supernatural flair — that was John Buchan, who also, it seems, had a penchant for self-parody. That seems clear from this exchange early in […] · E. Stephen Burnett