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118. Which Fantastical Stories Help Us Celebrate Human Life?
Fantastical Truth Podcast, Jun 28, 2022

Tilly
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The Wonderland Trials
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Shadow of Honor, Ronie Kendig
Lost Bits, Kerry Nietz
Rats of Dweltford, Matt Barron
Vivid, Ashley Bustamante
My Soul to Take, Bryan Davis
Into Shadow's Fire, Mark Castleberry
Deceived, Madisyn Carlin
Arena (2022 edition), Karen Hancock
Kurt Nickle-Dickle of Whiskers, N. J. McLagan
"In a city where debts are paid in blood, one young man will learn that everyone needs help sometimes if they want to survive." New in the Lorehaven library: A Matter of Blood, Lauren H Salisbury
Son of the Shield, Mary Schlegel
Maxine Justice, Galactic Attorney, Daniel Schwabauer
Mordizan, Alyssa Roat
Prentice Ash, Matt Barron
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Tilly
“Written in 1986, Frank E. Peretti’s novelette Tilly may feel melodramatic to today’s readers, but remains a tearful tale of brokenness and redemption.”
—Lorehaven on Jun 24, 2022

The Wonderland Trials
“Although indebted to a classic, The Wonderland Trials is inventive and colorful in its own right, abundantly able to charm and to intrigue.”
—Lorehaven on Jun 24, 2022

Rise of the Earthborn
“Societal intrigue plus steampunk flair and a dash of romance help make Emma Buenen’s Rise of the Earthborn a solid extra-biblical adventure.”
—Lorehaven on Jun 17, 2022

Elite
“Elite explores parallels to the early Church, beautifully intertwining faith and action in this high-stakes post-apocalyptic adventure.”
—Lorehaven on Jun 10, 2022

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118. Which Fantastical Stories Help Us Celebrate Human Life?
Fantastical Truth, Jun 28, 2022

117. Why Should You Build a Fantastical Lending Library? | with L.G. McCary
Fantastical Truth, Jun 21, 2022

116. Why Do Homeschooled Students Love Fantastical Fiction? | with Ethan Nunn
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How Christian Must Christian Fiction Be?
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Gender In Fiction: The Implication Of Failure
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Making a Story Visual UPDATE: Behind the Scenes of the Animal Eye Comic
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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
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Guest Blog: Donita Paul

Donita Paul is the author of the popular DragonKeeper Chronicles and her current series, The Chiril Chronicles. In addition she has authored the children’s book The Dragon and the Turtle and the soon to be released The Dragon & the […]
Donita K. Paul on Feb 25, 2011
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Donita K. Paul

Donita Paul is the author of the popular DragonKeeper Chronicles and her current series, The Chiril Chronicles. In addition she has authored the children’s book The Dragon and the Turtle and the soon to be released The Dragon & the Turtle
Go on Safari
(there’s still time to enter the Creative Cakes Contest held in conjunction with this series).

Donita lives in Colorado where she mentors writers of all ages, teaching teenagers and weekly adult writing workshops.
_ _ _

Donita Paul Answers

How does your world view affect your story, characters, plot, and setting?

I approach a story purely interested in how the characters will react to the obstacles they must overcome. I don’t set out to preach. But I have a Christian worldview, and therefore, when my characters who represent good encounter adversity, they also encounter God. It is pretty much the same in the real world. God is always there when I need Him.

Second in the Chiril Chronicles

I don’t see that my worldview impacts my setting at all. I’m not afraid of placing my characters in a fantasy world where dragons exist and magic takes place. I know that bothers some people, but I just don’t think God shakes in His boots when I use a little literary license. After all this is fiction, and most believers understand that unicorns don’t hang out looking for young maidens and hobgoblins don’t live under the sink. One of my favorite movies is Miracle on 34th Street. Santa Claus is proven to be real, with a wink to all the adults in the audience. But then there is Kris Kringle’s cane in the perfect house for the new couple and the little girl. Magic? Maybe. But there is no outrage from by-the-Book Christians. (BTW, I’m pretty much a btB person myself and often have scenes of my story read by my pastor or equivalent to make sure I am not promoting heresy by accident.)

I don’t think my worldview stretches, shrinks, or does any damage to my storyline. I am a seat-of-the-pantser (a writer who doesn’t outline) and only have vague ideas about what is happening in the next few scenes. When I’m stuck, I lean back, close my eyes, and watch my characters as if they were in a movie. What will they do next? I follow them and find out. How do they feel at any given moment? I listen and find out.

As for worldview influencing my characters, of course, it does. Like I said at the beginning of this article, I watch closely how a character reacts to a problem. Without a doubt, the Christian character reacts differently than the non-believer. And when the Christian blows it, he knows it, is sorry and must show it. (Sorry, a throwback to teaching Sunday school in that last sentence.)

Which comes first: the theme or the story idea?

For me it is the story idea. I know other authors who begin with the theme, but I discover the theme God has me working on while I am writing. Sometimes I have to go back and insert a little text that makes the idea come out a bit more naturally, but I just can’t start with a theme. Every time I do, my writing comes out stilted, didactic, and in-your-face instructive. Not good. Not good at all.

I use humor because a happy brain is open to new ideas, like God Loves You.

I reference music because music is a language that bridges gaps, from one nationality to another, and even from man to God. I can’t imagine worship without praise music.

I emphasize food because snacks, high tea, a hearty meal after a daunting adventure, and a cozy breakfast with family or friends are all symbols of replenishing what has been drained. We all need to be like Jeremiah and eat the word.

I use colors to reflect moods, talents, and aesthetic qualities.

I hope you enjoy my two sets of Chronicles. I have grown through writing them, and there have been times when God reveals to me through the story a truth I need to apply to my life. So, even if nobody ever read them, they would have helped one person. Me.

Donita K. Paul
Website ·
  1. Rachel Starr Thomson says:
    February 25, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    I really enjoyed this, especially the last section. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • KathrineROID says:
      February 27, 2011 at 10:33 am

      I agree – especially that last section. Setting mood is something I need to work on. Weather for mood is a bit cliche, eh?

      Reply
  2. Literaturelady says:
    February 25, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    I’d never considered using food as a means to restore my characters! Thanks for sharing some of your techniques! They have now inspired me to use music, food, color, etc. in various ways in my own stories. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Rebecca LuElla Miller says:
    February 25, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    I agree, Donita. You’ve shown how powerfully setting elements can help with characterization. I love it!

    Becky

    Reply
  4. Donita K. Paul says:
    February 27, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Thanks for the feedback. I noticed music more this week as I went the rounds getting cleared for my hip replacement on March 8th. The stress test had the best music. I got to choose and I chose praise music. That offset any stress I felt. One waiting room had 70s music playing and the wait was not so bad. I suppose that could go either way. If 70s music is irritating to you then the wait would seem interminable.

    Reply

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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.