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148. Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck
Fantastical Truth Podcast, Feb 7, 2023

Into the Darkness
Reviews, Feb 3, 2023

The Chosen Succeeds Where ‘Woke’ Stories Fail
Jenneth Dyck in Articles, Feb 2, 2023

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The Wayward, Tabitha Caplinger
Fortified, V. Romas Burton
Canaan Sleeps, Daniel Camomile
Silver Bounty, Victoria McCombs
A Sword for the Immerland King, F. W. Faller
Calor, J. J. Fisher
Once Upon A Ren Faire, A. C. Castillo
The Genesis 6 Project, Michael Ferguson
Exile, Loren G. Warnemuende
Aberration, Cathy McCrumb
The Truth Beyond the Lies, Kathleen Bird
Frost, Winter's Lonely Guardian, E. E. Rawls
Dream of Kings, Sharon Hinck
The Change, Bradley Caffee
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148. Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck
Fantastical Truth, Feb 7, 2023

147. Why Can Christians Celebrate Stories about Merlin and King Arthur? | with Robert Treskillard
Fantastical Truth, Jan 31, 2023

146. How Did Animators Adapt The Wingfeather Saga For Streaming TV? | with Keith Lango
Fantastical Truth, Jan 24, 2023

145. How Did Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene’ Shape Christian Fantasy? | with Rebecca K. Reynolds
Fantastical Truth, Jan 17, 2023

144. Which Top Six Fantasy Franchises Gave Fans Grief in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 10, 2023

143. Which Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Proved Most Popular in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 6, 2023

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Rose Petals and Snowflakes
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On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
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Into the Darkness
“Charles Hack’s Into the Darkness summons a close-range science fiction story, focusing on the personal challenges of space warfare among alien cultures with a steady pace and serious tone.”
—Lorehaven on Feb 3, 2023

A Crown of Chains
“A Crown of Chains creatively retells a biblical tale to explore themes of providence, racism, faith, and fidelity.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 27, 2023

Lander’s Legacy
“Lander’s Legacy stacks modern thrills and complex characters on a foundation of biblical what-ifs.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 20, 2023

Prince Caspian
“Pacing starts slow but creature lore grows in C. S. Lewis’s sequel, introducing practical tyrants and talking-beast politics into a Narnian resistance.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 13, 2023

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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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Pain and Pleasure

Writing a book and getting tattooed are remarkably similar experiences.
Mark Carver on Aug 23, 2017
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Tattoos frequently pop up in science fiction and fantasy stories (and erotica *shudder*). They look cool, they tell stories of their own, they add a bit of an edge to a character, and sometimes they can even be magical. As with all things, our imagination exceeds reality. But let’s step out of the realm of fiction and into the real world. What would you say if I told you that getting a tattoo is a lot like writing a book? Having spent considerable time doing both, I can testify that writing and getting tattooed are remarkably similar experiences.

First, there’s the idea. You find inspiration everywhere, and ideas drift across your mind like seeds falling on fertile soil. Some are blown away, others sprout but wither and die. And some take root, sending up feeble shoots at first, but then blossoming into more than just an abstraction. You think, “Oh yeah, this is it. This is what I’m going to do.”

When the big day arrives, there is no insignificant amount of fear, but there is also excitement and eagerness to get started. You sit in the chair, take a deep breath, lower your head, and say, “Let’s do this.” You know it’s going to be no easy task but you’re stoked. You can take the pain. You’re a beast.

After a short time, you soon think, “What have I gotten myself into?” It’s starting to hurt. A lot. The euphoria hasn’t completely worn off but you’re starting to realize how long this is going to take. You begin to worry and feel nervous, because the end is still a long way off.

Image copyright DC Comics

The pain keeps coming. You grind your teeth. You grip your chair. You think, “Why the heck am I putting myself through this?” It seemed like such a good idea in the beginning, but now you’re stuck in the middle, bleeding everywhere, and you’re nowhere near finished.

“I can’t do it. I’ve got to tap out. I’ll look like a wimp, but I have no choice.”

“Yes, you can. You’ve made it this far, and how will you look with a half-finished result? Just power on through. You can do it!”

“No, I can’t. I’m going to die. This is how it ends.”

“You’re an embarrassment, you know that?”

An eternity passes. You’re disoriented, maybe even delusional. You feel like a train wreck. Suddenly, you realize, “Whoa, I’m almost done. Wait a minute…I’m almost done!” You can’t believe you’ve made it this far. And yet, strangely, you feel kind of sad that it’s ending. You’ve been on this painful journey for so long, you have forgotten what it’s like to unclench your fists and relax your shoulders. The pain has become almost comforting.

It’s over. It’s finished. You feel a twinge of regret, wishing that it could perhaps go on a little bit longer, but then you realize that you made it! You want to raise your arms in victory and pound your chest, but you’re too sore do to anything except exhale a long, slow breath. You walked through fire and came out alive.

This deserves a celebration, or at least telling all of your friends and family about your tremendous accomplishment. They’re probably not as enthusiastic about your ordeal as you are, and a few are rather patronizing, but you’re too happy to notice. You walk around like you’re ten feet tall. The people you pass on the street have no idea of the mountain you’ve conquered.

And almost immediately, before you’ve even had a chance to calm your exuberant spirit, the next idea starts to take root in your mind…

Mark Carver
Mark Carver writes dark, edgy books that tackle tough spiritual issues. He is currently working on his ninth novel. Besides writing, Mark is passionate about art, tattoos, bluegrass music, and medieval architecture. After spending more than eight years in China, he now lives with his wife and three children in Atlanta, GA. You can find Mark online at MarkCarverBooks.com and at Markcarverbooks on Facebook.
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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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