In honor of #FantasyMonth, I thought it would be fun and insightful to re-explore some of my absolute favorite books (who wouldn’t?!) and why their “worlds” felt so special or real to me. Why they felt like places that, oftentimes, I’d prefer to the world I actually live in. The Sevenwaters series. Author Juliet Marillier [...]
Tag: narnia
A Thing or Two About Fauns and Satyrs
Satyrs and fauns began as creatures very different from each other. The faun was half-man, half-goat, and the satyr was depicted as a hairy, stocky dwarf. But eventually the Romans noted some of the similarities between their fauns and the Greek satyrs, and over the years the features and characteristics of the two began to [...]
Affection and Concern for a Marshwiggle
It's always with a bit of trembling that I hear of another Narnia movie being produced. Part of my nervousness comes from excitement, part from fear. The creatures and characters of Narnia mean a great deal to me, and I want to know they are in capable, loving hands ... hands that appreciate them for [...]
Falling Into the Book
In books, characters can stumble into other worlds in many different ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking through a door or crossing a bridge. Other times it’s as unexpected as the door of a musty old wardrobe, falling down a rabbit hole, or flying out your window toward the second star on the right, [...]
The Journey Begins
IT'S HERE! Well, dear readers, the day has finally come! A lifelong dream of mine has been realized, and my book has been released into the world today! WHAT HAPPENS NOW In the coming week, I will be posting once a day with some insight into how The Word Changers began, introductions to some of the characters [...]
What’s More Important Than Books?
This is a guest post by Kohlie Stock. Books. They are enchanting, captivating, and obsessive. I am guilty of getting caught in their drama and storyline. Through books I’ve traveled the world, fallen in love, and at times been emotionally wrecked. Let’s be honest, when you pick up a book, particularly of the fantasy genre, [...]
Fictional Forests: Why They Enchant Us
“Only with a leaf can I talk of the forest.” ― Visar Zhiti Forests, in literature, can mean many, many things. Adventure, escape, danger, evil, magic, temptation, mystery, freedom, death, life, or shelter. Depending on the story, the setting, the characters, the author, or even the reader’s interpretation – a wood can be seen in [...]
Names of Strength and Whimsy in Literature
While researching names for my next book, I began thinking of all the names I've always loved from my favorite stories. What makes a good name, exactly? Does it need to have a certain sound? A particular meaning? A "feel" to it - happy, solemn, playful or fateful? I came up with a list of several [...]
Death Means Life
Harry Potter is struck down by his archenemy, visits the in-between, and makes the choice to return and finish what needs to be done – that is, conquer evil in the form of Lord Voldemort, thus saving not only the wizarding world, but the world entire. Death, for Harry, meant life. Gandalf the Grey is [...]
Pictures of the World Through the Wardrobe
I am a huge believer in the capability of art to take us into other worlds. In fact, it’s much the same way I feel about books. And when the two are brought together – a book and the artwork that represents it – the cosmos can utterly explode! Okay, well, they do for me, [...]
Ashlee Willis, Author of Fantasy 