Article on Writing

[fluke]

Lars Walker has a write up on writing The Christian Fantasy. The thoughts can also be applied to any speculative genre.

1. Writing is a craft. Don't be discouraged by the dreck you write first. You won't write well until you have first written badly.
2. Write from what you know. If you know Viking history (like he does), set your stories there. It will feel real to the reader.

The closing:
There’s no royal road. It will take years, not months. You’ll need to produce your quota of dreck before the good stuff starts to come. But if you pay your dues, you can create a fantasy that will glorify Christ, not only in message but in craftsmanship.

[Bethany J.]

I just read that today too! Good article.

"Writing is a craft, like shoemaking. I don’t care how sincerely the guy who made my shoes loves shoes. The main thing I want from him is expertise, the practiced knowledge of how to put together a shoe that fits, won’t give me blisters, and lasts a while. Your sincerity may please God, but He also says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23, NIV). It’s possible you may be a prodigy, a literary Mozart capable of amazing the world right out of the gate. But probably not."

[fluke]

Lars had a followup interview. MLP gets mentioned!