This article previously appeared on the blog of Downunder writer friend Dolly Garland and at the now-extinct Magical Words, a website of writing tips and publishing advice for aspiring novelists that had been run by a group of top fantasy writers. The first-grader referred to in the first line is now twenty-one, so this was a little while ago. ;-)
We quit having children and wanted more. We told ourselves we had enough, but inside we really wanted children. Then kids started showing up. Sometimes through family tragedy, sometimes through parental misconduct, sometimes we didn't know the 'why' just the who. Our house was always filled with children of all ages. Now we are grandparents and still have children all the time. God was good enough to fill our need by filling theirs. I will say there is one downside, more children to miss when they are not here, but that's a good kind of hurt because it comes from love. And more joy when they show up with their children in tow.
Fantasy is the best thing a person can write. I believe that it can fill spaces in our imagination that nothing else can. That's why it can go so badly as well. Poor George R.R. Martin can't finish because he's fighting his muse, or ignoring her. Done right, nothing is as sweet to the soul.
Lovely! This was great to read because I am not sure sometimes why I should write fantasy. Given that I’m struggling with writing a trilogy this is a bad thought to have.
We quit having children and wanted more. We told ourselves we had enough, but inside we really wanted children. Then kids started showing up. Sometimes through family tragedy, sometimes through parental misconduct, sometimes we didn't know the 'why' just the who. Our house was always filled with children of all ages. Now we are grandparents and still have children all the time. God was good enough to fill our need by filling theirs. I will say there is one downside, more children to miss when they are not here, but that's a good kind of hurt because it comes from love. And more joy when they show up with their children in tow.
Fantasy is the best thing a person can write. I believe that it can fill spaces in our imagination that nothing else can. That's why it can go so badly as well. Poor George R.R. Martin can't finish because he's fighting his muse, or ignoring her. Done right, nothing is as sweet to the soul.
So beautiful, and you are so right!
Absolutely right.
Lovely! This was great to read because I am not sure sometimes why I should write fantasy. Given that I’m struggling with writing a trilogy this is a bad thought to have.