Tag Archives: imagination

Little Rooms with Windows that Don’t Open; or, When We are Old Enough Again

Posted on January 9, 2013 by

I tell my student often enough to read the fore-matter in their textbooks. “That’s where the good stuff is,” I argue. “That’s where the author shares his or her vision for writing.” Now, I suspect that students rarely heed my … Continue reading →

Posted in Memorable Quotes, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Do I Pass David J. Parker’s “Fantasy Novelist’s Exam”?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by

I follow There and Draft Again: A Fellowship of Fantasy Writers. As is clear by their title, they are writers who draw from stream of fantasy literature that Tolkien and a few of his friends carved out of the rocky … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The Difference Between Pressure & Discipline: Reflection upon my 100th Post

Posted on November 19, 2012 by

Reaching the somewhat artificial but still satisfying pinnacle of 100 Posts on A Pilgrim in Narnia has set me into a reflective mood. I began this project just over a year ago as a way to draw together my thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Peals of Laughter: Humorous Writing for Children

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

I’m reading The Silver Chair to my seven-year-old son, an evening ritual we both cherish, even though he is old enough to read to himself. I’ve always admired Lewis for his understanding of how to write for children–in short, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Memorable Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

What is a Star? The Ramandu Quote in “The Dawn Treader”

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

With my seven-year-old I am reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis’ third Narnian chronicle. Every time I read it, this scene jumps out at me both in its imaginative dept–“I am not so old now as I … Continue reading →

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The Marriage of Now and Then: A Review of C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

Last spring, after I read Rob Bell’s bestseller Love Wins, I knew I had to go back to C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce. Though often missed by reviewers, Bell’s work is shot through with Lewis’ influence. My first encounter with … Continue reading →

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Imaginary Worlds: A Review of Bridge to Terabithia

Posted on August 22, 2011 by

Imaginary worlds are common trade now. Our world is linked to others through secret passages or magic portholes or, in the case of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials (the Golden Compass) the worlds are bridged by intricate tears in the … Continue reading →

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