Category Archives: Creative Writing

The Fated Classic: The Great Luck of the Hobbit

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

Hobbit fans around the world are already lining up to see part 2 of Peter Jackson‘s adaptation of The Hobbit, called The Desolation of Smaug. I have already talked about how important C.S. Lewis was to the publication and promotion … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Fictional Worlds, Lewis Biography, Reviews | Tagged Alister McGrath, Bilbo, children's literature, Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, Lord of the Rings, Middle Earth, Out of the Silent Planet, publishing dreams, The Desolation of Smaug, writing | 12 Comments

The Unpayable Debt of Writing Friends

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

I have just read The Hobbit again and am about to finish The Fellowship of the Ring, reading aloud to my son. Again and again I am struck by how very good these books are. Not only are they wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Fictional Worlds, Lewis Biography | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Conversion, fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, Lord of the Rings, Out of the Silent Planet, publishing dreams, The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit, Tolkien, writing | 33 Comments

Writing Advice from My 8 Year Old

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

Sometimes my son’s wisdom astounds me. Not always. I can still see his little eight-year-old body straining against the temptation to chase a ball into the street, where all his instincts are at war in that moment. Morning time, each … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Reflections | Tagged agents, books, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, On Writing, publishing, publishing dreams, quidditch, Stephen King, writing, Writing Advice | 21 Comments

O Foolish Writer: The Living Reality of an Author’s Work

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

I think some people think writers, as they build their fictional worlds, simply sit down and invent the details, putting together characters and places and storylines like someone puts together IKEA furniture. We’ll call that the Allen Key Approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Fictional Worlds, Memorable Quotes | Tagged beer, brewing, C.S. Lewis, Carrie, Chloë Grace Moretz, Earthsea, fantasy, fictional worlds, Julianne Moore, Of Other Worlds, On Writing, Stephen King, ursula le guin, writing | 5 Comments

Some Reflections on my 3 Day Novel Experience

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

I have just finished my 5th weekend writing for the International 3 Day Novel Contest (3DNC). As usual, I’m absolutely exhausted. Like I’ve been pummeled. I’ve done the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and it has its challenges. But there … Continue reading →