Tag Archives: faerie

The Fayborn Series by J. Aleksandr Wootton

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

In tales where a child or young adult is going to save the world, the hero-in-waiting is usually withering away in obscurity, knowing they were meant for so much more but spending their lives doing homework, harvesting cabbages, working fast … Continue reading →

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The Fantastic Imagination: An Essay on Fantasy Theory by George MacDonald

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

This essay is a great find, originally an introduction to the collection of The Light Princess and Other Fairy Tales. With George MacDonald’s characteristic wit, it forms a nice partnership with C.S. Lewis’ “On Stories” and J.R.R. Tolkien’s “On Fairy-stories“–and indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Fictional Worlds, On Writing, Original Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Faërie Stories in The Labyrinth: A David Bowie Tribute Post

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

David Bowie is dead. We woke up to the news as weather giants threw the sky against our windows and rocked the house in their rollicking. I had just been thinking about Bowie yesterday, but I suppose everyone has. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

A Scary Story-Within-A-Story by John Crowley

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

Many readers will know that I have a peculiar interest in the story within a story. Part of it comes with the discovery of “The Grand Inquisitor” in my early days. It remains my favourite nested story. I’ve blogged the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds, Memorable Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Elves and Fairies and Yokai, Oh My!

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

Originally posted on the traveller's path:
“Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.”  – J.R.R. Tolkein Elves are fascinating creatures of legend, and their roots go deep into our history. And…

Posted in Guest Blogs, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

On a Picture by Chirico: A Proposal about the Creation of Narnia

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

What sorts of things was C.S. Lewis thinking about as he made the sudden turn to Narnia? When you look at the projects on Lewis’ desk, you would hardly guess that he would turn to a children’s fairy tale. Here … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds, Lewis Biography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Why is Merlin in That Hideous Strength?

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

            I am writing a paper on C.S. Lewis and the Arthurian tradition for Sørina Higgins’ collection, The Inklings and King Arthur. As I trawl through the materials one common theme keeps coming back: How do we explain the sudden … Continue reading →

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The Meadow Mouse Story: A Postmodern Fairy Tale

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Brenton Dickieson

I have a peculiar obsession with the story within a story. Part of it comes with the discovery of “The Grand Inquisitor,” my favourite nested story and an integral part of The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880). I’ve blogged … Continue reading →

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NaNoEdMo… I think. Maybe… No, I’m Pretty Sure.

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Brenton Dickieson

I won’t be participating in this year’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)–at least not in the usual sense. I know my writing habits. To do 1667 words each day–or 2000 words a day to account for pattern-breaking days–I need 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in On Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Touching Noses, a Marriage Proposal

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Brenton Dickieson

I have, without exaggeration, officiated at more than 200 weddings. It is is something I enjoy, an opportunity to bless a couple at a transformative moment in their lives. The profound reality of being the wedding minister is that I … Continue reading →

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