Tag Archives: imagination

The Land Where Oz is North of Middle-earth: Reflections of a Speculative Cosmographer

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

If I were to print a business card for what I do as a fantasy writer, in the section called “title” I would put, “Speculative Cosmographer.” Fancy title, eh? Well, broken down, it really just means fictional world-builder. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Writing, Fictional Worlds | Tagged C.S. Lewis, children's literature, fantasy, Fictional Universes, Harry Potter, Holly Black, imagination, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, madeleine l engle, Madeleine L'Engle, maps, Middle Earth, Narnia, The Hobbit, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Winnie the Pooh | 149 Comments

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

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

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 A Swiftly Tilting Planet, A Wrinkle in Time, books, C.S. Lewis, children's literature, fairy tales, fantasy, imagination, lion the witch and the wardrobe, literature, Madeleine L'Engle, wardrobe, writing | 30 Comments

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

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Brenton Dickieson

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 books, C.S. Lewis, fantasy, fantasy novel, fantasy novelist, imagination, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, myth, There and Draft Again, writing | 28 Comments

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

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Brenton Dickieson

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 Bible, books, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, evangelical, fantasy, imagination, J.R.R. Tolkien, Letters to an America Lady, literature, love, myth, religion, Science Fiction, The Screwtape Letters, writing | 9 Comments

Peals of Laughter: Humorous Writing for Children

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Brenton Dickieson

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 →