Like Trees Walking
June 6, 2012“The first tree she looked at seemed at first glance to be not a tree at all but a huge man with a shaggy beard…
Category: Myth and Legend
Mythopoeia
February 13, 2012I’ve been on a bit of a Tolkien kick lately, because there’s a great deal worth exploring in his works, both fiction and non-fiction. One…
American Folklore and Fantasy
January 23, 2012If I trace my lineage back, it goes to Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, and an assortment of other European countries. No small wonder then,…
Death and Resurrection: Patterns in Folklore and Fantasy
November 16, 2011“The world is full of resurrections. Every night that folds us up in darkness is a death; and those of you that have been out…
Are Fairy Stories Only for the Young?
November 11, 2011Sometimes I encounter the perception that fairy tales and fantasy belong to children and teens, and those of a more mature outlook want “realistic” fare….
The History and Lore of Swords (Elements of Fantasy)
October 21, 2011Throughout history, swords played an important role in defending life and livelihood. Over the years, they evolved in form and the techniques used to wield…
On the Mixing of Mythologies
September 16, 2011Only in fairy tales can a heart live outside the body for years without end, and indeed the detached heart occurs in a number of…
The Laidly Worm and Other Loathly Ladies of Lore
September 7, 2011Most people have at least passing familiarity with Beauty and the Beast, a tale that has inspired many a speculative novel, but not with the…
Faith in Fantasy, Part 2
August 15, 2011Despite all they shared in common, Tolkien and Lewis had distinct differences when it came to the creative process, even in the way they depicted…
Faith in Fantasy, Part 1
August 12, 2011If you’ve been around this blog any length of time, you’ll know that I consider the spiritual element a vital part of good storytelling–and it’s…