Having loved the tales of King Arthur since childhood, I can say without a doubt that Merlin’s Blade is a fabulous reimagining of the legends. This book ensnared me in a manner fiction has rarely been able to do. The characterization was deep, the plot imaginative and unpredictable, the villains made me cringe, and the heroes I loved. I’m a critical reader . . . but Merlin’s Blade is a classic I will add to my shelf of favorites. I highly recommend this book and anticipate its sequels!

Thanks, Scott!

TitleTrakk Interview With Stephen Lawhead

The greatest thing is that he talks about the method he uses to write his books, as well as gives some great insights into his latest novel … The Skin Map, book 1 of the Bright Empires series, published by Thomas Nelson.

Also, he talks about coffee … and yes, it does have to do with his latest novel!

Enjoy!

Keep in mind that although I directly speak about fantasy novels—being an unpublished author of a fantasy—what I say applies equally to other genres of fiction.

So here it is:

As I endeavor to define what is meant by the term “Christian fantasy”, the task reminds me of angling for catfish. When I was a kid in Minnesota, my brother caught a catfish, and I was amazed at its foot long, very thick girth. But that did not prepare me for catfish Missouri style. In Missouri, they don’t fish for catfish, they noodle for catfish.

Now noodling is, to say it mildly, a very personal way to catch a fish. What you do is this. You find yourself a stream, climb down into the water, find a hole in the bank, and stick your bare arm in it up to the shoulder. Now, mind, you’ve no idea what’s in the hole. Down here, it could be a poisonous snake or a snapping turtle!

What you are hoping for is that the hole is actually the mouth of a catfish. If so, you grab the inside of the fish, and pull the fish out. And we’re not talking little, teensy, tap-dancing, foot long catfish here. They can be 100 pound, four foot monsters that can actually eat your arm. Well, at least you’ve got it by the, you know, gills and guts, so I guess you win. Anyway, I’ve seen pictures of these fish and, needless to say, I’ve never been tempted to go noodling.

So that’s my first impression of trying to define Christian Fantasy: it’s far bigger than I can imagine, and I’m going to have to wrestle it out of its hole to get it into the light of day.

Defining “Christian”

To start with, let’s break the phrase down. I think we all know what fantasy means. If not, you’re probably on the wrong web page and need to go read The Hobbit for the most fitting introduction to the genre.

So what does it mean to call it “Christian”? How can a fantasy story be Christian?

Technically, it cannot—only people can be Christian. The term Christian was first used in Antioch in the 1st century to describe a person who was a follower of Christ. So for the sake of simplicity and being Biblical, I want to stick to that useful definition.

Therefore, since a story cannot be a follower of Christ, a fantasy cannot be “Christian”, and thence the term is all wrong. But not so fast. At some past point, people began calling things “Christian”. And when they did so, they did not mean that the thing was a follower of Christ, rather that the thing was meant for followers of Christ.

Thus we get Christian Churches. Christian Music. Christian Concerts. Christian Bookstores. Christian Books. Christian Fiction. Christian Fantasy. Christian Trinkets.

Okay, skip that last one.

So calling a thing “Christian” is a short-hand code we have adopted, I would say foolishly, to mean that the thing is meant for Christians. Hence we in the modern church have turned the word “Christian” into a marketing term, and that is the root of it.

When we speak of Christian Fantasy, we’re really speaking about whom the book is targeting. And this is something to consider: if a book is to be given or sold to an audience, you will do well to know who that audience is. No use showing up at a French Cooking School and trying to sell them a book on Catfish Noodling. Okay, so maybe the French would go for noodling, but that’s beside the point.

A Challenge

I want to offer you authors a challenge. Throw down the ole gauntlet. Stick my arm in the river bank and see whether you’ve got any guts.

I want you to raise the standard. To stop thinking of “Christian” in terms of marketing, but instead think of it in terms of Christ’s glory. I would like us to think of “Christian fantasy” to mean “Christ glorifying fantasy”.

In other words, maybe we need to start intentionally, authentically, boldly, and delightedly glorifying Christ—and therefore God—through our fantasy novels.

If you are already doing these things, and I know many are, then may God’s blessing be on your writing. If you haven’t thought deeply about them, then may God’s blessing be yours as you consider my points below.

Intentionally Glorifying Christ

How does one intentionally glorify Christ? First of all by planning ahead. Whether you are a seat-of-the-pants writer, or a microscopic plotter, we can all plan ahead of time that our goal is not just to write a book that conforms to the current CBA (“Christian” book industry) rules so it can be marketed to Christians, but rather to glorify Christ through our writing.

Secondly, we can make careful choices. This means we choose our characters and what they do with Christ’s glory in mind. Yes they can take on a “life of their own”, per se, but we need to choose characters who will, in some fashion or other, model the truths presented in the Bible.

And I’m not talking “goody two shoes” here. Even a villain can model Biblical truth about sin—but sin will either come with judgment or repentance and therefore grace. Keep in mind that I’m not saying we need a picture perfect conversion in every book—but we do need to model truth, and take that seriously, intentionally.

Third, we can pray. Pray over our writing. Pray—pouring out our hearts for the souls of our readers. By God’s grace it is my hope that places like Amazon are causing our Christ-glorifying books to be read by more and more non-believers. May those who would never willingly leave molecular fragments of their car tires in the parking lot of a “Christian” bookstore find our books online!

Authentically Glorifying Christ

Here we speak a bit about craft. It is not enough to just intentionally model Biblical truth. We must also be honest about the world we live in, for the two are connected. It was Christ who touched the lepers. It was Christ who fed the five-thousand. It was Christ who confronted sin in the religious fads of his day.

We must not be afraid to paint the world as it is, but we also must not paint the world as it wants to be painted. It would like nothing more than for everyone to ignore the schizophrenia of its “morality” and the innocent blood that it sheds. It wants everyone to leave it alone.

It’s our job not to. Rather it is our job to shine the light and call the prisoners out from the darkness. To shine forth the truth of the gospel that brings healing and freedom.

In this, we glorify Christ—that is what he would do.

Boldly Glorifying Christ

To be bold when we glorify Christ is to take the gospel seriously. The gospel is good news for us, but it is also good news for the world, and this can be forgotten when we try to define “Christian fantasy” by the small box of the “Christian” book industry.

I would argue that the fantasy author can reach certain portions of the reading public more easily than the author of contemporary fiction. We can slip truth in the back door—while the non-believing reader is thinking about another world. We can confront the madness of this world—while the reader is thinking about the plagues of another world.

That is why this definition of “Christ glorifying fantasy” is superior to “fantasy for Christians”—it is broader, bigger, and brasher. Keep your pen in the hand of God, and you don’t need to—although you could—cater to Christians. Your book could even be published in the secular market (like the Chronicles of Narnia in its time) and still bring glory to Christ by communicating Biblical truth.

Keep in mind that your book does not need to convey all Biblical truth at once by making your fantasy world some exact copy of our world. Even if it only contains a single core Biblical truth that you grand-slam out of the ballpark—then you’ve done it! God can use it, and He will be glorified.

Jeffrey Overstreet’s Auralia Thread is a perfect example of this. While published by a “Christian” publisher, the book does not (yet) have an obvious God-figure. As such, it could easily have been published for the secular market. Yet it still clearly communicates many Biblical truths about sin and the power of created beauty to witness for God.

No, I am not calling for the “watering down” of Christian fantasy. Rather, I am calling for the broadening of the definition so we stop back-biting each other. I am calling some authors to be willing to step out, breathe the Spirit of God, and create great literature that will lance open the hidden and pus-filled scabs of the world—and so bring glory to Christ.

But don’t take me wrong. Broadening the definition does not mean leaving behind the core calling of creating fantasy for Christians. I personally feel called to this task—to create excellently crafted “safe” fantasies that Christian families can read without worry, and that are explicit enough in their Christian content that they could only be published by a “Christian” publisher.

Yet I can also pray that non-Christians would read my books. And I won’t sneer at those whose calling is different, at those who are trying to glorify Christ in a different way. Remember—the church is called to be noodlers of men. And when you’ve got your arm in the belly of the world trying to pull out a few souls, you don’t need someone jabbing you in the back with a two-bit pocket-knife.

Delightedly Glorifying Christ

Here, finally, is the heart of my message. And I don’t mean a paper heart that flops to the floor from that useless refrigerator magnet.

I mean the kind of heart that pumps life-giving, oxygen-rich blood to every cell in your body. The kind that sucks the dead garbage out so your body, and soul, can throw it away. The kind of heart you can hear beating in its love for God.

None of the three points above will possibly glorify God, I would argue, unless you as an author and as a person find your uttermost delight in God. It doesn’t matter how good your intentions are, it doesn’t matter how authentic you are, and it doesn’t matter how bold you are—if you do not find your deepest delight in God.

As John Piper says,

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

If you are satisfied in God, then it will spill out upon your pages. Your delight will so affect your writing that readers—whether Christian or non-Christian—will be drawn to the Biblical truths that flow naturally, even unbidden, from your pen. And thus they will be drawn to Christ.

If your soul has found its true treasure in heaven, then even through the dark abyss your fictional characters will persevere to the end and triumph, and your readers will be inspired to “do again the bold deeds of old” for the sake of Christ.

In Conclusion

So what is this thing called Christian Fantasy? No doubt your definition will vary from mine as one catfish is different from another.

But we can at least agree, as followers of Christ, that preaching to the choir and congregation should not be the only job of the pastor—or the author. Yes it is part of the job, and necessary at that. But standing on the street and sharing the love of Christ amidst the dirt and squalor is also needed.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

No—neither Christian Fantasy, nor Science-Fiction, nor Supernatural-Fiction, nor any other fiction can fulfill the Great Commission. But I believe when there is a world-wide phenomenon such as fantasy literature, then followers of Christ can, and must, step in and use the medium to bring glory to Christ.

“Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:8-10 ESV)

Thus fantasy literature can and will be subject to Christ. And I, and you, as Christ-glorifying fantasy authors can be part of the Great Commission by writing novels that bring many sons and daughters to glory, as well as disciple them.

If only I could get this catfish off my arm.

I finished working through Tegid’s excellent edits this last week, fixed up the cover image last night … and just placed an order for twelve copies of MERLIN’S BLADE!

Most of these are for securing endorsements, but a few are for friends.

Also, I am 100% through my edits on MERLIN’S SHADOW, so I should hopefully begin writing new material very soon!

I had just finished entering all the (beyond-excellent) edits that Tegid had given me for Merlin’s Blade, when the mailman dropped off the last 125 pages sent by Tegid (thanks!) … and the first professionally printed copy of Merlin’s Blade!

And no … for those of you new here … I am not self-publishing. This is a proof copy for the sake of verifying my formatting and cover prior to printing up copies to send out for endorsement.

And no … I don’t have a publisher … yet. My hope is that the endorsements will help in that process.

Anyway … here are the pictures!

Printed in 6x9 format, the book is officially 423 pages, not including the three maps.

Most of the endorsement copies will be softcover, but I printed up a hardcover for my own personal proof copy.

And its good I printed a proof copy because the background graphic of the cover turned out too dark. I need to figure out a way to lighten it up. It’s possible that the gloss coating made it darker.

Also… the endorsement copies I print will have Tegid’s edits. Thanks for helping Merlin’s Blade be the cleanest it has ever been, Tegid! Which means the copy that arrived today has many mistakes in it.

But despite that, this is still a historic moment in my four-year odyssey writing this book. Thank you, Lord!

I’ve been waiting quite awhile to announce that I’ll be attending the fall writing retreat at Laity Lodge, and that’s been hard to hide since it’s such big news.

Why did I wait to announce it? Because until this last Tuesday, I didn’t know if I was even going.  And that uncertainty was after I had registered, paid to go and even bought an airline ticket.  The hold-up?

Work.

I had a major commitment beginning the same night that the retreat began … and that commitment would continue for the days following.  I simply failed to realize the two coincided. 

Mea culpa.  Mea maxima culpa.

Thankfully my gracious boss rescheduled everything, allowing me to go.  There were other reasons for the new schedule, and that helped, but I am still very appreciative for his understanding. Especially considering that my writing is a hobby, rightfully taking second place to my day job, which I enjoy.

So what is this writing retreat? Nothing less than three days spent in a small class of ten taught by Jeffrey Overstreet, author of Auralia’s Colors, Cyndere’s Midnight, Raven’s Ladder, and the upcoming The Ale Boy’s Feast.

Jeffrey is one of my favorite authors, and you can click here to read my reviews of his books, including a special interview he gave me.

And the kicker? Stephen R. Lawhead will also be there the whole time, and I’m scheduled ot have a 45 minute appointment with him to go over my writing.

Wow.

Big Wow. Stephen Lawhead is the author that redeemed fantasy fiction for me.

I grew up as a non-Christian, reading lots of fantasy and science-fiction.  I also played a lot of Dungeons & Dragons, even starting a club in my junior high school.  When I became a Christian in ninth grade I left it all behind, auctioning off all my D&D equipment and books.

My friends thought I was nuts, but I was in love with Jesus Christ, and D&D had taken me down some bad paths.

Fourteen years later (married to my wonderful wife, Robin, with two kids), enter Stepehn Lawhead and his excellent Paradise War, book 1 of The Song of Albion.

This was, and is, Christian Fantasy at its best.

Everything changed for me. Amazed, I saw in his writing how fantasy could communicate spiritual truths in ways a sermon could not.

I also began to percieve afresh the Christian literary legacy of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, the latter to which I indirectly owe my salvation.

But it would still be another ten years before I picked up my own quill, having read Stephen Lawhead’s excellent Pendragon Cycle and his other books in the meantime.

In a flash of inspiration one night lying in bed, a story came to me that has now become Merlin’s Blade:

Why would someone thrust a sword into a stone?

What if the stone itself was the darkest enemy?

And to top it off, I would have missed the whole retreat and not even known about it if not for a tip from Tegid.  All I can do is say “Thanks, Tegid” for letting me know about the retreat and SRL’s presence there, as well as for your encouragement to me as a writer.  A dream coming true!

Besides fiction writing, there will be courses on poetry, song-writing, and non-fiction spiritual writing. Stephen Lawhead’s wife, Alice will also be team-teaching on the business and personal sides of life as a writer.

I hope to meet Marcus Goodyear in person, who helped plan the retreat. So Marcus, if you’re going to be there (and I assume you will), I’m actually, actually coming—the Lord still willing, of course.

So there you have it … my two mystery authors:

• Jeffrey Overstreet, and
• Stephen Lawhead

I have no clue if they’ll have any time to look at the copy of Merlin’s Blade I will offer, but that is in the Lord’s hands.

I’m just grateful for the opportunity to learn from them how to improve my writing!

If this proof copy turns out as expected , then I will be ordering more copies to give to ten published authors I’ve met, as well as one friend, Tegid !

(Remember … I am NOT self-publishing Merlin’s Blade. These copies are purely for securing endorsements to increase my chances with a publisher such as P&R … remember my previous Big News #1?)

Here’s the complete list of authors:

• LB Graham
• Douglas Bond
• Scott Appleton
• Wayne Thomas Batson
• Christopher Hopper
• S.D. Smith
• Andrew Peterson
  
• Pete Peterson
  
• Mystery Author #1
• Mystery Author #2

LB lives here in St. Louis, and we attend the same church … LB … we need to get together soon!

Even though I’ll have to mail a copy to both Douglas Bond and Scott Appleton, I was able to spend time with each of them when they visited St. Louis … Scott in January, and Doug in June.

I’ll see Wayne and Christopher at the Curse of the Spider King party this coming October, so that’s going to be great fun!

S.D. Smith is being sent a copy for himself and one to share between Andrew Peterson and his fellow brother-author, Pete Peterson, whom he’ll meet at Hutchmoot 2010, which I’ll sadly miss. 

As part of getting Merlin’s Blade ready to print … I have finished the cover art for the novel using Blender 2.5 Beta 2 and a lot of help from my son, Leighton! So … here it is … if you want to see it up close, click the image!

Keep in mind that this cover art is for my personal printing only … a publisher would probably want to do it differently.  Either way, I have striven for as professional of a look as I can get given time constraints.

As well … here is a “desktop background wallpaper” version if you are interested in that. I removed the extraneous text from the image to make it more artsy and also reveal the graphic.

Enjoy!

Oh … you’re wondering who Mystery Author #1 and #2 are? For that you’ll have to wait for Big News #3 … coming up soon!

The amazing thing is that, thanks to Douglas Bond and P&R Publishing, I was able to step onto the floor of the convention, even if briefly.

Once I heard that ICRS was coming to St. Louis, I had dreamed of going and meeting a publisher, but knew it was next to impossible since I was unpublished.

You see, in order to go you have to be either a Christian retailer, a publisher, an invited published author, a supplier, part of the media, or an agent.

For me that meant: impossible.

So I had given up hope of attending, and instead considered paying to be at the Christy Awards banquet.

But excellent historical author Douglas Bond contacted me to see if I could setup some book signings for him while he was in town for the show. Doug and I had met at last year’s Reformation Day Faire up in Peoria, IL, and he is a fellow P&R author with LB Graham.

And so I did, and by no effort of my own (honestly, I had tried this in January and had fallen on my face!), God setup two signings, and even provided Doug a telephone radio interview scheduled sometime in July!

And to say thanks, Doug got Ian Thompson, the VP of Marketing at P&R Publishing, to invite me out to dinner last Tuesday night. And Doug got me briefly onto the ICRS convention floor before we headed out, and so all I can do is marvel at God working on Doug’s behalf—as well as my own.

So Doug and Ian … thanks! It was an amazing answer to prayer for me, and I look forward to submitting Merlin’s Blade to P&R sometime in the upcoming months.

More on that in Big News #2 …