Writers Workshop: Writing Fantasy

Dancing Word Workshop

with Donita K. Paul

April 29, 2005

*This chat has been edited for clarity.

Hosted by: Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

Anne McDonald: I'll open in prayer, and then go over protocol before handing the floor over to Donita.

Lord, thank You so much for keeping us this week. Thanks for giving each of us unique personalities. Please guard and guide us as we follow Your call to write. Bless our workshop guest tonight as well as all of the participants. Help us to be a blessing to You and to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Protocol: When Donita opens the floor to questions/comments....Type ? for questions, ! for comments and ga when you are through. Please wait to be called on in turn.

Tonight, I'm pleased to introduce Donita K. Paul as our workshop teacher. Donita, welcome.

Donita K. Paul: I am glad to be here. It has been said that fantasy is the ultimate literature of the imagination, transcending the here and now, such tales relate larger-than-life deeds set in a moral landscape. My question is: In the Christian realm, how does this hold up. What are the problems of trying to relate truth through fantasy? What are the strengths?

Shannon: In my experience, many of those who object most strenuously to fantasy do so because they somehow feel the elements of the story are at odds w/ scriptural truth. For instance, wizards and the use of "magic" in Tolkien and all the Tolkien look-alikes who are often blatantly operating in the realm of the occult or New Age. They also feel that injecting a fantastical element lures the mind out of the real world, if that makes sense.

Donita K. Paul: So are you saying that the Christian reader needs to bee more discerning because there are elements of evil pushing fantasy?

Shannon: My opinion: I think fantasy, like other mediums, is neutral in and of itself. Other people's opinion might differ, but certain elements do offend those who are perhaps easily offended ... i.e., the weaker brothers? But ALL works of art, whether fantasy or otherwise, need to be approached with discernment.

Anne McDonald: I agree that Christians need to be careful in writing elements of fantasy. There is a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. For example, Harry Potter is totally unacceptable to our family. Yet, LOTR, Dragonspell and the Dragons In Our Midst books are wholeheartedly embraced.

robert: I think Christian writers need to be careful, all elements of fiction opens the possibility of straying from truth. Yet elements of truth and reality can be portrayed by many mediums

I think poetry can convey truth the same as a story that includes a dragon without sacrificing the essential truths of faith.

Donita K. Paul: Think about this next aspect while we finish up this part of the discussion: Engagement with a work of fantasy requires of the reader a willing suspension of disbelief. JRR Tolkien said the altered world of a successful fantasy is one "into which both designer and spectator can enter, to the satisfaction of their senses while they are inside.”

What can we as writers do to create that fantasy world that does not offend God and allows us to enter this fantasy world?