I've written several reviews of YA fantasy over the last few months, so I've decided it's time to delve a bit into my other favorite genre: historical fiction. Although library systems may file them separately, fantasy and historical fiction actually complement one another quite well. In my experience, fantasy works its best spell when it contains echoes of real historical cultures and events. Conversely, historical fiction is enriched when the author draws on the legends that lie at a culture's heart--or at the very least, touches on deeper currents of meaning beneath surface events. Anthony Doerr's recent Pulitzer ... read more
A Letter to Robin McKinley
American-born author Robin McKinley has been writing fantasy for middle-grade through adult readers for over forty years, and has won numerous awards, including the Newberry Medal for The Hero and the Crown. She lives in England with her husband, author Peter Dickinson, and two beloved hounds. For more on Robin McKinley, you can visit her Amazon author page, her official website, or her (often humorous) blog. Click here to read my reviews of her novels Beauty and Rose Daughter. Dear Robin McKinley, This is a thank you note I should have written twenty years ago, except that I was a shy middle schooler who didn’t even want to answer the ... read more
The Necessity of Pain in Story
“Who hurts the most?” asks Orson Scott Card, in his book How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. “Chances are that it is among the characters who are in pain that you will find your main character.” He has a good point. Pick up just about any work of classic literature, and you’ll find a protagonist whose actions are shaped by their suffering. Even many best-loved children’s books share this pattern. I’m reminded of Digory in The Magician’s Nephew, who braves a dangerous quest in order to save his dying mother; or Harry Potter, whose parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort. There's Mary in The Secret Garden, who boldly asks ... read more
Three Recent Fairytale Retellings
I'm always thrilled to discover a novelized version of a favorite childhood fairytale. There's a reason why these myths have been passed down through the centuries. They touch on some of the deepest meanings of what it is to be human. They celebrate the virtues of perseverance, kindness, courage, and faithful love. Still, fairytale collectors such as the Grimm brothers or Charles Perrault often recorded these tales in a summarized, simplified way. When I read their versions, I'm often left with unanswered questions, wishing for more detail. There's something magical that happens when an author takes the skeletal framework ... read more
You’re Not Alone: Some Thoughts on Building Creative Community
Even the most introverted of us recognizes the need for authentic community. The problem is, how do you get beyond the surface-level interchanges of "Hey, how's it going?" "Ok, I guess," and into the deep, meaningful interactions that you crave? There are, of course, those rare, serendipitous moments when connection seems to occur out of the blue. I've had conversations with complete strangers in which I suddenly feel as if we're looking right into one another's soul. Maybe we discover that we're both devoted to the same under-appreciated author, or that we share delightful memories of some obscure corner of the globe. Still, these are ... read more
Beauty and the Beast: Three Novels to Enjoy
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite fairytales. It's a gripping story of courage, compassion, and the transforming power of sacrificial love. With Disney's live-action version hitting cinemas this month, I thought it would be fun to review several novel-length versions of this classic tale. Although there are other folk tales and myths with similar themes, the first published version of the story was written by a woman--Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve--in mid-18th century France. If you've never read it, please do yourself a favor: go to your local library this week and find a re-telling of the original tale. My ... read more
Iris: Seeing Story
Do you know how to see story? You're standing in an art museum, with paintings all around. One, in particular, speaks right to you. It seems so alive. You know there must be a story here. But how do you unlock it? The painting stares back at you, and you feel a twist of unease inside, like someone is trying to speak to you in a foreign language and you have no idea what they're saying. You're sitting at your desk when an unfamiliar song emanates from Pandora. The singer's voice is passionate and aching. You know there has to be a story behind his words, behind those waves of melody. How do you find it? You're walking down the street ... read more