So this is a sweet, sweet story. And I don't mean sweet as in candy, but sweet as in both the current slang term (as in excellent) and in terms of gentleness. I read it twice and love the understory, the main point of their dialogue.
What I am about to say should be taken with the knowledge that I am not an avid reader of fantasy. Some I like. But most I do not. And I wondered whether you needed to create a fantasy world for this, whether it could just be an imaginary place in the real world. Because the nature of this story is literary; the fantasy part, i.e., this world they live in, seems superfluous and, if anything, distracting.
In any event, thank you for bringing it to my attention and I hope my comments are taken with the knowledge that I greatly appreciated how you wrote it.
Thanks Geoffrey for your time and care in reading my story. I appreciate your feedback as well! It's true the fantasy setting isn't strictly necessary for the story I was trying to tell, but I think on some level it gives a sense of distance from our world which maybe helps evade the usual mental barriers to discussions of faith that modern readers may have?
What's your take on fantastical worlds which operate similar to our world (albeit with some magical elements) vs introducing magical realism elements into stories? The novel I am working on takes place entirely in a fictional country but still in the 'real' world, and with some magical-realism elements. Is that more grounded than an entirely imaginary world? I'd love to know your thoughts.
Beautifully written, Alex! The part about Lista brought a few tears to my eyes as I read it on the train, it is full of God and His higher, loving ways. I also personally am enjoying reading your writing and the intersection between your faith and your talent for words - thanks for sharing these.
I loved this Alex! I grew up on (and still enjoy reading) the George MacDonald books of old, and your writing was sort of like those - it was a lovely way to express God in everyday words and that He knows things far better than we do!
Glad you enjoyed it Jen - yes it is very George MacDonald in the fairytale setting. I can see why C. S. Lewis admired him so much and then followed in his footsteps with stories like Narnia.
Great story, I thought I’d have a quick look then couldn’t put it down! I like how there was a fourth option the learned man hadn’t considered. It’s often like that with God, I often approach things, thinking the only options are A or B then He shows Option C.
So this is a sweet, sweet story. And I don't mean sweet as in candy, but sweet as in both the current slang term (as in excellent) and in terms of gentleness. I read it twice and love the understory, the main point of their dialogue.
What I am about to say should be taken with the knowledge that I am not an avid reader of fantasy. Some I like. But most I do not. And I wondered whether you needed to create a fantasy world for this, whether it could just be an imaginary place in the real world. Because the nature of this story is literary; the fantasy part, i.e., this world they live in, seems superfluous and, if anything, distracting.
In any event, thank you for bringing it to my attention and I hope my comments are taken with the knowledge that I greatly appreciated how you wrote it.
Thanks Geoffrey for your time and care in reading my story. I appreciate your feedback as well! It's true the fantasy setting isn't strictly necessary for the story I was trying to tell, but I think on some level it gives a sense of distance from our world which maybe helps evade the usual mental barriers to discussions of faith that modern readers may have?
What's your take on fantastical worlds which operate similar to our world (albeit with some magical elements) vs introducing magical realism elements into stories? The novel I am working on takes place entirely in a fictional country but still in the 'real' world, and with some magical-realism elements. Is that more grounded than an entirely imaginary world? I'd love to know your thoughts.
Beautifully written, Alex! The part about Lista brought a few tears to my eyes as I read it on the train, it is full of God and His higher, loving ways. I also personally am enjoying reading your writing and the intersection between your faith and your talent for words - thanks for sharing these.
Wow thanks so much Tristan, that means a lot to me! Glad you're enjoying it so far
I loved this Alex! I grew up on (and still enjoy reading) the George MacDonald books of old, and your writing was sort of like those - it was a lovely way to express God in everyday words and that He knows things far better than we do!
Glad you enjoyed it Jen - yes it is very George MacDonald in the fairytale setting. I can see why C. S. Lewis admired him so much and then followed in his footsteps with stories like Narnia.
Great story, I thought I’d have a quick look then couldn’t put it down! I like how there was a fourth option the learned man hadn’t considered. It’s often like that with God, I often approach things, thinking the only options are A or B then He shows Option C.
Thanks Dave! Appreciate you giving it a read