I started this post last month, then realized I had so much more to say than space to reasonably fit it in! So here’s the rest of why I write what I write.
The other explanation for why my books are written as they are is that I feel the seemingly opposite elements make the story a “safe” place: this is clearly a fictional world, what with magic and supernatural creatures, so therefore it is not real, and there is no “pressure” to believe or accept what is written as “fact.” This is not a new concept. Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle used a “story” to express the scientific theories in his novel, Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds. In the preface of the book, there was a quote by Montesquieu, referring to Fontenelle: “One can say many important and serious things while joking.” He wasn’t wrong. Fontenelle’s predecessor, Galileo, found himself under house arrest for his suggestion of heliocentricity. But a century later in 1686, Fontenelle did not suffer such a fate. In fact, by writing in a less “scientific” (and therefore less threatening to common beliefs) style, his work was actually quite popular! In a more modern example, the hit TV sitcom “Bewitched” was the first live action show to have a husband and wife sharing a bed together, which was unheard of for public television in the 1960s. But because the show featured “magic,” that meant it wasn’t “real,” and that made it okay. Being “fictional” meant that ideas and concepts (such as the implied “sex” from sharing a bed) that were not otherwise accepted or considered “appropriate” for public TV could be included. And that’s where I’m coming from. I want to use my stories to share the truths that I’ve learned. These stories are fiction – not real. But they do expose some very real truths. I just choose to put them in an extreme setting in order to better display all that God can do. I do hope that within the tangle of magic and monsters and my faith, readers can find some element of that truth, and discover something real and pure that transcends such boundaries or distinctions. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. - Credit goes to my sister for the cool artwork ;-). P.P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/why-i-write-what-i-write-part-2 P.P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
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It’s been two years now since I first started this website. After writing blog posts that reflect on what I do and don’t like about the books I read, and after publishing a book that doesn’t quite fit in your traditional genre subdivisions, it has become clear to me that I have certain opinions and perceptions, particularly about telling stories (one of the most noble art forms, in my opinion). And it occurred to me that perhaps I ought to explain a little about why I write what it is that I write.
You know how, at the amusement parks, they put up wooden fences around the “new” sections where they are doing construction? Well, it’s like I found a knot hole in that wooden fence, and I’m the only one who can see what’s on the other side. It’s a whole other world over there, and since I’m the only one who can see it, it’s up to me to share these stories with everyone else. That’s why I write. To share the stories that no one else knows; to bring to life a world that only I can see; to give the gift that only I can give. Specifically, I adore love stories, and MUST have a happy ending. I’m also fascinated by the “dark side” – as in, vampires, demons, lost souls, etc. I think it showcases the human ability for hope when the “monsters” find their own humanity and happiness. At the same time, I believe in God. He is a part of all the areas of my life; why shouldn’t He be a part of my stories as well? I feel like these stories are His gift to me; they are part of my purpose and the work I am meant to do. And I want to reflect to the world – even if it’s just in a small way – that truth and light that I’ve found in my faith. Naturally, I want to have everything, all at once – so I combine the two! I’ve mentioned in a previous post how important I feel it is for hope to be part of the story. Taking that to the next level, I love the contrast of bringing light into the darkness, and the grace it takes to save what appears to be utterly lost. I feel like it portrays a deeper message: if these “monsters” can find a happy ending, then surely there is hope for the rest of us. How much better will our own lives be, if only we don’t give up, but keep believing and keep fighting! More on why I write what I write next time! What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/why-i-write-what-i-write-part-1 P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
The Theatre Illuminata books by Lisa Mantchev are among my favorite young adult books. This trilogy follows Beatrice Shakespeare Smith – aka Bertie – and her adventures with the characters of various plays, who all live together in a magical theater where the phrase “all the world’s a stage” is taken literally.
What I love so much about these books is the vivid and enchanting imagery. The author has such a unique way of describing the world of her characters – more than any other novels I’ve read, I can visualize the story happening as I read it. And not only are the descriptions one-of-a-kind, but the ideas she weaves into her stories – enchanted words, taking a “mask” off your face to give to another, being able to survive drowning as an inherited trait, actors who are in fact the characters they play, a magical book that binds them to their theater, the many levels of symbolism between the real and the fantasy – truly capture your imagination. My (perhaps only) objection to the series was the ending of the love subplot. Bertie really didn’t get to choose between Nate and Ariel – the choice was made for her. This is not to say that destiny does not have a role in such stories (see my blog on fate for details). God often has plans for us that we do not expect, and sometimes half the battle is coming to accept that. But Bertie seemed to choose Nate purely out of default, not out of affection; he was the one who was left, not necessarily the better choice. And I’m not a fan of stories with “multiple choice” endings or no clear-cut correct answer. I know we don’t always see it in our own lives, but I want my stories to showcase how God’s plan is always at work. Ultimately, there are no accidents or coincidences – everything happens as it was originally planned to happen, and so much the better when the justice is complete and everyone gets exactly as they deserve (or at least what we’d like them to have). In my novel, Emer’s “choice” was predetermined long before she ever met Jesse, yet by the time she realized it, she had come to embrace her destiny of her own free will. And there is a sense of satisfaction in knowing that after centuries of waiting, Jesse finally got the happy ending we all want him to have. I do, however, strive for vivid imagery when I can… Mine may never have quite the “enchanting” quality I see in Lisa Mantchev’s books, but I do hope that on some level, you can visualize the story as it happens, and that what you see in your mind’s eye entices you to read more ?. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/lisa-mantchev-the-right-to-choose P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
Fate and destiny are common themes in romance stories. We all love the idea of a “soulmate,” someone we are meant to be with, that person who is perfect just for us. Even when the road gets rocky, seeing two characters that are “meant to be” overcome all obstacles in their path is both wonderful and satisfying.
A great example of the twists and turns of fate is Meteor Prince by Meca Tanaka. This two-volume manga series follows Hako – known as the “Queen of Bad Luck” to her classmates because of all the accidents that happen around her – as a naked alien prince falls out of the sky, claiming to be her soulmate! As it turns out, he’s not really her match – it was her extremely bad luck that “pulled” him off his path to his destined partner and onto Earth. But despite everything that goes wrong for these two – from the arrival of the prince's true soulmate to the interference of his younger brother – they not only fall in love, but find a way to make it work ?. In this story, a fateful “accident” is what caused Hako and Io (the alien prince) to cross paths – similar to Emer’s encounter with a stray bullet in The Heart of Everything. Not only did destiny draw them together initially, but they chose to love one another despite their differences and realizing that they were not meant to be. Fate brought them together, and they made the choice to alter their destinies in order to keep it that way – not unlike Emer’s choice at the end of my own story. Unlike Meteor Prince, however, I like to combine fate with faith. What appears to be “destiny” on the surface is really the will of God underneath. After all, nothing happens on this earth without God’s permission, though we may not realize it at the time. I believe that fateful accidents or coincidences are actually a part of a plan that’s been in place since the beginning of time – we just have to take a step back in order to see it. In The Heart of Everything we see Emer’s “accident” turn out to be divine intervention, and how a series of events spanning over a millennium can be used to bring about salvation. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/manga-fateful-meteor-prince P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
Ah, the one that started the trend of modern vampire romance novels! I LOVE the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. They were and are delicious books – SO hard to put down. And I admit, that was where I learned how to fall in love with vampires.
My favorite part (and it is hard to choose, there are so many “favorite parts” with those books) is probably the characters. I loved Edward and Bella and Alice – I could totally be friends with these people! So, naturally, I wasn’t too happy about them being stuck as vampires forever, because being immortal has never struck me as a particularly great thing. I’ve always seen it as more of a burden than a blessing. I mean, seriously. Why would you want to live forever on this earth?! It sounds so lonely and heartbreaking, especially if you have to watch everyone else around you die. My other issue with the Twilight books is a moral objection – Edward and Bella absolutely believe that they cannot live without each other. I realize this is part of what made those books so enthralling, but I struggle with condoning a Romeo and Juliet mentality. I don’t care what Shakespeare says – teenagers committing suicide or willing to “die” for each other is not romantic. Not when you’ve actually worked as a school nurse. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, and the Twilight series was definitely part of the inspiration for why The Heart of Everything – and future books, btw ;-) – end the way they do: with characters that shed their “monster” identities and become fully human. In some ways, this was my attempt to correct an injustice done to two very beloved characters. Perhaps I’m a little crazy for treating fictional people as if they are real. But as the author whose pen can (literally) decide life or death, I feel compelled to give my creations the best possible ending, the ending I feel they deserve or should have. After all, isn’t that kind of what God did for us, in sacrificing His own son? Besides, getting the opportunity for eternal life in (fictional) paradise is definitely an ending worth fighting for ;-). What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/twilight-the-literary-addition P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
In traditional romance stories, the male character plays the “hero” who must rescue the female character from whatever danger/ evil being/ bad situation there is. Most love stories feature someone who needs to be saved and someone who does the saving, and strong masculine stereotypes are favorite for fantasies. But sometimes it’s nice to have a change of pace, and read a book where the girl is the one doing the rescuing.
A couple of my manga series come to mind when I think of role-swapping between the two genders. The first, SP Baby by Maki Enjoji, features Tamaki, who is on her way to a job interview when she encounters the wealthy nephew of the prime minister, Kagetora. Because of her tendency to act impulsively when she thinks someone is in danger, Kagetora ends up offering her a job as his bodyguard! Only, he behaves more like a boyfriend than a boss ><. In the second, Maid Sama by Hiro Fugiwara, our heroine is the fearless student body president, Misaki. She tirelessly – and tyrannically – works to make a formerly all-boy school into a girl-friendly one… Until Takumi, the most popular boy in school, discovers her secret: at night, she works at a maid café! With SP Baby, the role-reversal is pretty straight forward: the girl is protecting the guy instead of the other way around. In Maid Sama, the masculine-feminine dynamic gets flip-flopped even further. Misaki is a strong-willed leader who fights for school improvements during the day, but then dons a maid outfit and plays the part of submissive servant for her after-school job. Not only does the story feature a swapping of who is the “hero,” but Misaki goes back and forth between the two roles, effectively leading a double life (and making for very interesting interactions between her and Takumi, depending on which setting she’s in :-P). Personally, I prefer a little more fairness in my stories. Sure, I like a good male hero as much as any girl, but I like to have my female characters do more than just stand around and look pretty. So I often try for a bit of an even split – the guy does the saving in some situations (usually on a more physical level), and the girl does the saving in other situations (usually on a more emotional/ metaphysical level). For instance, take Jesse and Emer in The Heart of Everything. Jesse rescues Emer from the police at the beginning of the story and then again from a mysterious government agency later in the book (both physical dangers), but it is Emer who helps Jesse redeem his soul (a spiritual rescue). Equality between the sexes is important, even in fiction ;-). Be on the lookout for more “female rescuers” in my future works! What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/manga-romantic-role-reversal P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
One of my new manga series is Demon Love Spell by Mayu Shinjo. The story follows a powerful demon named Kagura, who is an incubus – a type of demon that preys on women by arousing them and gathering energy from their sexual feelings. But after priestess-in-training Miko accidentally seals his powers, he ends up staying with her – and falling in love. What's more, she (eventually) returns his affections! It takes most of the series for her to come to terms with her feelings for a demon, but they do finally make love and make a life together.
What stood out to me about this series was not the plot but the overall concept behind it. The story itself was pretty straightforward without very many twists or surprises – even the ending, short as it was, simply indicated that they were married and had a child. But the idea behind the story was what caught my eye. Kagura, as an incubus, needs to seduce women in order to survive. Sex is literally a matter of life and death for his kind. And yet he chose a love relationship (with a priestess, of all people – someone devoted to purifying demons) over endless sex. To me, that says something about what's really important, albeit in a roundabout way :-). I still wasn't terribly impressed with the rest of the story; there were a few holes in the plot I felt should have been addressed, details that were mentioned but never bore fruit, etc. The "happy ending" itself was almost too quick to really make up for all the trust issues they struggled with throughout the rest of the series. (Plus, this manga is rated for "older teens," so there's a bit more fan service than I generally prefer.) But that nugget of truth – that love is more important than sex – gave the story its redeeming quality. And it's little things like that, those nuggets of truth and wisdom, that I like to work into my own books. Some are general ideas: love, loyalty, friendship, etc. Others are more specific – the truth of God, the hope of eternal salvation found in Christ, and so on. Look for them, and discover the lessons I've learned for yourself. After all, the tidbits I include have meaning for me, and I weave them in with the goal of reminding us all what's truly important ;-). What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/manga-sex-isnt-enough P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander are classic fantasy books for kids. They are fun, if a tad bit predictable – not many plot twists here. But they make very good “teaching stories” as readers can watch the young characters growing up and learning life lessons.
The novels follow the adventures of courageous Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran, the talkative and magically-talented Princess Eilonwy, the wild yet lovable Gurgi, and the slightly-prone-to-exaggeration bard Fflewddur as they fight against the various forces of evil in the land of Prydain. My husband read these books aloud to me, and I must say, kids’ books or not, they are enjoyable :-). My favorite part of these books are the memorable characters: such as the old enchanter Dallben who often “meditates” in a napping position, or the feisty Gurgi who is always eager for “munchings and crunchings” (for the record, half of his vocabulary ends in the suffix “-ing”). And of course, I love watching the friendship between our fearless hero and the opinionated princess. Theirs has many of the “typical” male-female dynamics: poor Taran is the “dumb guy” who simply doesn’t understand women yet, and his blunders often produce the “indignant female” reaction in Eilonwy, who, as a princess, is a master of dramatic flair. Something I see in these stories is that memorable characters aren’t necessarily “new;” they can be based on stereotypes, and then tweaked in the direction of the author’s choosing. The elderly but wise mentor, the annoying but good-hearted sidekick, the low-born, hot-headed hero, the independent and headstrong princess, etc. (Any of those sound familiar? ;-P) There’s a reason why such characters are “classic:” we relate to them and we see them in the world all around us. I too use “stereotypes” in my work. Jesse is our hot-blooded hero who struggles against the burden of his past and background. Emer is the “princess” type: innocent, kind, and forgiving. Even Alex functions as the classic “straight man” who reacts in such a way that makes Jesse’s antics that much funnier. Of course, starting with a stereotype is one thing. It’s taking it to the next level and developing fresh, unforgettable characters out of that stereotype that takes real skill – something I hope I am (or am someday!) able to do. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/the-chronicles-of-prydain-fantasy-forever P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
One of my all-time favorite manga series is InuYasha. I started out watching the anime (animated TV version), but when the show stopped before the story did, I went out and bought the entire 56 volumes, because I just had to know how the story ended. And it was worth every penny!
InuYasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale was written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. In this story, Kagome is a normal 15-year-old until she accidentally falls down the well on her family’s property and ends up in the feudal era of Japan. There she encounters InuYasha, a half-demon, and discovers she is the reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo, with whom InuYasha was once in love. Together with their friends Miroku (a lecherous monk cursed with a wind tunnel in his hand), Sango (the last of the demon slayers), and Shippo (an orphaned fox demon), they must collect the shattered pieces of the Shikon jewel before the evil Naraku – an enemy who has hurt or betrayed each of them – can use it to become an all-powerful demon. I love this series. It’s actually shonen manga – geared more towards boys than girls – but it is such an absolutely fantastic tale woven with adventure, friendship, love, betrayal, and sacrifice that I can’t help myself. And admittedly, a good portion of my own story The Heart of Everything was inspired by this manga ?. If you’ve already read my book, you’ve probably already caught some of the similarities just from my summary above: Jesse is a “half-devil,” just like InuYasha was a half-demon (and they have very similar personalities as well – short-tempered and brusque to hide their kind hearts). Emer is a reincarnation of Jesse’s former love, just as Kagome came from Kikyo – even the fact that Emer is an elf “priestess” rather than an elf “princess” (as would be traditional) is due to this series. You can even see similarities between Emer and Kagome – both are brave and kind, and neither can fully use the skill sets of their predecessors. Looking at the less obvious connections, the “love triangle” with the past competing against the present is much more fully realized in InuYasha than in my own novel, but it appears nonetheless. Both stories feature an evil villain seeking power, although Naraku is only half-demon, and Drake is a full-blooded devil. There is even a magic jewel in both works – though the Shikon jewel and Emer’s amulet serve very different functions. And InuYasha features much more of a “team” of characters, whereas my book is distinctly only three major players. Still, it is safe to say that without having read InuYasha prior to writing my story, The Heart of Everything would have probably taken on a very different form. And that would have been a pity ?. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/manga-the-inspiration-of-inuyasha P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list!
Juliet Marillier is a bestselling author known for her Sevenwaters series – a collection of fantasy books that expand classic Celtic myths and legends into full-length tales. And while I have enjoyed all of her works, this time I want to write specifically about the first book of hers I ever read: a stand-alone novel titled Heart’s Blood.
In this story, young Caitrin takes a job as a scribe at Whistling Tor, a haunted fortress belonging to the crippled chieftain, Anluan. During her time at Whistling Tor sorting through family documents, Caitrin not only must learn to face the horrors from her own past, but she must also unravel the mysteries of the past and help Anluan conquer his own ghosts – literally – in order to break the curse surrounding Whistling Tor. I admit, one of the things I loved about Heart’s Blood was the fact that Caitrin was a scribe :-P. I felt a sort of kinship with her: it’s not often that I find characters who share my particular passions or vocation, but when I do, I get excited! I realize “scribe” and “author” aren’t quite the same thing, but they both relate to writing, so it’s close enough! I figure I have to take what I can find ;-). Aside from the sweet romance, the mysterious backstory filled with curses and magic and ghosts, and the main character’s profession, there was a particular element of this story that stood out above everything else, and remained with me long after I have finished the novel. There is a very minor character – a ghost child, only five years old – who is restored to life during the breaking of the curse. She’s not involved in any major part of the plot except as a participant in the undoing of the spell, and she doesn’t even have a name – so Caitrin gives her one, naming her after Anluan’s deceased mother, Emer. Yes, you guessed it – this is where I got Emer’s name. I found myself fascinated by this side-character, this little ghost-girl brought back from the dead; what would the rest of her life be like? In a way, I finished her story by giving her name to one of my own characters. But this book wasn’t my only source of inspiration. As I was writing The Heart of Everything, I took the time to look up the name Emer for some background information. When I did, I discovered that “Emer” was in fact the love interest of the Irish mythological hero, Cu Chulainn. To my surprise, there were several similarities between this ancient warrior and Jesse! So the story Alex tells Emer about her namesake is in fact based on actual legends. It may only be a small detail, but it just goes to prove that all good stories are connected – and inspiration can be found even where you least expect it ;-). What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section! Until the next time, keep reading! P.S. – If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Here’s a link: http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog-on-books-and-writing/hearts-blood-the-gaelic-greatness-of-juliet-marillier P.P.S. – Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram, and sign up for my email list! |
My Blog:I have two passions: reading and writing. You can't write good stories without first reading good stories - that's my theory, anyway. So this is where I'll share with you the depth of those passions: background on what and why I write, as well as talking about the books that I read and how they impact my writing. Archives
March 2024
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