Childhood Lessons From the Looking Glass

Recenty I found a very interesting article entitled the Winnie the Pooh Guide to Blogging. Once again, this bear of little brain comes through with marvelous pearls of wisdom. And, as we all know, this cannot be an easy feat when your head is full of fluff. (BTW this really is a good article.)

From there my little brain got to wandering through a plethora of treasures from childhood literature contemplating many great lessons I have learned and insights gained.

Dick and Jane taught me to finish what I start and to appreciate a great love of reading.

Nancy Drew taught me to believe in myself. She taught lessons of observation, to use the art of reason and to think things through.

Dorothy Gale (Wizard of Oz) taught me “There’s no place like home”

Augustus Goop (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) taught me not to scarf the chocolate. Oh, okay, fine…the lesson of moderation.

Alice (Alice in Wonderland) taught me that things just get curiouser and curiouser.

Peter Pan taught me to think happy thoughts, and to believe in pixies and the wonderment of childhood...and, whenever you're lost, look to the second star to the right for the magic of NeverNever Land.

Pinocchio taught me dreams can come true.

Cinderella taught me a dream is a wish your heart makes….and that a great pair of shoes can change your life.

And, perhaps two of my favorite lessons:

Dumbledore (Harry Potter) taught me that “it is our choices that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities”.

And…

Christopher Robin (Winnie the Pooh) taught me to always remember: “You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Just a thought...

What have your favorite characters taught you?

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Alice 2010

Last night I got to see Tim Burton's: Alice in Wonderland.

Three words: Deliciously creative insanity. Great tie in between Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass and the Jabberwocky.

Seriously. Go see it.

Magical Monday - Magic in the Story

A lot of popular children’s books are filled with fantasy and magic – Alice as she disappears down the rabbit hole and into a whole Wonderland, Dorothy who gets carried away by a cyclone to land to meet a wonderful wizard in the Land of Oz. And, of course, we leave the *muggle world behind to discover the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

The fantasy plot will involve some sort of magic. Magic is one of the most interesting elements of fantasy as it ties directly into our imagination. When described clearly, you can see the story unfold and reveal wonderful imaginings that challenge even the most talented CGI director as they try to translate written word to the special magic of the big screen.

There are many ways to build a magic system to use in your book – you can rely on magic systems that are already established or make your own – but either way, what makes the magic work are the rules established in the magical realm. It needs to follow rules and have consequences for breaking these rules to give the magic system credibility. The essence of magic shows both yin and yang – a balance and delicate harmony with the world and its beings.

To keep the mystery in the magic, draw your readers in by letting them witness the display of magic – the rituals of words and motions that complete the spell. Allow the reader to smell the brewing potions or burning incense, hear the ritualistic chants, and feel the temperature changes as the physical world interacts with the metaphysical. Feel the magic; let your imagination soar as you weave the story tapestry intertwining the magic into the story threads.

Next Monday…fantasy characters.

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*muggle – non-magical human