Top 3 Lessons from Fairy Tales (Lizzie)

Earlier this year, I had the chance to write an introduction to G. K. Chesterton's classic book Orthodoxy, which was being re-published as part of a collection of Christian classics. Chesterton (1874-1936), a brilliant, witty Englishman beloved as a novelist, newspaperman, and Christian apologist writer and speaker, loved fairy tales and viewed them as much more than simple, entertaining stories for children. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Orthodoxy (as well as Chesterton's famous Father Brown mystery series and his play Magic) and wanted to share some of his comments on fairy tales. I've chosen this passage from chapter 4 "The Ethics of Elfland." He actually gives four lessons, to be taken from four fairy tales, but since this is a Top 3 post, consider one a bonus.

Walter Crane's 1874 edition of Beauty and the Beast presenting the Beast as a boar

"But I deal here with what ethic and philosophy come from being fed on fairy tales. If I were describing them in detail I could note many noble and healthy principles that arise form them. There is the chivalrous lesson of “Jack the Giant Killer”; that giants should be killed because they are gigantic. It is a manly mutiny against pride as such. For the rebel is older than all the kingdoms, and the Jacobin has more tradition than the Jacobite. There is the lesson of “Cinderella,” that which is the same as that of the Magnificat—exaltavit humiles [exalt the humble]. There is the great lesson of “Beauty and the Beast”; that a thing must be loved before it is lovable. There is the terrible allegory of the “Sleeping Beauty,” which tells how the human creature was blessed with all birthday gifts, yet cursed with death; and how death also may perhaps be softened to a sleep. But I am not concerned with any of the separate statues of elfland, but with the whole spirit of its law, which I learnt before I could speak, and shall retain when I cannot write. I am concerned with a certain way of looking at life, which was created in me by the fairy tales, but has since been meekly ratified by the mere facts."

Chesterton is also famous for (supposedly) saying this about what he learned from fairy tales:

“Fairy tales are more than true — not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten.”

But that is actually a paraphrase by Neil Gaiman. The actual quote is this (with extra lines for context) and from "The Red Angel" in Tremendous Trifles.

"The timidity of the child or the savage is entirely reasonable; they are alarmed at this world, because this world is a very alarming place. They dislike being alone because it is verily and indeed an awful idea to be alone. Barbarians fear the unknown for the same reason that Agnostics worship it– because it is a fact. Fairy tales, then, are not responsible for producing in children fear, or any of the shapes of fear; fairy tales do not give the child the idea of the evil or the ugly; that is in the child already, because it is in the world already. Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon."

Do you have any favorite lessons from fairy tales or quotes on fairy tales?

On the Hard Work of Writing (Erin)

One of my favorite quotes in Sophy Burnham's book For Writers Only is by Madeleine L'Engle, one of my favorite authors. She says:

I know writers who write only when inspiration comes. How would Isaac Stern play if he played the violin only when he felt like it? He would be lousy.

 L'Engle's quote gives me motivation to keep working on my books and not give up. Some days, when my brain is full and spinning a million thoughts around, it can be hard to sit down at my desk, look out my window, and write.  Amazingly enough, if I sit and look at the screen long enough, I will eventually start typing. Some of my best writing has come when I have had to push worries and concerns to the back of my mind and focus on Helen (my main character) and what she is doing.  

I recently finished editing my first manuscript for what seems like the hundredth time. Sometimes, I think it will never be good enough to send out. But, the practice of refining and revising according to my checklist and my English-teacher standards can't help but make me a better writer. Taking out my silly, overused dialogue phrases like "oh well" and "anyways" makes me pay attention the next time I write, resulting in cleaner, crisper conversations between characters. (I hope!)

 As I start this new school year, I am realizing I will have to be even more disciplined about my writing. My books are past the point where I can just sit down and write for a bit and see what happens. Book 1, Amber in the Mountains (working title) is at the stage where she has to be sent out to face suitors and see if she can survive their rejections, in hopes of finding "the one" who may publish or represent her. Book 2, Mica in the Wilderness, is at the half-way point. This means quite a lot of twists and turns for Helen, but it also means I need to be mindful of where the trilogy is headed. 

Not only are my books at unique stages, but I am starting a new job, where I will be entrusted with the task of helping ninth graders discover their own writing voices, as well as learn to love books and love reading. . . on top of being a wife and a mother! I am so blessed to be able to work half-time, and have a family who thoroughly supports my writing, as well as my new job. However, I hope Agatha Christie was right when she said:

The best time for planning a book is when you're doing the dishes.

When do you write best? What is the hardest part of writing for you? Leave a comment and let me know! 

Atrributions: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmxw_rwSDw 
https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Only-Sophy-Burnham/dp/034540405X
 

Winner of the Quote Game (Erin)

Hello! Thanks for playing my Quote Game!

Here are the answers!

1. The Princess Bride--Wesley

2. Pride and Prejudice--the first line

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire--Dumbledore

4. A Wrinkle in Time--Meg

5. The Dark is Rising--Merriweather Lyon

6. The Fellowship of the Ring--poem (I don't remember who said it, either!) 

And our winner is J.M. Hackman! You can read Laurie's interview with J.M. here, where J.M. talks about Meg in A Wrinkle in Time!

I will be sending J.M. a copy of John Otte's fun book, Failstate! J.M., I hope you enjoy! 

Attributions

https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Bride-Morgensterns-Classic-Adventure/dp/0156035219

Quote Contest (Erin)

See if you can identify the book or movie these quotes came from! (Extra credit if you can identify the speaker.) In the process, you'll learn some of my favorite books. Leave a comment with your answers. Include your email, and if you get them all right, we'll enter you into a drawing to win a paperback copy of John Otte's book Failstate.  Look for my interview with John Otte later this summer! 

Details: 

Hints: All but one of the quotes are originally from fantasy books, and four of the six books have been made into major movies. The other two were made into a bad B movie and a bad TV movie.  

No fair Google-searching the quotes! : ) 

My immediate family and other Lands Uncharted contributors aren't eligible to win the contest--even though we love all of you!

The contest will close Monday night, June 20, at midnight, CST. If you win, I will contact you by email, in order to get the address you would like your book sent to.

1. Death cannot stop true love--all it can do is delay it for a while.

2. It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

3. Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right  and what is easy. 

4. Love. That was what she had that IT did not have.

5. When the dark is rising, six shall turn it back/Three from the circle, three from the track. Wood, bronze iron, water, fire stone/Five shall return and one go alone.

6. Not all who wander are lost. 

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/book-old-clouds-tree-birds-bank-863418/