Karina Sanchez

Ummm… actually, North and South is more of a Dickens type than an Austen type. It is similar to Austen in that the main plot is a love story, but that is pretty much where the similarities end. I don’t know if you’ve read much Austen, but she tends to just dump off all the information of what happened on you and leave you to your own devices as…[Read more]

Yes, I think that pretty much covers it. Of course, you could create a world where there was a supreme ruling ‘deistic force’ that was neither one entity or even really anything other than a lot of nonsensical hodgepodge, but as a Christian, I would not feel comfortable presenting such a worldview, nor would I be confident in my ability to portray…[Read more]

Oops, I did mean definitely not defiantly. I wouldn’t be surprised if that is my number one typo.

In regards to your argument that any third party supernatural power must originate from a higher authority, assuming we are talking about the real world, you are definitely (not defiantly) right. Anyway, I don’t believe such a power exists, so this…[Read more]

Thank you for carrying it on with me!

I know, it’s practically impossible to read books and discuss them with others without asking the ‘favorite’ questions. I perfectly understand that.
I like Merry and Pippen a great deal as well— and you’re right. They do go so much together that they are almost incomplete when they’re separate. I think the reason I chose Samwise above them is…[Read more]

Yes, we agree here. And unfortunately that means this topic is at an end— humph. I’ve really enjoyed this little discussion. Discussion is a new found passion with me.
Oh boy… I know what it’s like to have something all prepared and nice and logically set out in your head, and then forget it because you forgot to write it down! (Only in my…[Read more]

Yep, that’s me!
Well, you convinced me… or partly convinced me. In regards to the ‘magic of energy’, your argument had strength right where mine lacked it— the connection between a human and the energy they are manipulating. Good point— I have to say I agree. Congratulations.
And in regards to the ‘miraculous magic’, I think you and I are…[Read more]

Thank you for the reply,

I see I forgot to clarify that my definition of magic as a hypothetical definition of magic. By this I mean that it is a definition of what most people conceive magic as. If someone did a “magical” act in real life, it would either be a trick or a miracle. I think it is a good idea to refer to what others might call…[Read more]

Ouch… you had to pick the ‘which book was your favorite’ question. Well, I knew it would come. *sigh*
Ummmm… probably the Fellowship of the Ring. I probably couldn’t tell you why if you asked— but overall, I liked being introduced to the different characters in so many different ways, and of course the heartwrenching scene when Gandalf falls…[Read more]

Oh, absolutely use them sparingly! My max (which I have not yet reached) is two such little symbols to an entire novel. Otherwise they lose their significance— their deeper meaning, their mystery, their chilling beauty. There is no ‘oooooh!’ moment, when you realize something is more than meets the eye. It becomes bland— ‘oh yeah, another one…[Read more]

Hey, thanks for taking up my challenge!
You have a good definition of miracles, but I’m not quite convinced about your definition of magic. Magic in the sense I am thinking would fit more in the realm of your definition of miracles. The way you defined magic almost sounds as though there would be a third ‘force’, if you will, a third entity or…[Read more]

Hi Kate,

I’m completely new to this site, so I probably should have started by introducing myself, but your challenge caught my attention, so here goes my first post.

I would offer a possible distinction between miracles and magic.
Definition of miracles: Supernatural works wrought about by a supernatural being/person/entity, often through the…[Read more]

Okay, I just realized that the discussions should have started in the forum tagged ‘General Writing Discussions’… imagine that. Sorry, my fault. If you would follow me over there, please…

Haha! I got that too! Sorry, but I’m not brave enough to dive down into the abyss of Khazad Dum to get my information. 🙂

Oh gracious, I’ve so many favorites it would take FOR-EV-ER to list them all… 😉 but I’ll give you a few. First of all, The Lord of the Rings (everyone knows who wrote that, right;)?).
I also really like ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, by Dickens, even though it’s really sad. I actually like all the Dickens I’ve read, which isn’t nearly enough, believe…[Read more]

Wow, this forum really is empty! First of all, hello to you brave souls who first broke the silence, and secondly, I suppose it’s up to one of us here to start a real discussion. And it might as well be me as anyone else… so here goes!
What does everyone here think about symbols in novels? What makes a symbol good? When should you use a symbol?…[Read more]