Worlds of Words
Book and media reviews, writing tips, and musings on speculative fiction
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Skyward is a Genuine YA Novel in a Market Designed for Adults
I can best describe Skyward as Ender’s Game meets Topgun. Sanderson himself described it as a twist on the “boy finds dragon egg” story where it’s “girl finds spaceship.”
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Foundation (2021) Bridges Science and Spirituality
What does it mean to have a soul? Is science a danger to religion? What does it mean to be a good leader? Do your genetics determine your fate? How do we hope when things look…
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The Wingfeather Saga TV Adaptation is Perfect
If you have young kids and are looking for a wholesome, family-friendly show, I highly recommend The Wingfeather Saga by Angel Studios
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Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson: A Review for Writers
Whenever I read a book, I try to look for what I can learn as a writer. That’s what these reviews for writers are about. Tress of the Emerald Sea taught me some things I didn’t…
Keep readingTress of the Emerald Sea: Brandon Sanderson’s First Secret Novel is a Beautiful Gift
Tress of the Emerald Sea asks what would have happened if Buttercup had gone after Wesley in The Princess Bride.
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My Favorite Movies from 2022
I would argue these films are popular partly because of the failure of many franchises to offer something unique, well-written, and immersive.
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Just Keep Writing: Know Your Limits (and take a break)
Sometimes your goals are not achievable. That’s okay.
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Just Keep Writing: When You Feel Behind
We’re not limping behind writers who have gone ahead but standing on the same platform, cheering each other on. Every published author is doing what you’re doing today: sitting down to write.
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Just Keep Writing: How to Get Unstuck (Without Falling Asleep)
From my experience, if I continue to sit at my computer and stare at the screen until I have an idea, I will fall asleep. Every time.
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Just Keep Writing: When You Find a Book Identical to Yours
“Just Keep Writing” is a series of pep talks I’m writing for myself in hopes that it will help you as well. I wrote this post in 2021 while I was working on my book, Fight or…
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Just Keep Writing: How to Keep Writing Through Self-Doubt
Some stories come out nearly perfect, but others need more time to simmer. That doesn’t mean that this story is bad. It just needs more work before it becomes as good as it can be.
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Just Keep Writing: Resist the Shiny New Idea
When you first start a book, the newness itself is exciting. You want to explore every angle and see how it catches the light.
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Just Keep Writing: Journey Before Destination
We all have to decide what success is for us. This isn’t so that we lower our standards, but so that we identify when our standards rest on a shaky foundation.
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Thoughts on Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson
Adorning the Dark is a book for artists of all kinds (which, he argues, means everyone), and people hungering for community and purpose. Peterson blends memoir with sage advice for artists, particularly songwriters and fiction writers.
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Setting and Tracking Writing Goals (with downloadable Excel sheet)
New Courageous Writing posts will be shared every other Wednesday, which include book reviews, writing inspiration, and writing tips. Setting writing goals Setting daily word count goals has helped me tremendously over the years, particularly when writing…
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Just Keep Writing
Last year, I struggled to keep writing. I was working on a middle-grade novel that is currently in the “cooling” phase of revisions. Some days the words came, and some days they didn’t. The only sure…
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The Wingfeather Tales: A Book Review for Readers
The Wingfeather Tales is a collaborative collection from the world of Aerwiar where The Wingfeather Saga takes place. If you haven’t read The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (which I’ve reviewed for readers here, and for writers…
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The Wingfeather Saga: A Review for Writers
We can learn so much from reading good writing, and The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson taught me several lessons about writing for young readers, particularly in the fantasy genre. (If you want to read my…
Keep readingThe Wingfeather Saga: A Review for Readers
When I picked up this series, I knew only that I loved Andrew Peterson’s music and that he had written children’s books that had stunning covers. I expected to read an exciting tale with Christian themes.…
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Book Review for Writers: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I will explore what Hosseini has done to create such a beautiful, inspiring work to help us as writers learn from one of the best.
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Should We be Striving for Purpose?
What if our purpose isn’t about having purpose? What if it isn’t about what we do but who we are?
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There’s Always Another Monster
I just finished the third draft of my novel, and I’m finally finding room in my mind for more book ideas. I’m dreaming about gardening warriors and a girl with anxiety finding solace in a fantastical…
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Does Meaningless Art Still Matter?
As a Christian, I have been raised believing that everything I do must have extraordinary purpose. In other words, everything is evangelism. One must do everything “for God,” or “for evangelism.” Maybe this is why the…
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Creating to Be Created
To write is an act of worship. It is meditation and love. It tells lies to find truths. It takes secrets and makes them known.
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Emily Brooks 