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Seek Adventure and Truth at Every Turn

What is Speculative Fiction?

10/30/2021

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​By Brock Eastman
​Article first appeared in Family Fiction Edge in August 2014

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Speculative fiction doesn’t exist on its own; instead it burrows itself within genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, and horror like a mutant-slime trying to take over the ‘body’ of the story. All that’s required is a single story component levitating right outside of our reality, then you’ll find yourself reading a tale of speculative fiction. It’s often an unexpected twist of the impossible, a creepy troll, a man with multiple lives, a cat transfiguring into a child. If written well the twist seems quite possible. The story might make you check the shifting shadows under your bed for glowing eyes, hesitate taking a dip in a murky lake because of that bumpy log, or search the night sky for an unworldly flash of light. At the same time the story could take you far outside the realm of the possible with elements so spectacular that you can’t imagine it ever happening, legions of axe wielding dwarves or blood sucking interstellar arachnids invading your very neighborhood or a far off realm. ​
Take my short story, Wasted Wood, rooted in this unique category. The story focuses on a group of friends who go camping and are subsequently dared to trek through an allegedly ‘haunted’ forest. This in itself just makes it a creepy fiction story, not speculative fiction. Camping near a creepy forest and a dare amongst the characters are both conceivable features to the story, living well in the realm of our reality. It’s what the reader encounters at the end of Wasted Wood that makes the novella speculative fiction. In fact my sister (not a speculative fiction fan) read the book and said, “I really loved it until …” Sorry no spoilers here, you’ll have to read it. I chuckled at her statement, because it proved the twist I’d written into the story was indeed unexpected. The boys’ story appears firmly based in our world until the moment when I flip a switch and take the reader, my sister, out of the comfortable world she is used to
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Buy Wasted Wood
​Rebecca LuElla Miller an expert on speculative fiction and contributor to SpeculativeFaith.com agrees with my explanation of the genre. She adds a summarization of Orson Scott Card’s perspective, “The genre can be summed up as the category of stories which violate known reality at some point: stories set in the future; set in the historical past that contradict known facts; set in other worlds; set on earth before recorded history and/or contradicting the known archaeological record; that contradict laws of nature.” Rebecca explains the genre’s fruitful growth, “With the increase in the number of independent publishers and the ease of self-publishing, speculative fiction, and Christian speculative fiction in particular, is available in increasing numbers. From what I’ve read in the past ten years, Christian speculative fiction, which has steadily improved in quality, now has titles that can hold their own against general market speculative stories.” That’s encouraging, because I love reading stories that delve just outside of reality. Visit SpeculativeFaith.com and to find articles and book recommendations to satisfy your growing hunger for speculative fiction, because let’s face it, its scrumptious. It’s like eating your favorite milk chocolate covered alien worm, you just can’t get enough--another example of speculative fiction.
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Wasted Wood Conclusion and Discussion! Day 4

10/30/2021

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Today we reach the end of our story! We hope you've enjoyed reading and discussing it together. Here are some final questions for you to share your thoughts on in the comments below!
Chapter 10
  • Do you think Gilbert should have shown compassion toward the boys knowing what they'd been through? Why or why not?
  • Do you think the punishment doled out was fair?
  • Should the punishment have been harsher or more lenient? Why?
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Chapter 11
  • In your opinion, were the few extra minutes of video game worth all the trouble it caused? Explain your answer.
  • Do you think Hudson learned anything from his experiences? If so, what do you think he learned?
  • Discuss what, if anything, you might have learned from this story.
  • Do you think Hudson would encourage his enemies to enter these woods? Explain your answer.
The Next Chapter
  • What do you think Orin will say to Hudson and Rico when they go to rebuild the bridge?
  • Do you think there is more to this story? Discuss what might happen next.
  • Now write the next chapter in the Wasted Wood and share it with us!
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1 Comment

Wasted Wood Discussion Day 3

10/29/2021

2 Comments

 
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Whew! Chapters 7-9 were a pretty wild ride, weren't they? As always, let us all know what you think in the comments below. Here's some questions to get you started!
Chapter 7
  1. How could the boys have avoided getting themselves into this predicament?
  2. Should Hudson help to free Orin or try to save himself? Explain your answer.
  3. What would you do if you were Hudson?
  4. Share an experience where you had to choose between helping yourself and helping someone else. How did you come to the conclusion that you did?
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Chapter 8
  1. Do you think it was wise to use fire as a weapon against the troll? Explain your answer.
  2. Discuss the pros and cons of using fire as a weapon in the woods.
  3. Pretend for a moment that you are a character in the story. Who would you choose to be and why?
Chapter 9
  • Do you think the boys were happy to see Gilbert? Why or why not?
  • Do you think Hudson regrets any of the decisions he's made in this story? Which ones?
  • At some point in our lives, we have all unfairly given someone a "label" without knowing the true story. Briefly describe a time when you did this. How did it turn out?
  • Gilbert says, "No, it's not meant to be on our Earth." What do you think he means? 
  • Discuss where the Tree Troll might be from.
  • Gilbert says, "Disobedience is a slippery slope; it just leads to trouble and more trouble." Do you agree with this statement?
  • Have you ever experienced a situation where disobedience has led to more and more trouble? Briefly describe the situation and its outcome.
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2 Comments

Wasted Wood Discussion Day 2

10/28/2021

1 Comment

 
Welcome back! Were chapters 4-6 a little spooky? Let's talk about it! Comment your thoughts and answers below.
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Chapter 4
  1. As he is searching for his stick, do you think Hudson is brave or foolish to go so close to the woods again?
  2. Do you think Hudson's friends are a good influence on him?
  3. What impact did Hudson's friends have on him?
  4. Have you ever gone camping? If so, share a favorite camping memory.
  5. Have you ever shared/listened to a spooky campfire story? If so, what was the story about?
Chapter 5
  1. Do you think the boys around the campfire are happy to see Orin and his friends?
  2. How could the boys have responded instead of giving in to Orin?
  3. How might you have responded to Orin's challenge?
  4. Have you or someone you know ever had to stand up against a bully? If so, what did you do?
  5. What sort of peer pressure have you faced?
  6. How influential do you think your friends are to you? Explain your answer.
Chapter 6
  1. Do the boys have a justified reason to be afraid of the woods or is it more paranoia at this point?
  2. How do their paranoia/fears affect their behavior?
  3. Do you think Rico is telling the truth about Sinner's Stream?
  4. Do you think Rico's story about Sinner's Stream was just an attempt to scare Hudson?
  5. What is driving the boys to complete their task at this point in the story? Is this a reasonable reason?
  6. Was it wise for them to separate? Why or why not?
  7. With which group would you have gone? Why?
1 Comment

Welcome to the Wasted Wood Discussion! Day 1

10/27/2021

1 Comment

 
We're glad you're here! Have you read the first three chapters of Wasted Wood? Exciting, weren't they? Lots to talk about today! Here are some questions to get you started. We'd love for you to share your thoughts with us and other fans in the comments below!
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If you need a copy of the book, follow the link below and use promo code TREEFREE to get the ebook version of "Wasted Wood" for free after you add it to your cart:
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Chapter 1
  1. Describe Hudson's dilemma as the story opens.
  2. What are at least two things Hudson might be afraid of in this chapter?
  3. Would you have taken the path through the Wasted Wood? Why or why not?
  4. Are there any legends like this in your hometown? If so, do you believe them?
  5. Are there any "haunted" places or structures in your hometown? Do you think the stories about them are real?
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Chapter 2
  1. Was Hudson's avoidance of the truth actually lying? Explain your answer.
  2. Do you think the punishment Hudson's parents doled out was fair? Or too extreme? Why?
  3. Could Hudson have handled the situation with his parents differently in hopes of getting a lighter punishment? If so, what could have been done?
  4. Was Hudson right to feel he was being unfairly treated in comparison to his brother? What could he have done to express his feelings?
  5. Have you ever felt like you were being unfairly treated by your parents or authority? Explain the situation.
Chapter 3
  1. Hudson elevated his friends' status equal or above the level of his family. What was the danger in this?
  2. Do you have friends that you elevate higher than your family? If so, please give at least one example.
  3. Do you think Hudson considered the consequences of his behavior before he left his house?
  4. How do you think Hudson's parents would feel if they came in and found their son missing? What might they do?
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1 Comment

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

10/16/2021

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By Brock Eastman
Article first appeared on Speculative Faith website in January 2012

​The quick and purest answer is God — the Master and Creator of the whole world, the universe for that matter. We know from the very beginning of the Bible that God created a wonderful place for His beloved creation (us) to live within. He thought of everything and as John Hammond in the movie Jurassic Park said of his genetically engineered animal park, “I spared no expenses.” Neither did God.

God created man in His own image, and gave us control over all creatures on land, in the sea, and in the sky. He handcrafted a world with soaring mountains, seemingly bottomless sea trenches, puffy white clouds, rolling liquid rock (lava), animals that run, birds that fly, fish that swim, water as ice, fog, or rain. He gave us emotions that gave our life depth and made it real. God crafted a beating heart tot work within our body; providing life blood to our systems, each of which is also handcrafted — from kidneys that clean, a stomach to digest, a tongue to taste, ears to hear, and eyes to see, to a brain to take it all in and make it all work together.
​

All the above to say, we are His creation, His greatest creation, and He made us in His image. By doing so He made us gifted to be creative like He was. And then He surrounded us with things to inspire our creativity. Wow, what didn’t He think of? The answer nothing.
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So what inspiration do you draw from?
I’m blessed to live in Colorado where mountains abound and our weather varies hourly. In the winter we get snow in the morning and it melts by the afternoon with wonderful warm sunshine. We might have a sunny morning where light rainstorms pass over in the afternoon cooling us off in the summer. The mountains are just a fifteen minute drive away, and I can be lost in pine forests and soaring peaks after pulling off the asphalt and walking a short ways into the wilderness. Animals abound, and while I hope to see a bear someday (at a distance of course), I’ve seen elk, antelopes, fox, eagles, owls, mountain goats, deer, and a lot of other wildlife. God surrounds us with beauty, and it’s easy to draw inspiration from something so majestically created. Some might say, “Well that’s Colorado! I live in ___(Fill in the blank)___.”
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Well, I grew up in Illinois, where my writing all started. Illinois — flat cornfields, muggy summers, frigid winters — but God laid His beautiful handiwork there as well. There is nothing like the spring rain that drizzles for hours against your window and the ominous thunder and lightning that accompany each storm. The summer, while humid, brings along warmth to swim in wooded lakes and evenings where I can roast marshmallows over campfires at night. The autumn harvest and the orange, red, and yellow leaves that cloak the trees make fall in Illinois my favorite season. Seeing the bright orange pumpkins lying in wait amongst the black earthy fields or running through huge corn mazes with friends is all part of the fall. And although the winters are cold, cold, oh so cold, those first snows are wonderful and glistening as I would walk at night with large fluffy snowflakes flittering down, while holding my wife’s hand.

Those are some of the scenes and memories that float through my mind as I write, but inspiration comes from more than just the nature around us. God has gifted others with a talent I do not possess. Music! I like to listen to soundtracks while I write. Some of my favorites are from movies like, The Village, How to Train Your Dragon, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Patriot, Jurassic Park, and Last of the Mohicans. While I’m in no way musically inclined, I did win a blue ribbon for a church talent competition singing a duet of “Awesome God.” (Okay, I admit, as I recall everyone won blue ribbons.) The talent to create imagery and invoke emotion through sound is clearly a gift from God. These composers create the music that sets the mood for my writing while not distracting me with lyrics.

Often I’ll be pecking away on my keyboard and find myself flying down a path I don’t expect my characters to take, then I reflect on what tracks I’ve just listened to, and lo and behold, the tempo or theme of the scene matches the music. Sometimes it’s comedic or dark, fast paced, or a relaxing conversation. But it seems the stories always fit together well, and for that I must thank God.
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So again, where do you draw your inspiration from? Ultimately you’re drawing it from God, but what medium has He used to get it to you? The whole Earth is His canvas. It’s wonderful to serve such an awesome and inspiring God. He so often is there when we don’t take the time to notice.
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Motivate Kids to Read and Write!

10/2/2021

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​By Brock Eastman
Article first appeared in Family Fiction Edge Magazine in January 2014


I hated reading. I really didn’t enjoy writing, and my grades reflected it. I wasn’t exactly the prospect for becoming an author. Why did I need to read when I had Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega Genesis? There was always a new Sonic game and a more enhanced Dr. Robotnik to beat. I’d sit for hours in my blue video rocker chair glued to that black controller, connected to my character through a five foot black cord.

Occasionally I’d venture outside with my friends, but that addictive little blue hedgehog always called me back. I remember one of my friends trying to get me to read Louis Lamoure, I think I made it halfway through a chapter. I’d skim the required reading books, and the grades on my book reports would prove it. In High School, my streak of ‘not reading’ continued and my writing reflected the minimum page or word count required to get a B or C.

It wasn’t until college that I read a book because I wanted to. The series I chose is the oft hated, but mostly beloved Harry Potter series. Now some of you reading this are already averting your eyes, and that’s okay; that’s your choice, like reading the books was mine. But let me tell you something the series did for me and many other kids like me; it got me excited about reading. We could debate the magic of the Harry Potter world as good, bad, etc. but the real magic about the books was the creative world that drew young readers in. My imagination was opened and the characters felt like friends. In fact, it inspired me to become a writer, which I now am. Before I talk about the writing thing, let’s take a bit of a tangent first.

Now why did I decide to pick this series up? Well I met this beautiful girl, and we challenged each other to see who could finish the entire book series first. The only title not out was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The only reason I was able to catch up to her was because we both had to wait for the release of the final book. So when it finally came out, we sat in a Borders bookstore (sadly they went the way of the dodo bird) and waited for the midnight release.

The next few days were devoted to reading as much as possible and I am proud to say I won. Now it is debated if my winning was completely above board or not and here is why. Early on in our competition, we went to a friend’s house for a nice home cooked Italian dinner. As we ate, I excused myself from the dinner table to use the restroom. As I passed my girlfriend’s purse I slipped out her copy of The Half Blood Prince and took it with me. Then I proceeded to read it for the next half hour, needless to say my absence in the restroom for so long, was causing everyone else some concern, but no one checked and I made quite a bit of ground on my reading. Now with that confession over, you can judge if I won or not. But I did indeed win in the long run, because the girl married me!

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So Harry Potter inspired me to read and it also inspired me to write, but the writing thing is twofold. One I thought how cool would it be to create my very own world, or at least my very own characters. And two I want to write a book series that is a bit more ethical than Harry Potter. You see my real beef with the Harry Potter series is not the magic, because, sorry to burst your bubble, but magic isn’t real. My opposition to the series is the lack of an honorable hero. You see, though Harry appears to be a great hero, he sort of got there through a whole lot of lying, disobedience, and arrogance at times. To tell kids that Harry is a hero, when he overcame evil by committing many wrongs of his own, seems wrong. Sure little Billy, steal that candy bar as long as in the end you overcome a great trial. NO! WRONG!

I wanted to give readers characters they could really look up to, characters they could learn from and trust. Something else I wanted to do, specifically for The Quest for Truth, was provide a story without unnecessary death. This wasn’t in reflection of Harry Potter, but of many series for kids and young adults, and not just in the secular marketplace. How often do our kids read of a sword slicing through someone, or a gun fight? We probably wouldn’t let them watch it on TV, so why would we let them read it in a book?
So with the desire to provide authentic moralistic heroes and a storyline without unnecessary death, I began writing The Quest for Truth. And though this kid who hated reading and writing, hadn’t read anything until he was in college, and hadn’t written anything larger than a few thousand word research paper, wrote a 100,000 word manuscript with no prospect of getting it published. After all I was a college student in the middle of the cornfields of Illinois getting a degree in Marketing. It wasn’t until later that God opened up some pretty amazing doors.

The fact is God has His plans for us. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) says; ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’

So what are you waiting for? You just read this nearly 1000 word article; go read some books. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to write a story of your own!
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