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Showing posts from December, 2013

A Year in Blogs

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I always like to do a review of the year, so at the end of 2013, I thought I would have a look through my blogs from the last 12 months.  Here are some of the things I have explored during my writerly journey this year: Hairy worms 18th century music therapy The natural partnership between writing and handicrafts Locations in Britain and Japan that inspired Silver Hands Comparing handless maidens with Juliet Marillier Similarities between Shirley and Anne Lister Al fresco flute playing Androgynous hares Head-banging in Gulliver's Travels The magic of Swanwick Writers' Summer School Fantastic short stories Hidden dragons Classical gods in Paris Platonic love A man without desire Light-filled fairy tales Narnian Christmas presents Quite a year!  I hope you will join me next year for whatever 2014 will bring. 

Christmas Presents: Bear Them Well.

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For Christmas this year, I have returned to an old seasonal favourite: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.   I am a huge fan of Narnia and of CS Lewis, and on this 50th anniversary of his death, it seems appropriate to write something about Narnia, as well as about Christmas. You know what's coming, don't you?  Yes, I'd like to take a few moments to think about the gifts Father Christmas gives the children in Narnia, and some of the symbolism attached to them. Peter's sword and shield  Who wouldn't want to get these for Christmas?  These presents are a sign to Peter that he will become a knight.  There's an obvious connection with St Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes". (1) Peter will ultimately be called upon to fight evil in the form of the White Witch and her army.  The rampant red lion on the shield shows not only his alliegance to Aslan, but Aslan'