When Mythical Creatures Meet Christian Values | Episode 229

Voices for Voices®

When Mythical Creatures Meet Christian Values | Episode 229

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Two talented authors reveal the surprising chemistry that sparked when they discovered they were both mythology buffs creating urban Christian fantasy—a refreshing departure from the typical Narnia-like settings of religious fiction. Their creative partnership began with a chance Amazon encounter that revealed their shared vision: bringing mythical creatures into contemporary settings while maintaining strong faith themes.
The conversation explores the fascinating question many readers ask: how can fantasy with magical elements be reconciled with Christian belief? Leanna's thoughtful approach frames magic as a divine gift, where her character can literally hear "nature's song of glory to God" referenced in Psalms—a creative interpretation that allows magical elements to enhance rather than contradict faith elements. This fresh perspective creates a unique reading experience that stands apart from secular urban fantasy's often darker tone.
What truly makes their collaboration special is the diverse mythological tapestry they weave together. Drawing from Leanna's Choctaw heritage, European folklore, Middle Eastern djinn traditions, and African were-lion mythology, they've created rich, inclusive fantasy universes that reflect our diverse world. Their honest discussion about the co-authoring process reveals valuable insights for aspiring writers: find someone who speaks your "creative language," provide constructive critique without negativity, and lean on each other when creative walls appear. Whether you're a budding author, mythology enthusiast, or faith-oriented reader looking for something different, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into how two creative minds can merge to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Two fantasy authors discuss their unique creative partnership that began when they discovered they were both writing similar urban Christian fantasy featuring mythical creatures.
• Both authors felt isolated in writing urban fantasy with mythological elements in a Christian context until finding each other
• Leanna explains how she integrates magic into her Christian worldview by portraying it as a gift from God that works within "nature's song of glory"
• They discuss incorporating diverse mythologies including Choctaw traditions, European folklore, and creatures from African and Middle Eastern cultures
• Co-authoring succeeds when partners understand each other's genre, vision, and can provide constructive critique without negativity
• They created characters for each other's books, expanding their shared creative universes
• The "cozy" genre discussion reveals its expansion beyond mysteries to include fantasy, sci-fi and other genres with specific conventions
• Both began with different projects (alien stories) before finding their niche in mythology-based urban fantasy
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#MythicalCreatures #ChristianValues #SpiritualFantasy #FaithAndImagination #MythologicalInspiration #ChristianFiction #FantasyAndFaith #ReligiousAllegory #CreativeSpirit #SpiritualJourney #MythicExploration #FaithfulFantasy #ChristianCreativity #MythologicalVisions #SpiritualArt #voicesforvoices #justinhayes #justinalanhayes

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Chapters

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Meeting and Discovering Shared Genres (00:01:29)

3. Mythology in Christian Fiction (00:07:21)

4. Co-Authoring and Character Creation (00:13:38)

5. Diverse Mythologies and Shared Worlds (00:21:05)

6. Understanding Cozy Fiction Genres (00:28:49)