On a very cold evening, Christine and I attended Stephen R. Lawhead’s gathering with readers at the downtown Starbucks in Wheaton last night (we’re in the lower left corner of the photo). I was looking for a little info and inspiration for my own fantasy writing and got both.

Follow the link to read the rest!

When Christine and I were getting ready to publish Tom and the Dragon to Amazon, we checked everything—or so we thought.

On a harsh Saturday night in December 1929, Charles Sheldon walked into a jam-packed gymnasium in Kansas for a college basketball game. Sheldon, author of the iconic book In His Steps, later wrote, “I couldn’t help wondering, while looking at the big crowd and the athletic ten young men running around, how many church members would be in the fifty different churches at a prayer meeting on a night like that, and paying a dollar apiece for the privilege of going.”

Why did you write this book?

First, I wanted to complete a story that I had started for my older son, Peter, over fifteen years ago. For whatever reason, I had run out of steam with the story back then and set it aside. Tom and Steve, two of the main characters, had just gone through the Dragonfly Gate into the medieval kingdom of Vandar, and I wasn’t sure what should happen next. Frankly, I felt a little in over my head and didn’t quite know how to move ahead with what was becoming a novel. Peter also was becoming interested in other things, so it was easy to set it aside. But I never expected the writing hiatus for Tom and the Dragon to be so long!

But about a year ago, after some of my freelance writing projects dried up, I found myself with some unexpected time on my hands. I should say that, in the intervening years, I had authored or co-authored seven other books, in a nonfiction genre. All told, I have written, edited, or contributed to about fifty books—all before TATD was finished. That experience undoubtedly taught me a lot about the process of writing books and gave me confidence in writing them. I also learned a bit about the publishing industry. I was therefore a better writer and thinker when I decided to pick up TATD again.

Now, to be perfectly honest, my first thought when considering venturing into fiction writing was to finish a book I had written about ten or so years ago. It was, shall we say, a modern thriller, written for adult readers, and, technically, it was finished. However, while an editor friend told me the book had some excellent parts, she also gently pointed out some glaring problems and weaknesses. So I set it aside and turned to more profitable projects. Then a year ago I wondered if I might be able to repair this novel, but the more I looked at it, the more I realized it was fatally flawed, and even a thorough rewrite would not save it.

So I thought of two stories I had done for my kids—Isabella’s Special Days, which was more or less finished, and Tom and the Dragon, which wasn’t. I decided to edit and print ISD as an artsy hardcover book, which I did, thanks to my wife, Christine, who is a talented artist. It’s a lovely book for younger kids and is available on my whimsybystan.com website.

The second one, Tom and the Dragon, was just a partial manuscript on my computer, so I dove in and finished it around summertime. Clearly, through all my reading and experience as an author and communicator, and my added life experience, the book flowed into a really compelling and fun fantasy tale. Since finishing it, Christine and I have been designing it inside and out. She painted the lovely cover, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

That’s a long answer to a short question!

What books and authors influenced you in writing Tom and the Dragon?

Well, this will sound like a cliché, and maybe it will sound pretentious, too. But J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings affected me deeply when I first read it in high school so many years ago. Tolkien was not necessarily the best writer I had ever come across, but his attention to detail, character development, and, especially, world building was amazing. He didn’t invent wizards, dragons, and the like, but he placed them in an unforgettable and achingly poignant world and story. The Lord of the Rings tapped into some deep longings I didn’t know I had and helped set me on a spiritual quest. It also populated my mind with ideas for what a great fantasy story should look like.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and while TATD is not nearly in the same league with LOTR, or The Hobbit, there are similarities. They are not evidence of plagiarism but tribute, and anyone who has read Professor Tolkien will likely pick them up quickly. Here are a few: the hero narrative has an untraditional twist; Edwyn is a sort of Gandalf; victory has its costs; and so on. You’ll have to read the book to find more of them—some of which I probably wasn’t even aware of!

I also have been enlarged in my imagination through The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. I agree with Lewis, and C.K. Chesterton, that fairy tales aren’t just for children and that adults have much to learn from them. But the story, first of all, must be honest, engaging, and true to life. Other books that seeded my thinking include Where the Wild Things Are, The Once and Future King, and numerous science fiction stories, including The Martian Chronicles, Dune, I, Robot, Fahrenheit 451, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

But I tried to create my own discrete universe in TATD. The reader is the ultimate judge of whether I succeeded!

What’s next for Tom and the Dragon? Are any more books on the way?

I’m glad you asked! Right now I’m trying to promote the book through any and all means, though marketing and PR are not my strong suits. Amazon and other online reviews by readers really help spread the word and mean so much. Word of mouth recommendations are priceless. I’m considering several speaking opportunities, too. Please contact me through whimsybystan.com if you have ideas or opportunities.

Perhaps because of Tolkien’s influence, or maybe because writing Tom and the Dragon was so much fun, I’ve decided to make it the first volume in what I’m calling The Blue Dragonfly Series—readers will understand the reference. I’m hard at work on the sequel, which is actually a prequel. I expect the series to be three volumes in all, and we’ll see what happens. I hope readers will go on this journey of discovery with me.

But the most meaningful thing to me is not whatever readership or success accrues to Tom and the Dragon. The other night I presented the book as a surprise to Peter, who is now twenty-seven. He gave me a hug and said, “Thank you! You’re the most amazing dad!” Nothing could ever top that!

Order Tom and the Dragon on Amazon today!

Tom Gordon – Smart, earnest, frequently annoyed by his little sister, loves drawing castles and studying maps, “the awkward kid leading the league in tripping over his shoelaces,” hidden leadership material, merciful, hungry for his father’s love.

Steve Anderson – Tom’s best friend, great center fielder, dependable, angered by injustice, courageous, selfless, soft-hearted, thinks the best of people (mostly).

Roberto (Robby) Garcia – Big, beefy, sometime coward, loves baseball. “Robby was husky, and his lips were permanently curled in a smirk. His arms were thicker than Tom’s legs, and his legs were thicker than Tom’s body. Or at least they seemed to be.”

Dudley the Dragon / Avarix Ash Maw – Loves Oatmeal Cream Pies, loyal to his friends, dangerous to cows and unworthy knights, susceptible to suggestion (good and bad).

Edwyn the Humble / The Seer – Enigmatic, able to make houses appear and disappear, quick with a quip, often haughty, relies on wisdom more than magic, short-tempered but forgiving, very fond of owls and other avian creatures, open to correction, extremely long-lived, ultra-loyal to Vandar.

King Eldred – Strong but patient leader, can be fooled by traitors and liars (because he expects the best of people), relies on the wisdom of Edwyn and others when making decisions.

Mugwump Cobblenog – Hungry, oft-grumpy troll with a heart of gold, loves 3-D baseball cards, good with his paws, will fight for his friends, virtually indestructible.

Gilda the Hearth-Keeper – Mysterious but unerringly wise kitchen helper who knows all the ins and outs of the fortress, has access to the kitchen, kind and courageous, member of a forgotten race from an ancient kingdom, knows how to put up with men and boys.

Prince Morvash – Jealous younger brother of Eldred, treacherous, smiles too much and prefers iron gloves, brutal to bearers of bad news, organizer of chaos and rebellion: “I choose war—war until you are defeated, or war until Vandar is no more.”

Rowan Greenshade – Dealer in fine vegetables, greedy, duplicitous, poor singer of cringey rhymes, looks out for No. 1.

John Gordon / “The Gordon” – Tom’s overworked and distracted father—an Army veteran with a curious mind, a knack for fixing what’s broken, and a vulnerable, tender streak he rarely shows—meets threats with the fierce protectiveness of a man who loves his son.

Prince Eric – Son of Eldred, a bit haughty (but he’s a prince, after all), brave, maker of maps, possibly likes girls.

Erasmus the Wonder Owl – Likes mice and rabbits, constant, loyal companion to the Seer, available for acts of derring-do upon request, has a very sharp beak.

Extras – Read the book to also meet Fenton Turnip-Trod and Merrick Crop-Crier, Mrs. Gordon, Jessica Gordon, Godric and Gaufrid, Crown Prince Edgar, the Guardian of the Secret Way, and assorted jailers, baseball players, soldiers, ogres, and knights.

Order Tom and the Dragon on Amazon.com today!

My latest work of fantasy, Tom and the Dragon, for readers aged 8 to 15 (and those who love them)!

An Ordinary Boy. An Extraordinary Quest.

Tom Gordon was an ordinary boy. Or so he thought. Until the day his father mysteriously vanished.

In the blink of an eye, Tom was swept into a medieval world of ancient prophecies, a ruthless prince, and one very large dragon. Could he rescue his father, defeat the beast, and save the kingdom?

One thing was certain: this was no job for an ordinary boy.

Tom and the Dragon invites young readers to share in Tom’s adventures as he and his companions grow in courage, loyalty, and friendship.

I’m thrilled to finally publish this book, which began as a story for my son Peter. Christine did the amazing cover. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did creating it!

Go here for more info: https://whimsybystan.com/

Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJLY13PG?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

The text says that the Lord sees their faith. Whose faith? Clearly, it begins with the friends who went out of their way and worked hard to bring the paralytic before Jesus, and He noticed. Their faith was awe-inspiring, so much so that it should cause us to wonder: Do we have such friends? And are we such a friend in bringing others to Jesus?

Years ago, Christine and I went to a small, local book fair. At one point, a woman with stars in her eyes came to our table and asked her, “What’s it like to be married to a famous author?” I can’t remember how she answered, but we both laughed about it later. Me? A famous author? Hardly!

And yet, I have to admit that secretly I liked the fact that someone thought I was famous, that I had influence, and that it must be amazing to live with me. Such adulation (as minor as it was) was catnip to my needy soul.

It also, I realize now, had the potential to be extremely dangerous.

For a moment, the usual banter in the Toyota halted, my mouth dropped open, and we just looked. What I saw was beauty, a terrible beauty, and I was afraid. We were in no danger of going over the edge, but I could feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I was in the presence of overpowering grandeur and have never felt smaller or more vulnerable.

I'd like to offer 10 biblical thoughts (in no particular order) that can help us to focus on things that we know God cares about—and that therefore we should care about. They are not resolutions, exactly, but I hope they will encourage us to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-4). It will be impossible to change your life in all 10 areas in 2026. But one or two would be nice!

The Christmas Light shines on our souls, calling us to make a decision.

At the dinner table during Advent, we were discussing the secularization of Christmas. My “indescribably beautiful” (and intelligent) wife suggested we should have two celebrations: a “winter holiday” for the masses who are more into Santa and materialism, and Christmas, for Christians. While I understand her desire to keep the Christian holiday truly holy, I have to disagree.

I believe keeping the two emphases, secular and sacred, together makes it possible for those who are not particularly interested in what happened in a manger two millennia ago to be touched by God through the longings He places in our hearts for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. One minute we hear a mindless ditty about “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”; the next, we find our hearts strangely warmed by “Angels from the Realms of Glory.”

We might bemoan the syncretism and dilution of Christmas, or we might praise God that His sacramental presence is ever reaching out to lost and hurting people, even when they are not looking for Him. We are never more open to spiritual realities, our hearts are never more tender, than at Christmas.

This point is driven home in my own heart every time I listen to Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “Silent Night” on “The Sinatra Christmas Collection,” released in 2004. The last track is “Silent Night,” recorded in 1991 when Ole’ Blue Eyes was in ill health. It is not to be confused with his earlier performances that are light and airy, showing the great crooner at his coolest.

No, the track I am talking about is dripping with emotion, regret, tiredness. Sinatra’s voice cracks and is off key at several points. One reviewer dismisses it with the words, “It was reportedly recorded for a children’s charity project, so the fact it remained buried for more than a decade says a lot. Sinatra, then 75, is off in both pitch and cadence, and it’s a terribly sad reminder of how frail he was at the end of his career.”

I disagree. Yes, I too hear a man who has reached the end of his career, and nearly his life. Once on top of the world, his great musical gifts have nearly deserted him, yet there is still a spark … of something. You might call it musical genius. I prefer to call it faith. Sinatra, for all his accolades and notoriety, for all his pretensions and privileges, has finally come to the end of the line. All illusions have dissipated, and he is face to face with the “holy infant, so tender and mild.”

So Sinatra, who has had the world by the tail, is forced to let go. He offers what’s left of his voice to the “Son of God, love’s pure light.” Sinatra, like the rest of us in our best moments, knows he cannot impress God, but he gives what he has. All our righteous acts are as filthy rags. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray. Even Sinatra. Even you, and even me.

And the Lord, because of His love and grace, receives the little that Sinatra has to offer, just as He accepts our poorly wrapped presents each Christmas. Truly “glories stream from heaven afar.” So sing with Sinatra this Christmas, not worrying about your pitch and cadence.

God is listening, and it is enough.

Paul has such a strong relationship with members of the church he started in Galatia that he can tell them the truth, even when it hurts.

After the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty. His disciples, initially crushed by his death, were not expecting the empty tomb and were slow to believe their Lord’s promise that he would rise.

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash.

We have as much or more evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ as we have for any of the Caesars. Yet Jesus was a common laborer among a despised people in a conquered, out-of-the-way Roman province who died as a criminal. And yet it is his name that divides time.

What can account for this?

Anyone who has faced cancer, or seen the innocent slaughtered in war, or grappled with the Holocaust, or seen a tsunami wreak havoc on a coastal city, or watched in horror as shooters stalk our schools cannot but pause and concede the point that sometimes—indeed, often—bad things happen to good people, frequently for no apparent reason. As I have written elsewhere, in my own life, I have grappled with the seeming injustice of physical disability from birth, doubting God’s goodness and power until I learned better.

I didn’t sleep well last night. In ways large and small, the culture is falling apart. Theoden’s quote from LOTR (the film) is bouncing around in my mind this morning:

“What can men do against such reckless hate?”

Aragorn’s answer is heartening: “Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.”

The nation’s problems are spiritual. The physical acts (murder, antisemitism, defamation, etc.) are simply the ugly manifestations of that reality. We are sick, lost, and hopeless without Christ.

How do Christians ride out with the King in this moment of reckless hate? Yes, there is much to do (feed the hungry, heal the sick, vote, speak the truth, found good organizations, etc.).

But we won’t get far if we forget that the ultimate source of our current chaos is spiritual: lost, sinful, broken, soulless, hopeless mankind seeking to do life without, or in opposition to, our Creator.

While some may be tempted to respond to violence with violence, Christians must keep our heads, love our enemies as our Savior taught us, gather with God’s people, pray without ceasing, and look to the Spirit: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

Ride out and meet them.

Image: By KSL News Utah, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=174857412.

I wrote Isabella's Special Days for my daugher about 20 years ago. The premise: "Princess Isabella thought that if she could just have a wooden rocking horse—white, with sky blue eyes—she would never ask for anything else. But maybe what she needed instead was a real friend."

If I may be so bold, it's a tender, illustrated story about longing, imagination, and friendship. With rich symbolism and gentle humor, it invites children and grown-ups alike to reflect on what truly makes a day “special.”

I'm incredibly proud of this gorgeous, hardcover book, which represents my first foray into children's stories (but definitely not the last). Christine designed the book for me, and you'll marvel at her artistic touches throughout.

Isabella's Special Days isn't the only news. There's a new website, whimsybystan.com, that will tell you more about this premium book and how to order copies. There's an image gallery, more about me, and accress to an interactive preview.

I plan to house my other children's books here as we build out the site. And, yes, another book (not about Isabella) is already in the works and will be ready soon (I hope).

A few Q&As:

What is the target age group?

For ages 3 to 9 (and all those who read to them); perfect for bedtime stories!

What is the book format?

8″ x 10″, Hardcover, photo-quality pages

Gloss-laminated cover with satin interior pages

28 pages with full-color storytelling throughout

How can I purchase Isabella's Special Days?

You can purchase copies for $21.99 each through our website. Contact us for discounts on quantity orders.

Thank you for your support and interest in my writing career. I'm excited about this next chapter and hope you are, too!

https://whimsybystan.com/

I’ve written a new book, and it’s different from anything I’ve ever published. It’s incredibly exciting. Christine designed the book for me, and it’s gorgeous (and so is she). Once the website that handles orders is up and running (I hope in no more than another day or two), I’ll share all the details with you.

On one of my recent excursions on Planet YouTube, my eyes were drawn to a video titled “Bill Maher Confronted Jonathan Roumie LIVE on The Bible, Then Learns Valuable Lesson!” Roumie, as you probably know, is an actor (and practicing Roman Catholic) known for portraying Jesus on The Chosen, the No. 1 series on Amazon, watched by an estimated 280 million people. Maher is a talk show host and comedian known in part for his skepticism about the Christian faith.