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Greetings, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ and fellow members of Holy Worlds Christian Fantasy Forum! My name is Andrew, and I joined this forum today in hopes of taking part in some fruitful discussions here about Christian fantasy writing.
A little about myself: I am eighteen years of age, and pursuing a vocation in minstrelsy. By that I mean composition and public performance of narrative and descriptive songs. In the modern day such a person would normally be called a "singer-songwriter;" However, I personally do not prefer that term as I am an antiquarian by nature. I use the term minstrelsy here because it is one that most of you will be familiar with. I also refer to myself as a balladeer on occasion.
I decided to join this forum because I have a great personal interest in the subject of fantasy fiction, especially as concerns its reformation and use for the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We as Christians are commanded to disciple the nations and teach them to observe all things Christ has commanded, that His rightful authority may be acknowledged and obeyed by all of the earth, to the glory of His Father. I believe that fantasy literature can be a potent weapon in the hands of a skilled Christian warrior, as it has proved itself time and again to be a great disciple-making influence in the lives of young and old. Good fantasy writing is a means by which we may teach others about God, about man, about the world, about the nature of reality, about what is right and what is wrong. But I also believe that fantasy literature can be a great hindrance to the success of Christ's kingdom if we do not take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and teach our readers to do so. Even the worlds that exist in our minds must be captive to the obedience of Christ, because we must love God with all our minds. These are my convictions.
Now, as to my personal work as a writer. I am currently developing the concept for my first novel, which has yet to receive a title. It began as a potential film project, but I eventually came to realize that I have much more talent as a writer of prose than as a screenwriter. I shall leave a film adaptation to others in the event that the book is published.
The concept is best classified as fantasy fiction, although one might say it incorporates elements of fantasy, historical and science fiction. Although it retains many of the elements of fantasy fiction, it differs from most fantasy fiction in that it is set in the real world. While it bears many similarities to historical fiction, it is set in the future rather than in the past. And although its futuristic setting might associate it in the minds of some with science fiction, it is not set in a future period of technological advancement, but rather technological regression. To wit, the story will take its readers to a world a few generations in the future, in the wake of a massive international economic catastrophe resulting in the complete upheaval of the present social order and technological infrastructure, and follow the progress of Christian communities and city-states as they seek to rebuild a noble civilization to the glory of God, in conflict against organized forces of evil and tyranny. Although it will not contain the supernatural elements of such fantasy fiction series as Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia, the feel will be very similar. I feel that the world order and culture presented in those stories is much nobler and more glorifying to God than the modernistic world order and culture of the present-day West. My hope and impelling passion is to cast a victorious vision for the future of Christ's kingdom in this world as the social systems of the humanistic West are beginning to crumble.
A final note, and this about my username: It is taken from this noble ballad "The Minstrel Boy," composed by the Irishman Thomas Moore in the year of 1798.
*clears throat*
The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Though all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring his proud soul under;
The harp he loved ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
They shall never sound in slavery!"
I choose this name for two reasons: First, because it speaks of heroic sacrifice in battle against evil, as you will hear. Second, because I am a warrior for Christ with a song for my sword.
So, with that concise (not) introduction, I have officially joined the Forum, and look forward to getting to know you all.
Buaidh no Bas,
Andrew, the Warrior Bard
Stand fast!
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Na tarruing mi gun aobhar, 's na pill mi gun chliu. (Draw me not without cause, nor return me without honor.) ~ Anonymous Celtic gladial inscription
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My novel tends toward the wilds of another world with lots of critters. 
How can I not die over that?
