READ,WRITE & LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Category: I Read Therefore I Am

I write fiction but I also read it. We read to explore, to think, and to feel. In this section I share my thoughts on the value of reading and how it makes us human.

  • C.S. Lewis, Fairytales and You

    E.G. Kardos

    “One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”
    ― C.S. Lewis

    Have you ever read The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis? For that matter, have you ever read any fairytales, fables, myths, legends, folktales or any story that takes you on a magical adventure?

    Well, I’m pretty sure we’ve all read a tale or two when we were young. Lucky are those of us who have included these stories—I would include fantasy in this category—in our lives as we’ve moved beyond the innocence of childhood and have experienced the layers of age. 

    So what did Lewis mean when he said,“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”?

    Just as the first few stars that appear in the early night sky are followed by many more, in Lewis’ twelve word quote, we realize there are countless ways to interpret his words. I have a few thoughts to share.

    When We First Read Stories of Magic, Marvel, and Mystery

    Innocence Lost, but is that Forever?

    We all wanted to be that kid—at least I did and still do. You know, the kid with the sword, in the spaceship, the one who went on an adventure and became the hero. Or the kid that found something marvelous and magical—or the one that went back in time, into the future or was a princess or a prince. The kid that won the “golden ticket” or flew with dragons.

    house inside tree

    As kids we search for magic as we know it is there. It’s a question of how do we get to it. Maybe there’s a special cave, or a hidden door to an undiscovered land. Maybe a wand in a trunk or a map with a code that we can crack. Maybe it is in an old trunk in Grandma’s attic.

    But We Grow Up

    As we grow older, something changes all that. We decide, or it is decided for us, that the thoughts, feelings and desires of our childhood should be left behind. Grown-ups know best…they know it all and that’s what we should aim for. Yeah, right.

    Deeper Layers

    What many grown-ups don’t always realize is that there is wisdom in fairytales and stories that take us on magical and mystical adventures. That’s why they were written in the first place–wisdom. This deeper layer of meaning may be missed by children but when it comes to grown-ups, they have no excuse. That’s a good reason to return to such stories.

    Just like the simplicity of Lewis’ quote, fairy tales and the like may seem uncomplicated and naïve, but they are full of wisdom.

    Wisdom is, unfortunately, a word that is seldom used or valued anymore.

    A Place for Magic

    When we grow older, the sheen of adulthood fades, however. Sometimes we see this when we are twenty-five, sixty-five or somewhere in between. Don’t get me wrong, the wonders and beauty of life grow exponentially forever, but the powers of some and the structures they impose have a way of ensnaring the best and dampen our journey–our life’s journey that should be filled with riches.

    We are here but once, and to live it in a box is unappealing to say the least. If we haven’t yet found magic since we were a kid, whether we are twenty-five or sixty-five, we just might want to pause and ask why. Then look for it once again.

    Magic is found in many places, and we don’t have to go far to find it in books both old and new. Wow! What a diversion. What a way to learn what it is to be human. Yes in any story that takes you on a magical adventure?

    Thinking About It a Little More

    I may have overcomplicated this twelve-word quote. I’m not nearly as elegant as C.S. Lewis but here are my twelve words:

    You will find magic if you remember the marvels of your childhood.

    It’s time to read a fairytale…a legend…a myth…or any story that takes you on a magical adventure. You deserve it.

    YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: THE TIME WE HAVE, FROM A STRUGGING READER TO A WRITING FANTASY, FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND LIVE YOUR TRUTH

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • Coming-of-Age or Bildungsroman or Both?

    …and a look at A Separate Peace

    E.G. Kardos

    Coming-of-age or bildungsroman? When you hear the word “bildungsroman” what’s your initial thought? You probably have a good idea of what “coming-of-age” means in literature. For most, bildungsroman is not a term we use or hear regularly. If I had to guess, very few people know much about it. I was among this group until a few years ago as I used the term coming-of-age broadly. However, there are distinct differences between coming-of-age and bildungsroman novels.

    The origin of the genre is German, where the word “bildung” means “formative” and the word “roman” means “novel”. Since bildungsroman novels are among my favorites I know plenty of others appreciate this genre. However, it is safe to say that most of us might not recognize the term so I thought I would share some thoughts. 

    So what is a Bildungsroman? 

    A bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story highlighting a young person’s psychological and moral development. Typically written in the first person, the protagonist shares their journey to maturity. 

    You might say that sounds like just another coming-of-age novel. A bildungsroman is always a coming-of-age story whereas not all coming-of-age novels are bildungsroman. A bildungsroman delves into themes of self-discovery and the search for identity. A protagonist’s inner journey including their values, spirituality, and understanding of the world is always a part of the bildungsroman.

    A bildungsroman delves into themes of self-discovery and the search for identity.

    Coming-of-Age versus Bildungsroman

    A coming-of-age novel is a broader designation that oftentimes refers to any novel in any genre that explores the experiences and challenges of a character’s journey from childhood to adulthood. Coming-of-age stories emphasize growing up or coming to terms with the world. The operative phrase is coming to terms with the world. The way I look at it, in a bildungsroman, the protagonist is coming to terms with their view of the world that is found deep within them. As an actual genre or sub-genre, depending on who you talk to, these stories specifically focus on the protagonist’s psychological and moral development.

    Although there are others, the major difference between a coming-of-age and a bildungsroman novel is that the protagonist mostly grapples with external challenges. In a bildungsroman the protagonist’s challenges are deep inside of them regardless of where they are in the physical world. Although in some coming-of-age stories, the protagonist struggles with internal issues, their loss of innocence may center more around relationships, sexual awakening, death and mortality, family issues, or social justice concerns.

    The Structure of a Bildungsroman

    • Loss – the protagonist endures a profound emotional loss
    • Journey – because of their loss, the character embarks on a journey. The journey can be physical in nature, metaphorical, or both. They search for answers to what gnaws at them with hopes to better understand the world and how they fit or must navigate in that world.
    • Obstacles/conflict and growth – But as the story continues, like forcing a square peg in a round hole, the protagonist makes decisions that are not always the best. They eventually, willfully or not, resolve themselves to accept society’s ways. 
    • Maturity/enlightenment – Psychological growth and change lead to, maturity. Many times the protagonist helps others who are on the same journey.

    Although I have found the same books on lists for both bildungsroman and coming-of-age novels, the following, I feel, seem to be good examples of bildungsroman novels:

    • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
    • A Separate Peace by John Knowles
    • Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
    • The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
    • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
    • Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
    • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

    What do you think? Are all of these books bildungsroman? Coming -of-Age? What books would you add to the list? Which ones would you remove?

    A Review of Sorts – some of my brief thoughts: A Separate Peace by John Knowles

    One of my favorite books in this category is A Separate Peace. I first read it at age fifteen and it made an indelible impression on me. It inspired my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings many years later. 

    The novels I love evoke strong emotions and provoke thought. A Separate Peace does this for me as I experienced each moment alongside Gene during a poignant period of his life. He navigates a friendship—a love—that is difficult for him to understand. I know he would do anything for a “do-over” and I empathize with him and Finny.

    Gene, the protagonist, tells the story of when he was a boy full of jealousy and self-doubt to an adult who learns from his mistakes and finally accepts the consequences of past actions.

    With World War II as a backdrop, Knowles compares and contrasts both societal and personal loss of innocence. Gene struggles with his complex relationship with his roommate, Finny, as the immorality of war casts a shadow on all they do.

    A good book is worth reading many times, and I have done just that. Each time, I learned something new about this once-in-a-lifetime friendship. Like all relationships, it is full of joy and pain. Knowles was a master at lulling us into what seems to be a simple and innocent adventure but is, in truth, a deep and dark journey within. It reminded me that we must always search for the truth. Finding it, however, can be elusive; we may hear the voice within, but listening to it is another matter.

    I hope your next read is a bildungsroman. I hope to hear from you.

    NOTE: This is a great source for more information on writing – Master Class

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • Why Fantasy is a Good Read

    E.G. Kardos

    I don’t say that fantasy is a good read because I wrote a fantasy series, but because it just is, and I’ll share with you why I say that.

    But first we should take a step back…

    Back in the day, whenever that was, there were only four genres in literature: fiction, nonfiction poetry, and drama. Now we have so many variations that you’d be hard-pressed to come up with a true number of literary genres. I’ve seen lists well into the fifties.  

    In my research, there appear to be eleven popular genres, and they are: Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, Thriller/Suspense, Action Adventure, Historical Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction. Poetry and Drama don’t even appear on this list anymore. 

    Eighteen Fantasy Sub-Genres

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    According to Masterclass, there are eighteen Fantasy sub-genres. About thirty-six to forty percent of all genres are fantasy. Clearly folks like to read fantasy! My series includes elements of both High and Low fantasy with that of Sword and Sorcery and some Crossroads fantasy.

    Photo by jplenio

    “Don’t like Fantasy?” I Just Can’t Believe It

    When folks share with me that they don’t like fantasy, I’m always a bit puzzled. Fantasy at its core is the reflection of us–of them. Stories of the supernatural, the horrific, and ones that focus on a hero or superhero have sustained, bedazzled and taught humanity since the beginning of time.

    Belief systems mirror fantasy and fantasy mirrors belief systems.

    Belief systems mirror fantasy and fantasy mirrors belief systems. I, of course, respect that they don’t “like” fantasy, but I often respond that if they want to learn more about themselves and all of humanity, they might just do so reading fantasy as well as finding a sense of wonderment and awe.

    But Many Find Fantasy a Good Read

    Fantasy readership has exploded in the last few decades. According to a recent study I found on New Book, a significant portion of fantasy readers span the generations.

    Fantasy readership statistics show that a significant portion of readers are young adults, with many over 18 years old. Many started reading fantasy at around 15. The average age, however, is 42 and a slight majority (55%) is female. No matter what age a fantasy reader is, no reading level is out of bounds. Trends show a growing adult audience that is reading young adult fantasy. That’s good for me as I like reading and writing fantasy that may be geared to younger readers. 

    Around 46% of those surveyed favored fantasy as their preferred genre. Many who read fantasy enjoy elements of escapism and adventure.

    Don’t Older Folks Read Fantasy?

    I’m an older reader and writer of fantasy and it bothers me that my demographic doesn’t appear in this study or others. I can’t believe folks around my age don’t read any sub-genre of fantasy. It amazes me that I grew up in a time of lots of fantasy and sci-fi in books, on TV as well as in the movies. Dune, The Lord of the Rings, Brave New World, the Lion Witch and the Wardrobe, Out of the Silent Planet, and A Wrinkle in Time were some of the popular reads. On TV and film there was Star Trek, the Twilight Zone, The Planet of the Apes, Willie Wonka among mnay others.

    So why do older readers shun fantasy? I sometimes think that the older we get we grow further apart from admitting we need a superhero or appreciating the magic that at one point was firmly secure in our imagination. Escaping int a story or going on a mystical adventure has been replaced with stressing out over current events and worrying about the future or regreting the past. This has a way of draining our soul. That’s the last thing we need. We need more fantasy!

    Fantasy is a Good Read as it Does it All

    Fantasy does it all. It entertains and by doing so, we see our reflection in the characters. We relate to their values, and we are there with them on the adventure. The story gives us pause as we think if that could be us one day. Sometimes we see that it is us already good or bad. In fantasy there is always an element of hope–of something greater.

    Fantasy at its very core is a very human story. That’s why fantasy is a good read.

    For the older reader, learn from the youger reader. I say that we yearn for magic, mystery and marvel and we shouldn’t let it slip away. Fantasy at its core is a very human story. It gives us an adventure of a lifetime. It has a way of teaching us something about humanity, our universe and our very existence even when we don’t look for it. 

    Note: I wrote The Elias Chronicles

    You may also like these posts: From a Struggling Reader to Writing Fantasy, The Time We Have, The Hero’s Journey, Magic in a Simple Message

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • The Time We Have

    E.G. Kardos

    “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

    ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

    The Time We Have

    If you have read any of the books or watched any of the movies, The Lord of The Rings is a powerful saga. Yes, I said it—saga. Tolkien was masterful with the entirety of the story but what I find wondrous is that all the bits and pieces along the way are full of flavor and are stories in themselves. They are powerful all on their own. 

    The quote above is part of a brief conversation between Gandalf and Frodo. If you haven’t read the books or watched the movies, you may still appreciate its depth as it is rich with meaning whether in or out of the story.

    These fifty-one words are all about humanity’s age old divide between those who seek power and those who seek to live the life they were meant to live.

    The powerful, many times, feed off the destruction of their own making only to disrupt humanity to, well, gain more power. I’m in the camp that power based in love, compaaion and insight lifts humanity.

    Each sentence in this quote is revealing. this is how I look at it.

    Frodo says… I wish it need not have happened in my time

    Although Frodo is a Hobbit, he expresses a very human feeling we all, at some time feel. Every so often this feeling results from a natural phenomenon like an earthquake or a hurricane, but most of the time, it results from man and his intentional actions. War would be a big one as would dehumanizing those who are not like us.

    History is full of men who overreach to claim power and control. By doing so, those who seek to live their lives the best they can and how they see fit are whipped into colossal, turbulent waves. They get caught in the wake of the murky froth of the power-hungry and their dark and self-serving decisions. 

    Humanity and everything about how we live is dualistic. We have good, so there is bad; we have love, so there is hate; we have the rich, so we must have the poor, and so on. Power without love, compasion or insight exists to prey on the weak…the poor…or those deemed as unworthy.

    What is imagined in the mind can become a reality.

    The above neutral statement is easily corrupted when the cunning manipulator is searching for a “treasure” that benefits the few. If only those who sought power also sought good.

    Gandalf follows his statement and says…So do I

    These three words show empathy. The experienced and wise wizard has seen much in his long life, but it is with his experience that his empathy flows naturally. More importantly, it is soothing—it is healing.

    He is reafirming in these three words. He offers, as all good teachers do, a broder view with what he says next.

    …and so do all who live to see such times. 

    We search for answers — for perspective. As long as humans have roamed the planet they have, from time to time, created devatation. The wise teacher reminds young Frodo (and us too) that we are not alone. 

    But Gandalf goes on to say…But that is not for them to decide. 

    When we realize that most of us feel the same way, our imagination, too, may shape what is next. With the hard truth, Gandalf moves Frodo away from taking a turn into self-despair as self-despair is exactly what the powerful want from those they wish to control.

    He helps Frodo to focus when he says,

    …All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

    When outside forces suffocate us, will we find the spark within us to take charge of our next step…and then the second step… and then…

    Simply, we are not alone. We always have help. We always have hope. And with that, it is us who decide what to do with the time that is given us.

    …you may also like, It’s All Created In the Mind

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • Keep Reading

    E.G. Kardos

    Keep reading. Whatever it is you read–keep reading. I have written and published literary fiction, fantasy, and short stories, but I’ve read books from various fiction and nonfiction categories. Most of the time, I confess, I read literary, general fiction, and fantasy and sprinkle in some nonfiction. I love variety. Don’t you?

    My mantra is whatever you like to read, keep reading it. At the same time, be open to new genres

    What You Read is Open to Interpetation

    fantasy, love, sea, child, nature, rocks, beach, sunset, interpreting fiction, magic behind reading, reading through a lens, reading across genres, stories as art. Importance of story, relationships between readers and characters

    As a writer of fiction, I believe all works of literature are open to interpretation. I completely encourage this. There’s magic behind reading, and it comes from taking the time to reflect on what we are reading.

    My best reads are those that give me something to think about.

    Non-fiction vs Fiction

    Non-fiction, for the most part, is less about interpreting the prose but about accepting or, sometimes, questioning the facts that are laid out in front of us. But nonfiction has broad categories as well. I’m thinking of self-help, how-to, historical accounts and biographies, and books on belief systems among many others.

    Even if you read non-fiction, you just can’t believe everything you read. It’s good to read a variety of non-fiction books about the same subject matter and by doing so, we gain rich perspectives. What’s important in my mind, is, however, whatever you like reading, keep reading.

    More about Fiction

    When you pick up a book, each story is new and fresh to us, and when we immerse ourselves into each paragraph, sentence, and word it is, of course, through our personal lens—and all the many relationships we have. This is among my favorite reasons to both keep reading and writing fiction.

    Fiction is about Relationships

    We are all about relationships. Not just relationships with humans, but relationships with animals and any living being including plants, trees, and insects – if you don’t believe me, many belief systems revere many different kinds of living beings. But we also have relationships with our earth, and our God, or not — depending upon what we believe.  We can’t forget our relationship with ourselves which I think is sometimes overlooked. 

    What did I miss?

    Given just this short list,  building, and sustaining relationships is a full-time job! It only goes to show that when we read literature, depending upon which relationships we value most, certain parts of a story mean different things to every reader. Reading fiction is a very personal undertaking unless you are on some kind of mission to read 500 books a year! But that’s a different sort of reading altogether.

    We are unique in every way and, perhaps, it is because of the way we view our existence.

    Just think about the reviews you’ve read. Some readers love a book while others hate it. Some readers identify an obscure part of a story and latch on to it while others miss that part altogether. We owe it to ourselves to invite differing opinions on the written word and if we do, perhaps more people will keep reading.

    Humans and our Love and Need of the Written Word

    There is nothing more human than the written word that we created many centuries ago. Yes, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other forms of expression are vital and should be appreciated, but the written word does more and allows us to live among those in the story.

    Words allow us to tell the story of what it is to be human, to interpret it, and to realize that every emotion we feel today has been felt by millions before us, whether we were queens, farmers, or factory workers. This makes our relationships with each other all the more important.

    It is how the characters respond to what comes their way and our response to the character.

    When we think of all the genres in fiction, such as horror, mystery/crime, science fiction, thriller/suspense, romance, fantasy, western, historical, or young adult, every story depends on how the characters respond and react to their various relationships in their lives. This opens the magic door for us to eavesdrop and get drawn in. Yes, the plot is important, especially for specific genres, but even so it is all about how we interpret the relationships in the story.

    No matter what, keep reading.

    What do you think?

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.

  • Why Read Fiction?

    E.G. Kardos

    read fiction, fiction takes us to new worlds, cosmos, universe, space, woman, tree, starry sky, galaxy, milky way, fantasy, dream, sleep, happiness, pleasure, dream trip, thoughtful, melancholy, nature, stars, night sky, moon, full moon, night, background, ai generated

    Why read fiction? I have a few ideas. If you know someone who dislikes to read fiction, I bet they never really gave it a chance. There are many benefits to reading fiction that I bet even the most avid fiction reader has yet to consider.

    I look at it this way. Non-fiction is mostly about learning something new. We pick up a “how to” book or a book about WWII andhope to learn something new.

    Photo by Terranaut

    But most who read fiction, and those who don’t read fiction, may not think of it as a learning process.

    But like non-fiction, believe it or not, there’s much to learn when we read fiction.

    My reasons to read fiction

    I’ll begin with my favorite reason to read fiction—and this concept may be a real lightning rod for some folks—but here it goes. Fiction WILL enhance empathy.

    Yep…it will.

    Empathy is our ability to make sense of the feelings of another person. When we are empathetic, we share what the person is feeling. We feel the emotions of others and relate to them on a whole new level. We feel joy when they win the race of their life, or they escape a burning building. Or we feel misery when they just lost their job, or they are diagnosed with cancer, or when their dog died.

    Good writing means good characters so when we get to know them and immerse ourselves in their emotions and their lives, we develop the ability to relate with others outside of the fictional world. Just think, perhaps if we read more fiction we will see our personal relationships enhanced. Maybe we might think differently about our fellow humans across the planet. Enhancing our empathy is a top reason for me to read fiction

    Creativity

    When we read fiction it will heighten our creativity and we may be more receptive to new and unique ideas.

    When we read fiction we uncover an endless supply of new ideas and new ways to think.

    Our perspective is broadened. That’s what being creative means—to think in new ways and be open to other’s ideas as well.

    It transports us

    We can go anywhere in the world, in the universe and parallel universes, and do it all by staying in the comfort of our favorite place to read.  It can transport us back in time, in the future, to another planet or under the sea–the list goes on. We see new worlds develop right in front of our mind’s eye. The author gives the reader enough room so they, too, are part of the world-building.

    That’s pretty cool. We are reminded that the world is not black and white, and fiction urges us to color our own lives. 

    Another favorite – our imagination

    Our imagination takes off when we read fiction. Unfortunately, as we age most of our imagination becomes stagnant but when we read fiction, like magic, it reappears. We become immersed in unique adventures, taking journeys and going on quests we will never take in “real life”. But we can do so much more when reading fiction. When we read fiction it ignites something in our mind. Our imagination grows. We gain a spectacular and new perspectives and this spills out to our real life.

    How we think

    Reading fiction improves how we think and improves our cognitive skills. All eight genres, as well as literary fiction, can be complex whether the novel is a horror, mystery/crime, science fiction, thriller/suspense, romance, fantasy, western, historical, or young adult.

    As we think through the complexities of the plot as well as each character we meet, we improve our memory and our critical thinking skills.

    We start to get in the heads of the characters, and we think through the situation with them. We may ask, “Why did you do that?” or “Don’t even think about it.”

    Entertainment, escapism and emotional well-being

    It’s obvious! We read fiction for entertainment or for escapism. Many books take us to our “happy place” or meet us where we feel today, right now. Sometimes we need a good romance or be whisked away is a good suspense or young adult story.

    With millions of books, every kind of story is only a click away.

    When we read fiction, it is like talking to an old friend who brings us a smile when we need it. We can turn off the real world and enter a fictional world, and we are better off for it. Good fiction is worth multiple reads as we learn or feel something new each time. We find another gem that the author is sharing with us. 

    Similarly, fiction helps improve our emotional well-being. We can cry, laugh, or feel sorrow, but then we can put it aside—it can be very cathartic. Fiction allows us to feel every emotion and can be releasing and cleansing.

    Engaging with others

    How you engage others will grow with reading fiction. Just being exposed to different authors from all over the world, or from just down the street, we learn of the many cultures that make up the world. Maybe we’ll pick up something new that helps us when we reach out to others. Maybe we will add words to our vocabulary as well.

    By the very nature of “fiction”, many folks think, is it made up…it’s all pretend. But I don’t think so. It gives us the truth but just in different ways.

    Humans have always learned from stories and we need as many stories as we can get our hands on especially today.

    Can you think of other reasons? I want to hear from you.

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

    Latest Posts

    Most Viewed Posts

    All Posts

    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.
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