Fantasy › Kristine Starling

The Power of Short Stories

Kristine Starling January 4, 2026 January 5, 2026Blog, Literature, Opinion

As a fantasy writer, I spend a lot of time in long-form worlds: histories, legacies, slow-burn tensions. But short stories offer something else entirely. They don’t expand outward; they press inward. And I think that’s why we love them. Why Do We Love Short Stories? Short stories don’t ask for a long commitment, but they do demand full attention. They drop us into a moment already in motion and trust us to keep pace. There’s no easing in, no excess explanation, only what matters. That immediacy creates intimacy for the reader and requires discipline from the writer. What makes short…

The Last Unicorn: Why This Fantasy Classic Still Matters

Kristine Starling February 15, 2025 December 30, 2025Analysis, Blog, Literature, Opinion

“The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea.” Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn There are stories that entertain, stories that thrill, and then there are those rare few that burrow into the soul, leaving marks that never fade. The Last Unicorn is such a story…

The Legacy of Dragons: Myth, Meaning, and Magic

Kristine Starling February 9, 2025 December 30, 2025Blog, Opinion

There are creatures of legend, and then there are dragons. The beasts of fire and sky, the lords of ancient hoards and prophecy. To speak their names is to summon something old, something primal, a force woven into the marrow of our collective mythos. I have always loved dragons, though I cannot say whether I long to ride one or to be one. There is power in them, a terrible, breathtaking majesty that sets them apart from all other creatures. They are fire and shadow, sky and fury, their wings vast enough to eclipse the sun, their eyes old as…

Words of Wisdom from Middle-earth: Reflections on Love, Valor, and Light

Kristine Starling December 17, 2024 January 4, 2026Blog, Literature, Opinion

The Lord of the Rings has held a special place in my heart for many years. I’d like to share a few of my favorite quotes from the masterpiece. This quote reminds me that even in the midst of darkness, there is still beauty and goodness to be found. It speaks to the resilience of love and hope. For me, it’s a gentle reminder to seek out the light, even when the shadows feel overwhelming, and to cherish the moments of joy that make life so profoundly meaningful. This sentiment is echoed beautifully in Galadriel’s words from The Fellowship of the…