Why I Write Fantasy
I’ve been asked several times about why I choose to write fantasy now, when I used to write primarily poetry and literary fiction. I do still write in a more literary style for some of my projects, but I’ve definitely been drawn to the fantasy genre. While I may still be primarily in the upmarket space, it’s solidly upmarket fantasy. I want to talk some about why I’ve opted to infuse my stories with a bit of magic.
I love imagining every possibility.
At the heart of fantasy writing is the freedom to fully release my imagination. In these worlds—whether they’re truly fantastical or rooted in the real one (but with magical elements)—the rules of reality can be bent, and the mundane transformed into the extraordinary. Writing fantasy allows me to create worlds where magic is real and the impossible becomes possible.
Beyond the freedom of imagination, fantasy has this remarkable ability to act as a subtle yet powerful lens through which real life complex/polarizing topics can be approached. By exploring these themes in more fantastical stories, we’re all more receptive to exploring difficult issues. The allegorical nature of fantasy provides a comfortable distance, making it easier for us to engage with and reflect on real-world challenges. It removes the restrictions of writing in other genres with their conventions, while giving us a powerful way to discuss harder themes, without it feeling demanding on both us as the writer, and on our readers.
Fantasy is fun!
Reality can be hard, and we often run up against all the ways our lives are limited or restricted as a result of being in the world we live in. Fantasy, on the other hand, is boundless. It allows me to consider new things and venture into uncharted territories. Whether it's traveling via extraordinary means like portals, exploring future worlds with a solar punk bent, or discovering magical powers, fantasy provides an escape that is liberating, even when it isn’t purely escapist. It has this really unique, powerful ability to make even terrifying adventures, fun.
It’s also enjoyable strictly from the writing standpoint. Fantasy worlds allow symbolism and metaphor to really help us explore concepts, which I love. By creating unique realms, or by altering the one we already occupy, I can infuse deeper meaning into the story I’m telling. Whether exploring social issues, personal growth, or existential questions, fantasy allows me to take abstract ideas and make them more concrete, without even necessarily approaching those topics directly.
In the same way, despite the magical surface, fantasy often taps into universal themes that transcend time and place. Love, friendship, courage, and the eternal struggle between good and evil are recurring motifs in fantasy. Through these themes, fantasy becomes a conduit for exploring the timeless aspects of the human experience. I dare you to find one fantasy novel which doesn’t include the exploration of at least one larger, universal theme.
We need more wonder.
Fantasy writing enables me to capture and convey the sense of wonder that often fades with age. As a reader, it allows me to rediscover the awe and excitement of encountering the unknown. Whether it's the discovery of a hidden realm or the unveiling of ancient prophecies, fantasy rekindles something within us. Science literally shows that we lose this ability toward creativity and imagination over time if not exercised regularly, so really, I’m just doing my civic duty to improve the lives of mankind by providing more opportunities to experience wonder and creativity.
Writing within the fantasy genre fosters creativity not only in the literal story itself, but in the way it gently pushes our minds to open up to additional ideas. From inventing new magical systems to designing intricate cultures and landscapes, fantasy pushes me as a writer to think outside the box. And as readers, we start to work those creativity muscles, too. This creative process spills over into other aspects of life, encouraging innovation and a willingness to explore the unexplored. So cool.
Writing fantasy is not (and should not be) just an indulgence in escapism. It's a deliberate choice to bring more magic into the real world we live in every day. I suppose there’s nothing horribly wrong with escapism for those who enjoy it and are able to do that, but for me it’s deeper. I write fantasy because I want our real world to feel a little more magical, and good stories can absolutely do that.
Happy dreaming!
