Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

This is a rambling discussion about why I enjoy reading and writing Sci-fi and fantasy.

Ever since a young age, I loved to read. I never considered myself bookish, especially back then. But there was something rewarding about a story that would transport me to a different place or time.

While in college, a friend told me I should read The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I suspect a lot of people felt the same. I thought it was amazing, and at the time I remember feeling how great it would be to develop a story as spectacular as this.

It took me decades writing high-tech marketing material before I returned to what sparked my joy of writing in the first place — the delight in taking readers to a place of wonder. It’s one of the reasons I still enjoy science fiction and fantasy. Not everyone reads it, but it’s a genre that most people would consider highly imaginative.

You only have to look at the top-selling books or movies to understand why. Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings are only a few of those at the top of the list. They all provide a glimpse into a different world and instill in us a sense of awe.

But these stories only work if the world is believable. Sci-fi and fantasy writers have even coined the term “world-building” to describe the process of creating the environment for a story. I’ve heard some say it’s the most challenging aspect of developing a novel in this category. That’s why I feel such a sense of accomplishment when someone tells me that the world of Elthea’s Realm came alive as they read the book.

I believe there’s nothing like a well-crafted fantasy or science fiction story to spark the imagination. And although a novel may transport you to a different place, in the end, what we remember most is how it applies to our lives. Whether it’s hope, courage, justice, or adventure, a good story will make us feel something about ourselves. I believe that's the biggest takeaway of any novel.

So that’s why I write. I hope I have transported you to a different place for the short time you read it. But more than that, I hope it gives you pause to think about the broader questions of life.

Tell me what you think of Elthea's Realm. I’m always happy to hear from readers.