C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Why Write Fantasy?

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I suppose one obvious answer to that question is that a lot of readers love the escape it offers from the real world, so you have a large ready market. And these past two years have certainly heightened a need for that kind of escape for many of us.

Morguefile

Still, I was surprised when I turned my hand to a New Adult fantasy. In the past, I’d only written fantasy for Middle-Grade readers. (Alligators Overhead, The Great Time Lock Disaster, Some Very Messy Medieval Magic are three books in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series. Sign of the Green Dragon is a stand-alone MG) So why did I suddenly craft a fantasy for the adult market?

I decided that besides providing a haven from modern news, fantasy would let me address polarizing issues without directly challenging prejudices. Fantasy can be quite sneaky and quite effective when a writer tackles such emotionally charged issues as say, bigotry or superstition. Let’s face it, being hit on the head with personal biases, only angers people and sends them into fight mode, right?

Fantasy would also offer me a chance to do a bit of teaching. My good guys could go up against my bad guys and show how right-thinking, honorable people deal with the bigots and superstitious folks in their world. SPOILER ALERT: The good guys win in my story, so there’s hope for a better future, and joy in knowing justice and happiness are possible in the end. Yay!

While this is semi-new territory for me, I feel pretty comfy in the fantasy nook, and I’m looking forward to sharing the story when it’s finished.

Morguefile

Do you read fantasy? Write it? Why? What makes this genre appealing to you?

Quote of the Week:

“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.” C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

Comments

  1. What a wonderful adventure! Great pictures. I commend your ambition to delve into the realms of fantasy. Whereas fiction promotes creative passage, fantasy, I think, condones impossibilities on what-if paths to realistic dreams. I can’t think of a better time to try it 😉 Happy writing!

  2. We all need an escape, more than ever. And there are a lot of genres, including fantasy and science fiction, where we can give readers an escape while reflecting real issues, and hopefully reaffirm the good in the world without being “in your face” about it.

  3. I imagine it’s fun to kind of do your own thing when writing fantasy. I’ve definitely started to read and enjoy more of it as the years go on.

    Lauren

  5. Hi Lee - I don’t end up reading a lot of books, but have loads to read … just do not get to it/them … but this summer, must get myself organised to read some of them! Varied ones (books) here … but should get to the library to scan-read some others … the books here I need to concentrate on … such is life - way too much interests me … does Alex fall into the fantasy genre? … cheers Hilary

  6. Looks like you’ve had some grand adventures. The hikes sound challenging and rewarding. I read some fantasy. I think it’s cool that you’re working on a fantasy novel for adults. I liked the Sign of the Green Dragon.

  9. As the world has gone sideways, I find that I’m enjoying fantasy less. I’m not sure why. But it’s generally my go-to genre.

    • Interesting. Maybe you need to be grounded in the here and real when the world is going…as you say, sideways. Of course it always has done that, but we’re a denser population than ever and we have connectivity that spreads the dark word quite quickly….too quickly and too frequently as far as I’m concerned.

  10. Hi, Cheryl-Lee!

    To expand on the quote of the week, I believe we should never think in terms of “outgrowing” our need for fantasy, and never think that having a vivid imagination is “kid stuff.” Most of my writing requires you, the reader, to have a keen imagination and exercise it. With an entire universe of possibilities, why limit yourself to cold, harsh realities? I agree that fantasy offers a much needed escape from the grim state of our country and our world. It is an oasis where you can rest and restore your soul. Never before has the need been greater for fantasy and its heroes and heroines.

    I find it exciting that you are branching out in an effort to develop an adult readership and tell stories that not only entertain but educate, influence and hopefully change some attitudes. I am eager to learn more about this new path on your journey.

    Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!

    • So we’ll expressed, Shady. We should never lose our sense of wonder, cease in delighting in the fantastic, or grow so rigid that we’re afraid to explore the universe of “what if?” Thank you for this beautiful comment.

  11. You will be totally unsurprised to learn that I do read fantasy. I refuse to be limited by genre, though I read more of some than others. And I am glad that you added Ursula LeGuin to the list. A long time favourite.

    • So we’ll expressed, Shady. We should never lose our sense of wonder, cease in delighting in the fantastic, or grow so rigid that we’re afraid to explore the universe of “what if?” Thank you for this beautiful comment.

    • No I’m not in the least surprised you enjoy good stories no matter their genres. You do not have a “stuffy” bone in your body. ☺️

  12. I have read a little fantasy (outside of C S Lewis and Tolkien). When I was in Utah, L. E. Modesitt, Jr. was a member of my church and became a friend. I mostly read his sci-fi, but read a few of his fantasies, too. He often used his writings to discuss more difficult issues.

    • Like you, I haven’t read much fantasy outside of those masters of the genre. I’ll add Ursula LeGuin to that list of fantasy writers of note that I enjoy. I haven’t read E. Modesitt. I’ll look him up. Thanks.