My Fascination with the Fantasy Genre

It all started when I was five years old. I don't even remember learning how to read—my mother always said I had an affinity for reading almost since the beginning. One of my first memories of picking a book to read was on a cold winter's day, just a month or two after my fifth birthday. When I close my eyes, I can still feel my fingers gliding across the worn spines of the books resting on my parents' bookshelf that day.

"Harry Potter?" I queried out loud, pulling the paperback from its place and smiling at the cover of a young boy magically flying on a broomstick.

"Oh, I think you'll like that one," Mom said from the kitchen—just one hall away from where I stood.

If only I knew how much of an understatement my mother's words would come to be. I was enthralled—no, transported—by J.K. Rowling's words. I had not experienced the fantasy genre of literature until that moment. I never saw our own world the same way again (In fact, I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter). I knew it was special, and I knew Harry Potter and other books similar to it would change my life, but at five years old… I couldn't grasp just how much fantasy and fiction would influence me.

Harry Potter made me want to be an author. I knew there was something special about creating a story that people could enjoy and cherish. But it was many years later before I fully understood the magnitude and importance of creating and sharing a new world.

Humans are meant to create—it's our divine right and responsibility. Whether it be building houses, having children, writing a song, starting a new business… Creation is the very essence of human existence. I believe that to my core. And I merely desire to add just a tiny fraction of originality and joy to the world. With fantasy, an author has the great responsibility to allow their reader an opportunity for escape. Just that idea alone inspires me.

I have had many days in my life where a book has literally saved me. Hermione is my best friend, Kaladin from the Stormlight Archive is my hero, and Percy Jackson was my boyfriend when I was twelve (Boy, did I hate Annabeth.). There is nothing like curling up into a blanket and diving into a magical world—a world created by an imaginative, inspiring writer.

At five years old, I knew I wanted to share the stories swimming in my mind. And even now: 25 years old, two kids, and eight published books later, I still want that. What I hope my readers remember from my stories is their feelings when they read my books. Not the plot, not the characters, but whether or not my words evoked emotion. If I brighten even one person's life with my books, I'll feel like I succeeded.

Sure, it would be great to mother a franchise like Harry Potter. In fact, that would be incredible. However, I don‘t think that is the point of writing. At least for me. Yes, my writing helps pay the bills and is my career, but I started sharing my stories to be an artist and inspire others like past writers have inspired me.

That being said, there must be a balance. I think creative people tend to place too much of their value on their work. We must accept that we cannot be perfect and will always have room to improve. You don’t have to be the best writer to make something great, and you don’t have to please everyone. Even if you write just to make yourself happy, that is wonderful!

Writers, stay true to you. And, if there are some up-and-coming fantasy writers out there, I look forward to getting to know your magical worlds.