JL Nich

Born for Greatness: Defending Fantasy Worlds and Leaving a Legacy “We are all stories in the end. Make it a good one, eh?” ~Doctor in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”~Mat Cauthon in Robert Jordan’s The […]

Elder vs. Youth: How Generational Discord Forges Fantasy Realms “She couldn’t understand why they didn’t try something different when what they were doing wasn’t working.” Ayla, the Cro-Magnon protagonist, in The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel. Ayla introduces new ideas and skills, such as advanced tool-making and hunting techniques, which clash with

Epic Quests Reader Engagement 1: Emotional Impact Epic quests captivate readers by immersing them in stories that are both grand in scale and deeply personal. These tales often evoke powerful emotional responses, drawing readers closer to the characters and their struggles, making the journey as interactive as it is immersive. Whether you are a reader

Epic Quests Reader Engagement 2: Relatability and Escapism Epic quests captivate readers by immersing them in stories that are both grand in scale and deeply personal. These narratives often unfold in vast, meticulously crafted worlds filled with intricate lore, ancient prophecies, and formidable challenges. Yet, despite the epic scope, the heart of these stories lies

Epic Quests Reader Engagement 3: Reader Theories and Speculations Epic quests captivate readers by immersing them in stories that are both grand in scale and deeply personal. Whether through Emotional Impact or Relatability and Escapism, the reader engagement is phenomenal. And with the complexity and intrigue of these stories, the writer can fuel reader engagement,

Epic Quests: Themes and Motifs to Capture the Reader The journey of the epic quest <echo, echo, echo> is like no other, a steep plunge into worlds where the stakes are high, the adventures grand, and the characters unforgettable. These narratives have timeless themes and intricate motifs, captivating the reader’s imagination and often resonating deeply

Urban Fantasy Sub-genre: why is it different? Urban Fantasy is a distinctive sub-genre within the broader fantasy category that sets itself apart by blending elements of traditional fantasy or science fiction with urban settings, often set in contemporary or near-future cities.  Popular examples of SFF Urban Fantasy include Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files series, which

Forbidden Desire in Fantasy and Sci-Fi – Part 1 I can just hear Peeta Malark in my head as I think about the idea of Star-crossed Lovers ‘I don’t want to be the one to lose you,’ he says softly. ‘I never wanted to be the one to leave you.’” Mockingjay, book 2 of The

Forbidden Desire in Fantasy and Sci-Fi – Part 2. “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”  Neuromancer by William Gibson. “People who live in glass houses should shut the fuck up.” Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. And so, part two of forbidden desire in SFF continues.

The Dark Allure: Obsession and Addiction in Fantasy and Sci-Fi Fantasy and Science Fiction authors often bring to light the darkest corners of the human psyche through tales of obsession and addiction. The more common physical and behavioral additions of alcohol, drugs, gambling, or pornography are too immediate to the vast all-consuming realism these authors