Blog Beats

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

JL NICH Author Blog Beats Broken Bonds (Part 1): Betrayal in Science Fiction Fantasy In the sprawling realms of science fiction and fantasy, betrayal often serves as a pivotal plot device, unraveling alliances and redefining characters’ journeys. From the treacherous backstabbing among noble houses in Game of Thrones to the unexpected betrayals by artificial intelligence

Broken Bonds (Part 2): Betrayal by Character in Science Fiction Fantasy In the immersive science fiction and fantasy literature cornucopia, betrayal emerges as a timeless and multifaceted narrative element, shaping characters and driving plots with unparalleled depth. From unexpected alliances shattered to personal loyalties tested, acts of betrayal in SFF works captivate readers by challenging

Broken Bonds (Part 3): Betrayed by Technology, Betrayers Seeking Redemption, and a Necessary Sacrifice of Betrayal in SFF In science fiction fantasy, the intersection of AI technology, finding redemption, and a necessary sacrifice unfolds betrayal with profound moral dilemmas and unexpected twists. From sentient AIs modifying their programming to characters harnessing advanced technologies for noble