My Vision: To Write Clean, Epic, Family-Focused Fantasy with Spiritual Resonance

The power of fantasy is that it can visually and dramatically portray concepts that are otherwise internal, invisible, or abstract.

Ever since I was a teenager, I have felt that my life mission is to use my words to impact others for good—and that a significant way I would do this would be writing fantasy novels.

My vision is to write clean, epic, family-focused fantasy with spiritual resonance.

What do I mean by that?

Clean

Most fiction isn't clean anymore. (And especially not fiction for adults.) Countless times, I have opened an otherwise promising book, only to be turned off by gratuitous violence, sexual innuendos, prolific profanity, or crude humor.

I want my books to be deep, mature, but suitable to all. I don't want anyone to be embarrassed, shocked, or made uncomfortable by my writing.

So here is my promise. In my books, you will NEVER see:

• Mentions or descriptions of sexual activity of any kind, including passionate kissing, on-screen or off-screen sex, or sexual jokes or innuendoes.

• References to infidelity, prostitution, extramarital pregnancy, sexual abuse, illegitimacy, or nudity, or their use as plot points.

• Gory descriptions of death, injury, or violence

• Profanity

• Potty humor or references to bodily functions

If my books had a film rating, they would be PG.

Epic

“Epic fantasy” is a loose term. When I say “epic,” I mean that my books contain:

• A setting in a fantasy world apart from Earth

• Richly developed magic systems

• Multiple intelligent species

• Stakes that matter to a large chunk of people. Typically the fate of kingdoms will be on the line, if not worlds. 

• Clear morally good causes and clear morally evil threats (even if individual characters are a hodgepodge of good, bad, and in-between motives and actions)

Family Focused

I don't just mean “family-friendly” (that's covered by the “clean” section).

I mean that my books will champion family and marriage as fundamental institutions for a flourishing society.

Most books for adults out there feature a cast of unmarried, adult individuals. If there are family members, they are frequently a source of conflict. And while there are plenty of stories about people falling in love, there are few stories that show husbands and wives nurturing healthy, long-lasting relationships.

This media trend is largely unintentional. But I believe it is harmful. I think it has contributed to a culture where families and marriage are seen as, at best, nonessential, and at worst, a problem.

I mean to be different.

In The Pyromancer's Scroll, for example, you'll see:

• A young queen being comforted by a vision of her departed father.

• A military general relying on the support and companionship of his two brothers.

• A wife exerting her faith and love to drag her husband from the brink of death.

• A man who abandons a promising but sketchy profession to instead find lasting fulfillment as a husband and father.

• Children and families referenced frequently in descriptions of crowds and population centers. (In pre-modern societies, children often outnumbered adults!)

Spiritual Resonance

My spiritual beliefs are a central part of who I am. Every aspect of my life is anchored and enriched by my belief in God, angels, miracles, and the eternal destiny of the soul. My goal is to infuse my writing with everything that brings me passion, joy, and wonder, as way to spread that passion and wonder to others.

I don't mean for my books to be preachy.

I don't mean for my books to proselytize.

Instead, I want my books to resonate with people not just on an emotional level, but on a spiritual level.

The power of fantasy is that it can visually manifest something that is otherwise internal or abstract. My stories will take religious concepts that many people believe in—for example, the existence of angels—and present them in a vivid, concrete form. Those who share my beliefs will resonate with these scenes on a deep, familiar level, and will hopefully gain a greater ability to engage with the spiritual realities of their religious tradition. Those who do not share my beliefs will still enjoy a rich, vibrant story—and likely resonate with the same themes, albeit in a less literal way.

In other words, I want my books to help people see the incredible power of what they already believe in.

How important are each of these values to you when you choose what books to read? Let me know in the comments!