My childhood included a steady diet of fairy tales. I remember a thick volume of The Brothers Grimm Complete Fairy Tales Collection, and another of Aesop’s Fables. They fueled my love of reading and introduced me to the mystical power words possess to whisk me to fantastical, far-away lands. Devouring those books, I graduated to The Secret Garden, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hobbit. In high school, The Iliad and The Odyssey curated my foray into Greek Mythology, while The Once and Future King left me spellbound.

I am under no illusions that Prince Charming is racing to my rescue, and to this day, no magical forest animals have materialized to help clean the house or create a couture ballgown. The darker aspects of “Once upon a time,” is common adult knowledge. Yet, I search for not just one fantasy story, but an entire series. Fantasy offers a refuge from life’s stress, and they let me root for the hero and condemn the villain.

At their best, they explore real-life issues and provide a platform for discussions while they entertain. They offer universal lessons and make us reflect on ways to improve our world.

What stories influence your reading choices?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer