Literature isn’t the twin of addiction, it’s the twin of emotional resilience, the reminder we need, again and again, of who we can be. As a society, we do a mistake when we equal bleakness with depth, and joy with silliness and superficiality. Even writers and readers of cozies, romances and wish fulfillment do themselves a disservice by denying their stories depth, calling it only guilty pleasure, escapism, and the like, thus marginalizing the need for comfort, pairing it with shame and guilt. I don’t want less cozy, less pumpkin spice café romances, I want more of it, unapologetically and with purpose. As society and as story telling creatures, let's take joy seriously. And I don’t mean serious as stern in any way. I want us to accept fully the parts of us that longs for joy and connection and see them as deeply human. We aren’t fleeing from life because we long for joy. On the contrary: we are seeking life. Enlivement, inspiration, hope and the strength to g...
I help fantasy writers plot