Here be monsters

Why write fantasy? And, why dragons? If it has to be “magical”, why not some nice little story about a fairy godmother or a giant beanstalk? (The people who ask this question obviously haven’t paid much attention to the fairy stories that they learned in kindergarten. If they gave it any thought, they’d realise that a fairy godmother can turn nasty in the blink of an eye, and there’s a people-eating giant at the top of the beanstalk!)

I figured that if I was going to write a story about children stolen to become child soldiers, I would have to tell the truth: there are monsters in the world. The original fairy tales were creative ways of teaching children about the real world, and their need to be careful. Many fantasy stories, today, serve the same purpose.

Children soon learn that the world isn’t fair. They know they don’t always get their own way. They know that there are bullies. And, as they get a little older, they see their parents fighting; they see the same news reports on their televisions as we do; they are afraid of the dark…

The thing is, there are still wild animals in the world but – let’s be realistic – if we leave them alone, they’re more than happy to avoid us. In this informed, educated age we no longer put “here be dragons” on our maps. We’re not as afraid to venture out on the high seas, or trek through unfamiliar mountain ranges. Although some still cling to the belief that the Yeti exists and Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, is still alive and swimming in Scottish waters, most of us know that the monsters of legend are no longer with us.

Of course, this is wrong.

The monsters are still as real as they ever were; they just weren’t the ones that we imagined. As I hope you figure out, when you read my books, the real monsters are people. If it’s in our way, we slash and burn the forest, whether any creature is living there or not; we hunt wild animals for “fun”; we wage war on ourselves; our children are abused, sold into slavery (yes, still!) and are often forgotten by their own parents; we turn on anyone who is different to the rest of us… I could go on.

Yes, children need to be aware that there are monsters in the world. They also need to know that the monster isn’t always the big ugly one that looks scary. Monsters can be charming and wear suits. And, most importantly, they need to know that monsters can be defeated; especially when we work together, help each other and don’t give up hope.

That’s why I write fantasy. Plus, it’s fun.