The Balm of
Fantasy
Aren’t there enough
troubling issues to write about for teenage readers without making stuff up?
Sure. That’s one reason why I write fantasy. Not only did I used to be a teenager, I also had two in the house for thirteen years or so. Their experiences gave me some knife-edged refreshers on what it’s like to be a teen. As if I could forget.
I recall my own teenage years well because I disliked them so much. Many teens do, for reasons ranging from embarrassing skin to curfews and cliques, STDs and mental health, body image, peer pressure, bullying, depression, drug abuse, and worse. Being a teenager is, and always has been, hard work.
Some teens find comfort reading about characters plagued by problems akin to theirs. Others prefer to bury themselves in rousing adventures that help relieve stress for a while. Those looming final exams don’t seem so desperate when vampires, werewolves, dragons, and aliens threaten the world.
During my teens, I often sought refuge in tales like Treasure Island, Great Expectations, the Hardy Boys mysteries, Peter Pan, and all sorts of fairy tales. Even better, I started creating my own escapes. I love to write and have three adventures coming soon from MuseItUp: the "Band of Roses" stories, alternate histories set in an Ireland that might have been. Glancing Through the Glimmer is the "prequel" to that trilogy.
Glimmer’s hero and heroine, Liam Boru and Janet Gleason, struggle to deal with their own teenage issues. Their problems fall by the wayside when the King of the Fairies decides he’d like to dance with Janet—for the next few centuries. Danger and magic shadow her and hinder her budding romance with Liam. What would you do if you were Janet? Or if you were Liam, could you fight fairy enchantment to save her? Can Janet save Liam when the Fairy King turns on him? (I sure hope so. I need them both for the sequel.)
Whether readers identify with a character, or whether they simply enjoy going along for the ride, fantasy offers a respite from the world’s afflictions, and not just for teens. I love all genres of YA—but I still like the fantasy best.
Pat McDermott
Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in a family full
of music and myths that have found their way into her stories. Her
"Band of Roses" trilogy and her young adult novel, GlancingThrough the Glimmer, are romantic adventures set in an Ireland
that might have been. One of her short stories, By the Light of My
Heart, was featured in the recently released Mammoth Book of Irish Romance. Pat is a
member of the New Hampshire Writers' Project, Seacoast Writers' Association,
Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Pat's
favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and
traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives in New Hampshire, where she is
currently working on Autumn Glimmer, the
fairy-filled sequel to Glancing Through the Glimmer.
Learn more about Pat McDermott at her website
Oh my, that cover is big! But isn't the castle gorgeous? The cover artist really did a great job. I'm delighted to take part in this ongoing series on writing fantasy. Thank you for having me, Amber!
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