Stop Apologizing for Fantasy Tropes. Make Them Work Instead!
I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers in certain writing circles: tropes are not the enemy. Michael and I have been building the World of Menelon since 1994, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that What God Has…
8 of the Most Anticipated Romantasy Books 2026
Take a look at the eight upcoming, most-talked-about (epic) romantasy books around the web in a genre that has grown exponentially in the last decade.
Timeless or Tired? The Alluring Secrets of the Hero’s Quest
What exactly makes the hero's quest trope so enduring? And how do modern writers keep it fresh amidst a sea of traditional fantasy? Fantasy writers are reinventing quests in imaginative ways that surprise and engage today’s audiences.
The Chosen One: A Proven Trope for Fantasy Fiction Fabulists
The Chosen One’s journey is simultaneously personal and universal. It is a metaphor for transformation and self-actualization.
Use These 5 Tips to Master Character-Driven Fiction
In character-driven fantasy fiction storytelling the characters drive the plot. It may seem obvious, but there are subtleties that aren't always clear.
Classic Fantasy, Modern Storytelling: The Legacy of Chandar
Every fantasy writer has lots of decisions to make when they begin to block out their next story, and our journey through the production of The Legacy of Chandar was and is no exception. Everything from the beginning to the ending, heroes to villains,…
A (Brief) Journey Through Time: The Enchanting Evolution of Fantasy Literature
This is a post I’ve wanted to write for awhile now. Fantasy literature has been a favorite with Michael and I long before we established Metaphor Publications. It’s a sub-genre that offers us a much-needed refuge from reality, using the power of words…