The world is a crazy place. We all need an escape through fiction from time to time.
Many of my childhood memories are vague at best.
But among those that are clear, there is this: Sitting in the theatre, the massive swell of music from an incredible theme and an unusual, scrolling text – and then a starship is flying in, being blasted by another, larger ship behind it.
I was almost 5 years old the first time I saw this in May of 1977. Star Wars was the best, most amazing thing I had ever seen.
My love of sci-fi started there. And in the late 70s and early 80s, Star Wars was joined by Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, Tron, and more.
Film and TV gave way to sci-fi books. But when it came to reading versus watching TV and movies, I found my love for fantasy in books.
I read JRR Tolkien, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, Anne McCaffrey, Neil Gaiman, and George RR Martin – among others. I utterly fell in love with escaping into fantastical worlds very unlike our own.
When I was 9 years old, I made my first attempt at writing in these genres. My imagination went to lots of different, unique places only known to me.
Over the years, I have come to seriously respect the power when you escape through fiction. It’s not that we can leave the real world entirely – but taking the time to imagine somewhere else, somewhere different – particularly sci-fi and fantasy worlds – opens us to immense potential and possibility.
Reflections on reality
It can be virtually impossible – even in fiction – to leave reality entirely behind.
But that’s because situations happen that make great fiction. Even when they are far, far too close to reality.
Star Trek, for example, mostly envisions an ideal, more Utopian future where science, reason, and intellect mostly supplant consumerism, greed, and opinion. It took major upheaval in the 21st century to get there – but humanity, for the most part, strives to improve.
But they’re still imperfect. For example, Picard’s need for revenge in First Contact contradicts his ethos beyond reason. And everyone learns that Cochran wasn’t trying to better humankind with his warp-drive – but earn money.
Even Star Wars warns us about the dangers of authoritarian regimes out of control. Emperor Palpatine reflects numerous historical tyrants.
Sometimes, the common tropes and themes make the fantastical worlds of sci-fi and fantasy relatable. If we couldn’t draw a connection or see ourselves occupying those worlds – I think we’d be less inclined to escape to them.
I want to use a lightsaber. Flying on the back of a dragon would be awesome. Traveling faster-than-light via warp, hyperspace, or Stargate would be amazing.
After reading lots of fantasy, being able to learn medieval rapier combat meant I could actually, factually fight with swords. And because of what I’ve studied – many different types, sizes, shapes, and classes of swords.
But the escape from the real world through fiction can open potential and possibilities applicable to the real world.
Escape to regroup and learn
We live in a world of tremendous stressors. Spend any time at all on social media and you’ll experience distress and overwhelm with all the insanity happening at home and abroad. Everyone needs to take a break from this sometimes.
For some people, they escape as much in the body as in mind as they can. Thus, they take to drugs, alcohol, and other diversions.
I prefer to take a mental escape in a book, TV show, or movie.
But even escaping mentally via fiction can lead you to new ideas and experiences that open other things. They can inspire you to take action in the real world.
It’s no coincidence that early cellular flip phones were inspired by communicators in Star Trek. Numerous writers conceived of something akin to the internet decades before it was real. Despite present science theorizing faster-than-light travel to be impossible, researchers are trying to work it out anyhow.
All sorts of present-day wonders were born of fictional wonders. And I do not doubt that today’s fictional escapes will lead to future wonders, too.
Sometimes you need unusual characters, utterly improbable settings, and even worlds with different rules to inspire and learn new ideas. When you choose to escape to fiction you can find new ways to learn.
I know lots of people who return from vacations energized and more capable. Escape to fiction tends to be less expensive, physically taxing, and can be equally rejuvenating.
Following my passion
I’ve loved the arts all my life. In addition to writing I’ve worked in radio, still strive to do voice work, and have tried my hand as a singer, actor, director, and more.
When I’ve tried conventional work – it’s never felt right. I’ve always felt that spending my time in a cubicle behind a desk just isn’t me. Even when I was good at it.
I joined a medieval reenactment society 30 years ago that has been a good escape from reality. Sometimes too good. But being cognizant of that, I still enjoy it while I am more focused on other, real-life matters and doings.
When I write, I don’t just escape through fiction. I create characters, worlds, situations, and other cool elements to help other people also find an escape. What’s more, I strive to inspire empowerment and empower inspiration in others.
The world is a crazy place. We all need an escape from time to time. I love following my passion not just to escape for myself – but to create an escape into fiction for others.
Do you escape through fiction sometimes?
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