Let’s get this out in the open:

Writing is political.

Reading is political.

Art is political.

What do I mean? Do I mean that by reading my books you’ll have to sit through an onslaught of radical thoughts or overtly themed stories about resistance or something? Nope. Because you won’t see that type of language in The Mark of the Artist or Maisie’s Escape, or even my new stuff. They aren’t 1984.

What you will see: Strong Women. Powerful Art. Children fighting against things that are bad. Taking that chance to make life better. Fighting against Evil. Believing in the Good. Hope.

These are political themes.

This is not politics like we see on cable news or our social feeds (parties, fundraising emails, who hates who at this moment, red v. blue v. purple, false information, etc.).

Writing and art are political in that they are part of how we communicate in this society. Sorry to do this, but let’s head to the dictionary:

“Politics: the total complex of relations between people living in society.”

(Cited my sources for anyone who still doesn’t believe it when a woman says something, just saying.)

Authors have used the genres of fantasy and science fiction reflect society for ages. The Lord of the Rings was written by a man who had experienced the evils of war. Think those small hobbits standing up for what was right and good, and toiling onward no matter what was just a sweet story? No. It was teaching us how to live against evil.

And how about a classic movie series that I know we’ve all seen: Star Wars. Do you think Luke and Leia were just out there with blasters and light sabers for the glory of it all? NO. They were rebels fighting against the tyranny of the Empire and the Dark Side. Hello?!

So yes. Being a writer is political. The themes might be anything from society at large to mental health issues, women’s rights, the plight of the lower classes, war—the list goes on. It means taking a mirror up to the world we live in and reflecting it back, and reflecting back some of the things we may not what to “deal with” or be aware of, or even Want to be aware of.

I won’t apologize for writing an adventurous story that includes strong women who do not ask for or need the permission of men. A story where an Artist finds the power in his craft and uses it to take down evil. These are the stories humankind has told for eons, and will continue to tell so long as there is the fight to be had.

Read my stories or don’t. Live for the good or don’t. But know—we have all been warned.