Same Difference- A Fantasy Authors Thoughts on Universal Tropes, Themes and Story Lines and How That Brings Us Together

In the weeks between the release of my fantasy novel, The Black Gate, and now, my father had unexpected open heart surgery in order to save his life, and then we barreled headlong into the fall/winter holidays. The book came out on 11/12/2024, and what seemed like just a few days later, we were celebrating Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas. (Yes, I am one of those people who decorate for Christmas on Black Friday.)

Now, after the ornaments are put away and the adventure of writing book 2 of the Parable Saga continues, I am left wondering, contemplating, and asking questions. Let me explain. As soon as I began writing The Black Gate, I felt deeply that it needed to be a work of imagination and creativity, unhindered by subconscious influences of other storylines and themes. With that, out went television and fiction literature, book clubs, and anything that would inadvertently intervene in the project I was about to undertake. But as the book came together, I realized there is a theme in fiction tropes, storylines, and ideas.

For example, the idea of a fated mate is a universal conversation. It adds to the storyline, creating a way to weave romance and the desires of one's heart, be it fiction or otherwise. Another is the battle between light and darkness. And last but certainly not least, the story of the underdog.

So I ask you, dear reader, the same questions I have been pondering these last few weeks. Does the popularity of these tropes speak not only to a universal acceptance of a general storyline but, rather, and perhaps on a much deeper level, the need and desire of each human soul to connect, understand, and be heard?

Why do some works of fiction become classics, carried through generations and different eras in society's timeline? Why do some fantasy books resonate so deeply with their readers, and others, if not a one-hit-wonder, get placed on a shelf, never to be opened again, their world and characters forgotten?

Why do we, as humans, so deeply connect to the underdog’s story, the battle of light and darkness, and the yearning for a fated love? What is it about these tropes that resonate within us all, regardless of time or place, culture or circumstance? And what is it about these ancient stories that speak to a longing in our souls—an eternal dissatisfaction with the mundane aspects of life, the way the ordinary world often falls short of answering the deeper questions that stir in us?

These universal tropes seem to be windows into something far beyond the plotlines. They offer the promise of something more: adventure, understanding, connection. In fighting against all odds, the underdog taps into our desire to rise above life’s challenges, to be seen for who we truly are, not by the world’s standards but by something greater. The battle between light and darkness mirrors our own internal conflicts—the moral choices we face and the striving for goodness in a world that can feel consumed by chaos. The concept of a fated mate touches upon the deep human hunger for connection, for the perfect counterpart, for a love that transcends time and space.

But there is a deeper mystery here—a mystery of the soul itself. Perhaps, in our search for these familiar themes, we are exploring the stories of our own lives and the stories of humanity itself. Perhaps these tropes are not just comforting plot devices; they are echoes of a much deeper truth embedded within the human spirit. In every underdog, we see the struggle of the soul to rise above its limitations.

In every battle between light and darkness, we recognize the cosmic conflict between good and evil that is woven into the very fabric of existence. In every fated love, we may glimpse a longing for the divine, for a perfect union with the Creator who sees us, knows us, and desires us to know Him.

Could it be that, through these themes, our souls are reaching out for something beyond the pages of our favorite books, beyond the fleeting moments of adventure and drama? Perhaps the ultimate adventure—the one our souls hunger for most—is the journey to understand and connect with the Creator who sets the story of the world in motion. These tropes, these themes of love, conflict, and the struggle for understanding, may be the language by which our hearts cry out to the divine, asking for the wisdom and connection that can only come through a deeper knowing of the one who created us.

In that way, fiction—especially the fantasy genres we love—may serve as a mirror to our souls, reflecting the unquenchable thirst for truth, love, and connection that can only be truly satisfied through our relationship with the divine. The great universal themes are not just about the characters in our books; they are the reflections of our hearts' deepest desires: to understand the world and its mysteries, know ourselves, and know the Creator who holds all things together.

In this sense, storytelling becomes more than just entertainment or escapism. It becomes a profound reflection of our shared human experience and a way for us to reach toward something greater, something beyond the mundane, toward the eternal truths that bind us together as human beings. It speaks to the soul's hunger for something transcendent—something that transcends not just this world but also our understanding of it. It is an invitation to embark on the greatest adventure of all: the search for meaning, understanding, and a deeper connection to the Creator who, in His infinite wisdom and love, has written the greatest story of all.

So, as I continue on this journey of writing the Parable Saga, I wonder, as we all do, how these stories connect us not just to one another but to the eternal, the divine, the Creator who calls us to adventure beyond the limits of this world and into the infinite depths of the soul’s true longing.