Appearances matter. People must see strength, even if it’s an illusion.

I keep coming back to this idea when I write - how often power survives on perception long after truth stops supporting it.

I'm interested to know if folk think that dark fantasy works best when it focuses on power... or people?

I’ve realised I write grimdark fantasy because I’m less interested in destiny than responsibility.

What people do when there’s no certainty. When they act on knowledge they believe is true and have to live with the consequences if it isn’t.

That feels closer to real life than heroism.

One of the ideas I believe is that authority isn’t empowering - it’s isolating.

Marshals carry the law so others don’t have to become a mob. They’re feared for it, and remembered without gratitude.

That feels closer to the truth than heroism ever does.

I'm curious - What draws you to dark fantasy?

I keep coming back to this idea while writing — prophecy doesn’t remove choice. It just changes who pays for it.