Lackey herself articulates her primary role as a “storyteller.” She emphasizes that her narratives are character-driven, evolving organically from how her creations would react to specific situations. This character-centric approach is perhaps a key reason for her broad readership, spanning ages from thirteen to over sixty. Her foray into songwriting is also deeply intertwined with her storytelling ethos. Lackey views songs as “story pills,” capable of distilling narratives to their core essence or encapsulating pivotal moments. She often uses lyric writing as a tool to clarify crucial scenes in her novels, finding that the process sharpens her vision and allows for more precise prose.
The medieval-esque settings of her fantasy novels further fuel her musical endeavors. Recognizing the significance of music in medieval societies, where bards served as primary news disseminators, Lackey crafts the “folk music” of her fictional worlds. This world-enriching process, whether the songs are explicitly included in her texts or not, adds depth and authenticity to her creations, making the worlds of “Lackey Mercedes” feel lived-in and real.
Lackey’s journey into writing began almost by chance – out of boredom. However, this initial spark ignited into a full-fledged “addiction,” as she humorously puts it. Writing became an inescapable part of her life, even at the expense of her social life. Her choice of fantasy as a genre stems from a genuine love for it, but her approach is far from whimsical. She meticulously constructs her fantasy worlds with a rigor akin to a “high-tech” science fiction writer. Applying the principle of TANSTAAFL (“There ain’t no such thing as free lunch”), popularized by Robert Heinlein, to magic, Lackey ensures that magic in her worlds comes at a cost, often a significant one for the magician.
This commitment to realism extends to the everyday details of her worlds. Characters grapple with mundane problems like faulty pumps and porridge bugs alongside grand conflicts like invading armies and malevolent magicians. Crucially, Lackey strives to imbue all her characters, even the antagonists, with depth and complexity, moving beyond simplistic stereotypes. Even “evil magicians,” she suggests, are relatable in their humanity, perhaps even sneaking out for cookies in the dead of night.
At the heart of Lackey’s writing lies a profound philosophy, encapsulated in a creed she gave to her character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water: “There’s no such thing as ‘one, true way’; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good — they’re the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren’t willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race.” This ethos of self-discovery, positive impact, and valuing fundamental human ideals resonates throughout her work, solidifying the lasting appeal of “Lackey Mercedes” and her contributions to the fantasy genre.
Mercedes Lackey also writes under the pseudonym Misty Lackey, further expanding her literary footprint. Her official author website provides a deeper dive into her bibliography and upcoming projects, offering fans a direct connection to the imaginative universe of “Lackey Mercedes”.
