Mercedes Lackey, a celebrated figure in the fantasy genre, began her life in Chicago on June 24, 1950. Her upbringing was, by her own account, ordinary, leading to her graduation from Purdue University in 1972. Her professional journey took a varied path, starting in the late 1970s as an artist’s model before transitioning into the field of computer programming. This career culminated in a position with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma, showcasing a blend of creative and technical skills that would later influence her writing.
Lackey’s creativity extends beyond the written word into music. She has penned lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a niche recording company specializing in science fiction and fantasy folk music. This musical aspect of her career highlights her deep engagement with the themes and atmospheres present in her literary work. Mercedes Lackey views herself primarily as a storyteller, emphasizing character-driven narratives. She explains, “My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation.” This approach resonates with a wide readership, evidenced by letters from readers spanning from teenagers to senior citizens.
Her songwriting, Lackey explains, is intrinsically linked to her storytelling process. She sees songs as “story pills,” capable of distilling a narrative to its core essence or capturing a pivotal moment. This technique serves a dual purpose: it aids her in clarifying crucial scenes in her novels and enriches the immersive quality of her fantasy worlds. By crafting the “folk music” of her fictional societies, Mercedes Lackey adds layers of depth and realism, mirroring the role of bards as newsbearers in medieval cultures. This dedication to world-building, even through song, demonstrates her commitment to creating believable and multifaceted fictional realms.
Lackey’s foray into writing was sparked by boredom, yet it evolved into a compelling passion. “I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can’t ‘not’ write,” she confesses, humorously acknowledging the impact on her social life. Her choice of fantasy as a genre stems from a genuine love for it, but she approaches her world-building with the meticulousness of a science fiction writer. She applies the principle of TANSTAAFL (“There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”), popularized by Robert Heinlein, to the magic systems in her books. In Lackey’s worlds, magic comes at a cost, often a significant one to the magician, grounding the fantastical in a framework of consequences and realism.
This commitment to realism extends to the everyday lives of her characters. Amidst grand conflicts and magical encounters, her characters grapple with mundane issues like faulty equipment, spoiled food, and complicated relationships. Mercedes Lackey strives to create characters, even antagonists, that transcend stereotypes. She posits that even “evil magicians” have moments of relatable humanity, seeking comfort in simple pleasures.
Mercedes Lackey’s overarching philosophy is perhaps best encapsulated in a creed she attributed 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 quote reflects the depth and thoughtful themes woven into her fantasy narratives.
Known also by her pen name Misty Lackey, her extensive bibliography and author website offer further insight into the expansive worlds and characters crafted by this influential Mercedes Lackey Author.
