Why Fiction Matters: How Fantasy Fuels Creativity and Growth in Today’s Youth

We built Life of Fiction for this very reason.

You know us.

We talk, we exchange ideas, and we share a lot of fiction with you.

Kids and family are our life.

With 13 children (all boys but nine) and now 30 grandchildren, we don't have to qualify that point. So when we say there's something that disturbs us deeply about our youth, you know we've likely been pondering it for a while.

In a world dominated by short-form content, endless scrolling, and instant gratification, children are losing something critical.

The ability to engage deeply with stories.

I'm talking about stories that challenge them, stretch their imagination, and encourage them to think beyond what’s in front of them.

Am I crazy (more than usual), or do you see it happening all around us also?

• Kids aren’t daydreaming the way they used to.

• They struggle to come up with creative solutions.

• Their ability to focus for long periods is decreasing.

And yet, fiction—particularly fantasy—has been proven to counteract this shift, offering young minds the kind of mental training and emotional development they need to thrive in the real world.

That’s why we created Life of Fiction (LoF).

Not just as a book series. Not just as a brand.

But as a movement to restore deep, meaningful storytelling—because the survival of creativity depends on it.

Why We Built Life of Fiction

When we first imagined Life of Fiction, it wasn’t about selling books. It was about solving a problem—one that affects kids, parents, and educators alike.

The problem?

Kids are consuming content, not creating it.

Everything today is designed to be fast, shallow, and instantly gratifying.

• 📱 Bite-sized videos mean kids don’t develop patience for long narratives.

• 🎮 Video games offer instant rewards, reducing perseverance in real-world tasks.

• 📺 Constant entertainment removes the need to invent their own fun.

And the impact is measurable.

Children today struggle more than ever with:

• Critical thinking (Because they aren’t being challenged to follow complex narratives).

• Emotional intelligence (Because they aren’t stepping into another person’s perspective).

• Imagination (Because all their stories are handed to them, pre-made, with no gaps to fill in).

We saw this happening firsthand, and yes, this was mean of me personally, but I compared my little Ruby (5 yrs old) to other children. Her mother reads to her every night. The differences in her interactions with friends often brought a tear to my eye. How could we sit back and watch the next generation lose the very skills that make them visionaries, problem-solvers, and dreamers?

That’s why we built Life of Fiction—to bring back storytelling that matters.

Not as a lecture, but as a journey—one filled with adventure, challenge, and discovery.

And the best part?

Children don’t even realize they’re learning.

The Crisis of Imagination in Today’s Youth

Ask any teacher, any librarian, any parent who’s paying attention—kids aren’t thinking outside the box anymore.

They aren’t:

• Inventing their own adventures when they play.

• Writing stories for fun.

• Drawing maps of imagined worlds in the margins of their notebooks.

And this isn’t just nostalgia talking—there’s scientific proof that children’s creativity is in decline.

The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking

Dr. Kyung-Hee Kim, a professor at the College of William & Mary, has analyzed over 300,000 results from the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, one of the longest-running creativity studies in the world.

Her findings?

• Since the 1990s, children’s creative scores have dropped significantly.

• Originality and problem-solving ability are declining.

• Kids today struggle to develop new ideas, even when given free rein.

(📖 Source: Kim, K. H. (2011). The Creativity Crisis: The Decrease in Creative Thinking Scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Creativity Research Journal, 23(4), 285-295.)

The key point?

The less time kids spend engaging with deep stories, the less their brains learn to think creatively.

This is where fiction—especially fantasy—comes in.

Because when kids immerse themselves in worlds that don’t exist, they train their brains to create new possibilities in their own lives!

The Science Behind the Magic: Why Kids NEED Fiction

A. Fiction Builds Emotional Intelligence

A groundbreaking study published in Science found that reading literary fiction significantly improves empathy and emotional intelligence.

Why?

Because when kids read about characters who experience hardship, loss, triumph, and joy, their brains mirror those emotions, creating a deeper understanding of human nature.

In short?

Fiction doesn’t just tell kids what it’s like to be someone else—it makes them feel it.

(📖 Source: Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science, 342(6156), 377-380.)

How Life of Fiction (LoF) Puts This into Action

Life of Fiction isn’t just another collection of fantasy stories—it’s a carefully designed experience that fosters emotional intelligence by immersing readers in deeply personal struggles, victories, and moral dilemmas.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Multi-Layered Characters with Real Struggles

Readers aren’t just watching Wendell Dipmier’s journey in Chronicles of a Hero—they’re feeling it.

• Wendell starts off lost, awkward, and full of self-doubt. Many readers immediately relate to his insecurities—feeling invisible, not knowing their place, or struggling with expectations.

• As Wendell grows, he faces fear, betrayal, and loneliness—situations that force him to step up, even when he feels unworthy.

• The emotional weight of his choices is never brushed aside. Readers wrestle with his doubts right alongside him, mirroring his emotional growth in real-time.

This mirroring effect is exactly what the Science study found—when readers immerse themselves in character-driven stories, their own emotional intelligence expands.

📖 Example Scene: When Wendell discovers that people expect him to be a hero—but he doesn’t believe in himself—he doesn’t magically develop confidence overnight. Readers experience his self-doubt, his mistakes, and his small moments of triumph, learning alongside him that courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up anyway.

2. Complex Morality: No Simple Villains or Heroes

Too often, kids’ media presents the world in black and white—good guys are good, bad guys are bad, and there’s no in-between.

That’s not how real life works.

LoF’s stories introduce gray areas—where even villains have reasons for what they do, and heroes aren’t always right.

• Wendell struggles with knowing what’s “right.” Is following orders always the best path? When is it okay to break the rules?

• Characters evolve based on choices. Some who start as enemies become allies, while others shift in unexpected ways.

• Readers are forced to ask: What would I do in this situation?

📖 Example Scene: Wendell is faced with an enemy who isn’t outright evil—just desperate. Does he fight back? Show compassion? The story doesn’t hand readers the answer. Instead, it lets them wrestle with the moral complexity, just as Wendell does.

By engaging with complex character motivations, kids learn that real life isn’t about simple right or wrong—it’s about understanding, empathy, and making the best decision you can with the knowledge you have.

3. Emotional Catharsis: Processing Feelings Through Story

One of the most under-appreciated functions of fiction is emotional release.

Think about the last time you read or watched something that made you cry, laugh, or get angry.

That’s catharsis—the experience of processing your own emotions through someone else’s journey.

For kids, this is invaluable.

Many struggle to express or even identify their emotions. But when they see a character go through something they recognize, it validates their feelings in a way lectures never could.

LoF provides this kind of safe emotional space by crafting stories that:

• Show characters grieving losses—and learning to live with them.

• Depict moments of fear and anxiety—without magically solving them.

• Celebrate victories that come after hardship, reinforcing resilience.

📖 Example Scene: Wendell loses someone important to him, and instead of “getting over it” quickly, he struggles. He questions himself. He wonders if he could have done more. The story doesn’t rush past his pain—it sits with it, giving young readers a space to process their own fears and losses alongside him.

The Impact: How LoF Readers Grow in Emotional Intelligence

We hear it all the time from readers and parents:

🗣️ “My child struggled with confidence, but Wendell’s journey helped them see that bravery isn’t about never being afraid.”

🗣️ “My son told me, ‘I used to think bullies were just evil, but now I wonder what’s going on in their life to make them act that way.’”

🗣️ “My daughter cried at one scene—not because it was sad, but because she said it made her realize that it’s okay to feel scared and uncertain sometimes.”

This is why Life of Fiction exists.

We aren’t just telling stories. We’re building emotional bridges for kids to understand themselves and others.

And that’s why fiction matters.

The Emotional Power of Storytelling

Fiction is more than entertainment. It’s training for life.

• It teaches emotional intelligence in a way no lecture ever could.

• It gives kids a safe space to process emotions without fear of judgment.

• It encourages empathy and perspective-taking, making them more thoughtful and compassionate.

Life of Fiction is designed to make this happen—one adventure at a time.

📚 Want your child to experience meaningful storytelling that helps them grow? Start their journey today.

B. Reading Fiction Enhances Brain Function

A study from Emory University found that reading fiction increases neural connectivity, particularly in the left temporal cortex, which is responsible for:

• Language processing

• Cognitive flexibility

• Imagination and abstract thinking

What’s even more remarkable?

The study found that these effects lasted for days after reading, meaning fiction literally rewires the brain—not just during the act of reading, but long afterward.

(📖 Source: Berns, G. S., Blaine, K., Prietula, M. J., & Pye, B. E. (2013). Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain. Brain Connectivity, 3(6), 590-600. DOI:10.1089/brain.2013.0166)

How Life of Fiction (LoF) Puts This into Action

Life of Fiction isn’t just about telling stories—it’s about engaging the brain in ways that scientific research proves are beneficial.

Here’s how LoF leverages this science to create an immersive, brain-boosting reading experience:

1. Immersive World-Building: Strengthening Neural Connectivity

The Emory study demonstrated that when people read fictional stories, their brains light up as if they are experiencing the events themselves.

LoF leverages this through:

• Detailed sensory descriptions – activating multi-sensory brain engagement.

• Strategic gaps in description – forcing readers to visualize the setting themselves.

• Deep historical lore within the story world – encouraging pattern recognition and memory retention.

📖 Example Scene: Wendell explores the ruins of an ancient Iskäri fortress. The book describes the dampness of moss-covered stones under his fingers, the distant echoes of footsteps long past, and the stale, dust-heavy air. Readers aren’t just reading—they’re constructing this world in their minds, triggering increased neural connectivity in the temporal lobe.

These techniques mirror the cognitive engagement seen in the Emory study, proving that fiction actively strengthens brain function.

2. The “Mental Gym” Effect: Training Abstract Thinking & Problem-Solving

Another study, published in Cognition, found that engaging with complex fictional narratives enhances problem-solving ability and abstract reasoning.

(📖 Source: Mar, R. A., & Oatley, K. (2008). The function of fiction is the abstraction and simulation of social experience. Cognition, 109(2), 263-280. DOI:10.1016/j.cognition.2008.07.003)

LoF stories intentionally present:

• Non-linear problem-solving scenarios – requiring readers to think critically.

• Hidden clues throughout the narrative – training the brain to track details and synthesize information.

• Decisions without clear right or wrong answers – promoting higher-level reasoning.

📖 Example Scene: When Wendell discovers a cryptic puzzle left behind by an ancient scholar, he must piece together clues hidden in previous chapters. Attentive readers will recognize details that seemed insignificant earlier—but are now the key to solving the mystery.

By integrating these layered problem-solving elements, LoF encourages the same cognitive processes identified in the study, reinforcing logical thinking and memory retrieval.

3. Enhancing Linguistic Intelligence & Reading Comprehension

A University of California, Berkeley study found that children exposed to narratively complex fiction develop larger vocabularies and stronger verbal reasoning skills compared to children who read only nonfiction or simple narratives.

(📖 Source: Cunningham, A. E., & Stanovich, K. E. (2001). What reading does for the mind. Journal of Direct Instruction, 1(2), 137-149. )

LoF applies these linguistic benefits by:

• Using diverse dialogue styles – exposing readers to different speech patterns, accents, and cultural dialects.

• Including riddles, runes, and ancient texts – challenging readers to decode meaning.

• Layering perspectives – forcing readers to track shifting timelines and character viewpoints.

📖 Example Scene: A mysterious inscription in an ancient script isn’t translated outright. Readers—and Wendell—must decipher its meaning based on context clues given earlier in the book, reinforcing both cognitive and linguistic processing.

This directly aligns with Berkeley’s research on how fiction enhances linguistic intelligence, proving that reading LoF improves vocabulary and comprehension skills.

The Impact: How LoF Readers Develop Smarter Brains

Children who engage with LoF don’t just enjoy a good story—they experience scientifically proven brain benefits, including:

• 🧠 Increased neural connectivity – Strengthened imagination and memory skills (Berns et al., 2013).

• 📖 Improved problem-solving skills – Due to multi-layered puzzle structures (Mar & Oatley, 2008).

• 💡 Advanced language processing & vocabulary growth – Based on cognitively rich storytelling (Cunningham & Stanovich, 2001).

This isn’t just entertainment—it’s brain training wrapped in adventure.

LoF Supercharges Brain Development

✅ LoF immerses readers in richly detailed world-building, stimulating spatial intelligence.
✅ LoF engages them in abstract thinking & complex problem-solving, reinforcing cognitive flexibility.
✅ LoF expands their language processing, strengthening communication and comprehension skills.

These scientific studies confirm what we already see happening:

Deep, engaging storytelling isn’t just fun—it’s essential to cognitive growth.

Want to help your child unlock their brain’s full potential while going on an unforgettable adventure?

📚 Start their journey today.

C. Fiction Fuels Innovation and Problem-Solving

The ability to imagine the impossible isn’t just for authors and artists—it’s a skill used by:

• Engineers, who design new technologies.

• Scientists, who explore groundbreaking ideas.

• Entrepreneurs, who create solutions to modern problems.

A University of Toronto study found that reading speculative fiction (science fiction and fantasy) enhances cognitive flexibility—the ability to see multiple solutions to a single problem.

In other words?

Kids who read fantasy and adventure stories aren’t just escaping reality—they’re training their brains to be more adaptable thinkers.

(📖 Source: Djikic, M., Oatley, K., & Moldoveanu, M. (2013). Reading other minds: Effects of literature on empathic accuracy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103(1), 1-19. DOI:10.1037/a0031044)

But why does fiction—especially fantasy—create better problem-solvers?

Because these stories demand mental flexibility. Unlike reality, where rules are fixed, speculative fiction forces the brain to operate beyond traditional logic.

That’s exactly how Life of Fiction is designed—by challenging young minds to think outside the box, just like the most innovative thinkers in history.

How Life of Fiction (LoF) Puts This into Action

Life of Fiction doesn’t just introduce problems to be solved—it forces readers to engage with them, training their brains to become creative thinkers, flexible decision-makers, and innovative problem-solvers.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Problem-Solving Without Clear-Cut Answers

Many children’s books follow a simple problem/solution structure:

🔹 The hero encounters a problem.
🔹 They are given a clear path to solve it.
🔹 The conflict resolves with a happy ending.

But real life doesn’t work that way—and neither do LoF stories.

We integrate:

• Unpredictable challenges – Wendell and his companions encounter obstacles where no obvious solution exists.

• Moral dilemmas with no “right” answer – Readers must wrestle with competing values and unexpected consequences.

• Shifting stakes – Just as Wendell thinks he’s solved one problem, another emerges, requiring adaptability and creative thinking.

📖 Example Scene: Wendell is presented with two options—neither of which is ideal. One path might save a few people but risk future disaster. The other prevents immediate harm but could have catastrophic consequences later. The story doesn’t provide a clear answer—forcing Wendell (and the reader) to think critically about possible outcomes.

By navigating complex, ambiguous challenges, readers train their minds to approach real-world problems with greater cognitive flexibility—exactly what the University of Toronto study identified.

2. Expanding Imaginative Thinking Beyond the Ordinary

A Harvard Business Review article titled Why Every Business Executive Should Read Science Fiction explains that speculative fiction trains the mind to think beyond conventional boundaries—a skill vital for innovation.

(📖 Source: Johnson, A. (2017). Why Every Business Executive Should Read Science Fiction. Harvard Business Review. Available Here)

LoF pushes readers beyond the expected, helping them develop:

• Creative problem-solving – Thinking outside traditional logic.

• Future-oriented thinking – Considering long-term consequences.

• Experimental reasoning – Trying multiple solutions mentally before acting.

📖 Example Scene: In one of the books, Wendell is confronted with an ancient, malfunctioning mechanism designed by a forgotten civilization. The problem? No one alive knows how it works. Wendell must deduce its function, experimenting with different possibilities—mimicking the same kind of reasoning that real-world engineers and scientists use when faced with new challenges.

By engaging with these innovative problem-solving scenarios, readers develop the same mental flexibility that tech leaders, scientists, and inventors rely on daily.

3. Encouraging Risk-Taking and Experimental Thinking

One of the greatest challenges in education today is fear of failure.

🔹 Many students hesitate to take risks in their thinking because they fear being wrong.
🔹 Many young learners focus on “getting the right answer” rather than exploring possibilities.

But in LoF stories, failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the learning process.

• Characters make mistakes—but those mistakes lead to discoveries.

• Challenges require multiple attempts to solve.

• Readers learn that failure isn’t defeat—it’s just part of innovation.

📖 Example Scene: Wendell creates a magical contraption to help his team escape a locked chamber. His first few attempts fail spectacularly. But with each failure, he learns something new—eventually piecing together the right solution. Instead of being discouraged, readers experience the thrill of learning through trial and error.

This directly aligns with research showing that fictional problem-solving helps children embrace experimentation—a crucial trait for future success in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.

(📖 Source: Weisberg, R. W. (2015). On the Usefulness of “Valuable Failures” in Problem Solving: The Role of Analogy in Understanding and Learning. Cognitive Science, 39(4), 785-818. DOI:10.1111/cogs.12197)

The Impact: How LoF Readers Develop as Innovators

Through engaging with complex, imaginative narratives, LoF readers develop key skills linked to innovation:

• 💡 Cognitive flexibility – Seeing multiple solutions to a problem (Djikic et al., 2013).

• 🛠️ Creative problem-solving – Experimenting with different approaches before finding a solution (Weisberg, 2015).

• 🚀 Risk-taking in thought – Learning that failure is just a step toward success (Harvard Business Review, 2017).

In other words?

Reading Life of Fiction isn’t just entertainment—it’s training young minds to think like inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

How LoF Fuels Innovation and Problem-Solving

✅ LoF encourages experimental thinking, helping readers approach problems from multiple angles.
✅ LoF trains the brain to handle uncertainty, fostering mental resilience and adaptability.
✅ LoF mirrors real-world challenges, making problem-solving engaging, rewarding, and instinctive.

This isn’t theory—it’s proven by science.

Children who engage with speculative fiction aren’t just dreaming—they’re shaping their future ability to solve real-world problems.

📚 Want to help your child develop innovative thinking while going on an unforgettable adventure?

Start their journey today at Life of Fiction.

The LoF Difference: More Than Just Books, It’s A World Beyond the Page

Most books end when you close the last chapter.

But Life of Fiction (LoF) doesn’t just tell stories—it creates a world you can step into.

LoF is more than a book series. It’s a hub of storytelling—a place where readers can:

✔️ Dive into deep, immersive worlds that challenge their thinking and expand their imagination.
✔️ Connect with fellow readers who love storytelling as deeply as they do.
✔️ Interact with the creators—ask questions, explore behind-the-scenes content, and become part of the journey.

We built LoF not just as a publisher—but as a home for stories that matter.

What Makes LoF Different?

1. Stories That Demand More From Readers

Many fantasy books follow a predictable formula—hero gets a quest, faces a challenge, beats the villain, and wins.

But LoF stories are different. They don’t spoon-feed answers or present easy victories.

Instead, we challenge readers to think.

• Layered narratives—where every detail has meaning, and choices have consequences.

• Moral dilemmas—forcing readers to weigh the complexity of right and wrong.

• Characters who evolve realistically—struggling with real emotions, self-doubt, and growth.

📖 Example Scene: In Trench Wars, Wendell must navigate an underground society where morality is ambiguous. The people he initially sees as enemies might not be the villains at all, and his choices shape how the story unfolds. Readers must wrestle with the same questions Wendell does: Is it better to follow the law or fight against a broken system?

This level of storytelling engages higher-order thinking, a skill linked to better academic performance and problem-solving ability.

📖 Source: Willingham, D. T. (2009). Why Don't Students Like School? Jossey-Bass. Available Here

2. The Reading Experience Extends Beyond the Book

LoF is built for engagement—not just within the book, but in the community beyond it.

📚 Traditional books = A passive experience.
🌍 LoF = A living, breathing world.

Here’s how we create a unique, interactive reading experience:

• World Exploration: Readers can visit the HUB and WantedHero.com to explore the settings, lore, and histories that make LoF’s universe deep and immersive.

• Live Discussions: Readers can talk directly with the creators (yes, us!) and ask questions, discuss theories, and share their insights.

• Exclusive Content: Behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process, bonus stories, and deep dives into character backstories and untold events.

📖 Example Interaction: A reader wants to know more about how the Ithari—the mystical artifact Wendell carries—was originally created. Instead of waiting for another book, they can join a discussion on the HUB and theorize alongside other readers, uncovering hidden clues and author insights that enrich the experience.

This hands-on engagement mirrors how people learn best—through active participation, discussion, and discovery.

📖 Source: Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Harvard University Press. DOI:10.4159/harvard.9780674419377

3. A Storytelling Community, Not Just a Fanbase

LoF is built around the belief that stories are meant to be shared, discussed, and expanded upon.

Unlike traditional publishing, where books are a one-way street (author → reader), LoF creates a two-way experience where:

✅ Readers influence the conversation—theories, interpretations, and ideas help shape future stories.
✅ Community discussions deepen the story experience—insights shared between readers reveal new meanings and layers.
✅ Collaborative storytelling flourishes—where readers feel like they’re part of something bigger.

📖 Example Discussion: After finishing The Truth About Lies, readers debate whether the antagonist’s motives were justified. Some argue he was a villain, others say he was just a broken man trying to survive. The discussion leads to new perspectives on the story, showing how fiction can spark intellectual debates and moral reflection.

This collective engagement aligns with studies showing that discussing and analyzing fiction in a group setting enhances comprehension, critical thinking, and retention.

📖 Source: Daniels, H. (2002). Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in Book Clubs & Reading Groups. Stenhouse Publishers. Available Here

The Impact: How LoF Transforms the Reader Experience

Unlike most books, where the story ends at the final page, LoF transforms reading into:

• 💡 An intellectual challenge – Stories force readers to think critically and engage deeply.

• 🌍 An expanding world – The HUB provides a space to immerse in the universe beyond the books.

• 🤝 A community-driven adventure – Readers aren’t just fans, they’re participants in a growing, evolving story.

By combining deep storytelling, community interaction, and extended worldbuilding, LoF isn’t just another book series.

It’s an entirely new way to experience fiction.

Why LoF Is More Than Just a Book Series

✅ LoF challenges readers to think critically, wrestle with complex moral dilemmas, and actively engage with deep storytelling.
✅ LoF extends beyond the page, offering a HUB where fans can explore lore, discuss theories, and interact with creators.
✅ LoF creates a collaborative storytelling experience, where readers influence discussions, uncover hidden meanings, and participate in a community of thinkers and dreamers.

This isn’t just a book series—it’s a movement that redefines what storytelling can be.

📚 Ready to step beyond the page and experience storytelling in a whole new way?

Start your journey today at Life of Fiction.

Bring Back the Love for Fiction

Think back to the stories that shaped you.

The ones that kept you up late, turning pages under the covers.
The ones that made you feel something real—excitement, fear, joy, heartbreak.
The ones that changed you in ways you didn’t fully understand at the time.

That’s the power of fiction.

It’s not just about entertainment—it’s about growth. It’s about giving kids the tools to:

• Think beyond what’s in front of them.

• Empathize with people different from themselves.

• Solve problems that don’t have easy answers.

Right now, we’re at a crossroads.

📉 Fewer kids are reading fiction.
📉 Attention spans are shrinking.
📉 Imagination is taking a backseat to instant entertainment.

But we can change that.

We can bring back the love of storytelling—the kind that sparks curiosity, fuels creativity, and transforms young minds.

And it starts with us.

✔️ Read with your kids.
✔️ Encourage them to write, draw, and dream.
✔️ Challenge them to think beyond the screen.

Because when kids read, they dream.
And when they dream, they build a better world.

📚 We built Life of Fiction for this very reason.

It’s not just a series of books—it’s a movement to make sure kids never lose their ability to imagine, explore, and grow through storytelling.

We’d love for you to be part of it.

Subscribe today and step into a world of adventure, discovery, and meaningful stories.

👉 Join the movement at Life of Fiction.

Let’s bring back the magic of storytelling—together.