Why Writers Need a Sense of Wonder in Fiction (Especially Now)

We’re living in a storytelling moment deeply fascinated by darkness--and for good reason. Stories have always helped us metabolize fear, trauma, and moral failure. But darkness is not meant to be the destination.

In this episode, I explore why writers need a sense of wonder in fiction, not as escapism or denial, but as a way of completing the arc. Wonder is what allows stories to move through the descent rather than getting stuck there--and to imagine a future that is still worth moving toward.

This is an exploration of how stories work psychologically and culturally, why so many books already carry hope with quiet integrity, and how writers build meaning, courage, and care through story.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome! I’m K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I mentor writers in story theory, technique, the deeper meaning of narrative, and all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life!

On this channel, I explore how stories work, why they matter, and how writers can approach craft with both clarity and care.