Mercedes Lackey, often referred to by enthusiasts as “Lackey Mercedes,” is a prominent figure in the realm of modern fantasy literature. Born on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, her life journey is as captivating as the worlds she crafts in her novels. Lackey’s path wasn’t directly paved with dragons and magic; she experienced a normal childhood and pursued higher education, graduating from Purdue University in 1972. This foundation in the everyday world perhaps contributes to the grounded nature of her fantasy realms, where even magic has its costs and consequences.
Before fully embracing her role as a storyteller, Lackey explored diverse avenues. During the late 1970s, she worked as an artist’s model, a profession that likely honed her observational skills and eye for detail, qualities evident in her vividly described characters and settings. Later, she transitioned into the technically demanding field of computer programming, eventually joining American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This background in logic and structure might explain the intricate and well-defined systems of magic and world-building that characterize her fantasy works.
However, the creative calling of storytelling proved irresistible for Lackey Mercedes. Beyond her novels, she is also a prolific lyricist and vocalist, having recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a recording company specializing in science fiction and fantasy folk music. This musical dimension adds another layer to her artistic expression, showcasing her ability to convey narratives through different mediums. Lackey herself views her primary role as a “storyteller,” emphasizing that her narratives emerge organically from her characters and their reactions to given situations. This character-centric approach resonates with a wide audience, as evidenced by her readership spanning from teenagers to senior citizens.
Lackey’s foray into songwriting is deeply connected to her narrative process. She describes songs as “story pills,” capable of distilling a complex narrative into its essential elements or capturing a pivotal moment. Often, when grappling with the core of a crucial scene in her writing, Lackey turns to lyrics. This process helps her clarify her vision and articulate her intended message with precision. Furthermore, music plays an integral role in the immersive, semi-medieval worlds she creates in her fantasy novels. Recognizing the importance of bards and music in such societies, Lackey crafts “folk music” for her fictional cultures. This world-enriching practice, whether or not the songs explicitly appear in her books, adds depth and authenticity to her creations.
Lackey Mercedes humorously describes her writing journey as beginning out of “boredom” and evolving into an “addiction.” This passion fuels her prolific output, even at the expense of a bustling social life. Her choice of fantasy as a genre stems from a genuine love for it, but she approaches world-building with the rigor 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 magic within her worlds. Magic, in Lackey’s universes, always comes at a cost, often a significant one for the magician wielding it. This emphasis on realism extends to the everyday lives of her characters, who grapple with mundane problems like faulty equipment and tangled relationships alongside grander conflicts involving invasions and dark magic.
A defining characteristic of Lackey’s writing is her commitment to nuanced characters, even the antagonists. She strives to portray “evil magicians” and other morally ambiguous figures as more than just flat stereotypes, imbuing them with relatable human traits and motivations. This depth of characterization contributes to the enduring appeal of her stories.
At the heart of Lackey Mercedes’s work lies a powerful and inclusive 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 quote encapsulates the core values that resonate throughout her extensive body of work.
Mercedes Lackey also writes under the name Misty Lackey, further expanding her literary footprint. For those wishing to delve deeper into her worlds, her official author website provides a comprehensive resource. Through her intricate world-building, relatable characters, and humanist philosophy, Lackey Mercedes continues to captivate readers and solidify her place as a leading voice in contemporary fantasy literature.
