Although fantasy has often been regarded as kids’ stuff by many in the writing community, the genre has proven itself capable of tackling important themes just as well and even better than other types of fiction. From the political intrigue of A Song of Ice and Fire to the religious themes of the Chronicles of Narnia, and the ideas of a changing world from Lord of the Rings.

But it isn’t just through the pages where we can learn these ideas. Many fantasy writers have lived fascinating lives of hardship and beauty which is what allowed them to get where they are and share their wisdom.

The same is true for Robert Jordan, the creator of A Wheel of Time, one of the most beloved fantasy series. At 14 books in the main series, it remains one of the longest and most expansive book series, but the effort was worth it as the book tackled important themes like the nature of power, the social divisions we create for ourselves, and the uniqueness of different cultures.

To create such a work would take a lifetime of effort, but in Robert Jordan’s case, even longer. Though he dedicated himself to his series, Robert Jordan had to work while also dealing with Cardiac amyloidosis, a type of heart disease that had a life expectancy of four years.

Despite the hardship that came with it, Robert intended to live his life to the fullest. He continued to fight and hoped he could overcome the disease. Instead of falling into despair, he continued to live each day to its fullest and never lost his zest for life as immortalized in his quote below.

“Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today.”

– Robert Jordan, author.

Though he would not live to see the end of Wheel of Time, his work would be finished by a trusted confidant, Brandon Sanderson.

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