Rivera Sun is an author, notably of fantasy novels for children with a fresh take on the themes of courage, character, humanness, friendship. In her writing, she began to wonder if we needed the violence that seems to persist in the story-telling in fantasy. Instead of trying to win the war, could we instead try to prove the heroism? We face epic struggles — climate crisis, nuclear weapons, pandemic — and can feel very small. That’s where these stories come in — the framework, metaphors, role models and heroes, and the ways to overcome the struggles without choosing violence. The group conversations centered on the question asking what stories have shaped you, and what did you draw from them? What are the elements and themes that might be showing up in your life over and over again? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!