The Timeless Tug-of-War
Humanity has struggled with one of life’s greatest questions for centuries: are we controlled by destiny, or do we create our own destiny through choice? From myths of old to today’s science fiction, this conflict between fate and free will is at the very center of storytelling—and our own lives as well.
Why Stories Matter in This Debate
Stories are not just entertainment. They are mirrors and maps. They show us the internal struggle we all experience when life doesn’t turn out as expected, or when we have to make tough choices. Some characters are born for greatness. Others fall into it. But in either scenario, it is what they choose to do that gives the story life.
In these stories, we come to understand our own challenges in a new way. Is failure merely a plot twist in an already written story—or an offer to make a different choice?
In The Alliance of Ten, Lorraine Miller welcomes readers to a world where fate and free will are forever at odds. As ten planetary presidents face mounting dangers, their choices reverberate across galaxies. Are they living out a prophecy—or subverting it? That tension goes deep, and it’s what makes the book both epic and richly human.
What’s strong here is how every character is an agent—even when they’re under duress. They’re not just puppets of fate; they’re players of an infinitely larger game who have to decide whether to follow, push against, or redefine the path set out for them.
Our Real-Life Reflections
Just like Miller’s novel leaders, we too have our defining moments. Some we anticipate. Others surprise us. But in every instance, we are at a fork in the road between reaction and response. That’s where development occurs—not in trying to predict destiny, but in choosing courage, wisdom, or perhaps forgiveness.
Why the Question Still Matters
So, is destiny in charge of us—or are we in charge of it? Perhaps the answer is somewhere in the middle. Perhaps we’re given a general outline, but we have to color in the details. And perhaps the magic of storytelling is that it allows us to practice these great questions in a secure environment.
We witness what occurs when a character succumbs to fear—or steps up to the moment. We find ourselves wondering what we would do differently if we were they. And in so doing, we leave not with all the solutions, but with greater understanding of our own path.
Whether you think in terms of fate, free will, or a mysterious combination of both, one thing is certain—stories change the way we see ourselves and our ability to make a difference. Novels such as The Alliance of Ten don’t merely tell us what occurs—reminding us that how we react to the turning points in life can be more important than the turns themselves.
After all, perhaps it’s not so much where the story ends—but who we are in the process.