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Howdy, y'all! Actually, that's a piece of fantasy because I don't really speak that way but when your handle is Texas Belle people expect it. I am a guest editor this week for the Fantasy Newsletter and hope I don't disappoint either you the subscriber or the wonderful Fantasy Editorial Staff!
As a teacher of literature and theatre, I have always had a soft spot for young reader fantasy and have lamented the lack of quality children’s fantasy. However, with the introduction of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series and Christopher Paolini’s Eragon Series there has been an influx of such literature that not only appeals to the younger set but to older readers as well. Unfortunately, not all new, or older, offerings have fared as well in this genre. In this newsletter we will examine what elements must come together in order to make not just “good children’s fantasy” but "good fantasy."
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Children’s fantasy is not a new genre. The history of fantasy is long and resplendent with memorable characters and lush worlds. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, The Tales of King Arthur, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the basic elements are all the same, and the rules defining the genre are all followed faithfully. Good children’s fantasy is not regurgitation of someone else’s work as we find in the resent outcropping called “fan fiction.” To take someone else’s creation and try to make it your own is the same as wearing someone else’s cloths and saying you are that person. You may have to look but you don’t have the style. It is the same with fantasy literature, you can have all the characters and the landscape, but you can’t capture the style. How can you write good believable fantasy that reflects your style? First, let’s look at those rules mentioned earlier.
Good vs. Evil
All literature needs conflict but especially in this genre. However, in fantasy there must be a clear-cut division between Good and Evil. That doesn’t mean you can’t have characters that skirt the boundary, we all loved the antics of Hans Solo but it was his propensity for Good that kept us from hating him. The reader, in general, wants Good always to win because in Nature Good always wins; however, that doesn’t mean that the author can’t spin the ending the other way. This is, after all, Fantasy and not a Fairy Tale.
Suspension of Belief
This is not only the necessary foundation of all fantasy but the trickiest as well. The author must construct the characters, situations, world geography, and storyline that is logical and reasonable to the mind of the reader but, well, fantastic as well. The reader know intellectually that there is no Platform 9 ¾; however, Ms. Rowling has constructed the geography and spun the explanation so well that the reader loves the idea. In fact, she doesn’t give the reader much explanation at all; the key to accepting reality is knowing how much explanation is needed.
Protagonist Paradox
In a successful Fantasy, the protagonist must be both ordinary and extraordinary. The protagonist doesn’t have to possess supernatural powers, as in the case of Dorothy Gale and Arthur, but the protagonist must possess an extraordinary destiny or skill with other characters. Dorothy and Arthur have the ability to band unlikely characters together for the common good, destroying the Evil. Though Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard and not just an ordinary boy, his true extraordinary characteristics is his connection with the Evil he must destroy. As you can see all three examples follow the rule but each author has added the bit of a twist on the rule supplying variety.
Magic
What’s a good fantasy without a bit of magic? Yes, you are correct, even the magic has rules. First, there must be consistency; the magic must work the same way each time unless there is a logical reason. It doesn’t matter if the author is using objects (wands, ruby slippers, swords, old lamps), plants, people, (fairies, magi, wizards, witches) there must be consistency in how the magic works or the suspension of belief fails and the reader is lost. The goal of the fantasy author is never have a reader say, “That can’t happen!”
Geography
All fantasy authors can “see” their worlds, all the time, and the same way. Mapping out geographic concerns is vital, even if they are parallel to this world. The author doesn’t have to be a cartographer; however, it can be difficult while writing the story to keep proximities straight. Take the time to make a simple map of circles, boxes, lines, etc. and reference it when writing. If certain phenomenon happens during fazes of the moon, or certain times of the day the author needs to make note of that on the map as well. Remember geography is not only places but the other things that influences the inhabitants this includes hierarchy, and government. Even the Munchkins had a mayor and in Richard Adams Watership Down, there was a leader plus officers that helped in the community. If the author’s world is chaos, there must be order to contrast it, that order may come from the protagonist’s plan or from a collective memory but the plotline can not progress without it.
Characters
Fantasy characters are people, too. Remember the reader is a human and so looks for similar rules of behavior, keep in mind the rule regarding suspension of belief especially with characters with whom you wish the reader to sympathize. Lack of clothing does not make a character interesting, nor does it constitute good writing. Know who your characters are, why your characters are in the story, and their motivations.
Plotline
Some of the worst fantasy I’ve ever read had beautiful world construction, great fantastical beasts, engaging characters but no plotline. Fantasy is not free form, it must follow the rules of writing: theme, exposition, rising action, climax, resolution, conclusion. The longer the story, of course, the more rising/climax/resolution situations are needed, but the form must be followed in a logical manner in order to
keep the readers interest.
Audience
Know your audience. Children do not have many life experiences and thus may lack knowledge but they aren’t stupid. Do not write down to your audience regardless of age especially when dealing with children.
Classic children’s fantasy is very sophisticated literature that’s why many adults enjoy it, too. Though superficially it may seem easier to right fantasy for children, you must keep in mind that fantasy is a child’s world so the believability factor is actually more difficult.
Format
Though prose is the most common format, poetry has often been used to convey the fantasy world. Do not be fooled by the freedom of poetic license, it's by far the most difficult to write and it still must follow the same rules we discussed!
One of the most important tools a fantasy writer is has is reading. Read different types of fantasy even authors you generally do not read. Every story you read will have an effect on your own writing, even the ones you don’t like. Take notes on each story listing what you like or didn’t like, you will find that your own story grow in depth and believability.
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I enjoyed the simplicity of the piece and the imagery.
A good example of weaving ordinary with extraordinary
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A nice example of creating a world with inhabitants
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You think you think you know the ultimate love story!
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A fast paced fantastical ride.
After you visit these examples, go to the drop box on the upper left have side of the page, click on By Genre and then Fantasy you will find quite the cornucopia of Fantasy items: poetry, stories, books, campfires, in and outs, etc!
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Submitted By: Rohen: oh for a day to write
I love the newsletter, I had not thought of creating a calendar for my fantasy world. Thank you. Now for a question: What is a good way to go about creating a map of a new world created for a story? I am not gifted at drawing at all, so I'm looking for possible electronic suggestions.
Thank you and keep up the great work.
The best way is to simply take pencil to paper, or keyboard to monitor, and with story in hand mark the places as you "see" them. Don't worry about making it a great master piece the first time out, just get it on paper. Believe it or not, a landscapers template kit is extremely helpful for those of us who are artistically challenged!
Submitted By:
Vyrus
I love the idea of writing off of dreams, however it's less the actual events of the dream and more the general mood that inspires me. Most of the time, however, it's merely daydreams that help me. Fantasies I find I can get much more out of than anything else. Sometimes it's almost as if I'm living in my own world, and I'm able to make a real world out of it. Also, anybody got good ideas for character names? My main character that I'm working on is a female half-elf with strong magical tendencies and a royal liniage, but is considered an imputer half-blood therefore can't claim the throne. (Giving the backround helps a bit, I think.)
Character names are a challenge in all writing especially Fantasy. You want something to that speaks to the genre, world, and storyline; however, you don't want it a name that is impossible to pronounce (remember The Artist Formerly Known...) or so distracting that the reader focuses on the names and not the story. There are several real world options:
* Take a common name and spell it backward. I know that sounds silly but it's a good place to start. For example, Amy becomes Yma, add a letter, change a letter and you have a character name.
* Check out ethnic baby name books. These books help you break away from modern names.
* Revisit mythology, not just Greek and Roman but Celtic, Viking, Middle Eastern, etc.
The idea is to teach your mind to shift gears, thinking on a different plane. Hope this helps!
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Fantasy: January 03, 2007 Issue [#1469]
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