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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/4643-Lights-Out--Dark-Fantasy.html
Fantasy: October 05, 2011 Issue [#4643]

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Fantasy


 This week: Lights Out ~ Dark Fantasy
  Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

         Greetings, I'm honored to appear before you as your host for this week, and invite you to step with me into the realm of Dark Fantasy.

         Consider the essence of Fantasy writing ~

All that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream- Edgar Allan Poe

And some of our dreams are dark indeed (e:rolleyes
~ Answer by Me
*Cool*


         Here at Fantasy Headquarters (this Newsletter), we explore the creative variety of 'otherworlds' we imagine, envision, perceive, in its myriad forms. *Wink*


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Greetings, and welcome to the realm of Dark Fantasy*Smirk*

         Wjat is dark fantasy? Is it speculative fiction, or something that dwells deep beneath the realm of the mundane?

         I think dark fantasy is woven of something that's fantastical or paranormal and deals with the darker side of life, darker emotions and psychological stress, but it doesn't focus on scaring the readers. Maybe dark fantasy is more a description of what something is not, rather than what it is.

         Consider Neil Gaiman's American Gods and even his Sandman comics. Both deal with fantasy and the dark side of life; the characters face and embrace the darkness while engaging in fantastical experiences. They are somehow changed, by interacting with that fantastical element. Also consider some of the stories penned by Stephen King and Dean Koontz, who each engage the dark side of life, flavor it with fantasy (yes, dollops of horror).

         So, to me, a work is dark fantasy if it deals with any elements of fantasy and/or the paranormal in a way that studies the dark and frightening side of our nature, psychology and the weird, sublime and uncanny. If it doesn't shy away from the gore and horror of its own darkness, yet doesn't primarily aim to frighten the reader. If it has heroes that flawed, who sometimes have to do unsavory things. If it has villains that aren't necessarily all bad, if the story or poem is dark and twisted and delves into the depths of speculative fiction, without mainly aiming to scare or gross out the readers, then I hold it's dark fantasy.

         Many workds don't fit within the strictures of 'fantasy' or 'horror' but more and more are blended into a combination of the two. Consider the creatures that dwell between the cracks of a city street (both figurative and literal), or beings that incite a character to explore and perhaps vanquish his/her dark side. This is dark fantasy - with or without the trolls and ghosts and beings of a world outside the mundane.

         Embrace the darkness (you don't have to live it, just see within the outer shell of society) and allow the muse creative to bring it forth ~ into the realm of dark fantasy.

Write On*Paw*
Kate


Editor's Picks

Enter the dark worlds of fantasy, where the long and short of it is woven in verse and prose ~ you may or may not leave in one piece once you do*Smirk*, but do share your thoughts with a comment or review *Cool*

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1608356 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1793547 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1815331 by Not Available.


STATIC
The Proposition  Open in new Window. (13+)
Elaina is offered 1,000,000 dollars to attend five parties. What's the Catch?
#1808130 by Jeannie Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1814492 by Not Available.


 Movers (uncut version) Open in new Window. (E)
Dark fantasy, short story based on prompt: The movers come on Tuesday'.
#1814211 by Sapphire Aude Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1811209 by Not Available.


 Heart Thief Open in new Window. (13+)
Entry for Flash Fiction Round 35
#1759333 by Lord Norry Wolfsbane Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1803878 by Not Available.


 Hidden Hunter Open in new Window. (18+)
People see only what they're allowed to see.
#1309814 by the last cicada Author IconMail Icon


Challenge your own self to embrace dark fantasy

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1767321 by Not Available.


The Coffee Shop for the Fantasy Society Open in new Window. (E)
The best fantasy writing group ever! We won Best Fantasy 2012! CLOSED TO NEW APPLICANTS
#1693553 by Matt Bird MSci (Hons) AMRSC Author IconMail Icon



 
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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: 1945043032
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Ask & Answer

         I thank you for sharing this exploration of the shadowed realm of fantasy. In verse and prose we continue to explore the possibilities

Until we next meet, may you find the light at the end of your dark fantasy
~ or not*Wink*

Write On*Paw*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon

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