  Fantasy
This week: Fantasy of Today Edited by: Waltz Invictus  
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Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Of course, I could be wrong.
-Terry Pratchett
To be matter of fact about the world is to blunder into fantasy -- and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and wonderful.
-Robert A. Heinlein
Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels.
-Goya |
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Okay. I get it. You like vampires and werewolves.
That's fine. There's something for almost everyone in the Fantasy genre (everyone except, of course, college professors). I can choose not to read yet another bestiality or necrophilia romance novel.
But - shockingly - there's more to modern fantasy than werewolves and vampires.
By "modern fantasy" here, I mean a story that takes place in or around the time it's written, or in a world with a similar milieu - as opposed to classic fantasy, which is usually (but not always) medieval in setting. Thus, something like Neil Gaiman's American Gods is modern fantasy, while Tolkien's work is not. It's also sometimes known as "urban fantasy," but the primary setting doesn't have to be urban; this merely implies that it's an urban-oriented civilization.
When it comes to modern fantasy, though, there seems to be two basic choices when writing: Do we a) write about this world, or as close to it as we can get, while all the magic and/or supernatural stuff happens out of the view of ordinary people? Or b) show an alternative world, one where magic is out in the open, perhaps alongside or even replacing science?
Either way requires a degree of worldbuilding. The advantage of the first is that you're writing this world with some things going on that are hidden to most people. The advantage of the second is that you don't have to come up with explanations as to why no one noticed the epic, world-changing battle between the demon and the armies of Faerie. Or whatever.
Another choice for setting is time frame. While a lot of modern fantasy is written to take place in contemporary times (whenever that is for the work in question), one might be able to stretch the definition to be from about the start of the Industrial Revolution, up to some point in the not-too-far-away future. But it doesn't even necessarily have to be on Earth, so long as the level of technology and social norms are similar enough to what the reader knows.
And - here's the important part - you're not limited to vampires and werewolves. You've got all of mythology to play with. And, of course, your own imagination. Run with it! |
So here's some fantasy, some modern, some not. There might even be vampires.
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Last time, in "Epic Fantasy" , I talked about epic fantasy, but especially Brandon Sanderson's work. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the second book of The Stormlight Archive as I write this, and yeah, I might as well give up because there's no way I'll ever be that good.
brom21  : The title of the book sounds very alluring by itself. I love all types of fantasy (except dark) and hope that it truly inspires people. I’m in the midst of reading the last book in a trilogy written by Christian author and it is very immersive and inspiring. Thanks for the newsletter.
One of the great things about fantasy and science fiction is that both genres incorporate other genres and styles; there's something for everyone.
andrepolk: So I decided to change my book from epic sci-fi fantasy to epic high fantasy while keeping some of the vital components in sci-fi within my epic novel. I want to ask the fantasy community a question, "What is it you search for in a high fantasy novel?" and "What key components do you hate in a fantasy novel, that makes you leave it on a shelf to collect dust?"
I want to encourage everyone to write in and answer these questions. As for me, in a high fantasy novel, in addition to the same things I'd look for in every novel (engaging plot and characters, and compelling writing), I look for a good consistent magic system and a well-developed world/universe. And what I avoid, what makes me stop reading like I did Robert Jordan or George R.R. Martin, are plots that take too long to develop. Also, vampires.
And that's it for me for March - until next month,
DREAM ON!!!
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Fantasy: March 12, 2014 Issue [#6203]
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