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dragonjournal) wrote2023-06-25 11:09 am
dragonjournal) wrote2023-06-25 11:09 am
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So, what makes a story “fantasy”? What vital pieces of information are needed to declare something within the fantasy genre?
Magic? Technology? Fantastical races? What makes it fantasy?
So, let’s get started. Let’s define what fantasy isn’t:
Fantasy isn’t something that you can go out and see within the contemporary world. Now, you can use the contemporary world, and add elements that make it fantasy. One of the best examples of this might be Buffy: The Vampire Slayer or the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fantasy isn’t based in fact. It isn’t something that you can watch a documentary on, or quantify within a book. However, there are uses for history within fantasy. Look at all the Merlin/King Arthur legends, or Harry Turtledove’s many series.
Fantasy isn’t the same for everyone. What one person sees as fantastic, another would see as the humdrum of everyday life. Be sure that you know who you’re writing about to know what fantasy is. Also be sure to know who you’re writing for.
So, those are the three big things that I think of when I think of what fantasy isn’t. But what is it? Well, let’s see:
Fantasy is what is in your imagination. Faeries? Elves? Werewolves? Sure, bring it. Cataclysms that change the fabric of our world? You betcha! Can it be none of those things? Yes. I wrote a story about Faeries and werewolves and boybands once. It was in my head and then it was on the paper, and I thought of it being a good thing.
Fantasy is what you make it to be. Maybe your world has all those fantastical creatures and then they come to the contemporary world and are culture shocked? Maybe it’s the opposite.
Fantasy is something that is dreamed of, and carried on gossamer wings of the muses. Alright, maybe that’s a little purple-y but you get the point.
Fantasy is real.
I’m sure out there somewhere are actual checklists that provide arbitrary lists of what fantasy can and cannot be. Screw ‘em all. There’s no need for that. Fantasy is something felt in the soul, not necessarily the same way by everyone. And that? That is what makes it fantasy. It’s real to everyone, but in different ways.
The greatest example of fantasy being real to everyone in different ways? Bridge to Terabithia. If you haven’t read it/seen it, you’re missing out. It embraces what fantasy really is, and offers it to us, to let our minds take flight.
So let’s look at some elements of fantasy now:
Fantastical races Sure, there are your elves, dragons, goblins and dwarves. We’ve all seen the other races, from aliens to the more pedestrian, earthly races. But what about humans? Wizards, druids, and more are all “fantastic” as well as human. (Alright, nerds, how many have played as a human in an RPG? Raise of hands? That’s what I thought.) Humans don’t have to be mundane to be in a fantasy setting.
Magic Magic can be everything from the parting of a sea, to something like lighting a candle. My favorite type of magic is from a movie called Practical Magic. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? But magic doesn’t have to be huge things. Little things can be magic too. Perhaps your wizard speaks to bees, or helps ants create a new colony? Think about that, not just the huge acts, but the tiny acts, as well.
Technology Let’s be honest. Someone from 1900 would be looking at the computers we talk on, and carry in our pockets/purse and be like “WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!” So, consider technology magic, depending on how it’s used. If someone is just not used to something, it could be magic to them. Think Beverly Hillbillies (I’m dating myself aren’t I?).
So, this is what I believe should be on your checklist. Keep all these things in mind, because they all make your fantasy far more you. There’s nothing wrong with ignoring all of this. But while it’s certainly not an exhaustive list, it does hit some of the highlights. Because let’s be honest, fantasy is so large, so vast, that I could speak about it for hours, for a lot of text, and you’d be bored to tears.
I will conclude this post with a few book recommendations. They’re ones that are on my own shelf, that I look at when writing my own fantasy stories:
The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy Vol 2.
Dictionary of Imaginary Places
Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
A Dictionary of Angels
But yeah, I use all of these when working on my fantasy stories.
Good writing, and enjoy your day!
Magic? Technology? Fantastical races? What makes it fantasy?
So, let’s get started. Let’s define what fantasy isn’t:
Fantasy isn’t something that you can go out and see within the contemporary world. Now, you can use the contemporary world, and add elements that make it fantasy. One of the best examples of this might be Buffy: The Vampire Slayer or the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fantasy isn’t based in fact. It isn’t something that you can watch a documentary on, or quantify within a book. However, there are uses for history within fantasy. Look at all the Merlin/King Arthur legends, or Harry Turtledove’s many series.
Fantasy isn’t the same for everyone. What one person sees as fantastic, another would see as the humdrum of everyday life. Be sure that you know who you’re writing about to know what fantasy is. Also be sure to know who you’re writing for.
So, those are the three big things that I think of when I think of what fantasy isn’t. But what is it? Well, let’s see:
Fantasy is what is in your imagination. Faeries? Elves? Werewolves? Sure, bring it. Cataclysms that change the fabric of our world? You betcha! Can it be none of those things? Yes. I wrote a story about Faeries and werewolves and boybands once. It was in my head and then it was on the paper, and I thought of it being a good thing.
Fantasy is what you make it to be. Maybe your world has all those fantastical creatures and then they come to the contemporary world and are culture shocked? Maybe it’s the opposite.
Fantasy is something that is dreamed of, and carried on gossamer wings of the muses. Alright, maybe that’s a little purple-y but you get the point.
Fantasy is real.
I’m sure out there somewhere are actual checklists that provide arbitrary lists of what fantasy can and cannot be. Screw ‘em all. There’s no need for that. Fantasy is something felt in the soul, not necessarily the same way by everyone. And that? That is what makes it fantasy. It’s real to everyone, but in different ways.
The greatest example of fantasy being real to everyone in different ways? Bridge to Terabithia. If you haven’t read it/seen it, you’re missing out. It embraces what fantasy really is, and offers it to us, to let our minds take flight.
So let’s look at some elements of fantasy now:
Fantastical races Sure, there are your elves, dragons, goblins and dwarves. We’ve all seen the other races, from aliens to the more pedestrian, earthly races. But what about humans? Wizards, druids, and more are all “fantastic” as well as human. (Alright, nerds, how many have played as a human in an RPG? Raise of hands? That’s what I thought.) Humans don’t have to be mundane to be in a fantasy setting.
Magic Magic can be everything from the parting of a sea, to something like lighting a candle. My favorite type of magic is from a movie called Practical Magic. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? But magic doesn’t have to be huge things. Little things can be magic too. Perhaps your wizard speaks to bees, or helps ants create a new colony? Think about that, not just the huge acts, but the tiny acts, as well.
Technology Let’s be honest. Someone from 1900 would be looking at the computers we talk on, and carry in our pockets/purse and be like “WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!” So, consider technology magic, depending on how it’s used. If someone is just not used to something, it could be magic to them. Think Beverly Hillbillies (I’m dating myself aren’t I?).
So, this is what I believe should be on your checklist. Keep all these things in mind, because they all make your fantasy far more you. There’s nothing wrong with ignoring all of this. But while it’s certainly not an exhaustive list, it does hit some of the highlights. Because let’s be honest, fantasy is so large, so vast, that I could speak about it for hours, for a lot of text, and you’d be bored to tears.
I will conclude this post with a few book recommendations. They’re ones that are on my own shelf, that I look at when writing my own fantasy stories:
The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy Vol 2.
Dictionary of Imaginary Places
Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
A Dictionary of Angels
But yeah, I use all of these when working on my fantasy stories.
Good writing, and enjoy your day!