[Kari]

When we all set out to write something, especially fantasy, we really do get caught up in the excitement of it all, don’t we? Creating a new world, our monsters, our magic system, there’s so much for us to work out as our hero/es get along that we start to lose track of one basic fact: fantasy, despite being staged in another world, still follows the cosmic rules.

Basically, we forget that there are some standard rules that are at the heart of every society. I’ve seen many authors simply forget these rules and, to the intelligent or perceptive reader, the book seems incomplete without these details. What are they?

1) Money: In a fictitious world, many authors have their hero journeying from one kingdom to another. Something they usually forget is that these kingdoms often have different currency. In case you have an international currency, such as the Euro is now, you should mention it at some point, then not bother with any further reference. If you don’t, you leave a plot hole. Think back to before the Euro (for those in Europe). When visiting each different country, you had to convert your own money into the local currency.

2) Language: This is much easier to see on your own. Again, each kingdom is likely to have its own language (Dwarvish, Elvish, Urgal, Orc etc). Unless you’ve got a ‘common tongue’ and specify that your heroes are using it, adding different languages is essential. Note: you don’t have to create your own languages. Simply stating that ‘They were speaking in a strange tongue unknown to Matt..” is enough. Creating your own language is extremely difficult, and best left to linguists, unless you have a very good grasp of grammar and ample time at your disposal.

3) Religion: having a world of atheism, or a world with a single religion wouldn’t be something I’d count as ‘cool’. Always keep in mind that different religions develop because of certain factors; if you have a rural area that lives off the Earth, it makes sense for them to worship Mother Earth. Creating a religion is a painstaking process, if you want to do it properly, but it would be a good idea to generally have some idea of what the group would believe it, and mention it if it is ever needed.

4) Horses: This is something I literally see abused too much. Horses are animals, not machines. They cannot carry a lump of human lard on their backs and run all day. They get tired, they need large amounts of food and water, and leave around hoof prints and droppings. They are not, I repeat, something that moves indefinitely. Period.

5) Food: You already know your characters need to eat, and probably always have some with you. However, how do you get the food? You need to buy supplies, remember, and especially things that won’t spoil; dried meat, bread, dried fruit. In short, trail rations. You can buy these at shops, or even along the way from farmers.

6) Ablutions: Whatever your hero is, he/she has some things they absolutely have to do once in a while, like bathing, grooming, going to the loo. You can't simply ignore this. Now, I'm not saying you should go ahead and give us details or a daily schedule, but your character can't have been riding for a week with no stops and smell like daisies. He can't have been sleeping on the ground and not be cramped , with ruffled hair. Pay attention to details, always!

(Elsetor's point)
7) Tolls: Usually in a piece of writing, you have a set amount of time, which vastly limits what you can tell. Your hero rarely has time to get stronger gradually, as is the norm, but instead makes huge leaps in strength from Apprentice to Master in no time at all. You really should avoid this whenever possible, since it defies the laws of nature; we all need time to learn. No one is Just That Special. Also, try and refrain from giving him uber super powers that no one else has, especially if he suddenly discovers them. And last but not least, hiking and riding take their toll on you; they're not a walk in the park! Imagine walking all day; your feet'll have blisters on their blisters, same as your bum when you ride all day. Keep reality portrayed in your world, and the story will be far more realistic and enjoyable!

This brings me back round to money again; your character has to spend it, actually use the coins he has. You should never simply make him have money; give us a hint where it’s from! Is it pocket money, does he rob people, do a trade? Money is never a given, and shouldn’t be trated as such.

If anyone can think of anything else, feel free to add. XD Fantasy would be so much better if writers made a conscious effort to create a realistic world and paid attention to details. Writing, after all, is a form of art, and art isn’t art if it isn’t beautiful and realistic.b

This post has been edited by Kari&Gatomon: 04 November 2009 - 01:51 PM

[Spinner]

I would like to add something. I know I come across as a conservative jerk-off when I talk about fantasy sometimes--but I oftentimes feel that people try too hard to write fantasy for fantasy's sake. Technically speaking, fantasy doesn't need anything because it shouldn't have any genre-defined borders. If it is, it ceases to be fantasy and forms a sub-genre, which to me is ridiculous and stupid and useless for a niche of writing focused on providing a sense of wonder.

You hit it bang on, Kari--and kudos for making all these helpful threads. You are officially the WH's new l33t h4x0r.

Ben

[Kari]

I hope that's a good thing, Ben. XD

So, what you mean to say is that people nowadays tend to write fantasy because it's the most common genre, and that we shouldn't try to split fantasy into more sub-categories, but just focus on creating a sense of wonder?

[Spinner]

What I mean is that it seems like people are writing fantasy because it's fantasy, and their perception of fantasy includes a variable approach. Take for example, a kid who writes epic fantasy because it's epic fantasy, and in their experience, epic fantasy has XYZ. Maybe one or two authors they've read have broken the mold in some menial way, but its still overtly traceable to Tolkien/Lewis, etc. I see so much of that, both on forums, and on bookshelves. What pisses me off, is that fantasy is a BROAD term. The implication is imagination, which really isn't as narrow as all the crap that's out there. Fantasy shouldn't have forms. Styles, maybe, but not forms. Forms suggest variables, and variables are whats annoys me so much--and a lot of people I talk to--about it these days. Rage/anguish/hellfire.

Sorry. Passionate about this.

The short version: Fantasy these days is approached from an archetypal, formulaic, variable-oriented standpoint--which will always sell in some form--but really won't ever live up to its potential.

Ben

[Kari]

Ah, thanks. XD Just wanted to make sure I was getting you completely. You do have a point; authors these days do seem to tend to simply copy the style their precursers did, their molds, their language and worlds. in that sense, fantasy has become limited to what we'd call medieval fantasy.

[dragonking555]

I think you make some good points here.

I money is the most abused thing that I see. You have a completely fictional world yet the money system always seems to reflect the classic style. Not only that but characters with no job or known source of income seem to have an indefinite supply!

[eragon nerd]

Kari, post these over at the Blog Discussion at BC. We could easily shape all of these into very good blogs. And having something to discuss in the next few days while everyone else is getting their first blogs ready would be good.

Thanks ^^

Alec

[Go for Gin]

This is a large part of what I appreciated about David Eddings' Belgariad series. Apart from the comedy, he actually dealt with all of these, particularly different cultures and religions. Even if they were archetypal and the cultural equivalent of a character with one personality aspect, at least he tried, and in an entertaining way, too.

But yeah, I love reading fantasy, but I just can't bring myself to write it, probably because of these problems. That's why I usually write modern stuff with a fantasy feel or fantasy in the modern day.

[Elsetör]

You hit it bang on, Kari--and kudos for making all these helpful threads. You are officially the WH's new l33t h4x0r.

Ben

I totally cracked when I saw that. Ha ha ha!

Well good points, Kari! You do amaze me sometimes(not rarely, I assure you). Talking about all these, I think there's one more thing I'd like to add. That is, the fantasy hero often tends to possess some super physical strength. I mean, usually because all the events that happen one right after another, the hero can't take his time to become stronger or more powerful, but often just jumps into a mighty swordsman or something in a flash. Also, hero usually don't have blisters after a long journey on foot even though the hero originally is a city boy who doesn't runaround all day in the wilderness or mountains.

[Kari]

Very good point, Else! And horseback riding is never painful! Very nice point. I'll add that on. Also, we're hardly ever given a hint of the everyday mundane things people do, like comb their hair, or wash their faces.

[dragonking555]

Sorry Kari, but to make a simple point; many of these things (such as combing your hair) are ordinary things that you just assume are done or people don't have time for. Putting in every detail of someone's life can be tedious and boring for readers. Some things are left out because there are just more interesting things going on.

[Kari]

I agree, and I forgot to mention that. Going through it all over and over is something I'd most definetely just flick through, but you can't have someone who's been on the trail for possibly weeks smelling and looking like a million bucks.

Just as in the Morcyth Sagam the hero occassionally tends to stubble and hair while on the road, and mentions things like washing his face or relieving himself. I don't mean outright trat these like important events, but if you just leave them out entirely, it seems as if there's a hole.

[lettarisa]

Thanks a lot. this stuff has actually really helped me, but its all true when you think about it

im thinking of a novel/story to write, at this moment im deciding on the plot, i would appreciate if you took some time to read my synopsis/ plot line and kind of critiqued me on it
once again ty

p.s ill message you when its up