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Nice Project

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn

And, for those who write fantasy, I ask you this. Why? What are your reasons for writing? And why fantasy?

I'm really not a writer, at least not for a living. I write some parts for the story over at the forgotton realms forum. But the things about it that fasenate (sp?) me are the these:


It's a world by itself, all those different creatures are in all the fanatsy stories the same. No technology, just living of what nature provides etc.

A group of hero's (ore one) that fight an evil tiran (not weasel ) against impossible odds and somehowe make it after all.

There are different intelligent species, humans, elfs, dwarfs etc. This is very interesting since in the real world there are only humans.

The world is more honourable then this one, "Good sir's, whould you honour me with a drink or two?" Stuff like that. It goes with the shiny armour and big swords.

It's more black and white. You're evil or good, no gray so to speak. And good mostly wins.

I write fantasy. At least, I would be if I ever bothered to copy down onto paper what floats in my head.

I like fantasy because it is another world. It's an escape from this one, to some place where anything is possible: dragons fly, magic is abundant (no comments here on Earth Religions) , different races exist.

It's a new world. One that's better than this one. Cleaner, more free. It's hard to explain, but anyone who indulges in fantasy/sci-fi/anime knows the feeling.

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn
What are some of the misconceptions you've had about fantasy and how did you find out they were misconceptions?

I dont really understand when you say misconceptions, and how you followed the question up. It sounds like you've asked two different things, one being why we read/write fantasy, and the other being the sterotype the fantasy genre has gained.

My own misconceptions about fantasy before I realized my ignorance:

1) The fantasy genre is for males only.
2) Every fantasy book is made out of the same mold.
3) Only geeks and nerds read fantasy because they are too scared of the real world so they become dellusional with a made-up world.
4) Fantasy genre is for people with no social life.

I guess the image of someone who reads fantasy is like imaging a little pasty boy with thick glasses locking himself up in a little room doing nothing but reading for hours on end. And when a group of these boys meet, it seems that they are speaking another language. At least that's the image of fantasy to me before I started reading the genre. Now I realize how mistaken my conception of the fantasy genre really is.

Re: Re: Fantasy Misconceptions (No Spam)

Originally posted by Aegis
I dont really understand when you say misconceptions, and how you followed the question up. It sounds like you've asked two different things, one being why we read/write fantasy, and the other being the sterotype the fantasy genre has gained.

I am asking both, and the former does have to do with the latter. One of the misconceptions I've noticed there being is about why writers write. People will assume that because a certain piece of literature had a large impact on society, or because something in it is like the problems in society, then that means the author was specifically writing it as an allegory designed to show people the problems in society and attempt to effect a change in society. While there are probably some writers who are doing this, I have found that a lot of writers are writing because they enjoy writing, not because they want to cause any particular changes in society through their writing.

As for misconceptions, the types of misconceptions that humanflyz listed are good examples. Basically, anything you thought/heard about the fantasy genre that pushed you away from it, but that you now realize are merely inaccurate stereotypes.

Okay, that helps (a bit )

Well, speaking as a published author of the fantasy genre, I could say I write because it's fun, but, that would be a cop out . I think what pulled me into the fantasy genre was just the whole sense of what was, to an extent. I'm a romantic at heart, and I see the whole chivelry, damsel in distress thing as inspiring, and moving. My first steps in this direction was with Final Fantasy 2 (North American version) back when I was six. I played the game through, and became hooked on the sword and sorcery bit, and that lead to my facination with the middle ages, which in turn led to my love of history and fantasy. Also, I feel that the combat was also more interesting in times like that, which is what the fantasy genre illustrates. The last thing that hooked me was the mystery of it all. Because it's fantasy, you could do anything! It is a world where magical dragons soar, and brave, bold adventurers travel. It is that sort of romanticism that captured me. Also, I like because it's fun.

Anyway, the misconceptions I get when I think about it? Well, the first thing thats come to mind is the fact it is not considered a cool thing to do. When you tell someone your a D&D player, the initial reaction to scoff, or laugh, but it is the opposite if tell them your an athleite. Is it this misconception that caused me to take so long to even tell people what sort of genre I wrote (about six years to be exact). I think that the development of computer games is something that has helped that misconception, but hasn't eliminated it. Another one I think of is the sterotype people have placed on RPer's and fantasy fans. It is often that of the pale teenager, often the misfit of society, and never popular with the in-crowds at school, or in life. These are things that are slowly dissappearing, but will never be gone, sadly. At the same it, is also the factor that keeps fantasy as a pure enjoyment. The second it becomes a popular past time, the joy people get out of it will begin to fade.

I understand what all of you are saying that it is a misconception that only pasty boys with no life play, read, and write fantasy. But on that note I heard my brother (who is quite intelligent) say something unique that he has noticed more girls and young women into fantasy than boys. He hypothesized that was because of the romanticism but I think they might be more open about it. Or prehaps its just a Delaware/Wisconsin bit.

Originally posted by Aegis
Okay, that helps (a bit )

Well, speaking as a published author of the fantasy genre, I could say I write because it's fun, but, that would be a cop out . I think what pulled me into the fantasy genre was just the whole sense of what was, to an extent. I'm a romantic at heart, and I see the whole chivelry, damsel in distress thing as inspiring, and moving. My first steps in this direction was with Final Fantasy 2 (North American version) back when I was six. I played the game through, and became hooked on the sword and sorcery bit, and that lead to my facination with the middle ages, which in turn led to my love of history and fantasy. Also, I feel that the combat was also more interesting in times like that, which is what the fantasy genre illustrates. The last thing that hooked me was the mystery of it all. Because it's fantasy, you could do anything! It is a world where magical dragons soar, and brave, bold adventurers travel. It is that sort of romanticism that captured me. Also, I like because it's fun.

My reasons for writing fantasy are similar, but I came about it from a much different direction. Up until 6th grade, I hated reading anything that wasn't non-fiction. The closest to fiction I read was mythology, but even that was non-fiction about what was believed in ancient times. Then, my 6th grade teacher made me read fiction and I got hooked on three things at that time. Chronicles of Narnia, Goosebumps(or whatever they're called), and Hank the Cowdog. I soon outgrew the last two. Anyway, from there, my interest was pushed by Legend of Zelda games and anime into fantasy, with quite a bit of help from Random Shadow. I also found that, though I hate writing by hand, I enjoy writing if I can type what I'm writing. As I found things I enjoyed writing about and ways I enjoyed writing, I gradually switched my career choice from being a Physicist to being a Writer of Fantasy. I have no goals to change people's lives with my writing. I just want to do what I enjoy and provide something that might bring a bit of happiness as they read a [hopefully ] good story.

Anyway, the misconceptions I get when I think about it? Well, the first thing thats come to mind is the fact it is not considered a cool thing to do. When you tell someone your a D&D player, the initial reaction to scoff, or laugh, but it is the opposite if tell them your an athleite. Is it this misconception that caused me to take so long to even tell people what sort of genre I wrote (about six years to be exact). I think that the development of computer games is something that has helped that misconception, but hasn't eliminated it. Another one I think of is the sterotype people have placed on RPer's and fantasy fans. It is often that of the pale teenager, often the misfit of society, and never popular with the in-crowds at school, or in life. These are things that are slowly dissappearing, but will never be gone, sadly. At the same it, is also the factor that keeps fantasy as a pure enjoyment. The second it becomes a popular past time, the joy people get out of it will begin to fade.

This misconception that keeps getting mentioned is one that I never really knew. I've heard it before, but it never comprehended its existence. I'm certainly interested in hearing more about ya'lls experiences with these misconceptions.

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn
What are some of the misconceptions you've had about fantasy and how did you find out they were misconceptions?

I haven't read much fantasy, but a clear misconception I used to have, was that fantasy is a genre writers choose to be able to hide bad writing skills behind a flashy curtain. Fantastic creatures, magic, prefabricated stories taken from mythology - all this allows the writer to produce a fantasy text without having good skills in describing a character and tell an exciting story.

I also had some misconceptions about fantasy readers, similar to Humanflyz point 3 - that fantasy readers use the storys to escape from a world they can't handle and flee into a simple black and white, good and evil world where they can feel like heroes themselves.

How did I realise these were misconceptions? Mostly by discussing with people who read fantasy. I realised that the genre has more variation than I previously thought and that many people read fantasy as entertainment because they like the stories, not as escapism

Misconceptions?

The most significant misconception I had about fantasy was that all fantasy was written "for children" - just as a more elaborate version of fairy tales (sp?) or fables.

Since I started reading fantasy in english this misconception has changed - now I know that only the german translations SUCK....


Just my 2p.

No worries,

Beldin

This is less of a preconception (I think) than a personal observation of the field.

In the early seventies (my god they will guess how old I am!!) when I started reading Science Fiction and Fantasy, it was quite hard to find good fantasy books. SF ruled the roost and with the exception of LotR and Narnia, there was not much about. Now days it seems that there is very little SF beeing written and that there is almost too much fantasy. I say too much in terms of volume. Stories that would a good novel are stretched out to 3 (and even 9) volume in length as this is what makes the most money for publishers. Professional writers have to go along with this format or they do not get published.

I used to read a lot of short SF, people like Ray Bradbury and Larry Niven whoes short stuff was often tighter and better than their full length stuff. There does not seem to be anything new comming out in that format at all. Just seems a shame, I like diversity.

Speaking of stretching stories into several volumes, does anyone know when the Wheel of Time series is going to end? I mean 8 volumes, my god, I don't think I have the patience or money to buy all of them. Maybe I'll read the last book just to finish the story line.

@humanflyz it went on to nine last year but their seems to be a little resolution coming but almost all the books end that way.