Wednesday, April 7, 2010
F is for...
FANTASY!
Come on--dragons, fairies, princesses and king--you know you love it! Ever since we were little kids, our imaginations took us places. Some of us never outgrew that. We're called fantasy authors.
Sometimes authors of fantasy get a bad rap. I mean, all we have to do is dream up scenarios and places and things and words and stuff. It's not like we research, right?
RIGHT??
WRONG! Any idea how much work is involved in creating a world all your own? You have to reason out standard laws of physics, laws of magic, laws of mythical creatures--and let me tell you, there are tons of resources out there to research. Yes, I said it--research. We do it. And we work hard at it. Designing a lineage for an entire set of kingdoms or countries can be tough. It's not like we can just throw any old thing together--the worlds, places, people, and things we create have to make sense!
Because if our worlds and stories don't make sense, no one will read them.
I'm not going to get into a debate of who has the harder job--the fantasy author or the nonfiction author. That's not what this post is about. It's like comparing the stay-at-home mom with the working mom. Each role has its own unique challenges.
I just feel fantasy authors don't always get respect. I've seen it--I've felt it. The patronizing, "Oh, you write fantasy," accompanied by the patronizing pat on the head or back or shoulder.
Please, spare me. Fantasy is hard work. lol
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10 comments:
I'm not a big fantasy reader, but I have the utmost respect for the writers. I do not have the imagination to create whole new worlds. I just don't. I mean, not only do you have to create a world and intelligent creatures to inhabit it--but you have to weave a plot in there too! Gah! No wonder I stick to contemporary stories. lol
Great post.
I suppose writing poetry is bit of a fantasy, but most of mine are true life experiences,
I have written a few that have been ideas formed in my head but they're very rare.Dancing Queen which I did for "D" was one. I enjoy your blogs and look forward to reading "G"
Take care.
Yvonne.
Heheee great minds think alike. I blogged about Fantasy as well. Well, we are related! :D
I would think fantasy would be just as hard as writing other types of books... but in different ways, as you said. Most of my writing tends to be my own experience, no novels or anything like that... maybe that way is the easy way out. :)
Hi, I love fantasy! I love the books that are loaded with puns, but I can't remember the author that writes them. They are exciting and hilarious. Anthony Piers or piers Anthony is the author. (I just remembered it). Good post!
Best regards to you,
Ruby
I agree, sounds like Fantasy is more work! At least with non fiction you have facts to fall back on. You have to create the whole world...guess I will go find me a fantasy to read, sounds exciting. I'd like to escape my world right now! (Too humid)
I've always held the highest regard for fantasy writers. I stand in awe at your abilities. I find this very interesting because I know romance writers who feel the same way, and children's writers who also feel that they are shown very little respect. And here I thought my genre of YA time travel was looked down on. Hmm...?
LOL. You have a very good point. I must say though that I do not respect genre writer any less. We all have to slog to get those books written - even though we do love the torture so so much :)
The truth is, there's no easy type or genre of book to write. Thanks for all the responses! You guys are great :)
Oooh, yes it is, but I soooo love it!!!
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