Fantasy Writing

[cmaj7...@my-deja.com]

Although I never figured I'd be involved in such a thing and because I
sometimes--too often--play a text-based fantasy-type game, I've gotten
myself in the position of of giving writing advice to people, mostly
younger people, about fantasy which is usually based on the game we
play. I never wrote any fantasy fiction before this and the very little
that I've tried to write since this thing started in July, sucks.
Mine's less fantastic, I think, than the norm since what I do is use
the characters (their classes and races) and the setting (dragons and
orcs and shit like that) and write a piece that comes off looking like
normal humans acting like normal humans but in a fantasy world. I know
I need to read some of this stuff if I'm going to responsibly
participate.

Anybody got any suggestions for who to read? Guidelines of some kind on
how to write this stuff? Overall recommendations, up to and
including "get out of the business?" These kids aren't looking to
become famous writers, although a lot of them have small delusions of
fame, and I'm not looking to make this undertaking any kind of life's
work; I'd like to encourage their desire to write and the development
of the skills some of them have, though.

I/II

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[gai...@my-deja.com]

In article <91b8ja$aou$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,

I took your advice in the "Transition" thread to the bank. Thanks again. Last
week I found a jewel of a book about fantasy writing: Fantasists on Fantasy -
A Collection of Critical Reflections By Eighteen Masters of the Art, Edited
by Robert H. Boyer & Kenneth J. Zahorski, A Discus Book by AVON BOOKS, First
printing 1984, ISBN:0-380-86553-X. The editors also produced The Fantastic
Imagination, The Fantastic Imagination II, The Phoenix Tree, and Visions Of
Wonder.

Happy Holidays -JDHodo

[mule]

cmaj7...@my-deja.com wrote in article
<91b8ja$aou$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>:

First off, I don't much like fantasy where every character has to be
weird and way out. Your readers need to be able to relate to your
characters. Your characters should be at least reflecting humanity
-- possibly by contrast -- in some way.

As to what to read, well are we talking Swords & Sorcery stuff here?
I wouldn't recommend that kind of stuff to anyone much. Not that
there's anything wrong with it, I just don't care for it.

Obviously you've read Tolkein's Lord of The Rings, and Peake's
Gormenghast. You could take a look at CS Lewis' works for adults --
can't remember the name. Try Stephen King's Dark Tower series. If
you're interested in parodying the genre you should look at
Pratchett's discworld books - The colour of Magic and The Light
Fantastic being the most obvious Swords & Sorcery parodies, the
others move on to parody other genres etc.

If you want a good chuckle at fantasy from a more everyday
perspective check out Tom Holt. I've heard that Robert Rankin is
good, but not read any.

HTH,

mule
--
"jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule"
Bob Dylan

[cmaj7...@my-deja.com]

In article <91bfo9$gnt$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
gai...@my-deja.com wrote:
> In article <91b8ja$aou$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,

>
> I took your advice in the "Transition" thread to the bank. Thanks
again. Last
> week I found a jewel of a book about fantasy writing: Fantasists on
Fantasy -
> A Collection of Critical Reflections By Eighteen Masters of the Art,
Edited
> by Robert H. Boyer & Kenneth J. Zahorski, A Discus Book by AVON
BOOKS, First
> printing 1984, ISBN:0-380-86553-X. The editors also produced The
Fantastic
> Imagination, The Fantastic Imagination II, The Phoenix Tree, and
Visions Of
> Wonder.
>
> Happy Holidays -JDHodo
>

Thanks, J. I'll check it out.

[David M. Harris]

If you're looking for a fantasy writer from whom you can learn, I would
rate Peter Beagle at or close to the top. Don't try to write like him, but
do try to learn from him.

dmh
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[cmaj7...@my-deja.com]

In article <i7ji3tsqrpq042eph...@4ax.com>,

Thanks, mule. I'll read some of these.