King_Lear

The Fantasy Genre General Facts: * Fantasy will always represent a non-fiction story, it can never represent non-fiction. * Almost in all cases it will use some kind of magic * Supernatural phenomenon is usually the main focus of the story * Can sometimes centralize this phenomenon in general items (Jewels, Crystals, hidden with loads of power) * Often is confused with genres such as science-fiction as well as horror. Often time all three are mixed together * Key difference is that magic is a phenomenon that has been in the work of fiction since before the time of the book and seemingly without reason with the intent of it being natural. Whereas sci-fi has a scientific background or making to it. * Fantasy genre mainly has a medieval form, which uses items such as castles, swords, dragons etc…(Lord of the rings) * In a sense a fantasy world can make itself, unravel itself in the actions of its characters. * Other concepts such as mystical creatures, obscure monsters and talking animals is a common one * Most fantasy stories have long as a strong background * Many fantasy stories have a hero thrust into action unwillingly. * Fantasy revolves around the use of a natural world, where nothing originally placed in it is out of the ordinary * Make believe, turning the reader into a believer, is a main concept of fantasy * Almost every aspect of fantasy can be considered an unrealistic concept * The idea of fantasy is for its world to unravel around us, to wrap us so tightly in its story that we only truly realize what reality is when the story is finished * Fantasy usually describes stories that could never exist in our world because the nature and concept behind the story is one that could never happen here in the first place. * Fantasy is something everyone grew up believing in, whether it was the tooth fairy, Santa clause, imaginary friends, wishing on candles etc… Quotes on Fantasy: * Fantasy often ends with the reestablishment of order, with evil conquered and good on the throne * Fantasy opens the door to experiencing the magic that is in the world around us, and more importantly the magic that is in ourselves. As a genre fantasy is about moving from our world of experiences beyond. * Fantasy is one of the most flexible genres. It is one of the frew genres in which the same book can be read by an 80 year old and a 12 year old comfortably and without an explanation. * Fantasy is totally wide open, all you really have to do is follow the rules you’ve set for the story. * Fantasy can make a complete break and can put people in a situation where they’re confronted with things that they would not confront in real world. * All the works of man have their origin in creative fantasy. What right have we then to depreciate imagination. Origins of Fantasy: * Fantasy on its own originated far back with literature such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, or Homers Iliad, even the bible had stories of fantasies with tales like Noah and the Ark. * As well many mythologies prove to be origins of modern fantasies; an example of this would be Chinese mythologies and its dragons. * Modern fantasy tends to have the rules, geography and history predefined, however it is rarely described. * Old fantasy tales used to take place on this very world, however now most fantasy stories use imaginary worlds to tell its story. * In fantasy the supernatural is natural. * The term fantasy itself was not developed until The Hobbit, also known as the mainstream point of fantasy. * The hobbit however was not considered a true fantasy story by the author, but more of a leisurely story, the series that followed, The Lord of the Rings, was considered to be a true “Epic Fantasy. Characteristics of Fantasy: * The worlds filled with a power whose origins may remain slightly shady throughout the story until a character may mention of how it came. * Most are usually a quest where and good evil lay in an unknown world, as well as where obscure creatures and talking animals lay. * These animals can be ones whose lifetime predates that of the main character, granting it much more insight than the main character could ever, however they could also represent more of a comedic side to the story. They could be common animals such as a monkey; a dog, a bird, or they could be less common creatures such as lemurs etc… Ultimately they play a strong role in the story. * The main character is always on a quest for an item, (such as crystals, jewels, a sword) to better himself for personal gain, or for the gain of a collective (the crystals together may stop a catastrophe) * Magic is the most important factor in a fantasy story - All fantasy contains an element of magic where the magic could simply be something that fuels the story as a background role, or the protagonist would need to develop his powers until he is strong enough to face the antagonist(eg: Harry Potter) * Many fantasy stories have a medieval factor to it as well; - Main characters often wield swords, shields, axes etc… - Very rarely some speak in an old English manner - Creatures such as dragons make common appearances in fantasy works. * Fantasy will show a distinct difference between good and evil and there is often no reason to cross the line between to cross the line between these sides. The reader has often little reason to choose the side of evil. * However the side of evil often has a relatable side, they are made so that their intentions are straightforward, to oppose the protagonist directly, however they were made to seem very humanlike, so that the reader can almost like the antagonist. Layout: Firstly almost like all fantasy stories, it begins with an idea, to write what you’re inspired by. Continue by writing a basic outline for your plot; develop each chapter from here on, however begin with the characters. * The character is one that can be entirely flexible, from his beginning to his end, his gender to his role, because it is the story that will ultimately make the character. The character can be young, coming of age, or already experienced. * It could be a story where the character has no knowledge of anything about whom he is or what he can do, just leads a simple life. This type of character will be drawn directly in by the story and forced to leave his former life behind. * This character can have family in the sense that they will come in later to play a greater role. An example would be the main characters brother supporting the main character until he achieves his goal, then betraying his brother and leaving the main character back where he began (which would also allow room for a sequel). * The main character could also have a certain trait which could become one of his greatest flaws. An example of this would be him with a totally arrogant personality trait, he will believe he can do something when others tell him he cannot, and when the time comes, he will fail. This could cause the main character to lose faith in him, hesitation in his ultimate goal, he could begin to question to himself, and believe he is not right for the job. * The main characters past could be one of the greatest turning points in the story, such as a love life reborn, or a tragic accident in his past coming back to haunt him. An example of this would be the main character fighting for the wrong side, only to see the memory of someone he loved dying for him in his past, to save him from a mistake he made now in the present, and that loved one was fighting for the side the main character now fights against. * The main antagonist must have set goals, to ultimately want to oppose the protagonist; but must be likeable at the same time. * The reader must be able to distinguish that the antagonist’s motives are purely evil, he may destroy villages, kill millions of innocents purely in the name of evil. * He may however have a sense of humour, a past that can relate with the main character (he betrayed the protagonists father, etc…) * The stories setting may have 3 different versions to it, which is how most fantasy stories are. * The first is a fantasy story that begins in another world and ends in the same world. (The Hobbit) * The second is a fantasy story that begins in one world and ends in another. (Harry Potter) * The last is a type of fantasy story that stays in our world but includes some magic to it (Mary Poppins) * Authors choose fantasy because it is the widest and broadest range of writing; it doesn’t leave us with just this world, but expands beyond and allows far less limitations to what is real and what isn’t. * Often times the fantasy stories can be simple children’s stories, from Aladdin to the Lion King, the conflict is far less grave than ones you would find in more mature fantasy stories however. * Fantasy, although may not be “factual” uses a method that allows us to apprehend our existence in an entirely different way. By this it is saying that fantasy puts us in an entirely different scenario, in an entirely different world, but when it is stripped to its bone, it shows us issues that all of us face. * In other words, fantasy can show us the realism and truths about us using magic and the supernatural. * Most fantasy stories are ones that end open-ended, as a fantasy story can always remain very vast, it is often hard to end one within the first work of fiction. * As a result most fantasy stories are those that have long series or trilogies (Eragon, Harry Potter) * Ultimately the key to writing a fantasy story is an idea, a creative idea within yourself, immersed in a world of your own choosing. We can hide ourselves in a work of fantasy, because often for the reader, they become so connected with the story that it becomes their own. * In other words a fantasy story can be almost like an escape for the reader.