Why does including elves, dragons, magic, etc. devalue a story in the eyes of many, even though it can be presented believably and the presence of magic and fantastical creatures doesn't effect the underlying message?
2006-07-14 06:34:31 · 10 answers · asked by Elminster 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
For the same reason it's hard for a fantasy movie to win at the Academy Awards. The ppl that decide these things have a different concept of art (or is it "ahhht") than most of us. If it's not "deep and meaningful" and does not play to their social agenda, it's not worthy. Point to ponder...why have most of the "best pictures" from the last few years been losers at the box office? Boooooringg.
The fantasy genre is alive and well, though. Take heart, read, and enjoy.
2006-07-14 13:42:01 · answer #1 · answered by Spel Chekker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-06 09:12:22 · answer #2 · answered by beharry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have wondered about exactly this for years... I am a well rounded reader (fiction, non, fantasy, autobiographies) but when I started reading it was fantasy and I will always revert back occasionally and read a new series now and then... It seems to me that the talent in the fantasy world is equal if not a little better than in the other fields. Once in a while when I convince a friend to read a delicious fantasy they are usually very impressed. All fiction is fantasy and should be treated equal...
2006-07-14 06:47:42 · answer #3 · answered by entropy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you answered your own question. People look down on it because it relies so often on a set of too familiar images: faeries, dragons, quests.
To me a more important question is why so many readers of fantasy haven't read fantasy books that don't go to the cliches?
I always recommend the books of Gene Wolfe, and when my fantasy reading friends try it, they rarely go back to the hackneyed stuff.
Great fantasy like There Are Doors by Gene Wolf, or A Wrinkle in Time by Madelein L'engle go in brave directions, and leave out the too familiar furnishings...
The same truisms apply to science fiction, which also gets its share of snobbery. The best sci fi and fantasy would surprise the reader who thinks its all elves and star trek.
2006-07-14 07:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, number one, your premise is not accurate. Fantasy books and especially fantasy based movies are all the rage right now and have been for several years. All projections seem to indicate that trend will continue.
That said, there are three words fantasy writers MUST understand to write good fantasy. They are:
Suspension of Disbelief
What does this mean? It means readers can get into your story, enjoy the realm you've created and NEVER find themselves saying, "Oh, this is a crock."
Your job as a fantasy writer is to help your readers 'suspend' (put on hold) their DISbelief. In other words, your writing helps them step out of reality and into your fantasy world without ever having to second guess who, where or what your story is telling them. And, they shouldn't have to learn a whole new vocabulary to read a fantasy tale. That's one of my pet peeves about fantasy stories and, to some degree, is what causes fantasy reviewers to "look down upon" new fantasy books.
How do I know? I write fantasy, and, if you believe reviewers, I'm very good at it. If you'd like a free demo of my newest fantasy hard cover release, THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY, just email me at FiveStarAuthor@aol.com. The demo is fully illustrated and it will give you a nice taste of my book.
Good luck with your writing!
Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)
THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)
(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at FiveStarAuthor@aol.com).
My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/
2006-07-14 06:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by FiveStarAuthor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, I love Fantasy and is the only Style of books i like and read. I agree I don't get why writing about things that are unseen or unheard of to the human eye should be looked down apon, I think Fantasy are the Best, and most creative style of books.
love/Dee
2006-07-14 06:41:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a lot of fantasy that is crap...but a lot of it is very good...and actually much of what I had to read for high school English class was fantasy... I read Dracula, the Odyssey, childhoods end.
2006-07-14 12:26:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't always so...GK Chesterton said fantasy is like looking at the world reflected in a slanted mirror. It shows you a new aspect of something you thought you knew....
2006-07-14 07:28:04 · answer #8 · answered by mury902 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because only writing that is boring, confusing, or stupid is considered to be 'literary' and have a 'message' by the establishment.
2006-07-14 06:48:00 · answer #9 · answered by Elven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the world of writing/reading. All books are looked down upon by some group of people. Romance, aparently is "trash" and is "easy to write"....
If you worry about other people's opinions, you'll never have any fun in life.
2006-07-14 06:40:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋