I'm writing a story, and I need some help.?

Question

This is not really a matter of as to what to write, but more like what I should be writing. Medieval fantasy has evolved much, and I'm trying to do something spontaneously different. I can't, because once again I find myself using the stereotypical things that appear in medieval fantasy - elves, dragons, and whatnot. I just need to know whether the general public are tiring of reading about such common things and wish for something new, or if they are satisfied with the comfortable familiarity of dwarves, mages, and so on. Please tell why, too.

Answer 1

You will find that most readers are happy to read things they have already read before, some just like the familiarity of some stories (I guess that's why most people like Eragon).
You can get away with writing a story that may not seem entirely original, of course, this doesn't mean you can write a story chock-block full of Cliché's, try to make a large majority of your story original. I'm more than happy to read a good Fantasy novel every now and then.
Also, do what you said, evolve your fantasies to something different.
A good thing to do is to walk into one of the biggest book stores in your area and brows their section of fantasy books, read the blurbs and take in the ideas, look at some of the similarities of these books, note the originality's. Then when you're ready to begin the planning of your story, remember those blurb and try to form an idea that's original.

Good Luck :D

Answer 2

People are tired of them, and, unless you're a 15 year old home schooled boy who has his book published by his mom, you aren't going to make any impact in the writing world by copying Tolkien, like so many have done before.

You can completely avoid elves and dwarves, completely. I'm writing a fantasy that, while it's not medieval perse, it's more like western/industrial fantasy, I'm having no problems not using elves, dwarves, and dragons. There's magic, but that can be used in new and inventive ways. Sit down and think long and hard about what you want for your story, and you should be able to come up with something new.

You can use elves, but instead of making them exactly like Tolkien's, ala Chris Paolinni, you could make them hideous creatures that feast on children, and dragons could be no larger than housecats.

Answer 3

That depends on what you intend to write in the area of medieval fantasy - if you have a new and different take on it, go for it. Check out Glen Cook's Garrett Series and see how Medieval Fantasy goes to the absolute limit.

Answer 4

i love medieval fantasy--but i am tired of warring kingdoms, quests, prophecies, damsels in distress, and saintly knights. i love dragons and will never tire of them. mages are fine too. i never felt able to relate to elves and dwarves. something different would be a bit of a risk--which some publishers/agents (i'm assuming you want to publish) may be a little weary of spending money on (like Hollywood, they stick to tried and true ideas (look at all those sequels!)). but personally, i'm ready to read something new!

Answer 5

The nice thing about the typical characters is that we know what to expect. The bad thing is that we know what to expect...

Why not write a story where the elves are bad, the dragons are good, the ogres are just misunderstood... oh wait... that's Shrek.

Answer 6

no, i am not interested in reading about that. it is boring and common. i've heard enough of that. how about taking a standard fairy tale plot/shakespeare/jane austin kind of classic story and making your story follow that? like the characters are normal people but they realize that what is happening in their life is like the story. and before some crucial event happens they can stop it cause they know the story. that would be cool! sorry, i am a crazy writing fan. i can go on all day!