I am creating a world of my own .The characters I took from mythologycal figure. I use elves, dwarves, men, gnomes, trolls, goblins, orcs as some of my races in this world of mine where I plant to write a book so that I could read something at our reding hour in school. However I fear that people might think that it is an immitation of tolkien and that is what I fear. I really like elves and dwarves and I already have the language for the races but I might become another tolkien imitation. Any advice?
2007-03-30 05:00:58 · 9 answers · asked by sadloner07 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Well I have several races that I created of my own.
2007-03-30 05:36:44 · update #1
First, why does it matter so much to you if other people think you're "imitating" Tolkien? Just because I write a story that includes magic doesn't mean I've ripped off Harry Potter. It isn't so much your cast of characters, as what they do. What is their quest, the meaning of their story? That is what is important and will set you apart.
And it can be a good thing if you decide you want someone else to read this book you're writing. They ask you what it is about and you can say, "Do you like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings? You do? Then you'll like this."
I wouldn't worry so much. You're doing this for your own benefit and anything that anyone else says or thinks really doesn't hold much sway.
2007-03-30 05:11:11 · answer #1 · answered by tngapch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about imitation unless you intend to sell this book. As you write, you might find yourself going off on tangents Tolkien didn't use and your work will become unique. One thing I suggest is don't make any of the races immortal like Tolkien did. Decide how long your elves will live and how they will die and what happens when they die. That is a major enough difference that no one will think you are copying Tolkien.
I suggest you watch the movie KRULL. It will give you some ideas. This was a low budget fantasy, but had excellent plot and background to it.
Your story will evolve as you write it so don't sweat the little stuff until you get the rough draft done. That's when you go back and revise and improve. Every writer does it.
2007-03-30 12:25:13 · answer #2 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to lose the races. It all depends on if you do a good job on those languages you are creating, and if you can get a good story out of it.
Many, many fantasy stories of the past sixty years either use Tolkien's method (Terry Brooks does, and he's a best-seller, Dragon Lance and Dungeons and Dragons borrow from him, Tad Williams basically just changes their names, etc.) or they create political fantasies (David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan).
I don't see anything wrong with using the creatures the same way that Tolkien did. He did not invent any of these ideas, he just perfected them. I think it would be good to make them different at least in some ways from his work, but anyone that calls you a Tolkien rip-off is being silly. Does anyone call Tolkien a George MacDonald ripoff? I didn't think so.
If you're brilliant, you'll be brilliant regardless of where you borrow from.
Good luck with the writing!
2007-03-30 12:14:53 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, elves and dwarves, at least the modern conceptions of them, are essentially Tolkien creations. If you wish to divert from the formula, you should differ them, stylistically, from Tolkien's elves and dwarves. Embellish on the culture, language, and phsyical appearance. Also, you may want to add subraces, or different type of elves and dwarves, as well as creating a history, or mythologies, for them. As long as you are very detailed, people probably won't say you're copying anyone. Of course, people can say what they want. What really matters, is how you feel about your characters.
2007-03-30 12:08:09 · answer #4 · answered by forestfaeye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditch the elves and dwarves and make up a new race that you like better. You can even take some of the characteristics of elves and dwarves that you like - pointed ears or height or location.
One other option is to look at alternate names. Elves can be known as faeries, sprites, etc. Dwarves can also be known as gnomes. You get the idea. Do some research and be creative.
2007-03-30 12:06:33 · answer #5 · answered by Andrea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to find ways to make your races unique. Give details about them that distinguish them as your own and then focus on these characteristics within your story.
Let's take the gnome for example. Gnomes were sometimes called barbegazi in french lore. You could use this instead of gnome as you race name. Also in some myth gnomes are known for their supportive role in the development of plant life. You could focus on this point a make it part of your plot/story line.
Check out Rudolf Steiner's lectures (which reference gnomes and there involvement with plant life) on biodynamic agriculture.
DIG DEEP for the details to make the story and charecters your own!
2007-03-30 12:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by Ralph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I may shameless make you aware of a our PDF booklet "World-Building" which discusses a lot of the problems you address. This booklet is based off of a lecture I gave at Suny College on the subject. It may be useful for you.
2007-03-30 13:38:53 · answer #7 · answered by bardsandsages 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change things, elements like language, ages, history, change societal values etc, that kind of thing.
2007-03-30 12:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But by definition, if it is a world of your own, you shouldn't be asking another person. They have there own worlds.
2007-03-30 12:14:14 · answer #9 · answered by John M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋