Fantasy Stories

[Krista]

Hey,

 

 

The Fall Anthology is fast approaching as it's already August. I'm writing a Fantasy Fiction or an Epic, whatever they're called.. lol. I'm new at it and I don't really know how to go about doing it. I've heard not to introduce the characters in the beginning and to focus on them to keep their natural flaws in tact and not creating untouchable super heroes and such. After that I'm lost.. lol. I'm also doing it in third, which is something else that I'm not completely familiar with.

 

How many "heroes" is too much? I have five, it'll also be a challenge for me to make them individuals and such.

 

Also, what are some absolute don'ts that is just an annoyance to read really? Anything that's been over done and such?

 

 

More info about it, it's not a Modern Fantasy, it's "back in the day." lol.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Krista

[Graeme]

I think it's too hard to give generic answers to your questions, Krista.

 

Fantasy and Science Fiction have a unique challenge in that they aren't usually set in the current world. Therefore, you need to educate the reader on the environment as well as telling a story. If you use well known ideas (eg. elves, leprechauns, faires, dwarves, etc) then you can assume a fair amount. Otherwise, you have to gives details to explain things.

 

For superheroes, if the story has an obvious superhero early on, then the genre is quickly clear. After that, it just depends on introducing superpowers as relevant -- just don't bring out a new superpower to solve whatever problem the characters face ("I'll just use my telepathic powers, previously unmentioned, to read the unlocking code for the bomb from the villian's mind"). If the universe that the superheros live in is "today" with superheros, then you should be okay. In a short story, in particular, you don't have to explain where superpowers came from -- that's the sort of thing you would do in a novel. If it's simple and in context, do it, but don't go out of your way to explain them unless you really feel you need to.

 

The rest of your concerns are general writing issues. Feel free to PM me with specific questions, or join the mentoring program here at GA and ask your questions there. I'd advise the later option, because my opinion is just that -- my opinion -- and others may disagree.

[BeaStKid]

Hmm...I kinda had the same things in mind that Graeme had...You've to introduce the world (provided it's in a different setting...e.g Harry Potter) with great intricacy and would have to be careful about it. Then about the characters, lets just say that they should come out (read: introduced) with the flow of the story and there should be no unwanted surprises...

 

Thats all I can think of right now...But knowing you and your writing, I'm sure you'll do a great job!!

[Krista]

Thanks ya'll it was helpful. I'm going to create my own chracters for the most part, for the time being anyway. I've done a lot of planning and a few pages of writing on it already. Naming the characters is a lot more work as common names don't really fit.. lol. I know my planning and outlining will get more advanced as I go along.

 

I have already introduced the characters in the part that I've wrote, for the most part I think it will be alright.. lol. (If I stop second guessing myself)

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Krista

[BeaStKid]

Thanks ya'll it was helpful. I'm going to create my own chracters for the most part, for the time being anyway. I've done a lot of planning and a few pages of writing on it already. Naming the characters is a lot more work as common names don't really fit.. lol. I know my planning and outlining will get more advanced as I go along.

 

I have already introduced the characters in the part that I've wrote, for the most part I think it will be alright.. lol. (If I stop second guessing myself)

 

Thanks again!

Krista

All the Best!! Looking forward to reading it...