FA+
Shop
The problem with fantasy nowadays
11 years ago
General
it's all so formulaic
I mean you got your classic stuff
Harry Potter
Zelda
stuff like that
but it's like
most of the new stuff is either doing nothing significant (Twilight)
or following the formula of something else
Nothing is original anymore
and it's not like anything is EVER completely original
but it needs to have an edge somewhere. You can have a story about a werewolf, most certainly. But it has to be ABOUT THE WEREWOLF, not about A werewolf.
there's no value in "oh I'm a werewolf now uh oh" (note the audience is supposed to be fascinated simply by the existence of a werewolf)
we need more: Transforming isn't what people make of it. It leaves us vulnerable, both physically and mentally. We can't think. We can barely see. It riles our emotions, which is why we might howl or lash out at something close. When we finish, we'll usually either breathe calmly or act barbarically, charging or lunging at something. The younger, less experienced werewolves often "choose" the latter, though it's not much of a choice when you don't have any control.
In summary: you're a werewolf? GREAT! What's it like? What do you do? Who are you otherwise? TELL US SOMETHING OTHER THAN AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AND don't forget it's perfectly viable to, uh, write a fantasy story THAT'S NOT ABOUT WEREWOLVES/VAMPIRES/KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS
FOR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONCE
But don't get me wrong. It's not bad to explore or try something. It can be refreshing to see someone's original take on a common theme.
BUT do NOT LIMIT YOURSELF to THE SAME OLD SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CAN ONLY GET SO FAR IN SOMEONE ELSE'S FOOTSTEPS!
I mean you got your classic stuff
Harry Potter
Zelda
stuff like that
but it's like
most of the new stuff is either doing nothing significant (Twilight)
or following the formula of something else
Nothing is original anymore
and it's not like anything is EVER completely original
but it needs to have an edge somewhere. You can have a story about a werewolf, most certainly. But it has to be ABOUT THE WEREWOLF, not about A werewolf.
there's no value in "oh I'm a werewolf now uh oh" (note the audience is supposed to be fascinated simply by the existence of a werewolf)
we need more: Transforming isn't what people make of it. It leaves us vulnerable, both physically and mentally. We can't think. We can barely see. It riles our emotions, which is why we might howl or lash out at something close. When we finish, we'll usually either breathe calmly or act barbarically, charging or lunging at something. The younger, less experienced werewolves often "choose" the latter, though it's not much of a choice when you don't have any control.
In summary: you're a werewolf? GREAT! What's it like? What do you do? Who are you otherwise? TELL US SOMETHING OTHER THAN AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AND don't forget it's perfectly viable to, uh, write a fantasy story THAT'S NOT ABOUT WEREWOLVES/VAMPIRES/KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS
FOR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONCE
But don't get me wrong. It's not bad to explore or try something. It can be refreshing to see someone's original take on a common theme.
BUT do NOT LIMIT YOURSELF to THE SAME OLD SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CAN ONLY GET SO FAR IN SOMEONE ELSE'S FOOTSTEPS!
.
I usually don't give a book a 10/10 if I can predict the ending and I'm right. A formula is okay, but you won't get anywhere special with it.
All writing is not formulaic--there are books without predefined patterns and authors who don't stick to "what works" in that regard. But because formulaic writing can still be enjoyable and sells well, it proliferates.