Gnomes? - Writers Forum

Gnomeling · 07-26-2003, 11:05 AM

Hey all,

I am currently in the prosess of creating a world and a building a plot around my main character, which are gnomes. I'm posting this because i would like to know what all of you think about having gnomes as my main characters. I intend to write for a younger age group, 9-12ish, but i would like to know if you guys think that gnomes will be pictured differently to the stereotypical garden gnome. I really don't want them to come across as garden gnomes. I would like them to be looked at in a semi serious way, somewhat like a hobbit but significantly more gnome like, so if any of you have any advice,opinions or any imput on this subject at all please let me know. thanx

Aubrey · 07-26-2003, 12:02 PM

Hiya Gnomling!

Hmm, to me, gnomes have always been a demunitive sort of folk, that are not overly mischievous, but rather more curious about their world and how it works. (Garden Gnomes? There is such a creature? ^_~ *chuckles*) But actually having gnomes as main characters would be kind of neat, I don't see nearly as many stories about them, as I do for, say, dragons, unicorns, and other more popular fantasy/fiction races.

What sort of ideas did you have in mind for your gnomish creations? Like temperment? Culture? Physical description? I'd love to read about what you had in mind!

-Wol

Spudley · 07-26-2003, 05:39 PM

You could have one that drives a subway train... he would be called the metro-gnome.

*ahem* Sorry.

Seriously this time...

Yes. I don't see any problem with having gnomes used in a story. As has been said, they're less commonly used than some other character types, but that probably makes them all the better for you to use.

If you're planning to break from the stereotypical gnome image, you may need the story to explain that to the readers, as they will likely already have the stereotype in their minds.

**Penelope** · 07-26-2003, 08:51 PM

I think I would use gnomes as a character type in fiction. I'd use trolls as well. Did you ever think that all of these creatures were already thought up and made standard due to the writings of others? Is there room for new icons of childish fantasy? I think there might be.

Anonymous · 07-26-2003, 10:16 PM

all that you have said is very encouraging and i thank you greatly...most other people that i have asked have said that it would not work at all. They thought that i was silly for even thinking that i would beable to pull it off. Hahe. They were wrong. So yeah...thank you very much...by the way...if i wasn't so set at writing a fantasy series, that idea of having a metro-gnome would be pretty funny. I actually had a good laugh at that with one of my friends. Any how, that is all i have to say. Thanx

Fugi Origami · 07-27-2003, 12:31 PM

This is just and idea, but i think you already have something which to base your stories on. Misconception. You stated that you were worried that people would assume a stereotypical view of gnomes, considering only the garden gnome image. Maybe that is what you could concentrate on, the concept that the "Gnome" is misrepresented or misunderstood, by both man and beast, that their whole culture, while very _______ [fill in the blank] is never seen truly for what it is, and therefore there is a prejudice against them, due to the small mindedness of those ogres amonst us.

just and idea, I hope you figure it all out. It sounds like an Interesting topic.
-Fugi

faraway · 07-29-2003, 05:25 PM

If you think the reader might confuse your gnomes with the common garder variety, you can specifically compare the two and play on the diferences... they may be distant family, but divided by a couple of centuries, continents or something... so they may differ in appearance and/or manners... just an idea...