Thread: Two Questions For Writers Of Fantasy

A vast majority of fantasy novels on today's market (and yesterday's for that matter) draw from medieval culture with knights, kings, dragons, and whatnot. There's nothing wrong with this of course, but I don't recall reading a book based on (for example) African culture. Anyone have any opinions as to why? And how do you decide what culture to draw from for your story?

Originally Posted by bambie1984

A vast majority of fantasy novels on today's market (and yesterday's for that matter) draw from medieval culture with knights, kings, dragons, and whatnot.

That's because the majority of fantasy novelists lack a modicum of imagination.

I don't recall reading a book based on (for example) African culture. Anyone have any opinions as to why?

Dragons, for some reason, sell. Do you have good knowledge of African culture? If so, write something and see how it pans out.

I actually have read some fantasy novels based up on Celtic mythiology and supernatural. The author I have read is Lawhead. Stephen Lawhead.

This is true, another thing to point out is the lack of tolerance or broadened minds of the western culture (which, lets face it, is the audience of which this book would be aimed towards). Fantasy must have some element of truth, an understandable conflict or dilemna and situations to which the reader can at least mildly refer to. Medievel based 'knights and dragons' stories seem to fit this profile well, and are something of which our culture has grown accustomed to, unfortunatly.
There are still many books being written from and of different cultures, however most of these get lost in translation or discarded. A provocative, inspiring and well intended book based on let's say 'African cultures' will most likely be stereotyped and abandoned on the competitive market today. Sad, isn't it?

You know, this is an interesting question. I never really thought about it all too much. All I know is that there tends to be some type of magic in fantasy works...maybe witches or something? Maybe dragons because they are derived from the real type of dragon, a lizard or something. Then all of a sudden they breathe fire and are fifty stories tall. Then comes along the Excalibur and the dragon is slayed. <aybe that is where swords come from all of this.

One of the best, well written fantasy novels I had ever read had nothing to do with dragons, or anything to do with majic. It was called The Deeds of Paksenarrion(sic). By Elizabeth Moon.

Clich&#233; is always the soft option.

I answer your question with yet another question: How many people go out to the bookstore looking for a fantasy book based on African culture?

Not very many. When I go to the book store to look for a fantasy book I usually want the regular old fantasy book, that I know I will enjoy.

It would be great for a new author to bring some revolutionary African fantasy books, but the chances are the maket wouldn't respond well.

Originally Posted by Dephere

When I go to the book store to look for a fantasy book I usually want the regular old fantasy book, that I know I will enjoy.

So much for fantasy fans having a sense of adventure.

fact is though: publishers print what they think will sell. the general market base prohibits expirementation. BUT - I've read a lot more multicultural fantasy than one might think is out there. They're generally unknown authors with only one book to their name because they couldn't get past the market block. I've read gypsy fantasy, otherworld fantasy (no dragons at all...), celtic fantasy, norse fantasy, I believe even chinese and japanese based fantasy. (I'm not the standard fantasy reader I guess as I like to try a new storyline...)

My suggestion: write a few short stories in this vein and get them pub'd in the respected fantasy mags - fantasy and science fiction, Flashing Swords, Deep Magic, places like that. See how it flies low before you launch it off a cliff

Good luck to you and I hope that helps.

~S

I think a novel of fantasy from a culture other than WASP (white anglo-saxon protestant) would be a breath of fresh air. I have also not read of any fantasy works using a Native American point of view...but I've got one on the backburner. The cultures of many indigenous peoples are rich with fantastic mythos; some of the stuff I've researched would put simple knights, dragons, and spellcasters to shame

Originally Posted by Connor Wolf

So much for fantasy fans having a sense of adventure.

If fantasy fans had a sense of adventure they would read something else.

Originally Posted by Straylight

No mention of Lian Hearn's medeival Japanese flavored fantasy works (Tales of the Otori)? Great Books.

Good point, they have won many awrds and are well written, good quality fantasy that isn't too farfetched. Also, the with, wizard, dragon thing is a bit of a fashion that is around at the moment - think Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter.