jk7070436

I'm writing an animal fantasy story, and I'm worrying whether it'd be cliche or not. It's mainly about mice in an empty room they call Glen. And they use swords and bows and spears and stuff like that.

Verago

Brian Jacques did it, and everyone loves his novels.
And one of my favorite books is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH which involves talking animals.

Yes. Go ahead and do it, it sounds good.
Even if it is slightly cliche (which it's not; talking animals with weapons is relatively new.), you'll have the "cute factor" working towards you.
Fuzzy.

jk7070436

Wow, a quick reply. . Just what I needed. Thanks, I think I'll go ahead with my story.

Stewart

Unless of course they aren't cute animals are are ball scratching, flea ridden beasts with bad breath that go about sniffing each others' asses during an axe battle. Has that been done?

And, to use another cliche, you really should read more of what you intend to write. By doing that you would know and wouldn't have to ask the question.

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amusinglackoftalent

"Okay, I've just read a bit more than half of the series, only skipped the boring books of the series. And I have got to say, I'm a bit disappointed in the whole thing. Ever since I was nine, I've wanted to read this series after many failed attempts, for the simpleness of the writing didn't catch my eye. So I've finally gotten around to getting a copy of it."

Do you remember writing that, JK?

And Connor wrote: "And, to use another cliche, you really should read more of what you intend to write. By doing that you would know and wouldn't have to ask the question."

However, I would like to pose a question to you of my own. If you have your own idea and feel confident in your pen and your own means of expression, for this is truly the only 'originality' to which a writer in this day and age may lay claim, why not write your story and allow the world and this much abused word 'cliche' to be damned?

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jk7070436

If I understand what you're asking, my answer is that many people these days, at least many people I know, tend to dislike someone if they use an idea that another author/authors have used. And though I've read a few book series with talking animals, I was wondering if it was used so much that people consider it cliche and overused. And I don't really feel like getting on people's bad side. Like Eragon for instance, yes, the dialogue isn't too great and the plot twists are VERY predictable, but another reason that there are many haters is that it copied many things from other books. So naturally, I'm really careful about what ideas I use in my story. Sorry if I misintrepreted your question. I didn't quite understand it.

amusinglackoftalent

Then I shouldn't have answered your question with a question. I hate it when people do that to me.

My point was this: We can no longer HAVE an original idea that has not been tried because there have been too many writers before us. Even if there IS an original idea or two still lurking around out there due to 'changing times' the supply is VERY limited. What is NOT limited is your imagination and the way you express what is yours on a piece of paper or a screen. Don't worry about 'copying' someone. If you write a story, any story, you're more than likely going to 'copy' someone even if you don't know it. Your job is to tell your story better than the originator, better than anyone before you or anyone else who might be 'copying' you. I personally believe that this is the chief reason for J.K. Rowling's outrageous success. I certainly can't say that she's the greatest writer to ever put pen to paper but I can say that she is one of the best with her unique way of telling a story. Surely she did not invent the concept of witchcraft...

As far as Connor's words go, I was simply agreeing with him and using one of your past quotes to do so. Lewis used animals in much the same way that you alluded to when you began this thread. I figured you must have 'skipped' those books...(j/k)

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jk7070436

Oh! I understand now. Sorry, it's just that that question stumped me.

Banana_Brother

Go for it. There isn't enough books with animals with swords I say.

If you can do it as good as Brian Jacques, I'll read it. Just PM with something.

Good luck

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Verago

If you can do as good as Brian Jacques, you'll have a best seller. : )

Cady

Go for it. Nothing is entirely original! If you use your own voice, style and ideas, nothing can go wrong. By the way although I think its good to read a lot of anything reading your genre while your writing it sometimes causes writers to mimic the author their reading. Be weary of this.

suzakugaiden

"Like Eragon for instance, yes, the dialogue isn't too great and the plot twists are VERY predictable, but another reason that there are many haters is that it copied many things from other books."

I think Eragon's problem is that it just secreted this black, squidgy wave of suck. Complaints about its clichedness are just accessory to its evil aura.

Also, I write furry, which is only slightly removed from what you're doing. It's not cliched. People will probably hate you for it for their own reasons, but no, it isn't cliched.

Lord Raiden

I've done plenty of talking animals, and never had a problem with it. IF you want to do talking animals, go right ahead. There's always a new and creative way to do them. Heck, CS Lewis used them a lot.

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CZ

I think it depends on what new ideas you introduce and how well you write. I certainly wouldn't be averse to reading another talking animal book - I quite enjoy them.

True that, but I think you forgot to mention how abysmal the writing is. I'm reading Eldest now (the sequel) and I literally have to force myself to keep reading because every few pages the poor writing will jolt me out of the story.

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suzakugaiden

Why are you forcing yourself to read Eldest? WTF. Seriously