Thread: What fantasy to read to help my writing?

I have begun to write fantasy, kind of, and know of some authors who I am going to reread and read for the first time to help out. These include J.K Rowling, R.A. Salvatore, J.R.R Tolkei., Raymond E. Feist, George R.R. Martin, and Robin Hobb. Any other authors or titles imparticular to expand my knowledge, especially specifics from the authors I said?

I suggest you check out the thread "Any good fantasy" a bit further down the page

That's a pretty wide range. If you knew what kind of fantasy you planned to write, that would help.

But off the top of my head, I'd suggest C.S. Friedman's fantasy works, Peter Brett's, and Daniel Abraham's. Perhaps also Brandon Sanderson. It seems like you read mostly high/epic fantasy, so I've used authors who mainly write in those genres. And maybe Jennifer Fallon, Mercedes Lackey, and Chine Mieville, though that last one is slightly different--fantastic model for world-building, however. Id' say Alan Campbell, but that might be a bit too much on the dark side.

Saxguitar,

Consider the Vlad Taltos Series by Steven Brust and The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. Brust's work is fast paced and with snappy and stong dialogue. Zelazny's work has great voice and stong supporting characters. Both are very creative, and would be helpful, especially if you want to write in first person POV.

Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant trilogy (and even the second Chronicles), have great world building, on the scale of Tolkein, but in no way a copy or rip off. No dwarves and elves. Also the 'hero' isn't really a hero, more than a reluctant hero, almost an anti-hero that all comes together in the end. Memorable characters and races.

Michael Moorcock's Elric Saga is pretty good as well, showing what evil is and basic internal struggles of the main character, doing what must be done to survive, and thrive as an heir to the throne of an evil, dying race. Of course, there is Elric's evil sword, Stormbringer, that devours souls of friends and foes alike to give it's weak, albino wielder Elric strength.

There's also Terry Brooks and Fred Saberhagen, but without more direction in what you want to write, it's hard to suggest. Those are the main ones that helped focus and improved my writing, and their influence echos (I think) in my debut novel, Flank Hawk.

Good luck moving forward and enjoy the reads as you study what's out there.

Terry

You specifically say "to help my writing". May I suggest that what you bring to your reading will help you more than the particular piece. I don't know what aspect of your writing you wish to improve, but looking for those aspects in a work, recognising them when you read and then re-reading critically, looking for the elements that achieve, or fail to achieve that, can teach you more from a single book than reading a dozen for enjoyment will.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

I don't know what aspect of your writing you wish to improve, but looking for those aspects in a work, recognising them when you read and then re-reading critically, looking for the elements that achieve, or fail to achieve that, can teach you more from a single book than reading a dozen for enjoyment will.

Olly, do you do that?

It seems to take all the fun out of reading and to make writing hard work.

The author that is usually paired with J K Rowling in level of fantasy is Terry Pratchett. He should be far up on your list as one of the classic authors, especially with the likes of the discworld stories.

Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Olly, do you do that?

It seems to take all the fun out of reading and to make writing hard work.

Different folks, different strokes, yes I certainly do it when I am reading, the fun usually comes in the first read through, then I am looking for how they did it next read. I am not so concious when I am writing, I think of the information as having got itself "hardwired". I wish I could get punctuation to "Hardwire" I have read and re-read "On style" and "Eats shoots and leaves", enjoyed them even, but punctuation is still hard work and go over it a dozen times -- and I still get it wrong

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

I wish I could get punctuation to "Hardwire" I have read and re-read "On style" and "Eats shoots and leaves", enjoyed them even, but punctuation is still hard work and go over it a dozen times -- and I still get it wrong

"So what does a comma do? Well, quite simply, a comma is an invitation to your readers to pause - to take a breath. You may not be confident about using commas in your writing, but you're using them all the time when you speak. A 'spoken comma' happens whenever you take a breath when talking, and they are used in the same way in writing. Why not take a look at something you've written, and try to read it aloud; without commas you won't know where to take a breath, and by the end of a sentence you'll be quite breathless."


How to use commas - How to improve your punctuation

I know it's silly but I'd recommend you read Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman stories. Terry's stories aren't quests or traditional fantasy, (and neither are Neil's) but the worldbuilding is fantastic and I like how the main characters have things to do but the world still moves around them. That's often missed in fantasy novels.

I know people have listed many authors here.
But of the ones I know, I don't connect with any of them. I liked some of their work, but I am not really inspired by them.

IMO I read the authors that I can relate too or inspire me.

Read what you love, and you will be inspired by your love.

Bitofan- you have peaked my interest, any particular one stand out to you? (I am anti-epic, to me the world should not hang in the balance on every move an average person makes.)

Depending on what kind of improvement it is that you're aiming for, I can recommend Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth"-series. A heavy read most of the way, but for me at least, it taught me a lot about dialogue (both "how to" and "how certainly NOT to"), as well as building sentences. In addition it was a great source of words for someone who either find their vocabulary or their ability to "mix it up", lacking. I have English as my third language, but prefer writing in English due to how rich and nuanced it is, so his books was a great help with words.

A book I would suggest is Patrick Rothfuss' "Name of the Wind" and "The Wise Man's Fear". They're really good books, that are perfectly edited and written that they flow so seamlessly. The plotline and world is so developed, large and intricate that you can't help but read it.

Hey Sax,

An Author i would highly reccomend is Steven Erikson. HE writes amazing epic fantasty. He doesnt spoon feed the reader instead throwing you into a whole world of conflict on a massive scale. Its unlike any other fantasy ive read before. He wrote the series consisting of 10 books, with a co author Ian C Esslemont. I truy reckon its worth checking out.

His fisrt book is called 'Gardens of the moon'

Hes also received awards for his work just like many of the ones you listed.

I hope you have a look, and let me know what you think.

Goodluck in your search!