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Epic Fantasy

Discussion in 'Fanfic Discussion' started by Otters, Aug 28, 2010.

  1. Otters

    Otters Groundskeeper ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    An interesting essay I came across the other day - some of you might find it useful/intriguing. Not sure where it belongs; here seemed like the safest bet.

    Sauce

    Edit: the formatting is a little screwy here, but it's much easier to read through the link ^ up there.

     
  2. Alindrome

    Alindrome A bigger, darker mark DLP Supporter Retired Staff

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    Ahh, yes, you linked me this before didn't you?

    I have to agree: quite an interesting essay, excellent points raised about the genre and a good interpretation of what makes an engaging story - an interpretation I wholly agree with. I'd never really thought about the familiar/unfamiliar story aspects and how they relate to enjoyment levels before, but it seems very true.
     
  3. IdSayWhyNot

    IdSayWhyNot Minister of Magic DLP Supporter

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    On overused clichés and drawing specific ideas from masters of literature:

    Agree all the way.
     
  4. Sorrows

    Sorrows Queen of the Flamingos Moderator

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    This is really damn good, I may just print it out.
     
  5. Joe

    Joe The Reminiscent Exile ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter ⭐⭐⭐

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    Heh. Guilty.
     
  6. Garden

    Garden Supreme Mugwump

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    You missed the "fail" part.
     
  7. Tehan

    Tehan Avatar of Khorne DLP Supporter

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    Everything I needed to know about epic fantasy, I learned from The Rivan Codex. Seriously, David Eddings (mayherestinpeace) is a God.
     
  8. xStarkiller

    xStarkiller Squib

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    Excellent essay. Thank you very much for sharing it! I especially agree with this part here:

    I want to applaud that part. No matter how unnatural the world in which a fantasy novel takes place, slotting your main characters into rigid archetypes makes a novel flat-arsed and boring as hell. I don't know how many fantasy novels I've given up on due to this kind of black and white portrayal of heroes and villains. Good and Evil are abstract concepts; none of us can class ourselves as 100% "good" or "evil". Take Harry for example. He is a hero, but he isn't entirely "good". His character is flecked with moral complexities, just as everyone else is. I personally find that the best kind of heroes are those whose struggle is as much a personal battle with themselves as it is against an outer enemy.
     
  9. Archangel

    Archangel First Year

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    ...Really? I haven't read that one, but I found that I enjoyed his other work when I was 10 or so, but upon rereading it now it doesn't stand up so well. It's not _bad_, just repetitive and a bit lacking in depth.
     
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