- Posted on 11th Apr 12.
- In Uncategorized.
- By Walter.
- 12 responses.
So, I just finished reading The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss – excellent books both and if you enjoy fantasy, you really should pick them up. Just before I gobbled down the final chunk of The Wise Man’s Fear, I came across an interview with Rothfuss in which he talked about the fantasy clichés writers needed to avoid and his pet peeves with fantasy in general. I pointedly ignored the article until I finished the book and then went to go see what this obviously talented writer had to say about my beloved genre (I didn’t want anything to cloud my enjoyment of the book).
First, let me say that Rothfuss makes some very valid points about clichés in the genre – who isn’t sick to death of those damn whimsical, flighty, pointy-eared, smug-ass elves, anyway? I even agree with him on most of his points (particularly the one about vampires – they were fine when Anne Rice first started and for some time after. I’m sick to death of ‘em now).
Rothfuss basically takes aim at some of the rather overused elements in fantasy as a whole:
- Axe/hammer wielding dwarves swilling down ale in their underground cities
- The aforementioned smug-ass elves wielding bows in the depths of their forests
- Prophecy – The “chosen one” theme does tend to bug me as well
- Dragons – (You really need to read Rothfuss’ interview to get his point about dragons. Suffice to say I agree with him on both their awesomeness and their incredible overuse and redundancy. If you want to read the interview, hit this link)
- Helpless damsels who exist only for the theatrical heroics of the protagonist
There’s a problem, though – I LIKE dwarves (and I prefer my dwarves surly, swilling ale and beating down their foes with joyful abandon). I LIKE dragons (but do agree with him on their overuse). I LIKE powerful, wise wizards handing out timely advice and I LIKE the evil wizard/king/warlord bent on world domination. I know most of this stuff is tired, overused and old, but something deep in me loves the pulpy-ness of it all. Some of my favorite characters from books have been surly, axe/hammer wielding dwarves.
Now, do I agree with Rothfuss or disagree? I can see his points, certainly. I have my (somewhat abashed) love for clichéd settings and character archetypes. Which trumps?
Neither does.
Rothfuss’ OTHER point is what I agree with – the elements you use in your story don’t make the story. It’s the writing – the creating – the uniqueness that you bring to the page that really makes a good fantasy. It’s the author’s skill with words, ability to create compelling, captivating prose that makes a good story. It’s not having Bogdur the Brash Mace-Wielding Orc die bloodily at the hands of Gorthar the Dwarven Barfly with the Shining War Hammer BECAUSE they’re orcs and dwarves. It’s the reasons why Gorthar is bound and determined to make Bogdur his bitch.
It’s the story, dammit. It’s your storytelling – the warp and weft of your tapestry.
Is fantasy in need of a breath of fresh air? Maybe. I think what fantasy needs is more people willing to invent new, fantastical places, beings and worlds rather than follow in the footsteps of the myriad writers who’ve already followed in the footsteps of people like Tolkien and McCaffrey.
Read that as – Stop doing it because you think THAT’S fantasy. Because it’s not.
That brings me to Rothfuss’ point I agree with most strongly – fantasy is NOT elves and dwarves, orcs and gnomes, halflings and power-mad wizards. As Rothfuss said, those are props.
So… if that’s not what fantasy is, what IS it?
Why don’t you tell me? Maybe you could write it down… just sayin’.
So the gist of it is, elves and all are just props. True, but I like Dwarves with attitude, Kenders and halflings. Writers before us have given them all a stereotypy. I is up to us to break the mould in a way that leaves the original recognizable. Break new ground if that be possible.
Cheers,
Bill
I completely agree Bill, it’s up to us as writers to reinvent, re-energize and recreate. We have to make our own way. Thanks for the comment
I am not a big fantasy fan, but not because of the elements you mention. I love dragons etc. I just have found that much of the fantasy I’d come across was using those elements as shortcut, a way of stepping into a well defined road rather than creating a new one. It’s a bit like fanfic, where people use familiar settings and characters as vehicles for their imagination.
I read the Shannara books when they first came out and found they veered just about far enough away from Tolkien to be bearable, but since then, I’ve usually got a few pages into something and just found myself feeling bored.
My daughter recently loaned me two of The Witcher books that have so far been translated into English and while she tells me that if you are into the games, the books make more sense, I was relatively unimpressed. But there were new takes on old ideas and I do wonder if both the game aspect and the translation might be a factor.
I’ve never tried writing fantasy since I was a teenager, since I didn’t feel I had anything new to offer.
Good post.
Thanks for the comment, Viv! I know exactly what you mean about “shortcuts”. Though I have to wonder (based on a discussion on FB with Brad Joyce) how much of that has been manufactured by publishers themselves. I also remember the first time I read the original Shannara series – it was great. Different from the rest of the stuff I’d read up to that point.
I believe fantasy is a story involving a mythology and magic as it’s core. That leads to a wide range of new possibilities beyond the works of authorial giants whose shoulders we stand on as fantasy writers.
You’re absolutely right, Darin – there’s an incredible range of possibilities out there
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve avoided all of those clichés! Woohoo. And I certainly agree with Rothfuss. If someone can use those elements in a genuinely fresh way, so be it. But it’s better to avoid them altogether and stretch out in other directions! I like epic fantasy, if you do, come by and visit me.
Thanks for stopping by, Ron! And yes, fresh stuff is great. But, like you said, if a writer can find a fresh way to use those elements, then more power to them
A friend pointed me here and I’m glad I saw your post. Totally agree. I grew up on McCaffrey and others, but I do get tired of the same shortcuts. However, speaking as someone who spent three years selling her own fantasy novel, I can vouch that the big publishers don’t really want anything that strays too far from the mold. I have my email folder full of “great writing/we don’t know how to market this” messages to show for it. Praise all the gods for the digital presses and their willingness to embrace something a little different!
Great post – thanks!
Thanks for chiming in! Interestingly, your comment goes right along with a discussion this post spawned over on FB, about how publishers have had such an impact on making “fantasy” the genre we know today and how they’re unwilling/unable to break out of that mold. And I have to agree – so glad digital presses/self-pubbing has become a realistic option for authors today.
I know I’m a little late to the party but I couldn’t agree with this article more. I’ve recently been brewing up a fantasy story and did so in order to break away from the monotony of elves, dwarves and gnomes…I’m putting my story in the “fantasy” genre bc the world is made-up. I did this for 2 reasons, A) it seems society doesn’t appreciate stereotypes so I’ve mimicked some in order to spare ridiculous outcries of negativity and B) I like fantasy but want to see something different dammit! I know that my first point might make me seem cowardly, but I’m hoping people will interpret my ideas for themselves. Its funny that D & D was brought up because while I’m not imitating it, I am looking for aspects that could be modified for the better. I’ve never played the game but the sourcebooks are incredibly detailed and planned out. Nevertheless, I’m sick of kingdoms, orcs, dragons and horses myself, so I’m doing what so many writers have given for advice. “Write what you want to see.”
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! And I have to agree that D&D source materials can make excellent fodder for world-building and anything else within the fantasy realm. Also, I think that advice is spot on – “write what you want to see.”