With the new Star Wars movie hitting big, people unfamiliar with fantasy and science fiction may feel out of their depth. For you normal folks, I offer a short introduction – a non-nerd primer so to speak – of accessible examples from fantasy and science fiction in four different media. Movie: Star Wars Recently my […]
Science Fantasy? What Hybrid Is That?
I’ve been blogging about science fantasy for a time now but have never sat down with you and defined what science fantasy is. Hold onto your hat, here we go: Science fantasy is a work of fiction that has elements of science fiction mixed with fantasy. O, now that helpful, wasn’t it? I think not. […]
What If? The Story Idea as the First Step on the Path to Publishing
The Fantasy World of Narnia
Let’s talk about fantasy worlds from various sources. I’m going to start, of course, with C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, a world simple enough for children and complex enough for adults. Magic Magic infuses Narnia from the beginning when Aslan sang it into being. But for the reader magic starts from the time Lucy hides in an […]
3 Human Questions Fantasy Novels Face
Is Magic Necessary in Fantasy?
5 Essential Traits of Fantasy Heroes and Heroines… Or… How to Relate to Us Simple Humans
We fantasy readers want a champion we can root for, suffer with, struggle alongside, and ultimately cheer on. If our fantasy heroes too wondrous, too cold, or too inhuman, we are apt to quickly lose interest. And when you don’t care what happens to a story’s characters, the story’s sunk. Here are five traits with examples […]
7 Classic Fantasy Novels, Whether You Agree or Not
Do Fantasy Characters Need to Floss? Or… Ordinary Needs in an Extraordinary World
Do fantasy characters need to floss? The short answer is yes, they need to floss. That is, if they want to keep their teeth. Real world necessities. Fantasy world necessities. Whichever. Necessities are… well, necessities. Watching Lord of the Rings I believe it’s no wonder the orcs are so cruel and cranky. I mean, have […]