 Fantasy: October 07, 2020 Issue [#10404] |
This week: Dark Fantasy Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
"My imagination completely controls me, and forever feeds the fire that burns with dark red light in my heart by bringing me the best dreams. I've always had a wild imagination, a big heart and a tortured soul so I feel that dark fantasy, love and horror are in my blood." - Elizabeth Kim |
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Even though times are still on the west side of crazy right now (if that's even a saying, I'm not sure) there are still some consistencies when it comes to October. Retail stores are still selling Halloween stuff even if the holiday won't be as festive as usual and most probably already have Christmas stuff out too. Television networks and others are putting spooky spins to things or running marathons that focus on the genres of the season.
For me, while I'm much of a horror writer, reader or even viewer, there is an element that does draw my attention from time to time and that's the speculative fiction sub-genre known as dark fantasy. There isn't an exact, agreed upon definition for what qualifies as dark fantasy but there are certain aspects that people associate with these types of stories in particular and yes, some horror falls under the category too.
What is dark fantasy?
One definition we can use is one where the story has a deliberate, ominous tone that reinforces a gloomy atmosphere. It is common for the fantasy elements to be intertwined with a sense of horror and/or dread in order to create a sinister situation. According to Austin Carmody over at fantasybookfanatic.com, there are a few typical characteristics that can often be found within these kinds of stories:
1. an ominous tone - how the story is written and the focus on aspects that give the reader the sense of dread or even discomfort and showcasing grim character viewpoints. Often the atmosphere of the story is gloomy and bleak with less chances for optimism or happiness.
2. evil can win - it's possible in the story that the "hero" doesn't come out of the tale victorious and there aren't always going to be happy endings or if they are, there is a cost and still a darker underside to the results.
3. lack of heroes - similarly to above, it's possible that the main characters aren't the typical fantasy fare type of hero. It might be a case of who is the lesser evil. (Common theme for a couple elections too, or so I hear at times from people but that's a whole different topic.)
4. emphasis on horror - while a genre in its own right, for fantasy stories that blend between the two, these types in particular use the elements to help create the grim atmosphere, create conflict and bring the reader into the strange, difficult world.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of dark fantasy might not be on the top of every ones list. I admit I haven't read many and of course do think of the common ones like a few stories in particular by Stephen King, there is one movie that I remember from when I was young. My stepsister really like to watch The Dark Crystal, which is a movie that uses puppets engineered by the same creator of the Muppets. Not the typical go to for creepy or ominous but that movie (and probably the current series which I haven't had a chance to watch yet) has the elements of a dark horror and it's not just because the word "dark" is in the title. In fact, while I haven't seen it in many many years, still in my mind I can see some of the characters and get the feeling of creepiness that the visuals provoked. For me, it is a story and world that is fantastical and on the dark side. However, there are also a fair number of other dark fantasy tales to choose from in book form by a variety of known authors. Stephen King is up there on the list of dark writers but the lists include a fair number of authors such as George RR Martin, Neil Gaiman, Anne Bishop and Anne Rice.
Here are some helpful links if you want to read a little more about the genre or would like to check out some potential books to read:
https://fantasybookfanatic.com/what-is-dark-fantasy-definition-examples/
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/dark-fantasy
http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-dark-fantasy-books
What about you? Do you like to read dark fantasy stories and if so, which is your favorite? And there is the chance to write it too. Some might be busy writing other types of stories, or since it's October preparing to write other types in the next month once novel writing month starts, but there are a few of you who may dapple or live in the world of dark fantasy. If so, go ahead and tell us a grim tale.
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What story comes to mind when you think of dark fantasy?
Last month, I discussed a particular setting within stories: the home. Most characters have a home in some shape or form and it's a place that is common within many stories. Here is a comment sent in over the topic of that newsletter:
Comment by Quick-Quill 
There are times when in a story HOME isn't a place but a memory. My mom's house was destroyed in the fire last week. Everything she had is gone. I had taken her photos and genealogy with me to look through, who knew that it would be saved. Then my own home was in the danger zone. As I waited to see if I would have to evacuate I looked at those boxes. Were they relevant or irrelevant? The choice is ours. In your story, it's what drives the MC to do what they do. Whether it's Dorothy or Swiss Family Robinson Home is where you make it.
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