 Fantasy: February 23, 2022 Issue [#11233] |
This week: A Question of Age Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Age and years have influence on decisions, cultural backgrounds and causes certain dynamics in relationships. One thing to consider in character and story is how the years/ages will factor into the fantasy world. |
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When it comes to fantasy and characters, there are a number of elements that one can consider or emphasize in order to create tension, depth or believability for the reader. One that you may or may not have considered is that of age. How old a character is in the time of the story can help show their development or sources of struggles. It can also indicate certain stages of life and expectations that are set by the society for what they are supposed to do or how one is expected to act. With fantasy and science fiction, we also get to play with options beyond the human life span, finding different ways to consider life spans and how characters might act given a certain life and world.
So, let's consider how age can affect a character for just a little bit.
One way is through life stage expectations. There are different age groups and certain views or expectations involved whether the society is similar to our own or complete in the realms of fantasy. In a short life range or one that spans hundreds or thousands of years, there are going to be some stages and ranges that hold particular note for actions or decisions, though the longer the life span the more extended or some may get lost over the long processing of time. There are probably some range that focuses on growth and learning, around a child and teen type of stage even if they get different names. Then there is the becoming adults or growing into their own and taking over control. Certain times are looked on towards relationships and mating, or going out on adventures or taking over the throne. Many options and stages exist within a speculative fiction story for what the society and characters expect.
In a romance/relationships, age can be a conflict or cause some tension depending on the cultures and views of the world/characters. Termed as a May-December relationship, having a large distance of ages is something that happens in romance and many different stories including fantasy. In fact, the stereotypical (and for a while considered over used) difficult relationship between a human and an elf is a good example because the age/life expectancy difference is a very noticeable factor. Instead of a difference of 8, 12, or 20 years there can be a span of time that exceeds 100 years since the elf has a much longer life expectancy compared to the human. Another example is that of the vampire and human since the vampires are known to live for many decades as well. Having those different lives and experiences can have a strong influence and it probably is better not to ignore those factors. However, even though there is a long difference compared to the reality human/human May-December relationship, it can shed some light on how age difference can really have a influence but can still work in our own world.
Aside from these factors is simply a connection to the character. While readers go above and below their own ages when reading, there are some times when the age of the character and the age of the reader have a connection. Sure, as a teen I read books like Street Lawyer and epic fantasies that focused on adults. But I also read books like Wild Magic and Juniper Games, which focused on adventures of teenage characters. Many middle grade speculative fiction characters are similar ages to those reading the books. So, age is something to consider with the main characters and also the readers.
What age do you want to work with and what story do you want to tell? Think some on it then have fun writing.
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How does age affect your character or decisions that are made in the story?
Comment by bob county 
There is this one guy and he has all this trial and tribulation...
But, in the end, he overcomes all of it.
Oh, I forgot he's an android.
But, really nice guy!
It's something of the something or is it just something.
I forget.
Bob County
Comment by brom21 
Thanks for the NL. My dad only reads suspense and drama. I am a fantasy reader/writer. I find the former to be boring. lol. The same thing goes with the few TV shows I watch. I do watch some cartoons which can be speculative in a way. Ones like the Last Airbender, X-men and the spin-off series from the How to Train Your Own Dragon movie comes to mind. Thanks again!
Comment by dragonwoman
I think the non-believers are either dwindling or mistaking what used to be seen a fantasy as reality.
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