 Fantasy: March 23, 2022 Issue [#11280] |
This week: Family Planning in Fantasy Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
How do people come to be in a story? Is the process to have children or offspring come in the same way as humans or animals in our world? Is there a different process? Then there is the question of having to plan things out or just let them happen. Much can be involved in the creation or struggle to develop a family.
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When it comes to fantasy and speculative fiction, there are some elements that are just given in the mind of the reader and something they may not even consider took thought in the creation or world building. The characters are there, the world exists in the book and the story happens as it was written. However, there are many elements in the background that might not come up exactly in the conflict or focused around the main character but they can be something for the author to consider during planning and world building. The continuation of a population or family planning are a good example of things that might not be a factor in the story (though for some they might actually come up as personal elements) but could be something to consider.
What is family planning?
This is essentially how people consider having or not having children/offspring. Humans and animals all have their known ways for increasing or continuing the population. For many humans, there is some thought and plans involved, though some do have an easier time than others. As a writer in her late 30's, for example, starting a family takes some planning, consideration and concern over potential issues with fertility. Many in our world struggle with the want to have a child not matching with the ability to conceive. Then there is the question of biology or legal creation of families. It's not always just about giving birth but other options like adoption are included.
This doesn't have to just be limited to the "real" world either. One of the good parts of speculative fiction is the connection of what we know with some elements that are unknown or fantastical. Not every character in a story is human so there might be different ways that the species continues their line or populates. Science fiction has a plethora of possibilities since science can range from the natural methods to more controlled and artificial. Methods are one element that you can go into as much detail as you want or it can be kept to a minimum if it's not something you'll need to put much into when it comes to the written part of the story.
The how is one element but there are also other considerations of the "why" along with struggles, issues and if there is a norm that people follow, which also leads to what is considered abnormal but still exists within the world. Is it just a matter of natural instinct? Is it more of a cultural or expected setting where families are just something that they do because it is what usually happens? Are there different types of couples that have to use different methods? Do different paths include options similar to adoption?
Even when it comes to how a family unit is created or the way the different relationships between characters intertwine, there are many options for the world of your story. How you develop things, what options exist for characters and whether any of it comes into play in the text of the story, it is all up to you. Take a little time to consider the options available for your character (or the lack of options) and see what you can create. Write a different world, a different story and do some fiction family planning. And have fun writing.
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Do characters in your fantasy or speculative fiction world worry about family planning or fertility?
Last month, I discussed character age and the influence that has on the speculative fiction story. Here are some comments sent in from that newsletter:
Comment by S 
I got sick very quickly of reading fantasy stories about the plucky teenagers coming up in a world, being able to wield weapons like seasoned soldiers, knowing magic like ancient mages. So my last fantasy novel had a couple in their early twenties along with his forty-odd year old father fighting against the bad guys. I can't handle any more teenagers.
I have a long-running series which has basically become the life story of a priest in a S&S setting, told in a series if short stories (like all those Conan stories). I just went through my files - out of 116 stories, 6 take place before he was 21. As an adult there is so much more fun to be had. His arrogance because he thinks he knows it all, when he does know it all but doesn't trust himself, losing battles, winning battles... I hope it's entertaining.
But I am getting more and more in all my tales written for adults in having middle-aged (say, 30uo & older) as the MCs.
- You have a good point that using the same age range can start to get boring for some. Though it depends on who the target is, which is why middle grade usually has the age it does because of the readers but beyond that there is plenty of room to add variety in fantasy stories to have more than just the coming-of-age-into-adulthood-save-the-day type.
Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published
I think age plays a great factor in a story because with age comes both experience and wisdom. But also, with age, can come certain ailments.
- Good point on the experience and wisdom. The wise old man is such because of the years that has gone by but those years take a toll on the body. The health and other factors do get added too when considering using different ages too.
Comment by N.A Miller 
TY DAWN! That is not the whole story though... its only a sample of the writing... a first part of the Novella... I am Flattered you gave me a pick though...
You made my day! Thanks!
N.A Miller
- You're welcome. I'm all for samples since I write novels so I'm always happy to promote segments of stories and hope that you are able to continue it more in the future. Good luck. 
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