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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12990-Rebellions-and-Protests-in-Fantasy.html
Fantasy: February 19, 2025 Issue [#12990]




 This week: Rebellions and Protests in Fantasy
  Edited by: Dawn Embers Author IconMail Icon
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1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
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About This Newsletter

Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn

Considering recent events and having to listen to protesters along with car honks from people driving by offering support, this is a good topic but we are going to stay in the realm of fiction. No current politics here but a look at rebellions in fantasy/sci-fi along with some ways to maybe include a protest in a story.


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Letter from the editor

Rebellions have been popular in science fiction and fantasy. There is even a meme that mentions a few of them and how people often side with the people of the rebellion. Something about how in Star Wars you sided with the rebellion and like three others that were similar but I don't remember them. Essentially, the rebellion is something many have used in stories that are in science fiction, fantasy, dystopian and other subgeneres. Let's look at some examples then we'll talk about using rebellions or even protests in fantasy writing since some of us might have personal experience to also use as inspiration.


Movie Examples
Star Wars : Aside from Star Wars including a strong rebellion in the series as a vital part of the story, according to a google search there is a game called Star Wars Rebellion. Then there is an animated video called Star Wars Rebels. So, there are all kinds of options.

V for Vendetta : Some people view the movie, V for Vendetta as an allegory of oppression by government. The basic premise is that after a world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government. The main character, V (Hugo Weaving,) uses terrorist tactics to fight against the oppressors.

Book Examples
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow : After a terrorist attack in his hometown of San Francisco, 17 year-old Marcus is swept up by Homeland Security for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. After days of being detained and mercilessly interrogated, Marcus is finally let go, and discovers that his world has changed. The US has become a police state, with everyone treated as a potential hostile. Privacy has gone the way of the dodo. Marcus isn’t about to take that lying down, though. It’s time to organize a cyber revolution.

Hunger Games series (also a movie) by Suzanne Collins : It's been 12 years since the first book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series hit shelves. Since then, Collins' depiction of young people revolting against a brutal Capitol that commodifies human suffering has become iconic. Viewed apart from the blockbuster movie adaptations and the controversial prequel exploring the backstory of the Capitol's tyrannical ruler, The Hunger Games series is fundamentally about lower-class and marginalized folks fomenting revolution.


Much like these examples and many others that exist out in the atmosphere, movies, music and fiction, the rebellion is a strongbow and great option to consider using in a story. I would imagine that many dystopian type worlds involve a type of rebellion since it often involves an oppressive government. I even have one that includes the forming of rebellion groups, oppressive government and quarantines and I got the idea years before 2020 and Covid. Betting there are stories here on WDC in the fantastical world that are similar.

Rebellions are quite big so another, smaller option in a story, depending on what is needed, can come in the form of protests. Have you ever taken part in a protest. I did once, in a very small one since it was college in Utah. Over ten years we did a protest against a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Things were mostly uneventful but one group did have.a cute of soda thrown at them. Different times there have been organized ones at state or the federal capitol.

There are different types of protests and ways that one could be made more magical or fantasy worthy. This could include sings made in different ways or with spell. Could have specific places involved where the government gathers on different galaxies. It all depends on your approach to the story, characters and the world development. Find a way to make it work and have fun writing the story.



Sources:
Tor/Forge Blog - https://www.torforgeblog.com/2018/07/02/9-of-our-favorite-rebellions-in-sci-fi-a...
The Portalist - https://theportalist.com/science-fiction-fantasy-rebellion-books
Google


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Ask & Answer

Have you ever used a rebellion or protest in a story? Which is your favorite rebellion in Sci-Fi and Fantasy?


Last month, I discussed character details. Here is a comment sent for that topic:

Comment by Osirantinous Author Icon:
I've been trying to think if my characters have any small detail that is maybe a quirk or something others would notice, but all I can think of is those with an accent that piques others' interests - so I will have to work harder on that. Meanwhile, my dear, what's the name of that book with the non-colour-seeing character? It sounds like a fascinating read!


*Cat*


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