  Fantasy
This week: Edited by: Colin Back on the Ghost Roads  
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This newsletter is for everyone who enjoys the magic and mystery of a good Fantasy, be it Tolkien, Jordan, Rowling, or a host of others. I will also be attempting to give some time to other types of fantasy, as written by the likes of Asimov, Wilson, Clarke and a galaxy of talent.
I hope to present some information that will be useful to other fantasy authors on site, and entertaining to all our subscribers.
So, let the wonder and glory of all that is fantasy engulf you.
The Fantasy Editors:
Colin Back on the Ghost Roads
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The Powers That Be
Hello once again. Mythology remains on hold for now, but when it comes back in maybe two months, maybe even one, it's going to be a good one. For now let's look at an element common to most mythologies that often also appears in fantasy stories. The powers that be, the gods, the great ones, whatever you may call them in your stories.
When writing a fantasy culture, knowing the religious beliefs and practices can often be important. If you plan to have the heroes conduct a daring rescue of a sacrificial victim you are going to have to have a religion that conducts such sacrifices and you're probably going to have to describe the rites in a fair amount of detail until the heroes break them up.
The first important thing you'll need to know is what sort of religious system your culture follows. The following are some of the more common ones.
Monotheism: A monotheistic culture worships a single deity. Many real world religions are monotheistic. Fewer fantasy cultures are simply because it can limit variety, although it does not have to. A monotheistic culture can still have servants of the god that are venerated in their own right even though they are not on par with the single ultimate deity. Technically, Middle Earth falls into this category. The Vala and Morgoth were essentially angels come to Earth, while a single creator deity watched over, but stood apart from the world. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan has a single Creator, and a Destroyer being, and so is loosely monotheistic.
Polytheism: A polytheistic culture worships more than one deity. Most older mythologies are polytheistic, and many fantasy cultures follow. The stories of the Eddingses normally have at least a small number of gods wandering around. The stories of Conan and other Howard creations took place in a world of many gods, as do many of Moorcock's tales.
Spiritism: This one's not an official designation, I'm just using it for simplicity. Rather then worshiping gods who are somewhat aloof and forbidding, the spirits culture venerates the spirits around them, who tend to be more humanized and more accessible. Many shamanic cultures follow such a path.
Atheism: Either the culture has no real religious beliefs or they just pay lip service to them. In any case religion has little place in the lives of the people. Terry Brooks' Shanarra series has many cultures of this type. Religion is barely mentioned at all.
Another important aspect of religion, possibly the most important from a story telling perspective, is how active the powers are. In many fantasy stories, the gods wander the world and interact with the heroes and villains of the piece. This can lend the stories a mythic feel, but also can create problems for the writer. If the gods are free to walk the earth, why do the need their worshipers? In many such stories the gods are able to watch and advise but are forbidden from taking direct action. Hence they need champions to serve their needs. The Eddingses favor this approach. Interestingly, Lovecraft's Dreamlands stories also have a very active collection of gods.
Some fantasy worlds have gods that are more aloof or restricted. They are there and there is even some evidence of their existence, but they are not seen wandering the land nor are they even often in direct contact with their people. Lord of the Rings favors this aspect. We see one of the Vala take action directly in the first book, as Arwen crosses the river chased by the Nazghul. The stores of Conan also tend to this level of activity, with the priesthoods often having magical gifts, but magic very similar to those of other sorcerers so you can't really tell if the gods are behind it or not. Conan's own people have gods that will punish them if they are weak enough to call upon them, but who give them gifts of strength and fortitude at birth, which are expected to be enough.
Other worlds have gods that are either inactive or nonexistent. As previously mentioned, the Shanarra series does not even mention religion, and so has no godly activity. Other stories are set in worlds where belief is common, but there are no miracles performed or even any evidence that the gods really exist.
When writing your stories, think carefully about these two factors. Each one will require different tools and styles of writing to work properly. As always, you can find examples you may be able to adapt from real world myths and legends. |
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From Dragon, Syphars Child
I have seen The Keep in movie form and it seems to be a great story but I didn't care for the movie. I did not until now realize it was a book.
So maybe the next time I am in the library I will see if they have or request it. Thanks for a great newsletter.
The movie kept the basic story, but cut far too much and really diluted the ending. The book (and several follow up sequels I might add) was much better. The novel is by F. Paul Wilson if that helps any.
From Lolli is back
Hello,
I'm very grateful for your article on unusual fantasy since I'm attempting to write a fantasy story that is different from the mainstream. I've tried to use C.S. Lewis' approach to new creatures and religion in his Sci-fi series, but I'm having trouble explaining the new world, concepts and everything in a good thorough way while not losing my readers.
I'd really appreciate any comments on my works too. Later today I'm going to put my newest writing into my port and I really would like some ideas. Thanks!
~Lolli
That is one of the drawbacks to creating an entirely new world. You have to do a lot more work describing things since so much is new. Hopefully having the letter posted in the newsletter will draw some people to your port.
From Raine
I read Forgotten Beasts of Eld a long time ago and loved every single page. The Keep, too, was one that held me rivetted to the very end. Thanks for reminding me of some real jewels in literature.
My pleasure. They're two of my favorites, and I love to share.
From Christina
I had seen a story on writing.com in the fantasy section about a Pirate Prince... and I thought it was called The Pirate Prince, but I can't find it! It had to have been in January or Febuary of 2005. It was a rather enchanting tale about a prince whose father sold him into slavery after the prince fell in love with a princess from another land.
Is there a way to hunt that down? I don't remember the author's name and, rather foolishly, I didn't save it to favorite places because of the sexual content - which I neither read nor write. But there was something about the beginning of the story, the flavor and the artful expression of color, that I wanted to read over again. How can I find this?
Blessings!
Jazzcat
At the top of every page of writing.com is a search function where you can input a title or some key words and look for items that match. I checked for this story, but couldn't find anything similar. It may be that I didn't use the right keywords, but it is also possible that the author has left the site or chosen to delete the story. If the author reads the fantasy newsletter however, she or he may email you about the item and direct you to it as well.
That wraps things up for this week. Next month and for many subsequent months, I'll be writing to you from the far east. See you then.
Colin
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Fantasy: July 20, 2005 Issue [#506]
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