  Fantasy
This week: Fantasy and the use of Technology Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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| I have always been more of a fan of fantasy than science fiction. However, as I start considering an epic fantasy story, it became clear that maybe technology isn't just for science fiction. This newsletter discusses that factor and how maybe technology can play a role in even the traditional fantasy settings. |
| ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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I have to admit something. When I think of fantasy, I first picture in my head the traditional, medievally setting with fantasy creatures that are certainly a part of the genre, but a very limited part. I think of horses, swords, some magic, but not laptops and cell phone. Though that is in part because I rarely read Urban Fantasy. However, I've struggled also with some of the bigger problems with writing a fantasy story like that: transportation. Not all the characters can walk realms and get there in like a few weeks time. Which has made me thing that maybe it's time I add a little technology into my fantasy.
At one point I even considered writing a story about elves with cell phones. But I haven't yet.
Then I started thinking about magic. What we think of as technology could be written in a story as magic. Take photography for example. Sure, it seems easy enough. Use the little machine, take a picture and voila. But maybe all that stuff we know about how it works, isn't it at all. Maybe how a picture works, how it goes from the thing we are seeing to the little square printed off the machine, that could be called magic. ooooo
Or not. But back to the old style, low tech fantasy worlds from the first paragraph. Does it have to be like that? Not necessarily. Sure they work for some stories but others might do better with different levels of technology for example, which bring in other subgenres. Like... Steampunk!
I haven't written anything that qualifies as Steampunk but I like the concept in general, not to mention the fashion and imagery involved. The concept of steam technology can make for very interesting setting and some pretty cool technology used within a fantasy story. Giant walking metal spiders? Sure, why not. Big clock or ships that float in the sky? Yep, count me in. And one could use a few elements to have a pretty cool set of fairies that fit within this subgenre too.
Then there is Cyberpunk, which is all about having a dystopian type setting but a high level of technology. So things are really bad in the world but hey, we have computers and cool stuff to use to fight back against the system. This could be where you do get elves who have cell phone and use microchips for umm something or other... I'm actually really bad at technology. But looking up techno stuff that would fit in sci-fi and placing it in fantasy stories could have an interesting outcome.
Which is where I've decided my epic fantasy story (with elves, dwarves and magic) has gone wrong. They might not get cell phones and computers, but I am thinking time has come to allow home phones and motorized vehicles. And I think my characters will thank me as now they won't have to walk everywhere.
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Here are a few different items I found in relation to technology and fantasy.
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#1949435 by Not Available. |
Merlin and a struggle between magic and technology = interesting concept.
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#1740491 by Not Available. |
A few sci-fi type images from someone's novel idea but kind of neat to look at. Some pretty good ones are in there.
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#1918642 by Not Available. |
The title caught my attention and it does appear to have a mixing of technology with fantasy elements. Magic and technology used together, nicely done.
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#1870955 by Not Available. |
Oooo, a whole folder with steampunk stories.
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#1957381 by Not Available. |
And here we get horses and such. Won round it was created for in a fantasy contest.
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#1948208 by Not Available. |
A fantasy contest with a round currently going. Enter before the 15th of December.
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| ASIN: 0995498113 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
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Questions for the week: How do you use technology in fantasy? Do you like the idea of more in fantasy or do you prefer the low tech worlds?
Last time I wrote a fantasy newsletter, the topic was why fantasy and sci-fi contests/activities don't last long. I got many great responses, more than I can post here. This is a small set of the great responses I received over the topic. Thank you everyone who sent in a comment.
Airplane1285 
"as the leader of Epic Fantasy Stories I can attest to contests being better suited on here for the shorter term. This first month had a few people get a rough outline in but the second month no one was able to make a draft. I think, for this site, shorter contests are the normal. As for what I would like to see, I want so contests take chances with it and hey if it doesn't work it doesn't work.
I would like to see a contest go for a little longer than a month myself, as for me I need the time to edit and make what I write readable without the judges banging here head on the desk in front of them trying to see what I get at. Places where mystical can be created other others that take us to deep space. These are my two favorite Genres and I really do wish to see more contests and groups for them that can keep going."
Joshiahis
I think these types of contests don't last because of the amount of work it takes to write a compelling story. Fantasy/Sci-Fi requires something you don't need with other genres; world building. A drama about a sickly teenager from Michigan searching for her parents during an apocalyptic snowstorm already has it's setting and ambiance. Writing a fantasy about a corrupt knight seeking redemption by killing a dragon requires alot of work to make it "feel real" to the reader. Many of our contests just don't give you the time, or word length freedom, to do all this work.
Pepper 
It might be interesting to compare the longevity of sci-fi/fantansy contests to other genre specific contests and to non-specific genre contests. Do those genres really have a better track record? LOL! Sorry if I'm sounding a bit too academia, but it's an interesting thought. My own theory is that the commitment to run any contest wears on a person after a while. Couple that with too many poorly written entries, and you can end up with one very discouraged host.
Matt Bird MSci (Hons) AMRSC
I think the main reason fantasy and sci-fi contests close, is for the reason you state. Fantasy writers tend to write longer works. The problem with longer works is that everyone works at a different pace, meaning it is difficult to create a contest for novels (though there are some about). Some writers may spend months planning first, others dive straight in.
Another problem is how broad sci-fi and fantasy are. Every other genre can be added to fantasy. Fantasy isn't so much a single genre, as it is an umbrella. Epic fantasy is as different to urban fantasy as romances are to thrillers. Some writers don't want to compete with writers who are, essentially, writing in a different genre despite the contest being fantasy... If you want to start a fantasy or sci-fi contest it is always a good idea to get the big groups on side (such as those listed in the newsletter). The CSFS (this is sounding like a big advert, isn't it?) has an affiliate group scheme where you can get your group/contest/activity listed on the CSFS navigation menu if you include a link to the CSFS on your page... Oh, and make sure you don't get your hopes too high. The most entries my current contest has had is 6. Last month we had 3. I count both of those as successes!
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| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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Fantasy: November 27, 2013 Issue [#6017]
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