 Fantasy: April 01, 2015 Issue [#6909] |
  Fantasy
This week: Communication in Fantasy Worlds Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf (written) Fantasy Newsletter
A generalized and brief look at communication within the fantasy story. We consider some options and a few different forms of communication and how to use them while maintaining genre. |
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Communication is an important factor in many instances, whether it be relationships or story telling. Writing in its own regard, is a form of communication, but let's focus a little more on what happens within the genre of fantasy (and a little in science fiction too). How characters explain things or dictate what they need during different parts of a story can both show something about the character and help develop the world. There is a lot of potential in communication, so let's look at some possible things to consider when writing a fantasy story.
Devices (aka technology)
Have different devices in order to get messages across to others can useful in some stories. This helps often for both world building and communication because it will show many aspects of the world the characters live in while also providing the relay needed for thoughts and more. Science fiction, in particular, has been a good place and inspiration for communication devices. Handheld devices used for communication were once thought of as crazy, sci-fi technology and that is just one example.
Fantasy can have different forms and devices for communication as well. The elves may not have cell phones (unless doing some urban fantasy type, though maybe yours do) but there are many different options available. The devices can also be made from different materials, not just ones we have here in "reality" and one can even incorporate magic within the communication system.
Show something a character uses in order to relay a message and it will say something about the character and the world. Next, the actual words...
Language (verbal and dialogue)
While you don't have to make up a whole new language for your fantasy story/world, some aspects of language usage can help in the genre. I have never created a whole new language or even parts of a language for a fantasy story but then again, I'm not exactly known for extensive world building. However, I have noticed that even minor focuses and influxes can help create the world for the reader along with showing different aspects of the characters involved. It could be something as simple as a character cursing to science instead of a deity. The possibilities are near endless. Or you can go more extensive with the language but do be somewhat aware of the reader (if you plan anyone ever reading the item) when creating the story with different language used by characters and how you show them.
Using attempts to show the language differences in dialogue, however, can be tricky no matter the genre. Little nuances can be great but if the writing is heavy on showing the language through the dialogue it can be off-putting for some. I struggle with "western" stories as a reader that try to show the cowboy language in dialogue at times because it's harder to read and can be distracting from the rest of the story for me, and I was born & raised in a small town in Wyoming. Also, who notices the accents and different phrasing of words vary on any given location, which is something one can indeed play around with in dialogue. Like one of my coworkers, can't tell any difference unless she talks about Wisconsin, then you hear it some of the words. Or someone from Minnesota might not be noticed in accent until they say the state name. Someone noticed I wasn't from Utah because I pronounced "Layton" with having a t in it, because well it does. However, location isn't the only reason. For example, part of my enunciation comes from years of choir and not a factor of where I grew up. Many subtle options available, to summarize this point.
Unspoken (body language)
Then there is the stuff not in dialogue, the unspoken things characters do in order to still give a message to someone. This part can be tricky in that you have to walk that line of showing what the character is doing and sometimes telling what the character is doing. How they convey anything through body language will also be handy in character and world development. Do certain gestures mean something specific? In a formal setting, is a hug from a family member expected or is that considered a private action? Many things one can consider when it comes to this subtle form of communication.
How things are conveyed and what they show will vary and it doesn't matter if you are writing fantasy, science fiction or any other genre. Communication can be a very important part, just depends on how you communicate them to the reader.
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How do your characters communicate with each other? Is there any cultural aspects to their communication that you have developed for the story?
Only one response was sent in to last month's newsletter, where I discussed prompts.
Comment by Joto-Kai 
If you have trouble, try looking for things that make a bad prompt. Green marble beads, a stone fence between an orchard and a pine forest, a talking bird on the ledge- oops, those are all famous sparks. I don't think you'll find anything in that search, either — except suitable prompts, perhaps?
- Thanks for the comment. Maybe that could help someone who is having troubles but not sure as I don't focus much on what I think is a bad prompt, except maybe over detailed... Anyways, interesting suggestions.
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