  Fantasy
This week: Edited by: rose_shadow
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"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
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It's December folks and I'm happy to report that I have survived NaNoWriMo 2005. In fact, I won! At 8:30 p.m. on November 30th, my aching fingers tapped out the last couple of words and I made my goal at 50,017 words. For the morbidly curious, it's in my portfolio in all its unedited glory: "Invalid Item" . Feel free to stop by and have a good laugh  .
A couple of months ago I posted the article by the talented Limyaael ranting about the bad uses of prophecy . After that newsletter, Ron   sent in a question wondering if there were any positive uses for prophecy in fantasy stories. Here’s your answer Ron. I hope  .
1) Prophecies create a sense of expectation.
This sense of expectation in your characters can be good or bad. Perhaps the prophecy indicates the coming of a peaceful reign of a good king. If this is a commonly known prophecy, think of how that would affect the people in your story. Would they be optimistic about the future? Is your hero or heroine the type of person to want to aid this prophecy along in any way possible?
Or perhaps the prophecy is more gloom and doom. The world will end in fire, etc. Again, what effect does this have on your characters? Your villain?
Expectations aroused by prophecy can also be used by you as the author to create false expectations. For example, in a story ("Invalid Item" ) I wrote soon after reading Limyaael's rant about prophecy, I explore these kind of expectations raised by a prophecy where the hero wants nothing whatsoever to do with it. Creating false expectations is a good way to turn the traditional use of prophecy on its heels.
2) It can give focus for your story.
Having a prophecy is an easy way to jump start your story. High Wizard Zooz discovers a prophecy that the Evil Overlord Globb will be defeated by a hero who cannot speak if he can find the Mystic Kettle of Nackledirk. Suddenly, your mute character is catipulted into an adventure they never expected to go on. He or she knows they must seek and discover the Kettle or all is DOOMED!
Melodrama aside, that is the basic outline of a traditional quest story utilized by fantasy authors world over. Add some flesh to the bones and you've got yourself a nice plump story.
There are many other ways to use prophecy in a way that won't be cliche. If you want to check out the uses to be avoided, re-read Limyaael's article in my "Invalid Item" . |
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From: garryhickman
Thank you so much for having the guest writer in today's newsletter. His information on backstory answered many questions I've been having about background for TJ Edward's history in a future universe, and it's given my MANY answers.
You're very welcome . I'm sure Bob DeFrank  will be happy to hear that.
From: Starr Phenix 
Excellent article! I have two 'sagas' in which I have had to create elaborate backstories for, not only to tell the stories, but to keep track of details for continuity purposes! If you create a world of your own, I think it is important to have the backstory written down somewhere, even if it is never seen by anyone but you. I had to grin over the "multiple POV" comment. As a big fan of ensemble stories, I'm all for the multiple POV when it is done well.
I agree about having backstory written out somewhere. That way if you forget a little detail, you can always go back and double check.
From: Holly Jahangiri
I enjoyed Bob DeFrank's article, "The Importance of Backstory." It is relevant not only to fantasy, but to most other genres, as well. One of my pet peeves is to see an amateur writer throw a character's entire backstory at me as part of the initial, introductory description. "He was tall, blond, and came from an abusive home. His father beat him, his mother wouldn't talk to him, his brothers just sneered and laughed at him. He grew up in a small, midwestern town where everybody knew everybody else's business. He could never live down that arson charge from when he was three. And then he got out of the cab and began to walk up Fifth Avenue, hoping to land the job. If he didn't hurry, he'd be late to the interview." Well, you get the drift. Ease it in, bit by bit, when the backstory is relevant to the current action. Use backstory to add depth. Don't dump the whole load of grain on the chicken's head. Or something like that.
LOL. That's one of my pet peeves too. Insert a few indicators here and there, but no info dumps please!
From: dusktildawn
Another well written newsletter. I look forward to these every month - because I learn something from them! Backstory is so important - I have problems knowing where to stick this information so that it doesn't sound like I just "stuck it in" somewhere. Many, many thanks for the tips and suggestions!
DusktilDawn
You're welcome! Thanks for reading .
From: John~Ashen
need more than 4 editor picks
LOL. You try to get more than four editor picks when you're running 10,000 words behind on a NaNoWriMo novel! 
From: scribbler
wow, I loved this newsletter! I am such a sucker for back story which is why I have issues keeping my short stories short. I guess I was born to write epic fantascy stories! *sigh*...ok I did't say they had to be good!
again awsome job.
I understand your problem . My short stories never end up very short either and I have a block, it seems, on writing micro fiction (500 words or less). I just can't have anything that short!
From: Trisha
History-- of a character and a world-- is such a great way to make the reader feel a part of your world. In the story I'm currently writing, I'm using multiple POVs. I love this because some of my characters understand one part of the world while others no nothing of it. Not only does it flesh out the story, but readers understand the entire world in a way none of my characters ever will.
Sometimes I find the writing of a world's history rather boring. It's strange, because I actually minored in history in college, and I love to write historical fiction. Fantasy world history, however, is necessary so I suppose I'll have to learn to like it! |
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Fantasy: December 14, 2005 Issue [#765]
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