Saturday 6 April 2013

F is for Fantasy

According to Wikipedia, which is, of course, the fount of all knowledge(!), fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting.

I like writing stories with a touch of fantasy, because the only rules you have to stick to are the ones you make yourself, and you don't have to worry too much about explaining how things work. I've never written about wizards, elves, sorcerers or witchcraft - what might be seen as the staples of fantasy stories, but I have done stories about people who can change their appearance, see ultraviolet and infra-red light, and know just by touching someone whether they're telling the truth or not.

I think the key to writing fantasy is that you can be as extreme as you like as long as you stick to the rules of your universe. You want there to be pink flying elephants? You go right ahead - just make them consistant pink flying elephants. If, in your universe, all pink elephants can fly, then don't throw in an aquatic one just because it would be fun. Keep those pink elephants flying!


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