Something interesting I've been thinking about recently. Are traditional fantasy races going the way of the dodo? Meaning, will one day they cease to be mentioned in the realm of fantasy discussion except for talking about the "good ole days?"
I find that as time goes on, some writers seem to have more and more aversion to having races like elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. (basically Tolkien races) in their stories in favor of more realistic human variants. George Martin has shown to a wider audience that fantasy isn't all wizards and elves and orcs (although he does have elements very similar). I think this may cause mainstream fantasy to push more in that direction than the more Tolkien-esque tradition. The topic is often broached, "Are [insert fantasy race] cliche?" Why is this?
I think it's backlash against a long history of these types of high fantasy tales that may have caused readers/writers to not be as interested in stories with these races. There have been great stories told in this vein, but perhaps more writers are getting influenced by reality and books outside of fantasy than Tolkien, LeGuin, Jordan, and others. Maybe they think it's "too Dungeons and Dragons." And while I haven't read a Dragonlance book in some time, I still hold a fond memory for them. I think when you say "elf" nowadays it immediately evokes either "Santa's helper" or "Legolas look-a-like."
I find this kind of disconcerting, because I personally think there are tons of new tales to be told with these kind of races in them. New, fresh tales that don't tread on the same territory over and over again. And I'm a big proponent of some of the more realistic fantasy out there. However, I'd still like to see rich, fantasy stories with all variety of exotic and traditional elements in them. I want wizards shooting lighting from their fingertips and orcs bashing through a phalanx of soldiers. However, I like my grit too.
For me with such a wealth of history and culture to draw from, that we'd get more different types of fantasy creatures/races explored in new ways.
Do you use traditional fantasy races in your stories? Why or why not?
Also, are there any examples of writers you like who are currently (notice it is bold, I'm not talking about books written 10 or 20 years ago) using traditional fantasy races in their stories to good effect? (I personally like Andrezj Sapkowski's portrayal, while a traditional approach, he makes them fresh somehow)
I find that as time goes on, some writers seem to have more and more aversion to having races like elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. (basically Tolkien races) in their stories in favor of more realistic human variants. George Martin has shown to a wider audience that fantasy isn't all wizards and elves and orcs (although he does have elements very similar). I think this may cause mainstream fantasy to push more in that direction than the more Tolkien-esque tradition. The topic is often broached, "Are [insert fantasy race] cliche?" Why is this?
I think it's backlash against a long history of these types of high fantasy tales that may have caused readers/writers to not be as interested in stories with these races. There have been great stories told in this vein, but perhaps more writers are getting influenced by reality and books outside of fantasy than Tolkien, LeGuin, Jordan, and others. Maybe they think it's "too Dungeons and Dragons." And while I haven't read a Dragonlance book in some time, I still hold a fond memory for them. I think when you say "elf" nowadays it immediately evokes either "Santa's helper" or "Legolas look-a-like."
I find this kind of disconcerting, because I personally think there are tons of new tales to be told with these kind of races in them. New, fresh tales that don't tread on the same territory over and over again. And I'm a big proponent of some of the more realistic fantasy out there. However, I'd still like to see rich, fantasy stories with all variety of exotic and traditional elements in them. I want wizards shooting lighting from their fingertips and orcs bashing through a phalanx of soldiers. However, I like my grit too.
For me with such a wealth of history and culture to draw from, that we'd get more different types of fantasy creatures/races explored in new ways.
Do you use traditional fantasy races in your stories? Why or why not?
Also, are there any examples of writers you like who are currently (notice it is bold, I'm not talking about books written 10 or 20 years ago) using traditional fantasy races in their stories to good effect? (I personally like Andrezj Sapkowski's portrayal, while a traditional approach, he makes them fresh somehow)