Alva
Scribe
I apologize for the long start but I think it is somewhat bearable in order to set up my question:
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I consider myself an avid reader of fantasy. I crave to read about new worlds, new places, new cultures and new characters. I enjoy new plants and new animals and new everything: architecture, vehicles, trades, clothing, furniture, foods. And by "new" I don't mean "modern" but "different", "foreign", "alternative", "surprising".
I've read my share of Tolkien (and one Eddings) and a whole bunch of other fantasy literature all the way from Susanna Clarke to Le Guin and Robin Hobb. I couldn't stand Narnia (so I never finished it) and I found The King of Elfland's Daughter so boring it's a miracle I managed to just get over with it. I've even read the first part of the Twilight-quartet out of sheer curiosity.
Along with the printed material, I also read a lot short stories on internet.
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And my question stands: why so many elves, orcs, pixies, werewolves, vampires, dragons, goblins, dwarves? (Plus, why all the "dark lords" and "evil minions"?)
I've wondered this for years but since I'm not really interested in any of those creatures myself, it has remained as a big mystery to me. Why do so many fantasy writers show such a burning interest towards - for instance - elves? What is the glamour or the intrigue I just cannot grasp? Tell me! Why do you write about elves and/or orcs? Or dragons? Or unicorns for that matter?
I'm certainly not meaning to be rude here. I mean no harm at all. Neither am I trying to critize the use of those aforementioned (and other) already existing or even mythical species - I'm just curious. Since I know many people on this site have chosen to write about elves and orcs and dragons, I thought this forum could be an excellent way to englighten myself on this matter. : D
(As an end note: I hope I'm doing this right since I've never created a post before.)
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I consider myself an avid reader of fantasy. I crave to read about new worlds, new places, new cultures and new characters. I enjoy new plants and new animals and new everything: architecture, vehicles, trades, clothing, furniture, foods. And by "new" I don't mean "modern" but "different", "foreign", "alternative", "surprising".
I've read my share of Tolkien (and one Eddings) and a whole bunch of other fantasy literature all the way from Susanna Clarke to Le Guin and Robin Hobb. I couldn't stand Narnia (so I never finished it) and I found The King of Elfland's Daughter so boring it's a miracle I managed to just get over with it. I've even read the first part of the Twilight-quartet out of sheer curiosity.
Along with the printed material, I also read a lot short stories on internet.
- - -
And my question stands: why so many elves, orcs, pixies, werewolves, vampires, dragons, goblins, dwarves? (Plus, why all the "dark lords" and "evil minions"?)
I've wondered this for years but since I'm not really interested in any of those creatures myself, it has remained as a big mystery to me. Why do so many fantasy writers show such a burning interest towards - for instance - elves? What is the glamour or the intrigue I just cannot grasp? Tell me! Why do you write about elves and/or orcs? Or dragons? Or unicorns for that matter?
I'm certainly not meaning to be rude here. I mean no harm at all. Neither am I trying to critize the use of those aforementioned (and other) already existing or even mythical species - I'm just curious. Since I know many people on this site have chosen to write about elves and orcs and dragons, I thought this forum could be an excellent way to englighten myself on this matter. : D
(As an end note: I hope I'm doing this right since I've never created a post before.)