Stock Fantasy Races

[Ankari]

I discussed the use of stock fantasy races with a buddy of mine in my world. Before I ask the question, I want to let you know that I have five unique races already created. I am using three (four if you count dragons) stock fantasy races as well. One of the races is the human, the other is the Elf. The last one is the Half-Elf (which I call Garans). So the question is: Does the use of stock fantasy races crush reader's interest in a book?

Thanks for your feedback.

[Ailith]

I don’t think using “stock” races would diminish readers’ interested just by being included - it depends on how you use them.

One thing that sometimes bugs me is when writers take a stock race and try to overly redefine it, instead of just creating a new one. (like elves that are burly and binge drink). Clearly, you wouldn’t want your elves to be exactly the same as Tolkien’s, but they should still be elf-like. (maybe that’s just my personal opinion...)

I’d be interested to hear about the new races you came up with. I’m working on a race of my own for my WIP, and it’s proving to be harder than I anticipated!

[ThinkerX]

So the question is: Does the use of stock fantasy races crush reader's interest in a book?

That would depend on just how the races are depicted, and in particular how the characters are depicted. If done well enough, even stock races in stock settings can be most intriguing.

I would issue a word of caution, though, unless you have multiple stories or a multiple book series in mind - it will be difficult, story wise, to do justice to four stock races plus five unique races. Real easy for the reader to get confused. This used to be an issue with the old TSR novels and related works - there would be so many differing races and monsters introduced it was often difficult to keep tabs of them all, and in the case of the 'Humaniods' (goblins, orcs, kobolds, bugbears, gnolls, ect) nothing to really distinguish them from one another.

Might be best to focus your attention on (members of) no more than three or four races, with the occasional mention of the others ('well, a bird-person could have done X - but there's none of them around these parts' type deal).

[Queshire]

I'm curious about the half-elves, what makes them their own race instead of just a combination of human and elf? What links them to, and distinguishes them from, regular humans and elves?

[Ankari]

I'm curious about the half-elves, what makes them their own race instead of just a combination of human and elf? What links them to, and distinguishes them from, regular humans and elves?

Well, they have their own identity (us versus them). If that isn't enought they are shunned by the Elfen (my version of the plural of Elf) as they represent a shame brought upon them in their history. They have their own nation (I know that isn't enough in itself), and they have their own culture. Their features are a hybrid of both races (obviously).

I had their history online but its now offline as I may be revising it.

[Steerpike]

If you look at the number of Fantasy books on the bookstore shelves, using stock races and even presented in stock or traditional ways, I'd say the answer is "no," it doesn't crush a reader's interest. Fantasy books with those stock races do quite well.

[Leif GS Notae]

Go with it, give us your view on them and their place in your world. I know many authors, writers, hobby writers, gamers, etc. using varying races to give flavor to their worlds.

Just remember, many times a writer wants to use a different race is to point out racism and its relation to the real world. Sure, it isn't EVERY writer, but it is a good standard trope.

[Queshire]

I often find different races being the same as different cultures, I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but it's certainly interesting...

[Penpilot]

"Stock" races wouldn't turn me off from book, not in the least. If it's an Elf that you want then use it. In some ways it's better than making a "new" race and calling them Smelfs. You know what I mean? Using known races comes with positive and negative baggage. When you mention Elf, there are few people who wouldn't know what you're talking about. It's very accessible, but that comes with some expectations as to what the race's general make up is, so you'll be working against those general expectations if you change the race in significant ways. As in a lot of instances, write it well and nobody will care if you used a "stock" race.

[Benjamin Clayborne]

So the question is: Does the use of stock fantasy races crush reader's interest in a book?

Automatically? No. If it's well-written, people will enjoy it regardless of what races are in it (except for people who have prejudices against seeing any stock races at all, but you can't please anyone).

In general, probably what you're really asking is: Assuming my work is otherwise not crap, will having stock races in my work turn off a significant number of readers? I believe the answer is no.