Hi folks! I write optimistic dark fantasy and am looking for a nice community ^^

[főnix]

I write dark fantasy with an optimistic twist. I love dark fantasy and even horror/thriller but i feel like i've had enough of existential dread - hence i try to sprinkle in some hope and good vibe. I am working on what will be my debut novel. It is around 120k words, i am in the midst of the editing process, mercilessly cutting like half of it, yeah i am definitely guilty of overwriting. It is set in ancient mezoptamia, where written words have magical powers a select few can use, but the actual plot has more to do with slavery and evil god-kings.
I am the what-if concept-focused type of writer, i used to think i was character-focused because i really love psychology, but then i realized characters are shaped by concepts so... what type are you guys? i love ancient history, which is what i mostly use as inspiration, instead of the classic medieval europe setting - though i love that too, i am something of a history nerd especially since i am european. Where are you guys from?
Bit of backstory - i wrote my very first book at 22, churned out 100k words of what I now realize was a complete mess. But the idea wouldn't leave me alone, so I've completely rewritten it to something that is about blood magic and totemism. Got 7 other stories waiting in the wings, some set in the future, some set in the present... i can't seem to stay in a single genre ugh. You know, i never imagined i'd be a writer, but the stories just keep coming up, they appear while i sleep, while i shower, even on the road, so i guess no quitting for me. Anyone else can relate?
I don't have a writing community in my proximity, so it'd be nice to have people i can support and cheer on while working myself.
If you read all this, here's a little something for you:
What's a writer's blood type? Type-O.

 

[pmmg]

Howdy Fonix, Welcome here.

Dark Fantasy and Optimism don't often go together, I think you may have something there. Cutting 120K words to get it down to half is a heck of a lot. I hope you can pull it off.

What if, is what I think we are all trying to answer.

I am from the US. I like it here.

 

[főnix]

Howdy Fonix, Welcome here.

Dark Fantasy and Optimism don't often go together, I think you may have something there. Cutting 120K words to get it down to half is a heck of a lot. I hope you can pull it off.

What if, is what I think we are all trying to answer.

I am from the US. I like it here.

thanks.^^ i enjoy the editing more than the writing. i can unleash my inner critique haha. what about you? are you writing classic fantasy, with dragons?

 

[Avery Moore]

Hi Fonix! I also write dark fantasy, but with a pessimistic non-twist! Massive congrats on getting so far into your novel and best of luck with editing! Editing is hard. Not sure what type I am, as I'm not sure what the different types are. I guess I'm the... Character focussed type?

I am from the U.K. and I also like it here... Surprised that you describe yourself as "European". I thought Americans were the only ones who talked about Europe like it was a country instead of a massive bloody continent

 

[főnix]

Hi Fonix! I also write dark fantasy, but with a pessimistic non-twist! Massive congrats on getting so far into your novel and best of luck with editing! Editing is hard. Not sure what type I am, as I'm not sure what the different types are. I guess I'm the... Character focussed type?

I am from the U.K. and I also like it here... Surprised that you describe yourself as "European". I thought Americans were the only ones who talked about Europe like it was a country instead of a massive bloody continent

What are your stories about, exactly? And did you ever try writing in a different genre before settling on dark fantasy?
I didn't know that. Well, it is also common to refer to people in the U.S. as 'Americans' as if South America didn't exist. I feel like Europe has such a complex and intertwined history it is like one big family - a family drama. And it is still ongoing. I can't speak for the U.K. though; I haven't had the chance to visit there yet.

 

[Diana Silver]

That sounds awesome, good luck with your novel!

 

[Diana Silver]

I've seen so many people on this forum who do dark fantasy, that I'm kind of ashamed to mention that I have no clue what it is, exactly ^.^ What does the term mean for you guys?

 

[pmmg]

Just fantasy that dwells in darker themes...bad guys, death, anti-heroes, horror, gore, dark-magic, little hope, bleak. Generally with a tone to fit its dark nature.

For me, personally, its not my interest.

 

[főnix]

it's like game of thrones. blood, death, treachery and misery. it can be pretty depressing sometimes. i like it because it takes a deeper dive into psychology than regular fantasy.^^

 

[Dylan]

I write dark fantasy with an optimistic twist. I love dark fantasy and even horror/thriller but i feel like i've had enough of existential dread - hence i try to sprinkle in some hope and good vibe. I am working on what will be my debut novel. It is around 120k words, i am in the midst of the editing process, mercilessly cutting like half of it, yeah i am definitely guilty of overwriting. It is set in ancient mezoptamia, where written words have magical powers a select few can use, but the actual plot has more to do with slavery and evil god-kings.
I am the what-if concept-focused type of writer, i used to think i was character-focused because i really love psychology, but then i realized characters are shaped by concepts so... what type are you guys? i love ancient history, which is what i mostly use as inspiration, instead of the classic medieval europe setting - though i love that too, i am something of a history nerd especially since i am european. Where are you guys from?
Bit of backstory - i wrote my very first book at 22, churned out 100k words of what I now realize was a complete mess. But the idea wouldn't leave me alone, so I've completely rewritten it to something that is about blood magic and totemism. Got 7 other stories waiting in the wings, some set in the future, some set in the present... i can't seem to stay in a single genre ugh. You know, i never imagined i'd be a writer, but the stories just keep coming up, they appear while i sleep, while i shower, even on the road, so i guess no quitting for me. Anyone else can relate?
I don't have a writing community in my proximity, so it'd be nice to have people i can support and cheer on while working myself.
If you read all this, here's a little something for you:
What's a writer's blood type? Type-O.

Dark fantasy with an optimistic twist? Ancient Mesopotamia? Blood magic and totemism? You’ve got such a unique and rich style, I love it! And I totally relate to the “what-if” concept focus; it’s amazing how characters grow out of those big ideas. Also, the struggle of having too many stories in your head? Same. They just pop up everywhere, right?

Your passion for history and genre-hopping is awesome, and that writer’s blood type joke? Perfect. Keep going you’re doing amazing work, and it’s clear you’ve got a lot of stories the world needs to hear. And hey, you’ve got a community here cheering you on!

 

[Super Fantasy]

Welcome

 

[Avery Moore]

What are your stories about, exactly? And did you ever try writing in a different genre before settling on dark fantasy?

The story I'm working on right now is about a boy who is forced to join an underground criminal organisation. I have written other genres before, mostly Interactive Fiction.