Lorna
Inkling
This question has grown out of a combination of Phil's writers / readers post and a vicious circle I have found myself stuck in again. Last year I gave up writing fantasy as I thought it lacked value due it's lack of connection to the real world. And I'm back here again.
My main criticism of the genre is escapism.
I noticed amongst the comments on the writers / readers post that many people 'write for themselves.' I can understand this in terms 1) Not pandering to an artificially constructed audience (the mass market) 2) Remaining true to one's own vision / the organic integrity of a story.
Yet I feel it's our duty as writers to move and inspire our audience and benefit society as a whole.
These are the criteria I'm using to decide whether my fantasy novel has value:
1) Has a root in society (or it's history / literature / myths)
2) Provides a critique of society and suggestion of alternative modes of being.
3) Engages the audience and encourages questioning of the status quo.
4) Deals with questions of ethics.
5) Connects to the human heart, makes the reader laugh, cry and see the world around them in a new light.
6) Inspires a deeper connection with nature, myth and magic in the real world.
That's my take on the value of fantasy. What's yours?
My main criticism of the genre is escapism.
I noticed amongst the comments on the writers / readers post that many people 'write for themselves.' I can understand this in terms 1) Not pandering to an artificially constructed audience (the mass market) 2) Remaining true to one's own vision / the organic integrity of a story.
Yet I feel it's our duty as writers to move and inspire our audience and benefit society as a whole.
These are the criteria I'm using to decide whether my fantasy novel has value:
1) Has a root in society (or it's history / literature / myths)
2) Provides a critique of society and suggestion of alternative modes of being.
3) Engages the audience and encourages questioning of the status quo.
4) Deals with questions of ethics.
5) Connects to the human heart, makes the reader laugh, cry and see the world around them in a new light.
6) Inspires a deeper connection with nature, myth and magic in the real world.
That's my take on the value of fantasy. What's yours?
Last edited: