How could one even muster the creativity to write the same King Arthur story over again in a different fantasy realm?Why do all fantasy novels start with a kid who doesn't fit in who eventually becomes a great warrior...?
try reading Tanya Huff's 'Keeper Chronicles' which are very good and don't have that theme. The first one is 'Summon the Keeper'. Also her 'Blood' series, the first one is 'Blood Price'. Both series feature extremely well-adjusted heroines who don't have trouble fitting in anywhere.
Also you might try Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, the first one is The Eyre Affair'.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series doesn't feature many warriors, though it does include quite anumber of misfit characters who win through in the end.
no such thing! Bet you're younger than my dad, and he still reads it.
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Why do all fantasy novels start with a kid who doesn't fit in who eventually becomes a great warrior...?It's a story that appeals to a lot of people, because they can identify with that character and they see themselves as some kind of underdog or outcast and they hope to become victorious in spite of that.
good lord, you're right...
that's crazy!Why do all fantasy novels start with a kid who doesn't fit in who eventually becomes a great warrior...?
Because it's a classic formula for writing. These stories are so easily liked, b/c of the formula. Look at Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, etc. There is a basic hero formula for writing, which is basically: I. Departure: The hero is called to adventure, he most likely starts out in a place where he **doesn't belong. A herald comes and calls the hero to adventure, where destiny has summoned him. Then, the Hero may not want to go on with his adventure, but, for some reason, he finds he has no choice in the matter, and goes. Hero often meets a Protector figure who offers aid. Then, the Hero crosses the threshold into his new world, which often is challenging, b/c of a threshold guardian who prevents crossing. II. Initiation: The Hero overcomes obstacles and trials, and finds companions who help him. The Hero then fights a symbolic dragon ex: the final boss, Lou from Guitar Hero, etc. The Hero then may be reunited with his father or other fatherly figure. He then gains control over his life. Then, the hero becomes **divine**. He is past ignorance and fear. Them the hero finally reaches the ultimate goal of his quest. III. The Return: The Hero comes back to his old home, where he has difficulty fitting back in, and adjusting to his old life. Then, the Hero has his freedom to live. He has become the master of his fears.
You can see how easily it would be to tweak these, add overused Gary/Mary-Sues, create a new world, and voila!! You have a perfectly lovable story, b/c of the standard Hero formula.
Excellent fantasy stories that you should read (because they don't start out this way)
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by Steinbeck
The Last Unicorn
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night
Tales of the Dying Earth
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever
Thieves鈥?World
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Camber of Culdi (another Deryni book, my favorite is this Camber trilogy)
Mini-reviews of most of these can be found at the link below.
Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com
I wish I could recall exactly what David Eddings said when he explained how he decided his main character in the Belgariad (it's in the Rivan Codex somewhere). Like you say, an innocent, an unknown who comes to power/strength/mastery--he chose "Sir Percival, or Sir Dumb, if you prefer" as a model (as opposed to Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, etc, who are mighty knights %26amp; powerful people). Partly it's a way of explaining the world to the reader without a lot of tiresome exposition. The character learns, and so do we.
There is the underdog element in there as well, I would agree.
But it's hardly all fantasy novels...Oathbound by Lackey jumps to mind; The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Stasheff is another. And once a series takes off, that aspect tends to disappear, even with new characters %26amp; places, because we know that world now.
They say there are no new stories, just new ways of telling them. All of writing is derivative--these tales tend to be based on others. And so long as the writing is good, the plot is mostly believable, and the characters are engaging, does it really matter that if you dissect it, it's really a retelling of Cinderella or King Arthur?
many of the fantasy books i've read are like that. several are not.
i think because it has such a trill to it, the power of an author can cause anything to happen, that it is repeated.
if you dislike this type of story, but like fantesy
the witch trade
the faerie path
the blue sword
and the warriors
i am currently writing 2 fantesy stories, one involving the plot you mentioned, and the other completely difernt.
happy reading
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