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It's all very quiet here at the board and so I thought I'd throw out a question for discussion that I've been pondering lately.... Tell me what is your favourite style of fantasy? Do you think, the medieval style epic adventure fantasy that we all admire i.e. Hobb's Farseer, Jordan of course, Feist, etc, is still the most popular reading or do you think it's changing? Are you as readers looking for more contemporary, perhaps even more urban settings with the paranormal being in vogue, rather than the more traditional style of Merlin magic as I like to call it, intriguing you? Who is doing medieval well, and why? Who is doing contemporary with paranormal well, and why? Do you think horror is becoming more important as part of the fabric of stories? And the one I like to get on my soapbox over.....does it always have to be in series to satisfy you, or would a big single volume fantasy be just as attractive? I'm very interested to hear the comments. F

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Hi Fiona (and all),

It's been a long, long time since i've logged onto the Forum (I've been prompted to by a borrower who has been so excited about your books, she has just finished Goddess).

 

I personally prefer to have shorter series (or one book) and like to have more contempory settings.

Just a quick reply though! I'll ponder the question(s) a little more.

 

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I'm divided on what I like. Lately, I've been reading urban fantasy, but I've also tackled James Barclay, who does really immersive high fantasy style, complete with elves. So its a hard question! I really like your novels, they have the right amount of everything so it makes them work a lot more than other novels I've tried reading lately. I like my fantasy fast paced, not too descriptive that you end up lost in small details, with characters you can somewhat relate to, and whilst its fantasy, I don't like the story being overloaded with magic etc. It can be mentioned, but I don't overly enjoy it being the main plot. Again, I love how to had a hint of magic into your novels, without it sounding cliche.

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Any era is good.  As far as series/trilogies go; create your world and then write related stories using common, or not, characters.  Gives you the freedom to connect stories and lands as you choose.  Make each story independent, so a new reader could pick up any book and dive into your creation. You can put in enough commonality and reference to past stories as a reward to frequent readers, but not so much that each story cannot stand on it's own.  An added benefit is that you can revisit that world anytime without the constraint of finishing a multi-book storyline.

Phil

 

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I can explain this best with an article I wrote in 24 hours after someone asked me for a piece about the appeal of fantasy. Read on, and please excuse my not mentioning Fiona. I've not read enough of her fantasy books to form a worthwhile opinion yet! A PASSAGE TO NEVERLAND by Stephen Lord I have never believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. I do, however, believe stories give us the strength to get through everyday life in one piece. This is the closest thing I have to a manifesto and I hope it's the only one I'll ever need. I am not alone in my conviction. Stephen King, one of few popular writers ever to achieve both mass appeal and a degree of critical respect in his own lifetime, once remarked “...those lovely figures who dance in the smoke have saved my life from time to time.” They've saved mine once or twice too, by giving me something to believe in and aspire to when I found the 'real' world either lacking or disappointing. Human beings are storytellers by nature. This ability stems from the need to imagine a meaning, or at least a sense of purpose. Such a unique power, gift and curse in equal measure, is either a quirk of evolution or proof that God (who or whatever it may be) has a very strange sense of humour! Nowhere do we put this dubious talent to better use than in the realms of the fantastique. I use the French word as an umbrella term for all flavours of fantasy, science fiction and horror because, unlike many overzealous editors, publishers, librarians, book sellers or readers, I see no need to divide them into separate categories. They each involve building worlds that are shadows or reflections of one we recognise and they each depend on a willing suspension of disbelief for their narrative conceits to work. Are the “scientific romances” of Jules Verne or HG Wells so far removed from the (albeit allegorical) escapism of CS Lewis' Narnia or JRR Tolkein's Middle Earth that they don't require a similar leap of imagination? Not at all, because every story, whatever its genre, begins in the same place. Neil Gaiman, in his Books of Magic series, explains: “There are only two worlds- your world, which is the real world, and the other worlds, the fantasy. Worlds like this are worlds of the human imagination: their reality, or lack of reality, is not important. What is important is that they are there. These worlds provide an alternative. Provide an escape. Provide a threat. Provide a dream, and power; provide refuge, and pain. They give your world meaning. They do not exist; and thus they are all that matters. Do you understand?” Gaiman speaks these words through Titania, queen of Faerie. Habitual rationalists and that particular species of adult who thinks grown-up has to be a synonym for boring, insist our adventures in this enchanted land are mere trifles to be outgrown and discarded with the coming of age, like the childish things St Paul boasts about putting away. They couldn't be more wrong. Regular visits to the realm we know as Neverland, Eden, Faerie or Make-Believe are not indulgences but necessities to keep us going, keep us dreaming and keep us sane. Having said all that, I often find the overly derivative approach to modern fantasy a little too escapist. Tolkein's faux-medieval Middle Earth was an idyllic response to the horrors of war. It found a place in the hearts of the peace and love generation and the many writers who followed its architect's example, but very little of it resonated with me. I prefer the sort of book whose dream, nightmare or parallel world exists alongside our own. The temporary and imperfect marriage of the mundane and the miraculous gives the players a point of reference, just as the process of slaying the dragon, completing the quest or rescuing the princess shows them they have abilities and resources they never imagined. Knowledge of these newfound skills gives them confidence to confront and resolve any problems in their everyday lives when they step back through the mirror and have to resume the dreary business of being. That is a true hero's journey, with lessons and self-discoveries aplenty. After scaring many critics, and even more readers, silly with six volumes of visionary and visceral horror stories (The Books of Blood), Clive Barker's fiction took an unexpected but very welcome turn toward the fantastique. In novels like Weaveworld, The Great and Secret Show and Imajica , he maps worlds beneath, between and beyond the one we have been conditioned to accept as real. He opens the eyes and minds of his characters and readers and, in doing so, rails against the arbitrarily-imposed conventions of genre. “I do not consider myself to be a horror writer, any more than I consider myself a fantasy writer or a science fiction writer. I am a writer who works in my imagination. The only difference in the world of literature, it seems to me, is between the guy who writes out of a perceived reality and the guy who creates one for himself.” Champions of “quality”, capital L literature should note that this single and simple distinction makes no claims of superiority. The “perceived reality” of the realistic human drama, complete with examinations of and insights into the condition of its cast, is no more or less significant than an epic, life and death struggle on the alien shores of an invented world. Indeed, themes are universal no matter which universe their parent stories occur in. The final, and perhaps most important, function of the fantastique is to reimagine and reinvent tales we've told each other since we first learned how to share them. If, as singer/songwriter Tori Amos suggests, “mythology is just history that we've forgotten”, I can think of no better way to refresh my memory. Beginning with The Autumn Castle in 2003, Australia's own Kim Wilkins set off on her own trek through the dreamscape of European folklore. The three book Europa Suite (whose other volumes are Giants of the Frost and Rosa and the Veil of Gold) may draw its inspiration from sources as old as storytelling itself, yet it is fresher and more exciting than many of its contemporaries. Wilkins makes superb use of established devices- like the quest and the dream voyage from one reality to another- as catalysts for innovative and unforgettable stories. Her intertwining of the real world with the mythical and legendary is powerful and seamless, lingering in the memory long after each adventure ends. Whether it means a temporary return to the innocence of childhood, a welcome reprieve from the demands of the daily drudge or an overdue escape to a realm whose rules make more sense to us than those of the world we're fated to live in, the lure of the fantastique is immeasurable and inestimable. As GK Chesterton puts it: “Fairy tales are more than true - not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten.” (Stephen Lord lives in Adelaide, where he divides his time between daydreaming and writing moderately supernatural crime fiction. He has not yet learned to fly, but has so far managed to avoid growing up.)

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"So we make stories of our own, in fevered and envious imitation of our Maker, hoping that we'll tell, by chance, what God left untold."

(Clive Barker: Sacrament)

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Hi Fiona! I know it as been a long time, but my life is so crazy lately!

As for your questions, personally, I prefer medieval fantasy because I like to read fantasy to be in a world totally different from the one we live on. But I have to admit that lately I really enjoyed youngadult urban fantasy as the Mortal Instruments Trilogy, or fantastic as Twilight. But I think it's because I'm a girl and sometimes it's cool to read some girly readings!

I like fantasy book fast paced, but the more important, for me, are the characters. So I don't like it when there is too much descriptions of the world or complecated explanations. I like when it's well writen, but in a style that is not too complecated, because I love to read in english but I'm not an expert, and when the formulations become too complicated, it's not enjoyable for me.

I like complex love stories, but not as the main plot, but I think it's easier to love the characters when there is a love story. And in every styles, I love bad guy, or twisted characters. I love when we don't know if they are good or bad, when there is a certain ambivalence (I don't know if I can say that in english).

For me, the world can be well constructed, the plot can be wonderful, if I can't relate or find myself loving the characters, I can't read the book any longer.

I like fantasy where we can find original forms of magic, and I love when there is some magical creatures, this always make me dream.

 

For the question about the length of the story, for I prefer series, because we have more tume to love the characters, and it's always I great feeling to wait for the newt book to know what these characters will become. I thought series are more memorable than one shots, because we take more time to read them, and it let a greater impression in the mind.

 

I hope i'm understandable!

I will ask the french board their opinion about all this and let you know their answers by e-mail if you'd like too!

 

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Brilliant, Ophidia. Let's definitely bring in some of the opinions of the French readers. I think that would be wonderful and thank you for your thoughts. It's all very interesting. Fx

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I find myself  a reader who is drawn to character-driven books. A long series is then good, as much in the same way as watching a long running TV series, you get to spend more time with the characters you love (or hate), and can watch the interactions grow and change... I suppose it's more the character-character interactions that I really enjoy watching develop.

The trap is the author knowing when to call it the end for that particular series, before they jump the shark, so to speak.

This doesn't really lead me to a bias towards a particular sub-genre of fantasy, but I do tend to read more fairly 'traditional' fantasy. As long as there are characters to which I can become addicted, I am sated

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ooo I personally like the more traditional style of fantasy - or 'merlin magic' as Fi puts it!

Nothing beats a romantic fantasy set admist an epic battle with gods fighting gods, men fighting men and gods fighting men! Oh and if there's a bit of real history somehow entwined into it - like The Percheron Triology that was based on the Ottoman era, or The Troy Game Series by Sara Douglass - then that is totally awesome!! haha

=D

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"Freedom is sometimes just simply another perspective away."

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Oh, gosh.  Very broad in my tastes...

I like Fiona's romantic fantasy (The Quickening is one of my favs), also Cecilia Dart-Thornton and I've just discovered Jennifer Fallon.  But I also like Neil Gaiman's style of contemporary fantasy with non-traditional magic.  I love humour in fantasy, so Terry Pratchett features prominantly in my bookcase.  I'm attracted to young adult fantasy (that sort of finding of identity type of stuff) - I used to be an Isobelle Carmondy fan, but have swapped to Stephanie Meyer.

I don't generally like fantasy series that go on too long.  Three books, possibly four, at most.  I thoroughly enjoyed Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana and Stephanie Meyer's The Host.  I also enjoy anthologies and collections of short stories.

Have never been a dragon fan, but loved Naomi Novik's interesting take on dragons.  The series has gone on a bit long though for me - although each book is almost an independent story.

I'm also a closet Harry Potter fan (if this is classified as fantasy); as well as Narnia and Lord of the Rings.

I'll faithfully read, and usually enjoy, anything by an Adelaide fantasy writer.

Mdx

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I'm a bit of an escapist reader, so I love to dive into a fantasy story & get lost in it for a long time, series are good for me & if they're really good then the longer the better (I know many people will disagree, but I LOVE the Wheel of Time & will be sad when theres no more to read about in that world), tho I do have a couple of faves that are standalones - Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay & Havenstar by Glenda Noramly (aka Glenda Larke), both are beautifully written stories that are complete in themselves. I think I tend to be more attracted to the medieval settings as well, but I dont notice the style of the settings as much as the characters, so if there are characters that I'm drawn to, then I suppose any setting will work for me

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Sorry's not fish! What good is sorry?

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What a fabulous thread!   Thanks everyone for sharing!  What about you Fiona? I would like to hear your thoughts ....

If I analyse my faves - Fiona, Robin H (Farseer in particular), Trudy Canavan, Rowling, S. Douglass, McCaffrey and alot of earlier stuff from my childhood - it is all based on tales where I was able to escape to either another time or place.  All have needed some level of originality though to keep me intellectually thinking or guessing at what will happen next. 

It all revolves around the writer's abilities and the story.  If it is a whopping good tale - it will sell and people will enjoy it.

I hear what you are hinting at Fiona, I am sure there is a trend again on horror or vampires, lots of different things going on.   You know, the vampire bug was around twenty or so years ago and it came and went then.  It will again.  Dragon tales continue to come and go too in cycles.

Fantasy in it's broadest sense lives through lots of cycles and trends.  That is what is so cool about it.

Fantasy fiction can be so broad, it offers the ability to weave lots of specific genres through it within characters.  You don't have to feel stuck or ruled by a genre per say with Fantasy Fiction I feel.

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Oh sorry everyone - meant to say I would welcome a single large novel for a change instead of a series.

And in terms of who is doing what well - besides you Fiona Feist and Brooks are stayers for sure as is Rowling. 

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 I want to go to a different world when I crack a book so I am not a fan of the urban comtemporary fantasy.  I love a series and the more books the better. Once I fall in love with your characters I want more and more of them. Goodkind's Sword of Truth series was eleven books and I was sad to see it end. Coe's Winds of the Forelands was five books. Terry Brooks Shannara series had countless volumes and I read every one of them. I love the plot twists but without a doubt the thing that sells a book for me is the characters. I have read all your books that are out in the States and I would gobble up a sequel book to any of your existing series. I loved Jennifer fallon's Second Sons trilogy because the characters stayed with me long after reading the book. Here is a fantasy book that has almost no magic in it but I loved how the character used his brains to succeed. Her characters like yours get under your skin. You begin to feel like you know them and you care about them. I think this is a tribute to your talent that you make us care about and want more of these people. I tend to favor the darker fiction like your books, George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, and Brent Weeks. All I can ask is whatever style you decide on please keep cranking out the books because your talent is a gift to all of us.

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It is nice to be important but it is much more important to be nice.

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I loved Hobb's farseer series and the Tawny man that followed it, along with her Live ship series that tied into it. I have a thing for characters that evolve like that, have complexities and yet do things for their morals that they normally wouldn't do but circumstances leave them no choice.I couldn't pick the ending and that appealed to me a lot. I became emotionally involved in the story, and saw in my mind the characters clearly.

Thats what I liked about the Quickening too... it was unpredicable and you didn't even know if he'd survive in the end. Realistic touches to the way the ancient world was. You never knew when someone would come along and invade your village and turn the world upside down. Action adventure and good plot twists!

 

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"Plot is what keeps the story going when the characters are all fully clothed and not touching each other."

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Just to add...

A big volume would satisfy me if teh story tied up in the plotlines.

I loved Terry Goodkinds "Sword of truth" Series. The first 3 books were great, (Especially the first, he did a great job of it, I could tell he thought it through to last detail) but after a while the series became boring, for some reason it couldn't hold my interest no matter how good the characters are after the "Pillars of Creation". (I still haven't bothered to read the other books to find out how he ended it...thats how much interest I've lost in it.) He could have finished it much sooner than he did and held the series tighter and more impacting. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd rather read a good well thought out solid storyline and characters-- than a book with lots of filler and bits of plot to make up a series. Merlin style magic...no, I think something more creative attracts my attention.

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"Plot is what keeps the story going when the characters are all fully clothed and not touching each other."

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My favorite type of fantasy........well I enjoy it when the story takes place in a faraway land. There needs to be a map of some kind. I like the medieval setting, castles, kings and queens ladies and lords. HOWEVER, I hate it when there are to many characters. Like George R.R Martins, A Song Of Ice And Fire. There were so many I couldn't keep track of them. In those books (the few that i have read) it seems like he doesn't care about his characters. And they were too long, i got bored. So I like a book to be in between long and mediumish long if that makes any sense. Fionas are perfect. Medieval, a good number of characters, and magic. -Michael

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I dont mind either but I think my prefernce is medieval settings and 'merlin' magic.

I also like it when there is a large cast of characters to be drawn in with... which is why Trinity is my favourite because there are so many characters to read about

And personally I prefer a series of books as opposed to just one. If I was in the fantasy section of a book shop and had the choice between an awesome looking series of books or just one big/small book Id definately choose the series any day. I like to know Im going to be in for a long ride with these characters.