Well well well. I could fathom that this might be a plot my untrustworthy brain has pulled on me, finding some strong advocates of fantasy out there in the wild and smacking me round the comments with them. But I’m also aware this post could touch several magical nerves. And I agree with Chuck I think - I have had some unfortunate run-ins with sub par fantasy weavers and hence my mind and soul have been sullied. Also…there is still the matter of my ongoing entrapment by the Protestant capitalist complex where every moment of my leisure time must also be blessed with the endorsement “productive”.
Before offering any kind of counter, I really ought to say I enjoyed this thoroughly and saw myself in much of it, even as someone who writes fantasy. Without naming names, I would be comfortable saying that most fantasy fiction is garbage. But I'd also say most literary fiction is garbage. As is most non-fiction. As is most narrative history, or historical fiction. As are most movies, and most music. I enjoy all those things, even if I dislike most instances of them: I'm really picky.
But I do have to point out that the bit about being trapped in an internalized work-defines-worth worldview is precisely the sort of "prison" that Tolkien believed fantasy stories could helps us escape from, in order to provide recovery of our proper sense of beauty and consolation of heart. And I'll note that you filed that sort of reading under "self-care." If I can be so bold, it's as if a part of you realizes a need to experience that otherworldliness, some beauty from beyond. I'm not saying fantasy is the only war to do that (far from it!), but I do think (and argue in my own essay) that fantasy is at its best when it tries to do this. By extension, it is as its most flat and shallow when it simply becomes about the "vibe" of taverns and elves and magic spells and teenagers learning they're special.
my answer to this is...."Yep. I think you're right." So a return to LOTR then? Because my productivity-obsessed-self has limited patience to sort inexpertly through the glittering elf garbage.
As I was trying to say before, I have struggled with the huger for something new, something refreshing and exciting that I can experience in fantasy.
Chuck and Dax spend time mixing in some similar aspects you described, but also have strong connections and relationships with the 'gentre' of Clockworks City...where technology is considered the 'Black Magic of the world.
While others are stuck in their "European, maybe the twelfth century. There’s a feudal class structure and pre-steam age technologies", the gnomes are using the latest laptops from 'Cherry', hang out at the local Rave on Saturday nights, and bet on the latest Trench Wars competitions.
...forty foot robots used for combat. Alhannah Luckyfeller is still reigning champion.
I guess I'm saying that some of us fantasy writers don't fit in that box of boredom.
Or, at least i hope I don't.
Sorry again for the mess below.
I can send a gnome cleaning crew around to clean up if needed.
Oh, gosh...Bethany, I'm SO sorry....the boys get a bit....
...well,....it's actually that they would tend to agree with you. Neither of them have a 'normal' fantasy existence. Dax has a habit of ruining any peaceful moments Chuck might find AT a tavern...
...and so you remember coRRECTLY young man (I won't call you an 'elf' for fear of offending Bethany and her brain)...we were tied TO A POST for COMMUNITY HATCHET PRACTICE, because of you!
I would like to say just as vallen have become overly violent and cannibalistic because they weren't breast-fed as babies, perhaps you have had some tragic encroachment mentally and/or emotionally by some third rate fantasy writer(s)?
Well well well. I could fathom that this might be a plot my untrustworthy brain has pulled on me, finding some strong advocates of fantasy out there in the wild and smacking me round the comments with them. But I’m also aware this post could touch several magical nerves. And I agree with Chuck I think - I have had some unfortunate run-ins with sub par fantasy weavers and hence my mind and soul have been sullied. Also…there is still the matter of my ongoing entrapment by the Protestant capitalist complex where every moment of my leisure time must also be blessed with the endorsement “productive”.
Before offering any kind of counter, I really ought to say I enjoyed this thoroughly and saw myself in much of it, even as someone who writes fantasy. Without naming names, I would be comfortable saying that most fantasy fiction is garbage. But I'd also say most literary fiction is garbage. As is most non-fiction. As is most narrative history, or historical fiction. As are most movies, and most music. I enjoy all those things, even if I dislike most instances of them: I'm really picky.
But I do have to point out that the bit about being trapped in an internalized work-defines-worth worldview is precisely the sort of "prison" that Tolkien believed fantasy stories could helps us escape from, in order to provide recovery of our proper sense of beauty and consolation of heart. And I'll note that you filed that sort of reading under "self-care." If I can be so bold, it's as if a part of you realizes a need to experience that otherworldliness, some beauty from beyond. I'm not saying fantasy is the only war to do that (far from it!), but I do think (and argue in my own essay) that fantasy is at its best when it tries to do this. By extension, it is as its most flat and shallow when it simply becomes about the "vibe" of taverns and elves and magic spells and teenagers learning they're special.
my answer to this is...."Yep. I think you're right." So a return to LOTR then? Because my productivity-obsessed-self has limited patience to sort inexpertly through the glittering elf garbage.
Our Ursula Le Guin ;)
So sorry about that, Bethany.
As I was trying to say before, I have struggled with the huger for something new, something refreshing and exciting that I can experience in fantasy.
Chuck and Dax spend time mixing in some similar aspects you described, but also have strong connections and relationships with the 'gentre' of Clockworks City...where technology is considered the 'Black Magic of the world.
While others are stuck in their "European, maybe the twelfth century. There’s a feudal class structure and pre-steam age technologies", the gnomes are using the latest laptops from 'Cherry', hang out at the local Rave on Saturday nights, and bet on the latest Trench Wars competitions.
...forty foot robots used for combat. Alhannah Luckyfeller is still reigning champion.
I guess I'm saying that some of us fantasy writers don't fit in that box of boredom.
Or, at least i hope I don't.
Sorry again for the mess below.
I can send a gnome cleaning crew around to clean up if needed.
Cheers.
Oh, gosh...Bethany, I'm SO sorry....the boys get a bit....
...well,....it's actually that they would tend to agree with you. Neither of them have a 'normal' fantasy existence. Dax has a habit of ruining any peaceful moments Chuck might find AT a tavern...
It was ONE FIRE!!
That burned down HALF THE VILLAGE!
...and so you remember coRRECTLY young man (I won't call you an 'elf' for fear of offending Bethany and her brain)...we were tied TO A POST for COMMUNITY HATCHET PRACTICE, because of you!
...but we got AWAY, didn't we?
You still owe me for a new robe.
TGII help me....STOP!
Right NOW, or so help me, I'll delete you both from the next two weeks of publications!
..........fine.
..........
I would like to say just as vallen have become overly violent and cannibalistic because they weren't breast-fed as babies, perhaps you have had some tragic encroachment mentally and/or emotionally by some third rate fantasy writer(s)?
hmmmMMMMM?
Chuck, don't push. You don't know Bethany's story.
Stupid boy, she just POSTED her story.
This is fiction.
THIS, right here,....her working things out, for us to see.
Of course it's for us to see...it's PUBlished.
(Public school did you no favors, you know that, right?)
Stop.
...just stop.
This isn't the place to make a scene, old man. This was a good article, and Jaime only came here to say 'hello' and express appreciation for....
.........
Worldbuilding.
I'm not sure I even want to touch this.
I find it fascinating, personally, but my mind can't comprehend not enjoying fantasy.
Though...I get the whole tavern thing.
Better not let Chuck see this, 'cause he'll blow a socket.
I wouldn't call Morphiophelius your run-of-the-mill wizard though.
...plus, aren't you the one that usually causes the problems when it come to taverns?
YES HE IS!
*palm slap*
Talking owls, flying dragons or otherwise, or swords. We each have our turn-offs, turn-aways don't we? Makes sense to me.