Why is everyone so quick to make fantasy either urban steampunk or medieval? There's so much more.

I think you're entering into a conversation that I was having with the person I quoted, and attributing some of the words and topics to me that aren't mine. The 'golden age' was something he/she mentioned in an earlier post as being gone. I was simply responding to that.

He/she also said:

I'm not sure how else to take that, except to mean 'published.' It's not going to be read unless it's published ...unless you're aware of a method of getting a book out there that has escaped my notice. And the implication I picked up from the quote is that in order to 'market' your book, you should probably stick to a formula, otherwise you're producing the literary equivalent of the emu burger. In other words, keep churning out what has already sold well if you want people to read your stuff? Churning out is a term I used, and I stick to it. It means exactly what I meant it to mean.

And in fact, I listed two modern 'fantasy' authors whom I do enjoy a lot. Kage Baker and Joe Abercrombie. And another whom I would enjoy if he'd just finish his series. GRR Martin. The topic of this thread was not 'adventurous, original fiction,' but rather certain tropes that seem to be everywhere in fantasy these days. That's the topic I was addressing in my posts, and not any other.

 

I think it would be fresh to interchange the common Fantasy
creatures roles. Turn Orcs/Orks into the posh sophisticated,
and Elves into the brutish barbarians. Exchange the roles
of Humans and Dragons, or something. Gotta admit it would
be a different take on things, and might be a bit of fun.

It is an idea that is related to the threads originalish concept.

Also:

 

Well, I will absolutely exit the conversation, but as a general point of reference, if you want a private conversation, I think direct messages are more appropriate.

 

Nobody was having a private conversation. But the public conversation has been moving steadily on throughout the thread. You may have missed part of it—specifically the original reference to the 'golden age'. Which did not come from me.

 

I think I'd like pirate fantasy, too! I read a western fantasy last year, and some of the mythology stuff was a bit much for me, but the general vibe of it was fantastic.

Maybe a spy-thriller fantasy? I guess that's kind of what superhero stories are, but if it was magic and whatever instead of superpowers? Like, instead of James Bond pulling out a gadget he'd have a magical item or a spell or something... all the political intrigue of Game of Thrones but in a modern setting? Anyone read anything like that?

 

I can't understand why this would be interesting. You would still have creatures that act like orcs and creatures that act like elves. The difference would be almost entirely cosmetic and this is a novel not a movie.

 

Well it would break the common tropes that surround them
in not being the same as everyone elses. You have to think
outside the box a bit, even though you can't escape the box
entirely. That is the angle of where it was going. Turning things
on their head, mixing things up.

 

Medieval fantasy isn't a box. It's a piece of cardboard or just a line, certainly not three dimensional.

 

A friend is writing a fantasy with a setting inspired by Ancient Egypt. I'm excited to read it, and I don't think I've ever said that about a fantasy manuscript.

 

And what would it take to make Medieval fantasy three-dimensional?

 

That sounds really interesting! Do you have their permission to tell us what it's about?

 

Argument about the line between fantasy and supernatural aside, there is a teen series by Justin Somper about vampire pirates (called 'Vampirates') that came to mind when I read this.

 

He won't tell me! He's making me wait until it's finished.

 

A Song of Ice and Fire would seem to refute that. As would, say, The Witcher. The key is in digging deeper than the theme park version that forms the stereotype.

 

I'll grab the pitchfork if you get the torch. We'll force it out of him!

 

Generally speaking, medival fantasy is entirely cosmetic. That means there's really nothing going on that couldn't be done better with South American soap opera models.

 

Exceptions don't refute anything, guys. We should also be speaking in loose, not definite, terms.

 

Likewise, there's nothing really going on in South American soap operas that couldn't be done better with medieval fantasy cosmetics

Or if you don't like what happens in South American soap operas, why not look for medieval fantasy about other things happening instead?

 

Technically Sci-fi with Aliens and Fantasy with Magic and Mythical creatures are
both paranormal. As they are elements that we cannot prove exist/existed. So
What is the big deal in defining difference? They are just at odds in terms of
setting and time period. So the only things that count as Hard Sci-fi or Hard Fantasy
cannot have anything that is impossible/implausible at all. Seems neither genres
can win as the 'paranormal' aspects of them add flavor, which adds to the imaginative
qualities of the story.

So that means if you don't write Hard Sci-fi/Hard Fantasy you are basically writing
paranormal, only problem is we don't call them that as they have already been classified
into their specific genres.

 

What is the point of writing an elf? How does an elf impact a story any differently than a sophisticated and intelligent and maybe effeminate human being?


You want Orc behavior? Go over to @matwoolf 's place for dinner.


The traditional fantasy races are so superficial, it's painful to watch or read once you become an adult.

 

Your new best friend.

 

Damn. I dunno what to say exactly. I will say I do not know the publishing industry but I doubt this is close to what is happening. You make them sound like little trolls hiding from the sun, fearing what they might consider too good for the world!

Publishing is a business as a result. I expect it to follow basic business aspects. Like for one. The publisher doesn't cookie cutter the things. They don't make the music or the books or the movies. They find people or accept people who do. And "The Who" being uncopiable or difficult isn't something the media industry should be particular against. Actually it is exactly that reason why the people that signed them made so much money.

In the same way. The reason they made like the tenth transformers movie isn't because they easy or bad or a mix of the two. Its because people watched the last one. There was a market for it. And they wanted to supply that market and make money. The moment the market dries up or becomes unprofitable, the transformers movies will vanish over night.

So in this way the audience really does and always have had control. This is why I am not against them or the movies like that. If they keep being made, they are making someone happy. That is great! Just don't ask me to watch or enjoy them(the later being impossible.)

I'll wait til I find something I like, and in that moment me and people like me will buy it and create a market for it.

Point being, at the end of the day. Publishers want money and if a creative risk learned them money, they would take it in a heart beat! And some do! But it is tricky, being the trend setter is always better, but it is more risky. And when you are talking about the livelihood and jobs of these people. I can understand why they would rather, take minimal risks when possible.

Wow this is bringing up memories. Lets just say, I had not always been the best at this topic.

The true point or best point really is. The thing you advocate, pushing what you consider bad media out of the way to wait for more unique content not only restricts freedom but creates the very situation you are not wanting. It means the media is not allowing a market to be tapped simply out of spite.

And lastly. I enjoy stupid comedy too! Everyone does. If only Mozart level stuff was released, then we would be drowned in it. A world drowned in Mozart might consider Bieber a breathe of creative fresh air. Because it is all relative.

 

It's aimed at kids, so of course the name is a bit silly. I do recommend for light reading though.