This is a funny list I've been discussing with my friends at the Fantasy & Enchantment blog. (http://fantasyandenchantment.blogspot.com/) I wrote the list in question, and everyone has seemed to enjoy it so far. I thought I'd share it with my Gather friends! :P Let's all have a chuckle, shall we?
By now, I'm sure we’ve all read a fantasy novel (I hope) at some point in our lives. Perhaps you can relate to some of these clichés we’ve all come to know and love-- clichés that have now become staples to the genre.
1.) At some point during the story, the characters will either meet and/or discuss battle tactics in a tavern.
2.) This tavern will also have an inn attached so the characters can stay the night.
3.) Hero/heroine grows up in a tavern/inn.
4.) Mysterious, dark riders will show up to heighten tension.
5.) Hero/heroine’s family will be killed, thus forcing them on a life-threatening adventure.
6.) Hero/heroine is already an orphan, thus forcing them on a life-threatening adventure.
7.) The unlikeliest, poorest, or least experienced person will become the hero/heroine of the story, and the fate of the world is in their hands.
8.) The fantasy plot will be nothing less than total annihilation to king and country if the hero/heroine should fail their mission.
9.) There’s usually only one last dragon left in the world, one last wizard who knows the secret magics, or one last person who can wield the Mighty Uber Sword of Destiny.
10.) Elves will somehow be involved.
11.) Hero/heroine will go through some hellish ordeals throughout their plot, and will no longer be the fun-loving happy-go-lucky character of Chapter One.
12.) In fact, hero/heroine will become pensive and moody and wish things could go back to the way they were.
13.) At the end of the story, hero/heroine will either BE royalty, or so highly revered they might as well be royalty.
And there you have it. Thirteen clichés of the fantasy genre, whether it be straight fantasy, or fantasy romance. :) Can you think of some more?
~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com
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Comments: 17
I also forgot to mention the "quest" or the "prophecy" chiches. LOL
~~Becka
And spell check. LOL
~~Becka
And the stories involve a unlikely cast of characters thrown together for a "quest': kender, dwarf, human and elf. Or namer, giant and bolg, etc.
But fantasy is still my favorite genre even though many of the plots are similar.
Oh, this isn't a review of a new fantasy novel? ;)
You going to leave off the "damsel in distress" one, the staple of fantasy stories since time began?
Or the child that represents the "world's last hope" against some encroaching/entrenched evil?
How about the royal/chosen child whisked away from certain death by a selfless parent/servant who never knew who they really were until they grow up and must fulfill some quest.
How about the misunderstood neglected child who finds out he/she's really a powerful magic wielder/talent etc (a la ugly duckling)?
Or the ancient evil spirit taking over the soul of an otherwise good person and making them "evil" against their will?
How about the innocent bystander who interferes to help someone in distress and gets dragged through the rest of the story against their will?
Someone already got the band of misfits questing together.
Except for deliberately challenging the "damsel in distress" cliche (by having Layla rescue her husband), I haven't done these either. Clearly, I've got some work to do.
:P
That's a great list, too, Stephanie. LOL
~~Becka
:-)
If you want to read a book that takes a good serious look at Myths and Heroes (and pretty much accurately describes 90% of all movies being produced), read Joseph Campell's - Hero without a Face. Dry but great read.
As DREAM WAR's report card.....I think I've got 4 1/2 from Rebecca's (and mine's only a paranormal thriller) - and 1 from Stephanie's list.
:-)
But I was upset when Eragon got all popular with the "last dragon" theme. I was like, "Well, crap. They'll never make a movie out of MY books now..."
LOL As if they were ever going to in the first place. :P
~~Becka
Wasn't Eragon, the movie, a complete flop? I haven't even seen it and I typically flock to new fantasy movies. I bought the novel, but didn't get past the first chapter. It read like a game manual for some PS2 RPG. I know the kid was only 17 or 18 when he wrote it, but his parents published it for him and took him on a book tour and then he sold it to Random House or some other publisher after he'd drawn some attention using his parents' money. Come on! Does that really count?
I'm sure I'd much rather see one of your books become a movie. SO who would you chose to play the parts of hero and heroine? ;-)
LOL Jamie. Yes, Eragon got panned by critics. It was filled with cliches that was almost painful to watch, but regardless, DH and I had fun with it. It's just when something like that is brought to the screen (and panned), it doesn't look good for other books with similar themes (like the last dragon lol).
However, if they *were* going to make a movie... I'd pick Natalie Portman as Arianna, someone like Leo DiCaprio as Geoffrey (blond hair, blue eyes), and for my shape-shifting dragon Mynos, I'd choose Clancy Brown, because ain't no one cooler than Clancy Brown. :) That man's voice is awesome. Google him if he's not familiar to you. And I'm not sure if Leo is who I'd cast for sure as Geoffrey, but someone like him that I actually respect in his age range. :P There's a lot of blond hair-blue eyed actors in Hollywood. But most of them have been in campy movies. I'm not sure I'd want an actor known for his "camp" in my movie. :P
Maybe Ryan Philippe...
~~Becka
"If there is a moviemaker out there this story is just crying out to be put on the big screen to rival Narnia, Eragon, the Lord of the Rings and all the other fantasia films that graced the silver screens."
http://www.roadtoromance.ca/reviews0705/reviewwolverine.htm
Doubtful my books rival Tolkien and Lewis, but it was still nice of her to say. :)
~~Becka
Patti C. also got the gullable person part right, except I've read a number of fantasy books where there is a gullable man. It only takes a pretty face and a nice smile.