tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post6643250200709788176..comments2023-07-04T22:09:51.208+08:00Comments on Tropic Temper: Fantasy tropes, memes and clichésGlenda Larkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113271268122909969noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-77286091498175724612012-07-23T19:44:56.163+08:002012-07-23T19:44:56.163+08:00I find that the best way to avoid tropes or to use...I find that the best way to avoid tropes or to use them originally is to "grow your tale". Well, this only works for those who aren't looking to write just one story and get away with it, but those who want to create myths (mythopoeia) - which is what I do.<br /><br />I start with a story germ that is particularly cliched, then I cut it down and add stuff. I let the tale grow "organically", as it develops in my mind.<br /><br />This process takes years, and can create a truly original "back-story" for your work. I've been working on mine for over 6 years now.wsgeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761647162700299739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-83260363146284725182011-07-06T03:51:06.967+08:002011-07-06T03:51:06.967+08:00I'm suprised -very suprised- that nobody has m...I'm suprised -very suprised- that nobody has mentioned TV Tropes (tvtropes.org) yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-63229124542697952552009-06-06T07:59:33.898+08:002009-06-06T07:59:33.898+08:00I've been trying to get the first book of Week...I've been trying to get the first book of Week's trilogy - but all they seem to have is book 2 in this country at the matter. I will catch up with it somewhere, sometime.<br /><br />The other point you have to be aware of is that if you drift too far into the strange, your book might not sell. Because people actually LIKE the tropes...although they love new takes on old tropes even better.Glenda Larkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10113271268122909969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-18372657321537624372009-06-06T03:36:56.318+08:002009-06-06T03:36:56.318+08:00XD Awesome point.
I love fantasy--but I usually ...XD Awesome point. <br /><br />I love fantasy--but I usually try to find something that is unconventional and new. Try the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks--it's the best fantasy I've ever read. <br /><br />But anyway. <br /><br />Tropes. D8 SCARY. <br /><br />I write fantasy~ I'm currently in an arts high school where I study writing, and I have to say that thanks to my teachers, I didn't fulfill even one of those fantasy tropes. In fact, most of my characters and plot points went against them. <br /><br />HOWEVER. I do enjoy some of the trope-like elements of fantasy; meaning, in other words, that I think sticking to tradition at certain points in fantasy is also a good idea. Personally, I've tried to combine some of the old with some new ideas with my own, and where I personally think the genre should/is going. Much like Brent Weeks (I hope...?) <br /><br />Your point, to me, is a very valid one. While I don't think you should strive to 'break' fantasy tropes, I do think you should know what they are and try to be different, or to modify them in some way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-32406518124905906272008-10-22T16:53:00.000+08:002008-10-22T16:53:00.000+08:00Bless the fact that everyone is different...Bless the fact that everyone is different...Glenda Larkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10113271268122909969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-26178093668766503172008-10-22T15:27:00.000+08:002008-10-22T15:27:00.000+08:00I really only like historical fantasy, high fantas...I really only like historical fantasy, high fantasy and humour. Urban fantasy leaves me cold unless it includes Zombies or Vampires, in which case I actively dislike it. I also dislike alternative history. Yes, Ru,I think there has to be something famililar about our reading or we will be disappointed, creatures of habit that we are! And perhaps I'm a great C of H than anyone:-)Satima Flavellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17427849961195148899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-36615528338932427152008-10-22T07:24:00.000+08:002008-10-22T07:24:00.000+08:00I think that a successful fantasy story starts wit...I think that a successful fantasy story starts with well thought out and plausible world building.<BR/>If you add in good characters, plotting, storytelling and writing then tropes do not matter to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-65712854008232139222008-10-21T21:43:00.000+08:002008-10-21T21:43:00.000+08:00So long as its a good story, well written, I am no...So long as its a good story, well written, I am not even really aware of the tropes - in fact I had to look up the word. On the other hand, some authors can over use them as you know. I have often wondered why so many fantasy books are set in situations with knights on horseback and everyone wielding swords or bows and arrows. There are some "modern" fantasies out there and they are fun.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-3609215542731341492008-10-21T21:20:00.001+08:002008-10-21T21:20:00.001+08:00I suppose most events in life are tropes or cliché...I suppose most events in life are tropes or clichés. That history seems to repeat itself in cycles is a cliché about clichés. :) But the people involved (though no doubt made up of many universals and clichés themselves) will be unique; and that can make all the difference, and shift the pattern dramatically.<BR/><BR/>To me it begs the question ... were we wholly deprived of familiar patterns of events (the tropes, the clichés) would it be much harder for us to identify with the story, would we find it less accessible?hrugaarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08621922879300266376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066416.post-25054059550717577382008-10-21T21:20:00.000+08:002008-10-21T21:20:00.000+08:00Great point, Glenda. I love the tropes of fantasy ...Great point, Glenda. I love the tropes of fantasy and am a bit suspicious of books that are obviously trying to avoid them. Like, man, if you don't dig the tropes, why are you writing fantasy?<BR/><BR/>OTOH, I love it when a writer manages to turn a new trick on the tropes, as all your books to date have done. (Karen Miller and her alter ego, K.E. Mills, have the same knack, as does my current heart throb Joe Abercrombie.) Even so, I don't mind the staple fare, either. Give me a castle and nice virgin princess and maybe a dragon or a Wicked Witch and provided the characters are well developed and the plot not too predictable, I will still love it.Satima Flavellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17427849961195148899noreply@blogger.com