This week: The Wide World of Epic Fantasy Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
This month we look at a giant in the fantasy genre in size and recognition: epic/high fantasy. |
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Epic fantasy, also known in some areas as "High Fantasy" is a mainstay of the genre in ways that are both loved and despised. Whether they love or hate it, many people often think of this type of story when they hear the words Fantasy for a genre. The recent increase in television shows and movies based off epic stories is also a recent factor but it's certainly nothing new. Epic fantasy has been around for decades with stories that have captured the imaginations of various generations.
Here are some examples of epic fantasy series:
Dragonlance Chronicles
Game of Thrones
Wheel of Time
Lord of the Rings
The Sword of Truth
The Chronicles of Narnia
However, it doesn't have to be a 3 book, 7 book, or even 15 book series in order to qualify as High Fantasy. American Gods by Neil Gaiman, as far as I know, is a single book that is considered epic. I had to read it back during my freshman year of college, so that was many years ago. Now it may be a little more known since there was also the television series based from the book.
As my user name tends to indicate (elfmage7), I do have a special place in my heart for the realm of epic fantasy. However, I will admit that while I like the idea of the epic tales, my reading experience in the genre is minimal. I've never even read Lord of the Rings. Honestly, I haven't seen all of the movies either. I haven't read or watched Game of Thrones. I did read Dragonlance when I was in high school, which is my main small foray as a reader into the epic fantasy world. However, I do have an idea that is epic fantasy style influenced by such stories with elves, magic and a female dwarf. Wrote chapters once during my first attempts with NaNoWriMo over 10 years ago and have no idea what happened to that novel file. Oops. And despite my username, it does seem I am not the best fit for being a beta reader when it comes to well detailed, world building focused epic fantasy stories.
That is one element that can be difficult for some of us writers with this particular genre. Whether the story is contained in one single book or spans across many, there is a big world involved, hence the term epic. One definition for High Fantasy by Masterclasss is "a subgenre of fantasy literature that uses a fantasy setting or secondary world to tell an epic story." Aside from the world focus, there is also the plot, which itself has to have a large scope to be considered epic. If you want to read more on what may qualify check out: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/high-fantasy
Another aspect that comes up when reading this type of story is the use of exposition. Since there is so much to the characters, world and story, it's almost impossible to show every little detail. Some things have to be explained in order to the stories not to take 20 novels in order to express things the reader may need to know. However, this can be a difficult balancing act as a writer. You have to determine when to show things in what characters do or say and when to add a little exposition to explain an aspect of the epic world without taking many paragraphs to give the reader the information. Readers get bored when it gets too much in the detail, so that has to be considered when planning to have others read the story.
The struggle that will come with this type of story on WDC is going to be the scope and length. It's hard to get an epic story done in less than a book and I can't imagine a flash or micro fiction high fantasy tale. While we have had a couple of contests that have allowed for long lengths, the most I've seen was more novella style and didn't have many rounds. And it still might not be enough word counts to enter a long contest. It's not easy to ask a reader online to invest the time for an epic tale but there are probably a few out there.
Even so, it's a strong part of the fantasy world. I know I will still claim enjoyment of the stories and some day, I just might get through reading the whole Wheel of Time series. Maybe. Only 13 more books to go.
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What is your favorite epic fantasy book or who is the author?
Last newsletter, at the beginning of November, I discussed tying up loose ends. Here are a couple of comment sent in from that newsletter:
Comment by brom21  :
Tying up loose ends is a little bit of a challenge for me. My mind goes into so many directions that I end up info dumping when trying to wrap things up. That is pretty much my ordeal. I need a method to solve my issue. I am open to suggestions. lol. Thanks for the NL!
Comment by Quick-Quill  :
A favorite author I read has hooked me into buying her series. The main plot is; did the MC's father die of a heart attack or from the drugs that have come into the state? Each "book" has a conflict and partial answer but leaves the question in place. It drove me nuts having to buy an answer in a series. I still haven't bought the whole series. I don't have the answer. I may just buy the last book and cheat.
Still breaking up the plot like this hooks the reader.
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Fantasy: November 30, 2022 Issue [#11681]
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