Sunday, December 11, 2005

The Definition of Epic Fantasy

Today I am giving you a definition of Epic Fantasy and tomorrow I will be giving you the Barbarian's Guide to epic Fantasy for beginners.
What is Epic Fantasy?

The definition fo Epic Fantasy is the subject for debate and it differs among critics, readers, and scholars so it is a bit of a challenge. It also shares many overlaps among different genres of fiction -bearing the most similarity to High Fantasy. To understand what it is we should first break the term down into its two components: Epic and Fantasy.

Let's first look at the definitions of Epic. The word is derived from the Latin "epicus", and from the Greek "epikos"

As a noun

1.An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.
2. A literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats.

As an adjective

1 Of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic: an epic poem.
2. Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: A vast landscape.
3. Heroic and impressive in quality

So "Epic has two components. Heroic and vast. In an Epic there is a hero or heroic feats and the setting is vast in scope -often a complete world.

Now let's look at the definition of Fantasy.

1. The creative imagination; unrestrained fancy. See Synonyms at imagination.
2. Something, such as an invention, that is a creation of the fancy.
3. A capricious or fantastic idea; a conceit.

4 a.Fiction characterized by highly fanciful or supernatural elements.
    b. An example of such fiction.

So fantasy is defined as creative imagination and characterized by highly fanciful or supermatural events.

SO EPIC + FANTASY =

So we put the two together and we get a story of creative imagination that has a hero and or heroic feats and that takes place on an epic scale.

Refinement

Epic Fantasy is generally accepted today to be a sub-genre of Fantasy. The plot line usually centers on one person that develops through hardship and quest from a seemingly average person into a hero that performs heroic feats of might or magic -overcoming challenges that are epic in scope. Usually the whole world laid out in the piece is at stake.

Although often times in the work of Epic Fantasy it is discovered that the "average person" is actually of noble blood line or in possession of previously unknown special skills -typically magical in nature.

The setting for the piece is often one that has a Middle Ages flavor complete with swords, castles, and a magical scheme. Although many successful Epic Fantasy works have used other settings such as the Conan series.

Development of the Character

One of the most important aspects of Epic Fantasy is the development of the main character through the story. And this often follows a tried and true formula of classic steps that a Hero must undertake. This series of steps has been laid out by Joseph Campbell in his work The Hero's Journey and they include steps like

The Call to adventure - Where our average person is called to undertake a journey

Supernatural Aid - Where a mentor or guide is found (Usually a wizard)

The Road of Trials - A series of tasks and ordeals that our hero to be has to undergo on the road to his or her transformation.

So Let's Put it all together!

Epic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy and very similar to high-fantasy where a seemingly average person undergoes many trials and ordeals which develop him or her into a hero capable of heroic feats needed to thwart challenges of an epic scale. The work takes place in an imaginitive world and often the setting is Medieval in nature, complete with swords, castles, strange creatures and a magical system.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Encouragement for Fantasy Writers

If you are a writer of fantasy you probably get discouraged sometimes. Keep your chin up and keep grinding away at it. When it comes to writing you have to keep going.

Roaming around the internet I stumbled across something that you might want to see.

This should encourage you : It is a copy of a rejection letter that a very famous writer recieved for a very famous, award winning, masterpiece of a novel. We are all so glad that she didn't give up. The Rejection letter

It makes you wonder if there are any other incredible works of writing out there that we will never get to experience because of a rejection letter taken to heart.

Book Review - Janathan Strange & Mr. Norrell



Book Review
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susannah Clarke

This book has been getting great reviews and I eagerly looked forward to
reading it. But it was not what I expected and I only made it 150 pages
into the novel before I put it down.
This Book is really not my cup of tea. <- That was a pun there; let me explain.
If you are into the kind of book that creates atmosphere and enjoy the old english
stories of high society types sitting around the reading room over tea and pipes and discussing london society then this is the book for you.

Me, I much prefer that problems be solved with a sharp sword and some muscle.
Although this book is exceptionally well written it just moved too slow.

This first even of any interest didn't happen until 50 pages in and that event was only so-so. (A bunch of statues come alive and start talking)

As I progressed it seemed to be building toward something but it just didn't appeal to me.

One more note: The book uses extensive footnotes -which I found tedious and boring. (Some of the footnotes were a page long! Hey if you need a backstory to explain your main story then write the back story. Don't foot note it -at least not this much.

Two stars out of five.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Epic Fantasy Bulletin Board

I have created a Bulletin Board at the Castle Fiction website where you can discuss all your favorite Epic fantasy subjects. Interested in The Lord of the Rings? Do you have a favorite Epic Fantasy series like the Wheel of Time or the Sword of Truth and want to talk about it with other like minded people. Maybe you just want to see what other people have to say about it.
Check out the Bulletin Board at All the World of Epic Fantasy

I have also written a review for the new Orlando Bloom / Ridley Scott Movie: Kingdom of Heaven.

When you get to Castle Fiction be sure to check your sword at the door.

PS. We are looking for moderators for the bulletin board so if you are a fan of epic fantasy and would like to be a moderator when you get to the BB send the admin an email.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Looking for a good Epic Fantasy Book or series?

The website devoted to Epic Fantasy is coming along great.

I have written an essay on finding good epic fantasy. It is broken down into three sections: for beginners, intermediates, and advanced readers. Here is an excerpt from the advanced section:

The Worm Ouroboros - (first published in 1922) by E.R.Eddison This was the Lord of the Rings before the Lord of the Rings was published. You have no doubt heard of this book but if you haven't read it there is definitely a gap in your knowledge of the field. If you are skeptical you may want to learn more about the Ouroboros to understand how important this symbol is in mythology (A circular symbol of a snake swallowing its own tail)

You can read the essay on the Castle Fiction Epic & Heroic Fantasy
Or go directly to the essay: Looking for some good epic fantasy to read?

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

New Epic Fantasy Website Launch

This blog is a companion to the Epic Fantasy website CastleFiction.com - Epic and Heroic Fantasy

I have been developing a website devoted to Epic Fantasy and it has been going pretty well. I have another website, of a more personal nature that I use for various creative pursuits. But the Epic Fantasy website is focused on the one topic of Epic Fantasy. It is amazing how much work is involved in creating a website.
This is just my first post and I will be adding a lot thoughts, ideas and materials to this blog so check back soon. If you are a big fan of Epic Fantasy check out the website. I just finished an essay called: "Looking for some good Epic Fantasy to Read? For beginners to experts."

Here is an excerpt from the advice for beginners to Epic Fantasy:

Your first reaction when adventuring out into the world of epic fantasy might be to run out and buy the Lord of the Rings and this is ok but not my best recommendation. This series of three books is actually quite daunting a task and you may get discouraged. This is kind of like jumping into the deep end of the pool without learning to swim. The language in the books is a little stilted and the scope is just enormous. You will need to stretch your reading muscles a bit before you tackle these books.
If you are absolutely determined to get right into The Lord of the Rings then you have to absolutely and undeniably read The Hobbit first. (It comes in several different printings and there are several inexpensive paperback versions to choose from). It is the prequel to the Lord of the Rings. It introduces you to many of the main characters and villains and it sets the stage for almost everything in the series. If you are still hell bent on the whole series then you can buy all four books packaged together in a reasonable price. But read the Hobbit first -don't skip over it. You won't be disappointed.
Now lets say that you already read these books or because you saw the movies and you know what is going to happen you want to try something different. Well this is where epic fantasy gets really juicy! there are plenty of other works that are just as satisfying. The Earthsea Trilogy, written by Ursula K. LeGuin is a fantastic set of books now totaling 6 and a great place to start your adventure. The first book called A Wizard of Earthsea is about a boy named Ged who is sent off to wizard school to learn how to become a wizard! Sounds familiar right? But this was written twenty years before Harry Potter. There are some wonderful things in this book including a fateful and revealing encounter with a dragon and plenty of secrets that only wizards can know. You are going to love these books! I guarantee it! And they are suitable for children and adults alike.
I don't normally recommend getting more than one book in a series if you aren't familiar with the author already but in the case of the Earthsea books I recommend you buy the first four as a package. The books are small and the first book is only 183 pages. You could read this whole book in one sitting and be disappointed because you now have to order the rest of them and wait until they arrive. And believe me, you are going to want to read the rest of them.
Will @ CastleFiction.com