How to Write a Best Selling Fantasy Novel - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Oddwen · 11-30-2006, 03:50 PM

The main protagonist should have to go to a primitive people because of some

A. An incureable disease
B. His/her wizard mentor told them to
C. His/her girl/boyfriend told them to
D: It was on the way to defeat the big bad dark lord/lady

Said protagonist must incur help from said primitive people, but the help they are willing to offer is never good enough, so Protagonistagon must forcibly bring the primitive people into some form of modernity, just because he/she feels it's best. Any tactic will be used, from threatening the natives with his scorn ("Oh no! Not that!"), to threatening that they will be overcome by the dark lord/lady if they do not do exactly what he says, to killing the people in charge and placing his girlfriend in charge.

Even Tolkien did this, to some degree, though it was needed. Namely, Gandalf casting Wormtongue out.

Oh yes, and

The Wizard Guide has to die or go on some secret quest of his own, leaving the main character helpless at the climax of the book.

Volo · 02-07-2007, 09:21 AM

We're going to write one with Oddwen pretty soon. Right?

Oddwen · 02-07-2007, 10:21 AM

BWHAHAHA! I had forgotten about these lists. They will be a very valuable guidebook, methinks.

The 1,000 Reader · 02-07-2007, 08:20 PM

I have two.

All enemy villains must be afraid of sunlight/wizard character/girls. They must also betray themselves for no reason.

The main Dark Lord enemy is constantly feared and is said to be powerful, when all throughout the book he doesn't do anything other than meet defeat countless times. Despite this, he is supposedly better than his generals who destroy countries and require tons of divine intervention and enigmas to defeat.

11-30-2006, 03:50 PM	#1
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	The main protagonist should have to go to a primitive people because of some A. An incureable disease B. His/her wizard mentor told them to C. His/her girl/boyfriend told them to D: It was on the way to defeat the big bad dark lord/lady Said protagonist must incur help from said primitive people, but the help they are willing to offer is never good enough, so Protagonistagon must forcibly bring the primitive people into some form of modernity, just because he/she feels it's best. Any tactic will be used, from threatening the natives with his scorn ("Oh no! Not that!"), to threatening that they will be overcome by the dark lord/lady if they do not do exactly what he says, to killing the people in charge and placing his girlfriend in charge. Even Tolkien did this, to some degree, though it was needed. Namely, Gandalf casting Wormtongue out. Oh yes, and The Wizard Guide has to die or go on some secret quest of his own, leaving the main character helpless at the climax of the book. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

02-07-2007, 09:21 AM	#2
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	We're going to write one with Oddwen pretty soon. Right? __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

02-07-2007, 10:21 AM	#3
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	BWHAHAHA! I had forgotten about these lists. They will be a very valuable guidebook, methinks. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

02-07-2007, 08:20 PM	#4
The 1,000 Reader Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I don't know. Eastern ME doesn't have maps. Posts: 527	I have two. All enemy villains must be afraid of sunlight/wizard character/girls. They must also betray themselves for no reason. The main Dark Lord enemy is constantly feared and is said to be powerful, when all throughout the book he doesn't do anything other than meet defeat countless times. Despite this, he is supposedly better than his generals who destroy countries and require tons of divine intervention and enigmas to defeat. __________________ "And forth went Morgoth, and he was halted by the elves. Then went Sauron, who was stopped by a dog and then aged men. Finally, there came the Witch-King, who destroyed Arnor, but nobody seems to remember that." -A History of Villains

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