How to Write a Best Selling Fantasy Novel

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Ah yes, the subject of romance is dramatically sliced up in a lot of the 'new-wave' fantasy books (probably due to the latest generation of writers having different associations of the word 'fantasy')

But trying desperately to keep it clean, wasn't Tolkien's romances (Gorn/Arwen, Faramir/Eowyn) amazingly beautiful and, well, romantic? There has been a quite remarkable criticism of Tolkien's male/female relationships over the years, and I think it is horribly unjustified. If you're begging for - what you call - 'realism', then please go away and read Bridget Jones or some other new-age garbage and you'll realise how utterly horrible it is. Then, when you're crawling back along the harsh, dusty road trying in vain to apologise to Tolkien's legacy, I'll be standing watching you, chuckling manicly and saying "I told you so!"

Diamond, a world without rules would be a terrible place, but some rules are mere wannabes, and don't deserve recognition.

[Araréiel]

I try to keep the romance stuff in mine fantasy. Bridget Jones and crud like that is just so dumb. I like the good stuff where they respect each other. Tolkien had Arwen and Aragorn stay faithful to each other, despite long seperations and possible temptations. Modern "romance" stories have cheating and are overly sexual to the point of trash and mental porn. What ever happened to the sweetest thing being a tender kiss instead of x-rated content?

Yes, I hear a lot of bashing on Tolkien's romances, like how Eowyn and Aragon should have ended up together. They way he did pair them is beautiful. Arwen brings out the softer side of Aragorn, and Eowyn and Faramir both stike me as the types to be more, um, playful, for lack of better word. Eowyn breaks the rules, Faramir abided by them, hoping for affection. Each pairing is done in such a way that they compliment each other, rather than match the strong Eowyn with the kingly Aragorn. Opposites attract.

That's where the romance in my current fic is going wrong-the main two chacters in love are too similar. There are others though, like a set of half-Elven siblings, she in love with an Elf, he in love with a mortal. btw, someone else started out writing with me and got way more into romance, but it works.

That should be another fantasy-writing rule: Always keep relationships free from sex and anything you'd expect to see in a grocery store novel.

[Diamond18]

Originally Posted by Araréiel

That should be another fantasy-writing rule: Always keep relationships free from sex and anything you'd expect to see in a grocery store novel.

Oh but it already is:

Losers are scared of sexuality or dependency in women, so women in fantasy novels are so powerful and pure they make Joan of Arc look like Pamela Anderson. They are strong, noble, loyal, brave, high-bred and usually die in the end – well what else are we going to with them? They’re too scary to marry, and no one in Epic Fantasy Novels ever has sex.

That was one of my favorite parts......

And Eomer, there is plenty of middle ground between Tolkien and Bridget Jones! Fr'heavens sakes. I like to think I write in that middle ground, anyway. While there are sexual relations, it most usually fades to black before anything graphic happens, and much more often than not it's between characters I have pegged as soul mates. I am sort of idealistic that way. Of course, then there are my tragic relationships between people who make a lot mistakes, but then again, as I said I really like having flawed characters.

And anyway. There's always Beren and Luthien.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

There is absolutely a middle-ground betwixt Tolkien and Bridget Jones. It's just that that middle-ground is rarely trodden. I think a lot of this stuff would be more at home in mark12_30's 'culture' thread.

[Araréiel]

You're right, Diamond. I forgot about that part. 'Twas late.

And please don't tell me you're comparing the Master's work to Bridget Jones!! That is an insult of the utmost.

[Roccotari Eldandil]

Here's my try at some rules...

• Describe beautiful or handsome people as "fair."
• Use terms like, "in him was reborn the {insert character or physical quality} of the {people group/kings/etc} of old." Don't bother to describe what this wonderful characteristic of the ancient People was, or even make up a background for it. (This is not meant to apply to Tolkien!!!)
• Another method for creating names or languages: let your cat/hamster/whatever walk across your keyboard. Or just sit on it.
• Name your weapons. Always, always, ALWAYS name them. And make sure they "sing" in battle and have an inner fire.
• Be sure to incorporate songs in the story everywhere, be it minstrels or one of the main characters who sings them.
• Another character profile: the Sorrowing Soul. S/he must be enshrouded in mystery and sad for no apparent reason. This will manifest itself in descriptions of eyes, movements, and voice. The final battle, when won (of course!) will perhaps bring a half-smile to the character's face, but even when all evil is ended forever, s/he will continue to be sorrowful simply...because.
• All horses must be either magnificent, noble, and beautiful, with unlimited endurance OR sad, scraggly nags.