I thought I would blog about things I like and don't like in fantasy novels (though some could be generalized to all novels). I figure people who like or don't like similar things will want to keep reading.
Today, I will start with things I don't like. Here they are in no particular order:
Characters
1) Emotionally Damaged Women – They are tough as nails yet need a man to heal and save them.
2) Saints – People who are too self-sacrificing; Example: Peeta Mellark, he would give his life for Katniss without even knowing her?
3) Villains who are born evil – Evil usually has a source, like abuse and corruption.
4) Children who sound like adults – People complain my heroine Jenna who is 13 sounds 15. That's fine because children do mature at different rates. I just don't like children who sound like they're 40.
Plots
1) Magical artifacts with the potential to destroy the world – Who would ever make such a thing?
2) Anything related to world destruction – Overused and over the top even for me.
3) Plot twists that come out of nowhere – I like to figure the twist out; it makes me feel smart.
4) Evil monsters invade – I like good vs. evil, but evil tends to be more subtle.
5) Inherently evil magic – All power is corruptive.
6) Heroic battles – War involves pain and death; I don't like it shrouded in glory.
7) Cliffhangers – The feeling of suspense fades if you have to wait more than a week.
Settings
1) Post-apocalyptic worlds – Difficult to do well; of course I am a tough audience (engineer and economist).
2) Undefined time scales – Example: Game of Thrones, where winters last for years. A year on earth is defined by the seasons; how can winters last a variable amount of years? Is a year just a set number of days or defined by something else? Just say so!
3) Convenient geographical barriers – Lands walled in by mountains or deserts to avoid having to make the entire world map.
Romance
1) Love at first sight, especially aided by magic destiny – Lazy writing and boring.
2) Happily ever after – It never is.
3) Marriage is the ending – It can make a good beginning; there is plenty of conflict in marriage.
4) Women who are defined by their love for a man – See Twilight Saga.
5) Great sex the first time – I wish.
6) One true love – It doesn't exist.
Fight Scenes
1) Injuries that don't mean anything – The human body can only take so much damage.
2) Training takes over – It doesn't; it takes immense concentration, though practice is critical.
Today, I will start with things I don't like. Here they are in no particular order:
Characters
1) Emotionally Damaged Women – They are tough as nails yet need a man to heal and save them.
2) Saints – People who are too self-sacrificing; Example: Peeta Mellark, he would give his life for Katniss without even knowing her?
3) Villains who are born evil – Evil usually has a source, like abuse and corruption.
4) Children who sound like adults – People complain my heroine Jenna who is 13 sounds 15. That's fine because children do mature at different rates. I just don't like children who sound like they're 40.
Plots
1) Magical artifacts with the potential to destroy the world – Who would ever make such a thing?
2) Anything related to world destruction – Overused and over the top even for me.
3) Plot twists that come out of nowhere – I like to figure the twist out; it makes me feel smart.
4) Evil monsters invade – I like good vs. evil, but evil tends to be more subtle.
5) Inherently evil magic – All power is corruptive.
6) Heroic battles – War involves pain and death; I don't like it shrouded in glory.
7) Cliffhangers – The feeling of suspense fades if you have to wait more than a week.
Settings
1) Post-apocalyptic worlds – Difficult to do well; of course I am a tough audience (engineer and economist).
2) Undefined time scales – Example: Game of Thrones, where winters last for years. A year on earth is defined by the seasons; how can winters last a variable amount of years? Is a year just a set number of days or defined by something else? Just say so!
3) Convenient geographical barriers – Lands walled in by mountains or deserts to avoid having to make the entire world map.
Romance
1) Love at first sight, especially aided by magic destiny – Lazy writing and boring.
2) Happily ever after – It never is.
3) Marriage is the ending – It can make a good beginning; there is plenty of conflict in marriage.
4) Women who are defined by their love for a man – See Twilight Saga.
5) Great sex the first time – I wish.
6) One true love – It doesn't exist.
Fight Scenes
1) Injuries that don't mean anything – The human body can only take so much damage.
2) Training takes over – It doesn't; it takes immense concentration, though practice is critical.
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