Andrew Moore's Blog, page 69

How to Get Fantasy Movies in the Theaters

All-animal casts. Sure, you lose something as far as dialogue, but when that husky swears the third oath or whatever, nobody in the audience will be silent.

Time Skip Reminder

You made sure that the stuff that happens during the time skip isn't far more interesting than what's in your story, right? You did, didn't? Are you sure?

Apocalyptic Thinking

We've had the post-apocalypse, we've had the pre-apocalypse, but what about the pro-apocalypse? Sometimes you just gotta clear some stuff out. For instance, suppose the dark lord won and controls the eight pillars, or maybe the author added a character the audience doesn't like. We have to get past this kneejerk response that the apocalypse is bad.

Geographical Realizations

Earth's world serpent should be located southerly for efficiency, so how did the Norse find out about it? Does it look like a big W from space?

Sport and Discovery

"Lines out!"
With those words, fishing season began. Anglers lowered their microfilament lines from the orbital station down, down to the planet that was mostly ocean and most of that stocked with fish. They triggered their rocket hooks when the sensor detected a nibble. Each had a bucket for the worthwhile catches, and as for the small fry, the atmosphere filled with the burning husks of fish that had to be thrown back.
The laughing, the bragging, the broken lines and the lies about old catches attracted people to orbital fishing as much as the sport proper. That season, however, the sport asserted itself.
"Whoa! This one's a bit much." A mild statement that came across as a desperate plea because of being voiced at all, and accurately at that. Anglers rushed to help. Assist robots glided over. Everyone's strength and everyone's hooks were required, and soon they saw why.
A gigantic serpent rose from the ocean against its will, its tremendous might, and its unbelievable mass, for the thing encircled the entire world.
"Ha! How about that? I guess Earth's myths are based on ancient aliens after all."
"I owe some people I argued with some apologies when I get back."
"Who can recommend some good books on the subject?"
Amid merry talk like that the participants raised up the world serpent, and the meal that night was unforgettable.
Finis

Yam Fantasy

That isn't a subgenre, it's a Harvest Moon clone.

Stuffing Fantasy

Is lucrative, but you should probably use a nom de plume for it.

Turkey Fantasy

Is a dead end. What bold visionary will prove me wrong?

Addendum

I know the first idea you had was a ghost that turns out to be trying to give someone the wallet he dropped, but a descarifying reveal doesn't erase earlier spookiness.

Neverscaryvember

Now that October is over, make sure your stories contain nothing frightening whatsoever. It's a serious impediment, but rules are rules and months are months.