The Guide to Writing fantasy and Science Fiction

by Philip Athans

Perhaps more than any other genre, fantasy is about the hero's journey. In a world of seven billion people, with wars I can't stop and legislation I can't even read, the idea of one person being able to make a difference, the idea of one man or woman grabbing a sword and defeating the dragon and saving the village is quite appealing. And then there is the magic. Magic is faith, and faith is magic. Why did we all feel betrayed in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, when Lucasfilm introduced the word midiochlorian to explain the Force? Because it demystified the Force, that's why. Because it took the Divine and made it mundane.

Because in fantasy perhaps more than in any other genre, the character is rewarded for making the right choices and punished for making the bad.