"So, Why Do I Write Sword and Sorcery?"

[Periklis, Fafhrd (Emeritus)]

"Genre fiction in general, and fantasy literature in particular, is the only contemporary literature in which characters can act honourably, without irony. [...]So, they’re not heroes, but they are heroic, by the standards of their own worlds."

Full post can be read on Violette Malan's site, with some very interesting comments.

[[deleted user]]

"So, they’re not heroes, but they are heroic"...that and the 3 things in particular Violette learned are quite possibly all one needs to know to know what S&S is.

[Miko]

I write a little for myself and its almost always S&S. What I do a lot is draw S&S a whole lot. The reason I do is because other genre's don't have the same feeling and atmosphere as S&S. It has a gritty hard edge with dark sorcery with consequence and with the hero conquering overcoming odds. I just love it and nothing else is the same.

[Janet]

I don't write s&s, it writes me, when the stars align and I reach a certain condition of the soul.

[T.C.]

Amen to that, Janet.

You can be gazing over the horizon at what you think is a properly sensible new direction... And then, suddenly, the call of imagination swoops and snares you like a shanghai hawk; you're clad in the garb of a reluctant stranger; and however you protest, you're bound to a resentful beast or a steed---or a swaybacked nag---and lashed on some journey you must pursue in order to reclaim control over your wits.

Oftentimes, it's even fun, of a sort you haven't encountered before. Who says nothing good can come of abduction---?

[Janet]

T.c, I'll see you there, if the gods allow. Life and glory -- jem

[T.C.]

Forever and again, Janet--- May the gods sing paeans to our deeds!

[Janet]

Life to you, T.c., and everlasting glory -- jem

[T.C.]

Thank you so much, JEM. And to you, also, a hundredfold.

For glory or otherwise, our works will mark our passage...