The Sword and Laser discussion
Trite story conventions in Fantasy
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kvon
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Jul 19, 2012 08:56PM
If you like this, you should find Diana Wynne Jones' The Tough Guide to Fantasyland--my favorite skewering of fantasy tropes.
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Hmm, actually, you can stab someone with a scimitar. That's why it has a pointy end. For sabres, it was actually encouraged to thrust on the initial charge (see http://brtdesignportfolio.com/88th/we... for a basic overview).
hmm, well a lot of these cancel out most of fantasy books in general and I prefer trilogies anyways hehe.but for,the female characters and sword/frying pans... you have to write super girl characters who can do everything for people to be happy these days.
my personal book hits only two of these but just barely. it would be a stand alone that has the option for more and its not called mana but I dislike books that allow characters to "cast" with no taxation to themselves. well maybe the one that is "fireball" because, let's be honest magic interacting with the "elements" is the coolest and most believable magic out there. but mine doesn't start with fireballs :p
Interesting! Turns out an old 'abandoned but I will one day return to it' classic-style fantasy idea I've had for the longest time isn't quite as clichéd as I imagined. True, I skirted saying yes to a couple of questions only narrowly due to technicalities, but for a 'journey in search of magical object' style novel, it did better that I'd expected.
Kp wrote: "hmm, well a lot of these cancel out most of fantasy books in generalYou say that like it's a bad thing.
Sean wrote: "Kp wrote: "hmm, well a lot of these cancel out most of fantasy books in generalYou say that like it's a bad thing."
Bad thing? god no! I think almost every fantasy book can be covered in these 75 plot points.
Lets me honest, what magic based fantasy book does not have some derivative of mana or does not have a female who is amazing with a sword but can't cook, etc.
I laughed when they mentioned Robert Jordan. I would say ASoIaF and the Sword of Truth were also targetted.
Can we add a 76th?
76: Describing every kind of food served at a banquet/feast
Kp wrote: "but for,the female characters and sword/frying pans... you have to write super girl characters who can do everything for people to be happy these days. "And then there will be people complaining that she's a Mary Sue. :)
Kp wrote: "....its not called mana but I dislike books that allow characters to "cast" with no taxation to themselves. well maybe the one that is "fireball" because, let's be honest magic interacting with the "elements" is the coolest and most believable magic out there. but mine doesn't start with fireballs.."Remember, the inverse of Clarke’s Law, i.e. “any sufficiently advanced magic system is indistinguishable from technology”
Michal wrote: "Hmm, actually, you can stab someone with a scimitar. That's why it has a pointy end. For sabres, it was actually encouraged to thrust on the initial charge (see http://brtdesignportfolio.com/88t..."
Seriously ? Their manual has a naked dude holing a sword and slashing down with it ? Right after their disclaimer about the wearing of "protective gear" ?
The images are from a Polish military manual from 1830. The document quite clearly states it's for comparing actual combat techniques from the 19th century with modern sports fencing using a saber.I guess I could have included a warning that it has drawings of naked dudes.
*Shrugs*
You did not understand. As a guy the *last* thing I would do is swing around a sharp sword while naked.Never a good idea.
That list was rather comforting as I said no to all of them. :DMy story must be original then... :)
Also "31. Did absolutely nothing happen in the previous book you wrote, yet you figure you're still many sequels away from finishing your "story"?" seems like a stab at ASoIaF to me. :p Though I'm sure that counts for many other series too.
Btw a similar version of this could be done for other types of books. Its not just fantasy.
