[matthewajg]

There has been a great deal of discussion surrounding the nature of many fantasy novels being very similar. Many members have posted derrogatory statements about various authors for not being original. Others ask why some authors achieve such critical and popular success, while other fantasy novels collect dust. Still others have asked why publishers continually choose novels which are so similar in content within the fantasy genre. the following is a statement from the TOR homepage regarding their stance on Epic fantasy. It's worth everyone reading...


Epic Fantasy

Some of you have noticed certain points of similarity between one and another epic fantasy series -- some that we've published, some published by other houses, and some that first saw light of print a half-century ago. They wonder what's going on.

Here's one of the many possible answers: writers of epic fantasy are frequently drawing on similar bodies of myth, legend, and antecedent literature. This means you can find echoes and similarities in their works, if you set yourself to look for them. But that's not the point. Epic fantasy characteristically produces its effects not so much by the novelty of its invention as by its depth of insight and strength of execution.

Your answers may vary.

[This message has been edited by matthewajg (edited December 11, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by matthewajg (edited December 11, 2001).]

[Bardos]

The guys at TOR want to sell their books; what do you expect to tell you? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[ChrisW]

mb its true.

[Hobbit]

In other words "it's not the destination, it's the journey".

Heard it before somewhere! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Actually Robin Hobb has said something very similar before somewhere - probably her message board.

Yours vaguely

Hobbit

[jbcohen]

Why so cinical Bardos?

Perhaps its the western society in which we live. Look at the ethos of western civilization. Its all entirely based around an epic fantasy type of tale.

[Bardos]

"Why so cinical Bardos?" asked jbcohen.
"Realistic, my friend," answered Bardos.
[cliche answer http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif]

[estranghero]

Then again, that's the same argument they use when they raise the idea that "there is no new stories to be told, just variations of it" or some such.

Whether that's a limitation on good writing or an excuse for bad writing is up to you reader, I guess.

But then again, since best-selling authors sell their souls to the dark ones, does it matter what publishers say to justify their sales anyway? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Aylis]

Personally, when I write, which I rarely do, and when I can write about anything I want to, I write what I read, fantasy. Of course I try to make the story my own, but my writing is influenced by what I read, so similiarities with other fantasy novels are almost always inevitable for me. This may or may not be the case with professional writers, but it's a possibility.

[jbcohen]

epic fantasy novels ten to mimic the dominant ethos of wester civilization and thus appeal to more people because it tends to confirm what they think already.

[Penumbra]

I think every author has a personal reason. What need does fantasy fulfill? Why not make it mainstream fiction or SF? There's always a motive, even if hidden from the writer until after he/she finishes the work.