Fantasy fiction is a direct descendant of fairy tales and myths. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and George MacDonald were creators of some of the earliest fantasy fiction novels with the specific intention of creating modern fairy tales and myths. Their tales existed in undefined far-off worlds with fuzzy boundaries. They had a somewhat medieval world in a vague time period. The magic had no rules or boundaries, and the heroes were ordinary with extraordinary virtue. Today’s fantasy fiction (post-1900s) looks quite different, with the priority of “magic systems” and “world creation.” We have turned the intuitive world of the imagination into a scientific endeavor. For me, we are very much missing the point of the genre.
I am not making a sweeping statement that everyone must write the way I want them to, but I am making a statement about how I want to write. I am a huge fan of classic fairy tales, folklore, and myths. I love them even more than modern fantasy fiction. I can read a collection of fairy tales over and over again while I get frustrated with many modern books. The reason for this is that anything can happen in a fairy tale. There are no rules. I happen to like that and want my writing to reflect those original ideas.
In today’s society, we believe we know what can or cannot happen in our world with precise mathematical accuracy. Our scientific approach to everything places all aspects of our lives in boxes and categories. Yes, this is an over-generalization reflecting my frustrations. Even our faith in God is dictated by artificial doctrines of what we think God’s boundaries are. The more I live and experience the world, the more I want to scream that this is all an illusion. Every day, I face events or circumstances I can’t explain. Why did this child get sick and that one stay well? Why do people fall in love? How did this disaster not get predicted? Where did this evil person come from and why do they want to harm/steal from me? Why do young healthy people die and old sick people live on and on? We cannot fathom all things or place life in a box. What makes us arrogant enough to know all facets of God’s mind or to try to control Him? Our tidy make-believe worlds reflect our attempt to make reality predictable and controllable. There is something frightening in the arbitrary events that hit us from every direction.
I argue that a magical world in which fairies and wizards can caste random spells, mythical creatures can just pop up out of nowhere, and our heroes are nothing special except for having a good heart is closer to reality than our controlled systems. I get tired of a hero or heroine whose only virtue is that they are a child of prophecy. The stories of children who are raised in some sort of unusual circumstance that makes them special are entertaining, but not inspiring. Most classic fairy tales focus on ordinary characters who show some kind of virtue such as love, courage, honor, cleverness, or perseverance to overcome extraordinary odds.
I feel like part of the reason folklore or fairy tales had non-magic using protagonists is so that we can feel like anything is possible for us as well. Life is often not about being more talented or special than everyone else. It tends to be about what we do with what we are given. Life is unfair. Even as Christians, the Bible shows that people are not given the same talents or gifts or blessings. Even reading history, those who changed the world usually were just in the right place at the right time and acted in the way that was needed. Anything CAN happen at any time. We can wake up to a windfall of money or get disabled in a car accident. The weather can change suddenly so that you end up in a hundred year flood or suddenly have a perfect day. We can randomly meet a long lost friend at the store or get a once in a lifetime opportunity. The adventure starts with how you respond to these events. No prophecy or fate has predetermined what you will do. We have a free will to choose. For me, that power to choose is what makes the world of fantasy suddenly make sense.
What is that you look for in fantasy fiction? Let me know in the commits below.
Check out my young adult fantasy fiction novels HERE for something optimistic and fun.
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What do you think?