Writers Life | Flights of Fantasy

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” C. S. Lewis

Not everyone loves fantasy or, fiction for that matter. ‘I prefer reality,’ they say with that do-you-have-two-heads look. The implication is that fantasy is escapist or childish or somehow suspect.

Now, I get it. Readers have different taste in literary genres, just as they have in every other area of life, from food, fashion, entertainment or career choices. But sometimes I suspect people dismiss fantasy without giving it a go or understanding how diverse it can be. In fact, they may have read or watched fantasy without realising it – Arthur and the roundtable, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows or Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress.

Fantasy comes in a wide variety of guises – so chances are there is something for everyone.

What is Fantasy?

Speculative fiction (Spec-Fic) has elements integral to the plot and setting that are contrary to what we accept as known reality. In Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), these ‘fantastical’ elements are given a scientific or technological explanation while in Fantasy they have a supernatural or mythological or spiritual basis with mythical beings and ‘magical’ gifts and powers. The story may be set in our own world or in a different reality or world altogether.

Different types of Fantasy

Fantasy has been penned for all age groups, not just for children. And it has a wide range of sub-genres, tones and categories. It can also be light-hearted or serious, pure escape or grapple with enduring principles.

High fantasy has noble ideals and epic world-shattering adventures. Kingdom Fantasy or Courtly Intrigue focuses of the rulers. On the other hand, Low Fantasy has less fantastical elements and focuses more on everyday life. The tone of the story can vary from noble-bright, grimdark, satirical or comic.

Fantasy can be contemporary, historical, mythological, allegorical and/or involve time travel. Or it can be a fairy tale retelling – perhaps in a different historical context.

It may be set in imaginative world very different from our own (Middle Earth, Narnia or my own Nardva) or be a version of our own world  where the fantastical is normal or, perhaps hidden (paranormal) or uncommon (magical realism). Portal fantasy involves a portal (like a wardrobe) from our ordinary, mundane world to an alternative world. While Anthropomorphic fantasy – stories where animals, toys or other objects dress, talk and think like humans,

Fantasy often includes crossovers to other genres, including elements of romance, suspense, mystery, crime or humour. It may be a coming of age story, a thrilling adventure or an exploration of ideas and concepts, or all of these.

It is not always about ‘the chosen one’ with prophecy and elves, goblins and dragons, though it can be that too.

Why Fantasy?

For me reading and writing fantasy is exciting and fun. It allows my imagination to soar. I write secondary world courtly intrigue, coming of age stories, and often include shapeshifters. I draw on my knowledge of and further research into languages, cultures, history, geography, psychology, technology, medicine, skills and crafts to build a rich, layered textual world. I can explore how people and how societies work and interact. And while the world has fantastical elements, it is consistent with its own rules. I love the flexibility and the richness of fantasy. My books include elements of romance, suspense, mystery, faith and hope.

Speculative fiction explores and extends our most fantastical dreams and plumbs our worst nightmares. But is it escapist? And, if so, is that a bad thing?

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” G. K. Chesterson

In fantasy, we have an opportunity to explore the big questions of life as well as some our more perennial problems. While realism is one way to tackle such issues, I believe that fantasy provides another fruitful and engaging approach at a metaphorical and emotional level.

Suszanne Clark’s Piranesi, for instance, explores metaphysical reality and the thirst for knowledge and its temptations.

Finally, fantasy reminds us that is there is meaning beyond the material world. We are more than a bunch of atoms.

For me, fantasy can be imbued with Christian themes of hope and light – that people matter, that things happen for a reason, that even the best of us is flawed yet the worst of us is not beyond redemption, that forgiveness is possible that lives do change, that we can be more, and that we are not alone, there is One who cares.

“This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” Aslan in C. S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Dive into Starlit Realms

My most recent published fantasy story is Shadow Queen in Starlit Realms anthology – a story of courage in the face of overwhelming odds and the possibility of change in the face of generations of prejudice. Edited by Elizabeth Klein. The anthology contains stories from many other authors.  Permafree on Amazon  – why not give a go today.

Or you could immerse yourself in the world of Nardva with Heart of the Mountain (Book 1 of the Under the Mountain series) or Akrad’s Children (Book 1 of the Akrad’s Legacy series).