Fantasy- Short Stories

[Match Made In Heaven]

I really enjoy reading Fantasy literature, (as in the other half of sci-fi) but I don't really understand Fantasy in Short Story form. I've read a few, but they are so different from the novels I enjoy. ANd they are usually buried amoung more science fiction based material. I'd like to try writing some short stories, but I just don't really think I understand the genre. Can anybody offer any advice or suggestions? Is there anything special I need to know to be able to apreciate this category of short fiction? I have to admit, a lot of times I don't 'get' what is considered short stories at all because they don't seem to have a point or a plot or the usual elements that I would expect from a 'story' Does anyone know what this is all about, or am I missing something? Thanks.

 

[ferociouskittycat]

Being short stories, you have to keep in mind that things have to be missed. Descriptions are cut shorter than would otherwise be in a novel. Characters are briefly described with build up of their persona being developed through out the story.

Maybe you have just been reading the wrong stories. There are some brilliant fantasy authors on here. I'd name names, but I'd also hate to miss somebody and insult them.

Keep reading. You're sure to find the type of story you're looking for. Also, why not have a stab at writing your own?

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

Being short stories, you have to keep in mind that things have to be missed. Descriptions are cut shorter than would otherwise be in a novel. Characters are briefly described with build up of their persona being developed through out the story.

Maybe you have just been reading the wrong stories. There are some brilliant fantasy authors on here. I'd name names, but I'd also hate to miss somebody and insult them.

Keep reading. You're sure to find the type of story you're looking for. Also, why not have a stab at writing your own?

I'd like to, but I don't really know how. The novel I read are usual adventure fantasy and that doesnt' translate well to a short story. Do you have any ideas on the type of ideas that would work well for short stories?

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

Maybe I should be thinking along the lines of 'fairy tales for adults'- is there any type of market for that sort of thing? I enjoy writing for the fun of it, but I would like to take a crack at making some money, entering some contests, geting into some workshops, all that good stuff.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

I really enjoy reading Fantasy literature, (as in the other half of sci-fi) but I don't really understand Fantasy in Short Story form. I've read a few, but they are so different from the novels I enjoy. ANd they are usually buried amoung more science fiction based material. I'd like to try writing some short stories, but I just don't really think I understand the genre. Can anybody offer any advice or suggestions? Is there anything special I need to know to be able to apreciate this category of short fiction? I have to admit, a lot of times I don't 'get' what is considered short stories at all because they don't seem to have a point or a plot or the usual elements that I would expect from a 'story' Does anyone know what this is all about, or am I missing something? Thanks.

I'm like you. I love the fantasy genre. I'm very familiar with the dragonlance and Wheel of Time series. But to write it in the short story form is much different.

When I wrote Chooser of the Souls about a fallen Valkyrie, I did more research than it took to write the story. And even after writing the story it was edited down numerous times. But it has held up to the votes.

Basically, when writing fantasy/sci-fi research is the primary objective. That will give you more story ideas than you can imagine. To start a fantasy, or any other story in my belief, you should grab the reader from the start. Particulary in this genre. The fans of fantasy come looking for action. They're also intelligent and want things to be trueful. So create your own world and charcter plots. Only give the most essential information for the story. Let it lead to the plot.

Then write and watch what happens. You'll be amazed.

 

[ferociouskittycat]

Put your question in the story ideas section if you don't get the answers you want in here.

I put in one for a story I'm working on and ended up with five pages of responses. The people on lit are only too willing to help.

As for what I think would work, I'm more into erotic horror, so the wrong person to ask.

I don't see how any story idea wouldn't work if it's written well.

Maybe others can help you more.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

Re: Re: Fantasy- Short Stories

. So create your own world and charcter plots. Only give the most essential information for the story. Let it lead to the plot.

Then write and watch what happens. You'll be amazed.

How much world building is necessary for a short story? Is it permissible to use a 'pre-existing' world, such as Ancient Greece or Celtic Ireland or abourd a Viking Ship?

Secondly, what do you focus on? is it a brief moment in a longer journey, or a something more complete? A realization? the relationship between two characters? a change in perspective?

What exactly is a short story supposed to *do*? (As in a novel is supposed to entertain, have a plot several subplots, develope character, and contain a theme or themes, resolve a conflice...) Are there any good articles that maybe could be linked for me to check out?

Should a short story resolve a conflict or just show a brief reflection of a different world?


I'm sorry if this isn't clear. Its a little confusing to me.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

Put your question in the story ideas section if you don't get the answers you want in here.

I put in one for a story I'm working on and ended up with five pages of responses. The people on lit are only too willing to help.

As for what I think would work, I'm more into erotic horror, so the wrong person to ask.

I don't see how any story idea wouldn't work if it's written well.

Maybe others can help you more.

Good advice I took it. But I still hope to get a few responses from here as well. ANd I'm thankful for all those I've gotten so far.

Thanks.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

Re: Re: Re: Fantasy- Short Stories

How much world building is necessary for a short story? Is it permissible to use a 'pre-existing' world, such as Ancient Greece or Celtic Ireland or abourd a Viking Ship?

Secondly, what do you focus on? is it a brief moment in a longer journey, or is it something more? I'm sorry if this isn't clear. Its a little confusing to me.

Pre-existing worlds are great to focus on. In the short story realm you may want to look at the struggle a viking goes through to get to his destination. In a pre-existing world it's easier. The knowledge is already out there. In creating a world you start from scratch.

An example would be the Viking Longboat. We already know how it's made and maneuvered. In a world you create you have to create that to the reader. It's not impossible, many short story writers do it all the time. But it's much more easier to follow a pre-existing world.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

I found a posting site for fantasy stories. Maybe it will help with the questions I'm having to brouse there a little. If anyone is interested it's:

http://www.sffworld.com/authors/fiction/fantasy.html

Each story has a description, so just reading those might give me some ideas.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Fantasy- Short Stories

Pre-existing worlds are great to focus on. In the short story realm you may want to look at the struggle a viking goes through to get to his destination. In a pre-existing world it's easier. The knowledge is already out there. In creating a world you start from scratch.

An example would be the Viking Longboat. We already know how it's made and maneuvered. In a world you create you have to create that to the reader. It's not impossible, many short story writers do it all the time. But it's much more easier to follow a pre-existing world.

I'm thinking of playing around with the worlds of mythology. That just might be my thing- as far as fantasy fiction goes. PLus, it's definatly something I'm interested in learning more about.

 

[doormouse]

Thanks for the link hon.

That'd help more than just fantasy writers.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

A list I found that might also help me. (see I ask for help, but I do some checking of my own as well, lol)

Genres
Alternate History
Celtic
Dark
Dragonlance
Dragons & Unicorns
Elves
Folk Tales and Mythology
Forgotten Realms
General
Ghosts
Graphic Novel
High
Historical
Horror
Humour
Military
Mystery
Romance
Superheroes
Sword and Sorcery
There and Back Again
Urban
Vampires

from:

http://www.sfandf.com/index.html?p2=books&p3=f

 

[oggbashan]

I write fantasy short stories.

I know, I know - I write every kind of story.

I wrote 3 about an Irish Earth Goddess, Brigit.

I wrote several, and more to come, about an alternate reality Shelacta where women are predators and trap men with sexual traps. I had to include an explanation of the world as an appendix to each episode. That is a clumsy device but seems to work.

'Tripletit' is just a fantastic world but I think I told enough for people to get the idea.

'Rapunzel' takes a nursery story further.

The Virgin Unbirth assumes a biological variation and is a fantasy.

There are many 'Fantasy' stories in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category on Literotica. Read a few and you will see how different authors tackle the situation.

Fantasy can be what you want it to be. Most stories on Literotica are fantasy in some sense because they assume suspension of disbelief 'Man sees woman's 44DDs. They fuck.'.

Og

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

I write fantasy short stories.

I know, I know - I write every kind of story.

I wrote 3 about an Irish Earth Goddess, Brigit.

I wrote several, and more to come, about an alternate reality Shelacta where women are predators and trap men with sexual traps. I had to include an explanation of the world as an appendix to each episode. That is a clumsy device but seems to work.

'Tripletit' is just a fantastic world but I think I told enough for people to get the idea.

'Rapunzel' takes a nursery story further.

The Virgin Unbirth assumes a biological variation and is a fantasy.

There are many 'Fantasy' stories in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category on Literotica. Read a few and you will see how different authors tackle the situation.

Fantasy can be what you want it to be. Most stories on Literotica are fantasy in some sense because they assume suspension of disbelief 'Man sees woman's 44DDs. They fuck.'.

Og

Thanks ogg, I'll have to check out yours.

Of course I mean Fantasy as in sci-fi/fantasy, not sexual fantasy, but I don't like to say sci-fi/fantasy, because I don't have the slightest inclination to write science fiction.

I guess I've just been frustrated by the types of Fantasy short stories I've seen published, but I'm starting to think it's just a difference in style. Maybe the style that's currently popular (or that I've gotten my hands on) is just at odds with where my interests lie.

I especially want to check out your Briget ones. As well as some of the others you mentioned. The apendix is an interesting idea, even if not necessary might be interesting to some.

 

[sweetnpetite]

I went to bed thinking about Greek mythogy, and turned on my CD player. Noticed a heavy Hera influence in my Lorrett Lynn CD. esp- Fist City, and You aint Woman Enough to take my Man". "YOur squaw is on the warpath" "Don't come home a drinkin' with lovin on your mind" and I'm pretty sure there could be a story (or 5) in there somewhere.

 

[Black Tulip]

For what it's worth: in my opinion fantasy is more focussed on mythical beings, magic and that sort of thing. There's no reason why you can't work that into an existing world.
Writing about hobgoblins and fairies in Ireland or something like that.

I started here on Lit with a fantasy story, but it's actually more adventure.

LDW said some useful things too.

Read Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, stuff like that. Everything from Weis and Hickmann is good, as far as I'm concerned.

Ever read Amber from Zelazny? Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts are nice reading too.

My all time favorite is Anne McCaffrey. Loads of dragon stories. Yum.

 

[Guest]

I have a quite brilliant (in my opinion) sci-fi/fantasy short story series on my site. It's by the one and only Alex de Kok and is exclusive to my site. If you do go there to read it, though, don't forget to click back to Lit.

Lou