Yatterings

Where is fantasy going with market expectations of constant pace and action?

I think the desire for pace and action has always been there among a good proportion of the genre readership. While there are notable exceptions, most authors of fantasy understand they cannot dither around, even if writing massive epics. But there is, and will always be, space for innovation in the genre. I don’t feel the genre is narrowing its focus terribly but if it is true that the more commercial fantasies become those dominated by pace and action, then it is inevitable that authors will march down that route. While there is always a place for the book that breaks the mould, there is a larger place for paying the bills and giving the readers what they want to read.

Is this fuelled by the growth of genre films and gaming?

Well there’s no particular evidence that genre films have done anything to increase the number of readers of genre fiction as a whole. Film goers might buy the book that inspired the film but, sadly, do not tend to read any more widely than that. As for gaming, well, possibly. There is crossover here. My own Raven series has its roots in gaming and many of my fans are rpg fans.

I have absolutely no doubt that there are fantasy authors eyeing the big purse that is movie rights when they pen their novels. And why not? Who doesn’t want to see their work on the big screen? Yes I’m sure there are those who don’t but you know what I mean.

How easy is it to either revive things like the matter of Britain?

Errr…. What? Sorry, don’t understand this question.

Is there such a thing as British or European fantasy?

I’m sure there is but it’s often in comparison with US fantasy. We all write with an eye to the things we know and that will include where we live and how we were brought up. I’ve read very little European fantasy so won’t presume to comment on that.

If so, what might define it?

Probably heroes who do not wear sparkling white hats and fight villains who do not wear deathly black hats. UK fantasies are very often stocked with characters who are morally grey. Yes, they can be heroes, but they are not afraid to make hard choices, however unpalatable. UK fantasy tends to be grittier, harder-hitting and darker than, say the US. Of course, there are exceptions but Steve Erikson was living in the UK when he sold the rights to the Malazan series so we can claim him as one of ours. And he’s a Canadian anyway (sorry, Steve). A caveat here is that I think this difference is less and less prevalent as time goes on.

Can Western fantasy ever truly deal with the non-occident?

Plenty of enemies in Western fantasy have an undeniably eastern edge and are summarily dealt with by the end of the book, ha ha. Seriously, though, does it have to? An author needs to be very comfortable with the world in which they are writing and that is no doubt why so many Western fantasies are set in medieval-esque worlds. To tackle eastern cultures is by its definition a tricky thing to do without either having lived in one or having done extensive and accurate research. Misunderstanding cultures diametrically opposed to your own is very easy.

That’s not to say Western fantasy authors shouldn’t tackle the non-occident but they need to be wary of the many pitfalls. I mean, enough stereo-typing goes on within western fantasy anyway. Why was it that all the orcs and goblins in the films of LOTR had cockney and mockney accents? You get where I’m coming from, I’m sure. I just think that authors need to remember to tell their stories first. Being clever and introducing themes about which they are unlikely to have a complete knowledge looks like being different for the sake of it.

To summarise: There is probably no need because Eastern fantasy authors are doubtless better placed to write compellingly in that arena.

To summarise the summary: No.