u/The_Trolzor

Fantasy writing tropes

We all know about fantasy tropes, the ones we like, the ones we don't, and everything in between. I'd love to get a discussion going about what tropes people enjoy versus what they dislike, what feels overused versus what they think the genre needs more of.

Personally I am a big fan of the enemies to allies trope. I don't know what it is but I love it when enemies, whether that be individuals or entire factions, can come together over a common cause and come out the other side as friends or allies. There is something really satisfying about it when it is done well. Found family would have to be another one that always hits for me.

A trope I don't particularly enjoy is the chosen one or destiny angle, where a protagonist becomes powerful or significant simply because it is their fate. A lot of my favourite characters and novels are ones where the protagonist isn't the destined hero or the most powerful person in the room, but rather someone who is just different. They think differently, act differently, and are compelling because of who they are rather than what they were chosen to be.

I don’t know if it is a trope or not but another thing I am not a fan of that I see in more and more modern fiction is the need to include graphic sexual relations. I am by no means a prude but I feel like the romance of love get’s lost a bit when every step is described in graphic detail.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!

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u/The_Trolzor — 23 hours ago

Writing inspiration/ favourite fantasy novels

Recently, I’ve been trying to expand the range of fantasy novels I read to help improve my own writing skills. Trying to work on things like prose, structure, pacing, and character work etc. So I thought I’d ask the fellow writers here: what book(s) inspired you to start writing, or are simply your favourites to read?

A few of my own favourites would have to be:

  • The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist (these books were what first got me hooked on fantasy reading)
  • Gentlemen Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch
  • Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson (I know Brandon can be a bit divisive, but I recently read these for the first time and enjoyed them)
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (currently four books deep)
  • A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin (never watched the show, but I loved the books)

I’m currently debating what to start next and would love some recommendations. At the moment I’m tossing up between The Lord of the Rings, Mortal Engines, or Howl's Moving Castle.

Looking forward to reading everyone’s responses!

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u/The_Trolzor — 9 days ago