“Ever since J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis created the worlds of Middle Earth and Narnia, it seems like every windbag off the street thinks he can write great, original fantasy, too,” writes Parker rather snarkily. “The problem is that most of this ‘great, original’ fantasy is actually poor, derivative fantasy.” Parker goes on to present a list of 75 questions to help you tell the difference. It’s a great test for anyone trying to break into the market or just thinking about venturing into the realm of fantasy writing. If you’re afraid what it might tell you about your own fiction, keep this important fact in mind: It’s much better to hear it now from Parker’s exam than from two hundred rejection letters later.
Originality in Fantasy—Taking the Road Less Travelled by A. R. George at the Fantasy Art Resource Project.
Like Parker, George comments on the problem of originality in fantasy fiction, but rather than asking questions, she suggests techniques. Here you will find a number of specific things to work with and think about if you want your fantasy work to be fresh and unique. And they aren’t particularly difficult things—just things a lot of would-be fantasy writers overlook, like “If you must give a harp to an elf, make him bad at it.”
Creating an Original Character by Maisha Foster-O’Neal at the Fantasy Art Resource Project.
A. R. George mentions character in her article, but Foster-O’Neal focuses on it, going into a lot of very useful detail about how to create fantasy characters that fall outside the usual boring box. Her list of characters not to create is enlightening, and her selection of works by authors who “tie up fantasy and tickle it” is a gem.
The Shadowy Realistic Types of Fantasy: Magical Realism, Mythic Fiction, and Mythpunk by Marsha A. Moore on the Fantasy Faction website.
If you’re confused about the various types of fantasy (and who isn’t?), Moore’s insightful article can clear up some of the mess. She only discusses the three types mentioned in the title, but that actually covers a lot of turf. Plus, her discussion is thorough and detailed. An excellent introduction, especially if you’ve heard terms like “magical realism” but haven’t quite figured out whether and how it differs from straight fantasy.