The Power of Fantasy

The worlds of Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Narnia and Forks have a strange power.  They have the power to make us believe the impossible and feel at home in an improbable world.  Fantasy literature provides a unique mythology, an allegory that echoes human history, an example of courage and endurance, and a vacation from the ordinary.  Fantasy has the power to make us believe that good will win after a long, nearly impossible struggle.

Fantasy literature has some common elements.

• Supernatural Creatures: Elves, dragons, dwarves, enchanted plants, vampires, werewolves and talking animals. The right combination of these, alongside a few lowly humans, creates an essential dynamic between the real and the surreal.

• Magic, or a lack thereof : Characters have to be able to perform some form of magic. Most often the hero or heroine possesses a very strong magical ability that they don’t initially have, or don’t know they have, and learn to develop.

• Love: Although the love factor must remain on the PG-rated side, a love interest exists in order to pull at the heart strings of readers. Usually the love interest of the main character is unattainable. It helps if they are not of the same genetic make-up (i.e. Human and Vampire, Human and Elf, Werewolf and Vampire, etc.)

• The Villain: The Villain must be extraordinary and not easily defeated. The villain is often not revealed in person until the end of the story, in order to create the most impact.

• A Great Battle: Without an epic battle in which the hero is nearly defeated, ultimate victory would not be so sweet.

• The Weapon: Harry Potter has his wand, Eragon has his sword and Bella has her ability to hide her mind from others. Whatever the weapon, it has to be special in not only its capabilities, but also in the reason behind its existence.

• The Setting: From Middle-earth, to Narnia, Alagaesia, Hogwarts, and even Forks, the setting is another character in the story. It is the unique quality of the landscape that allows for most of the events in the story to take place.

• Language: Whether it’s a fabricated language, such as the Elvish speak in Tolkien’s works, or it’s the manipulation of how an existing language is spoken, common vernacular won’t do. The inclusion of a fantasy language heightens the reader’s ability to transport themselves into a different world.