Romance
in fantasy? But, isn’t fantasy all about dragons, swords and sorcery, maybe
elves, goblins and other magical folk? That’s certainly the image projected by
much that falls under the umbrella of ‘epic fantasy’.
Fantasy,
of course, includes dozens of sub-genres, and strays into areas reserved for
other forms. Perhaps, before continuing, we need to define what fantasy is in
regard to story-telling? It’s a tale set in a world, time, or dimension, or a
combination of these, different from what we believe is reality. It may also involve
animals as protagonists as well as beings that don’t exist in the known world.
Animal Farm, the Twilight series, the
cult of Demonic Eroticism, Alice in
Wonderland, paranormal stories, much of soft science fiction, animal-based
novels like The Stonor Eagles and Watership Down, and many others fall
within the wider definition of fantasy. And, clearly, romance does exist within
this broader definition.
Noticeably,
however, it’s far less common in epic fantasy. One reason may be that this specific
sub-genre is often aimed at the YA/teen market and, more specifically, at boys.
Boys are not, as a rule, attracted by romance. Sex, yes, but romance, no.
There’s no more than a hint of romance in the most famous epic fantasy, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Sam and
Rosie, Arwen and Aragon), and this holds true for many within the genre. With
the entry of more female authors into the field, it is becoming more common.
Perhaps
we should also define ‘epic fantasy’? It usually involves a world that is ‘other’,
a quest, magic in some form, battles, and themes that include ‘good versus
evil’. But romance? Not commonly, especially from male authors.
No
rules, and no valid reasons, exclude romance from epic fantasy. My own feeling
is that the inclusion enhances such a tale and allows readers to enjoy the
invented world much more. So, perhaps it depends on what readership the author
envisages. In fact, I suspect that the exclusion of a romantic element has
actively discouraged many readers who would otherwise appreciate this form of
fiction.
My epic
fantasy trilogy, A Seared Sky, is
aimed at an adult readership, though it is also suitable for a YA audience over
the age of 15. I’ve woven the story around three sets of couples in each of the
three volumes. These threads are romantically based, though the underlying
story they carry is far more complex than that simple scenario might imply. I
have some magic, in the form of a limited type of telepathy. I have battles,
physical and mental, involving war between good and evil. And I have a central
quest, involving many characters in a search for what they believe is a crucial
artefact.
Romance
is as fundamental to the telling of my tale as any other element. But the story
remains a fantasy and is an epic, covering adventure over many lands in an
invented world. Will you see it in those terms? Discover for yourself. Joinings, the first volume, is published
by Fantastic Books Publishing on 30th March in both paperback and
ebook formats. There’s a launch party, to which you’re all invited. The
publisher is putting on quite a show. It’s a virtual event, online, so you can
attend from anywhere in the world. To find out more, click this link.
P.S. As
an illustration of how little romance there is in epic fantasy, I searched for
hours to find a suitable illustration for this post and the one up top was the
best I could find!
[cross-posted from Linda Acaster's site 23.03.14]
5 comments:
Thank you for this exposure. It's so difficult to inform readers of new books, so all help is gratefully received. And it's even better when, in the process, you discover a new and exciting blog.
Glad you could join us, Stuart. Good luck with your latest release.
Thank you, Lindsay. I appreciate the opportunity to interact with new readers.
SAVED BY GRACE ALONE AND FAITH ALONE?
Calvinists often make the statement we are saved by grace alone and by faith alone. This is in and of its self a conflicting proclamation. You can believe one or the other, but cannot believe both.
Definition of alone: separate, apart, to the exclusion of all else.
It take unbridled self deception to say "I believe I was saved by grace alone and saved by faith alone."
To be save by grace alone means that God does everything for you. Grace alone suggests that men have no free-will. Grace alone means that God forces men to have faith so that they might believe and be saved. Grace alone implies that men repent only because God makes it impossible to resist. Grace alone means that men are baptized against their free-will. Grace alone means that men only confess Jesus as the Son of God because God gives them no other choice.
Faith alone, taken at face value means men are saved by faith alone. If you are saved by faith alone, then you do not need grace. If you are saved by faith alone then you do not need to be baptized in water.
You cannot on one hand say I was saved by grace alone and then say I was saved by faith alone.
There is no verse Scripture that says, "Men are saved by grace alone."
There is no verse on Scripture that says, "Men are saved by faith alone."
The Bible says men are saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.) It does not say men are saved by grace alone.
Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (It says men are justified by grace, however, it does not say grace alone.)
Acts 13:38-39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.(Men receive forgiveness from sin because they believe in Jesus, however, it does not say men receive forgiveness by faith alone.)
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;(It says men need to repent so their sins may be wiped away, but it does not say repent only.)
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;(It says if you confess Jesus as Lord you will be saved, however, it does not say confess Jesus only.)
Acts 2:38 Perter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (It says if you are baptized your sins will be forgiven, but it does not say baptism only.)
The Bible teaches we are saved by grace, but not by grace alone.
The Bible teaches we are saved by faith, but not by faith alone.
The Bible teaches that we are saved by confession, but not by confession alone.
The Bible teaches are sin are forgive because we repent, but not by repentance alone.
The Bible teaches that are sins are forgiven because of water baptism, but not by baptism alone.
GRACE: Romans 3:24
FAITH: JOHN 3:16
REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
BAPTISM: 1 Peter 3:21
THERE IS NO SAVED BY "ONLY" FOUND IN THE BIBLE, WITH THE EXCEPTION BEING THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR! (Acts 4:10-12)
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
Sorry Steve, I don't see the relevance of this in the context of the post. I am, in any case, an agnostic who sees all so-called sacred scripture as the words of man and therefore of no more import than any other writing.
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