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Ever since then, most fantasy writers whether Christian or otherwise have followed in their steps and written their stories on grand scale.

After all, it’s not only the great heroes who bring down dark lords who have interesting stories.

Look at Dickens Henty or more recently in terms of historical authors Douglas Bond, most the characters in their novels are not the great historical characters of the world, but people living in great historical time

A small low powered magic item might seem useless to great wizards such as Gandalf or Saruman but could turn the life of an entire village upside down.

That’s because the thoughts which go through the mind of a soldier (survival, fear of the enemy, commitment to duty) are a lot closer to what we have experienced then the weight of responsibility which falls on the chosen one to defeat the dark lord.

If done well, in a God honoring way and can be used to remind us of God’s presence in our individual troubles just as Epic Fantasy helps us to look at God’s glorious plan in its entirety.

Personally I don’t think so. You see, when you focus on the less important folk in fantasy everything is magnified. A small band of orcs for example, don’t pose much of a threat to mighty heroes like Aragorn, but each individual orc could pose a threat to a small country farmer. A small low powered magic item might seem useless to great wizards such as Gandalf or Saruman but could turn the life of an entire village upside down.

Another strength fantasy has from a non-epic perspective, is that the people in them are easier to identify with. Not many of us know how it would feel to lead a battle, but it’s a lot easier to imagine ourselves fighting in one. That’s because the thoughts which go through the mind of a soldier (survival, fear of the enemy, commitment to duty) are a lot closer to what we have experienced then the weight of responsibility which falls on the chosen one to defeat the dark lord.

If done well, in a God honoring way and can be used to remind us of God’s presence in our individual troubles just as Epic Fantasy helps us to look at God’s glorious plan in its entirety. So that’s the end of my rant on non-epic fantasy. Not trying to bring you epic fantasy writers down, Epic Fantasy is awesome and a great way to glorify God. Just wanted to broaden the horizons.

Author:	Lady Elanor [ September 6th, 2011, 6:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
Nicely written, Brendan. A few thinks I noticed: Inesdar wrote: Ever since then, most fantasy writers whether Christian or otherwise have followed in their steps and written their stories on grand scale. I think there should be a comma before whether Christian or otherwise, and then a comma again after otherwise. Inesdar wrote: After all, it’s not only the great heroes who bring down dark lords who have interesting stories. This is a little uncomfortable to read, maybe you could change the 'who have interesting stories' to 'that have interesting stories'? Inesdar wrote: Look at Dickens Henty or more recently in terms of historical authors Douglas Bond, most the characters in their novels are not the great historical characters of the world, but people living in great historical time I think there should be a comma between the Dickens and the Henty, and after Douglas Bond I would put a semi colon. Inesdar wrote: A small low powered magic item might seem useless to great wizards such as Gandalf or Saruman but could turn the life of an entire village upside down. I think you need a comma after Saruman here. Inesdar wrote: That’s because the thoughts which go through the mind of a soldier (survival, fear of the enemy, commitment to duty) are a lot closer to what we have experienced then the weight of responsibility which falls on the chosen one to defeat the dark lord. I think you could do with a comma after experienced, and you mean than not then, I think. Inesdar wrote: If done well, in a God honoring way and can be used to remind us of God’s presence in our individual troubles just as Epic Fantasy helps us to look at God’s glorious plan in its entirety. This doesn't make sense, there something wrong with the beginning that doesn't match with the rest of the sentence.

Author:	J. Grace Pennington [ September 6th, 2011, 9:54 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
I really like this, Ines. Lots of good thoughts for Fantasy writers, as well as sci-fi and historical fiction. You might consider broadening it to include those genres, especially since you use Historical Fiction examples. When you say "less important people"... that doesn't sound quite right. They're not really less important, are they? More like, less well-known or something... I'm not sure. Inesdar wrote: Personally I don’t think so. You see, when you focus on the less important folk in fantasy everything is magnified. A small band of orcs for example, don’t pose much of a threat to mighty heroes like Aragorn, but each individual orc could pose a threat to a small country farmer. A small low powered magic item might seem useless to great wizards such as Gandalf or Saruman but could turn the life of an entire village upside down. Another strength fantasy has from a non-epic perspective, is that the people in them are easier to identify with. Not many of us know how it would feel to lead a battle, but it’s a lot easier to imagine ourselves fighting in one. That’s because the thoughts which go through the mind of a soldier (survival, fear of the enemy, commitment to duty) are a lot closer to what we have experienced then the weight of responsibility which falls on the chosen one to defeat the dark lord. These are good observations, but can you give some more? Can you expound a little? I'd like to see another paragraph or two giving suggestions and reasons when it comes to focusing on more humble characters. Quote: If done well, in a God honoring way and can be used to remind us of God’s presence in our individual troubles just as Epic Fantasy helps us to look at God’s glorious plan in its entirety. So that’s the end of my rant on non-epic fantasy. Not trying to bring you epic fantasy writers down, Epic Fantasy is awesome and a great way to glorify God. Just wanted to broaden the horizons. This paragraph seems a little too casual for an otherwise professional post. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for the thoughts!

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ September 8th, 2011, 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
My dear brother, this is ready to post today. If you have the post edited, I can go ahead and have my lovely little elf post it for you.

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ September 11th, 2011, 9:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
Did this get posted, Brendan?

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ September 26th, 2011, 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
Brendan, did you ever post this?

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Author:	Rachel Newhouse [ September 26th, 2011, 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
Brendan! For shame!

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ September 27th, 2011, 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
This is now on Brendan's To-Do list.

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ October 16th, 2011, 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
This thread is now ready to be archived. Thanks to all for their participation.

Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ October 24th, 2011, 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
You are forgiven.

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Author:	Airianna Valenshia [ September 26th, 2011, 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Non Epic Fantasy
I know! I keep poking this topic. I summoned him this time, though. nod nods We shall get an answer from him yet, even if his big sister has to go have a talk with him.