Let's get this nice and sparkling clear - "truth" and "realism" are not the same thing. Once something becomes fiction, it ceases to be reality; it's a projection of reality, filtered through a certain viewpoint. Even the grittiest, most nihilistically depressing crime drama from Arse-on-Trent has to obey the rules of drama, so a writer shouldn't bother trying to capture reality. What they should be seeking instead is truth, which is quite different.
There's a reason why people stick with fantasy (and I don't just mean elves and dwarves) beyond the need for mere escapism; good fantasy has good characters. Characters you can relate to, admire, sympathise with, or just love to hate. The Greeks understood this - their gods and heroes had very human desires and flaws, often tragically so. Marvel's particular brand of superheroes with feet of clay caught on with the public for this very reason.
Truth is what people search for. Fiction is a confusing world to navigate, so you need a character to play Virgil to the reader's Dante and guide them through this strange land. You need to ingrain them with that spark of life that makes them ring true for the reader. Doesn't matter what sort of character you're writing; they don't even need to be real. Just appear real.
There's a reason why people stick with fantasy (and I don't just mean elves and dwarves) beyond the need for mere escapism; good fantasy has good characters. Characters you can relate to, admire, sympathise with, or just love to hate. The Greeks understood this - their gods and heroes had very human desires and flaws, often tragically so. Marvel's particular brand of superheroes with feet of clay caught on with the public for this very reason.
Truth is what people search for. Fiction is a confusing world to navigate, so you need a character to play Virgil to the reader's Dante and guide them through this strange land. You need to ingrain them with that spark of life that makes them ring true for the reader. Doesn't matter what sort of character you're writing; they don't even need to be real. Just appear real.
Tell truth and shame the devil.
If thou have the power to raise him, bring him hither,
And I'll be sworn to have power to shame him hence.
- William Shakespeare.
I would have to disagree, you can't have an unrealistic truth. It's true, or not. Real, or not. But I do agree that characters do have to be relatable in order to appeal to the reader.
ReplyDeletei strongly agree with the importance of good characters in escapist fiction. all the effects and fantastical elements are worth nothing if the characters are awful. also really like the way you equate a writer's role to Virgil's and the Shakespeare quote
ReplyDeleteAs someone who does not take an active interest in fantasy fiction, nor has read much of it, it was really interesting getting an insight into this from a clear fan. It was amusing to see that you immediately wanted to quash the stereotype of "elves and dwarves" in fantasy books, it was useful to hear about the other factors they have to offer.
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