How to write an epic fantasy novel

[puglover]

Begin your writing career today!

 

[CivCube]

So sad that it's true for 99% of fantasy novels.

 

[Achinz]

This confirms the fact that much genre fiction is formula-driven. The same sort of analysis may be made of romantic fiction (the mass-produced Mills and Boon books being prime examples of the worst of them) and indeed of crime and mystery.

There is an element of addiction which drives the reader to escape into a predictable format with the prospect of seeing a familiar story dressed up in new clothes.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek approach, I believe you could score a winner if you were to follow the recipe and have a little gift for words and narration.

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

*Starts writing*

 

[Vancouver 2010]

*Enters epic fantasy novel publication business*

 

[Strider]

I wonder what would happen if someone actually does the opposite of this?

 

[General Porkins]

i was actually thinking of trying to write an epic novel a while ago. its funny how much my story ideas followed those guidelines

 

[The Person]

Thank the gods there's science fiction. There only 98% of the books follow the same recipe...

 

[Cleveland]

This made me think a lot. I'm writing an fantasy novel and was quite suprised that I, indeed, have some of those aspects. But I suppose that fantasy as a genre wouldn't be the same with out.

 

[allhailIndia]

I was thinking of writing a spoof of a fantasy novel.... just what I needed

 

[Ankka]

A good point. Most of the fantasy epics are like that...

 

[Eastern Knight]

Um, very educational

 

[Tweedledum]

Don't forget to follow the link at the bottom of the page and have a look at the other stuff. It's just as funny...

 

[Illusion13]

How do you think they make Final Fantasy games... FORMULA! ^_^

 

[the mormegil]

It's very true, it's a formula that works though.

 

[Serutan]

Good one. The rest of the site is pretty good, too.

@AllHailIndia: Unfortunately, "Bored of the Rings" beat you to
the punch. If you can find it, it's hilarious.

 

[Lopex]

I guess Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time epic is completely based on this formula...

 

[the mormegil]

Yeah, except that guide doesn't say anything about going on about boobs all the time and having constant 'braid tugging'.

 

[Dr. Yoshi]

Originally posted by Serutan
Unfortunately, "Bored of the Rings" beat you to
the punch. If you can find it, it's hilarious.

They have it on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../002-0831215-0208043?v=glance&s=books&n=50784

 

[Xi 12]

1/5 stars This book sounds stupid.,
Reviewer: aragornthekingofgondor
Don't anybody make a movie of this book.I mean it! At least I know Peter Jackson would never stoop to such dumbness as this.Hopfully some other big movie director won't decide to give Lordies a bad name,but seeing the billions of dollars and how people like it a lot,I bet bored of the rings would barely make a million.Even if these books have been sold a ton.I don't want to read it.

Now thats funny!