How to Avoid Clichés in Fantasy Writing
Writing a fantasy work allows you to create another world if you choose and let your imagination take over, but due to the popularity of the genre, various common cliches exist. You may accidentally find yourself taking ideas from the works of your favorite fantasy author, and that can impede creativity and impact the originality of your story. One way to avoid fantasy cliches is to check your work closely for the signs and symptoms of the more common themes and problems.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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Pick an unusual setting or time period. Medieval England, for example, is a setting in many fantasy books. Research the setting and time period you choose thoroughly to avoid falling into stereotypes about the time period and location of the story. Visit the local library, and examine educational literature on the time period and location you select.
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List set and proposed character names, including major and minor. Say the names aloud. Examine each name for natural flow. Awkward or stilted names is a common cliche in fantasy works. Character names may have unique features, but readers must be able to read the names without leaving the story.
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List characters' physical attributes. Use the list to determine how to work their noteworthy physical features into the story. One fantasy cliche is a lump, detailed description of a character, such as a princess staring at herself in a mirror and describing each feature one-by-one. Work attributes into the story naturally, such as a comment about a feature from another character.
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Add personality and magical power details about each character to the list. Review each character for realistic features and abilities. A common cliche in fantasy writing is a "Mary Sue" or "Gary Stu," a perfect looking, super-powered character who is unrealistic and difficult for readers to connect to. Examine the ways the characters relate to each other, as unrealistic behavior on the part of other characters toward one character -- such as everyone wanting to be the princess, even if she isn't perfect -- can border on Mary Sue behavior. Add flaws to characters, and distribute powers in a balanced way.
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Check dialogue. Various cliches exist in fantasy dialogue, including over-worded speech, modern language and slang in a world that has an older feel, and odd-sounding words or expressions that do not flow well. Trim overly-wordy speech and remove modern words and slang. Fantasy works tend to have unheard-of phrases or names, as the work is set in a world the author invented, but the new terms must flow well and not distract the reader. Say the words aloud and in context to tweak the words you created and improve the phrasing.
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Avoid the stereotypical information "dump" on the reader. Fantasy authors have a lot of information to convey, especially in an unconventional world, but readers must be able to keep up and absorb the details vital to the plot. Spread plot points and background information throughout the story.
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Review creatures, monsters and villains for cliched elements. For example, the all-powerful evil wizard dressed all in black is a common character in fantasy stories. Give villains unique traits -- including some positive ones -- and physical features and believable goals to keep the characters fresh. Avoid overused monsters and creatures, such as goblins, and create unique ones. Use distinct traits or features if you must use overused beings to give the readers a different take on the characters.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a common fantasy element does not necessarily harm the story, but you must try to present a new way for the reader to look at the element to keep his interest.
