McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Adapting Myth or Creating New?
trboturtle:
--- Quote from: newtinmpls on August 09, 2011, 01:13:03 AM ---Belgariad? Had it's flaws. I have yet to meet a male reader who could stand Polgara.
--- End quote ---
*Raises hand*
You found one......
Craig
newtinmpls:
So Craig, what was your take on her relationship with Garion?
Beefstew:
I think readers love well told stories. It doesn't really matter, to me at least, if authors use old stuff or make up new.
Creating your own world is great, but it can take away from the story a bit, as the focus becomes more about the world you're building, and less about the story that you're trying to tell. That's not always the case, but it can happen. I don't know if you've ever built a world, but it's a whole lot of work to make sure your world is not flat.
Borrowing/stealing myths and changing them a bit can be easier, and a little less strain on the reader. They don't have to learn new stuff and the story can really start straight out of the gate. Look at the Dresden Files, all kinds of action, very little explaining what's going on.
I do think built worlds are more memorable. There is (or was I'm not sure anymore) a group of people trying to live by the standards of the White Tower in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time world. Look at how many Star Wars fans are still running around, and they haven't made a good movie since '83.
In the end I think it depends on what genre you're going to write. If you're going for fantasy, create your world. Fantasy readers usually have the patience and maybe even the desire to see big and complex worlds. If you want to write another genre, go with the borrowing of myths and changing them to better fit your world.
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: Beefstew on August 11, 2011, 01:27:48 AM --- I don't know if you've ever built a world, but it's a whole lot of work to make sure your world is not flat.
--- End quote ---
yeah, and the oceans leaking off the edges is such a pain.
--- Quote ---Borrowing/stealing myths and changing them a bit can be easier, and a little less strain on the reader. They don't have to learn new stuff and the story can really start straight out of the gate. Look at the Dresden Files, all kinds of action, very little explaining what's going on.
I do think built worlds are more memorable. There is (or was I'm not sure anymore) a group of people trying to live by the standards of the White Tower in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time world. Look at how many Star Wars fans are still running around, and they haven't made a good movie since '83.
--- End quote ---
I think the difference between venerable-enough built worlds and myths is kind of blurry. I mean, references to Sherlock Holmes are at least as recognisable as references to Hercules.
AdamPepper:
As writers we should always strive to invent and create. In my novel, I created my own monster. Dont get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a fresh spin on an old favorite, and there's always a market for that too.
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