Success! Had to take the chance; I actually exclude them from the middle of my story posts for exactly that reason, though it seems to be working here haha
This post makes me realize how often I mistake “funny” for “witty” — but wit, as you’ve shown, often carries a clever twist or deeper truth. I’d love to see more examples of wit that reveal character motivation or foreshadowing, like the Mr. Baggins line.
For some reason phrases like that (modern tone/wording) in fantasy books just take me out of the story completely. It is possible to create fun moments without making references to popular culture.
I feel bad, because everyone hates on the romantasy genre. And it is one of my favorites! However I just can't get behind the whole "he is so hot," modern references, and other anachronistic writing in high fantasy. I mean I have a lot of gripes with the oversaturation of the genre and how that's affected the quality of the art, but that could fill an entire article and honestly people might hate me lol. I wanted to love the fourth wing. I love dragons. I love romance. I couldn't get with the book though.
Well done romantasy is lovely! But yes; most of the standouts seem to me more accurately described as “well-written smut”, and I think issues like these help me understand why.
There definitely is some finesse to using wit in fantasy. A real sense of theme and tone.
When I started writing The Maze House (which is satire) after writing The Spiritbinder Saga (epic/high fantasy) I had the thought, "Am I allowed to do this?" In one world/story yes, in the other..probably not.
Radically different styles even though in the same genre. All depends on the expectations we establish for the reader as to whether the humor hits or detracts. No one wants to be surprised by raisins in a casserole or tomatoes in a desert.
Excellent point about the expectations. The two novels I’m writing have drastically different wit levels. Switching would be jarring, even if they both work.
I love this! Well written and well explained. I definitely need to save this one so I can come back to it later when I’m pulling my hair trying to figure out my ‘wit’ is not really ‘wit’ but ‘cringe’ on paper 😅
Random subscribe buttons in the middle 💀
Was too good an opportunity to pass up hahaha
Very cutsy, very demure, very...witty.
💀💀💀
Was just about to comment, made me chuckle that did
Success! Had to take the chance; I actually exclude them from the middle of my story posts for exactly that reason, though it seems to be working here haha
About the only time the button in the middle made sense and didn't annoy me
I’d say you hit the hammer on the head with that one
hahaha
This post makes me realize how often I mistake “funny” for “witty” — but wit, as you’ve shown, often carries a clever twist or deeper truth. I’d love to see more examples of wit that reveal character motivation or foreshadowing, like the Mr. Baggins line.
Honestly I should edit the post to include your words haha. That’s the difference in a nutshell, but I never explicitly said that.
Thanks for reading!
Well written and interesting as always! The anachronism point really is important.
A popular romantasy character says “for the win” several times and it really made me 🤨🤨
For some reason phrases like that (modern tone/wording) in fantasy books just take me out of the story completely. It is possible to create fun moments without making references to popular culture.
It gets even worse if you consider that in 20~ years, it’s unlikely it will even make sense.
I feel bad, because everyone hates on the romantasy genre. And it is one of my favorites! However I just can't get behind the whole "he is so hot," modern references, and other anachronistic writing in high fantasy. I mean I have a lot of gripes with the oversaturation of the genre and how that's affected the quality of the art, but that could fill an entire article and honestly people might hate me lol. I wanted to love the fourth wing. I love dragons. I love romance. I couldn't get with the book though.
Well done romantasy is lovely! But yes; most of the standouts seem to me more accurately described as “well-written smut”, and I think issues like these help me understand why.
Agreed! Even if it is a made up world, you can’t just do whatever you want lol
There definitely is some finesse to using wit in fantasy. A real sense of theme and tone.
When I started writing The Maze House (which is satire) after writing The Spiritbinder Saga (epic/high fantasy) I had the thought, "Am I allowed to do this?" In one world/story yes, in the other..probably not.
Radically different styles even though in the same genre. All depends on the expectations we establish for the reader as to whether the humor hits or detracts. No one wants to be surprised by raisins in a casserole or tomatoes in a desert.
Excellent point about the expectations. The two novels I’m writing have drastically different wit levels. Switching would be jarring, even if they both work.
*dessert.
The other way probably wouldn't be so bad
Great essay that puts words to the amorphous concept I’ve been fuming about for years! Now I can still fume, but in an enlightened way.
Thank you so much! Glad I could enhance the fuming haha
Very interesting read. You now have me re-reading my work.
Well dang, thank you! Hope it’s helpful.
I love this! Well written and well explained. I definitely need to save this one so I can come back to it later when I’m pulling my hair trying to figure out my ‘wit’ is not really ‘wit’ but ‘cringe’ on paper 😅
Well thank you, high praise! I will also be saving it and coming back to it 🤣
Well deserved praise! 👏