Fantasy Writer? Moi?
If you'd asked me a couple of years ago whether I liked fantasy writing I'd probably have said no immediately. There would have been no need for soul-searching. As an adult I don't tend to pick up fantasy literature. I've never read a Terry Pratchett for example (don't know what I'm missing?) and the term 'sci-fi' has always been something of a turn off. Sci-fi's not for me, I'd say. It's more of a boy thing.
So when I started writing OPAL MOONBABY and it turned out to be about an alien from another planet, that was something of a surprise, even to me. I've always thought I liked my literature to be set firmly in the real world. But I now realise that I only have to scratch the surface of my childhood reading to see that this never used to be the case.
We're all plunged into fantasy as soon as we start listening to stories. Fairy tales, myths and legends are full of fantastic worlds and amazing creatures the like of which we will never see on Earth. These strange environments and weird and wonderful creatures fire our imaginations and make us laugh but they do more than that too.
When we are children the adult world seems a mad and complicated place. Fairy tales help us make some sense of it but our need to do so doesn't just end when we grow out of Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and The Pied Piper. We're always having to try and make sense of the world we inhabit. I think that's why I loved books where real world characters bumped into fantasy ones, each having to figure out the logic behind the other's world.
It's that moment where fantasy and reality collide that gets me going. The moment when Mary Poppins flutters down to London with a roomful of belongings in her carpet bag. The moment when Tommy and Annika discover their new neighbour, Pippi Longstocking, has superhuman strength and can lift her horse with one hand. It's the wardrobe moment when Lucy pushes her way past all the coats and finds herself in Narnia and comes face to face with Mr Tumnus.
I loved THE HOBBIT but I wasn't such a fantasy addict that I wanted to tackle THE LORD OF THE RINGS. I liked books where there was more of my world involved, where I could identify with the main characters and their problems. Narnia was enthralling but I was always keen to hang around quite near the entrance to the wardrobe.
In my book Opal is the title character and she's the catalyst for the story but the real hero is Martha. I wanted my human hero to be as rooted as possible in the everyday world and it was her story I wanted to write. Martha has everyday problems with friendships and family, of the type we can all identify with, and she has to solve them herself. Sometimes Opal is helpful and sometimes she makes things more difficult than ever but I hope she always adds spice and sparkle, and some humour, to any adventure.
Opal isn't the only fantasy character I'm working on just now. Reluctant witches, elusive mermaids and jealous cloud creatures are all milling around up there in my brain cogs. So I suppose I must be a fantasy writer after all.
Maybe I'd better sample some more adult fantasy then. Stephen King, here I come....?
Thanks for such an interesting post, Maudie. I must admit, I tend not to read much 'pure' fantasy written for adults either. I love Pratchett , but don't see his books as 'pure' fantasy because of the satirical element. I've recently loved Sarah Addison Allen's books for a touch of fantasy in a real world setting.
Any suggestions for Maudie, anyone? (Oh, and I suggest you take a look at Opal Moonbaby if you like children's books or want a good read for a 7+ girl).
The next stop on the Opal Moonbaby tour is the magical Book Angel Booktopia. If you want to check out the other places Maudie's visited, click on the tour button for a list. (I'd particularly recommend the Serendipity Reviews stop, where a fabulous tea party for Opal with fictional characters was planned)
I am so intrigued by the reluctant witches, elusive mermaids and jealous cloud creatures. I definitely want to know more.
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