Mid-September 2022 - my thoughts on high fantasy (no spoilers)

Hi Everyone,

I’ve started watching The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and so far I’m assuming the show is on a slow burn (there’s going to be five seasons after all!), so I’m reserving judgement. I will say, it’s visually stunning. Some characters are familiar while others are new-to-me and intriguing (I say new-to-me, because I’ve never delved into any of the original books appendices).

My mom read me The Hobbit when I was a kid, and I loved it (even though there was a complete lack of girls). As a teenager I made my first attempt at reading The Lord of the Rings, and didn’t get out of the Shire. I tried again several times lugging the trio of books from apartment to apartment all across the country. But… no matter how many times I tried, I just couldn’t get into the story–the wording was so dense, my dyslexic mind found no joy in reading it. J.R.R. Tolkin was an academic, and he wrote that way. Only when the movies were about to come out, did I force myself to read all the books (I enjoyed the movies much, much more than the books). I don’t think I’ll ever even try to read The Silmarillion, or any of the appendices.

I came into enjoying high fantasy tales through other means. 

My first major exposure was to the Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings—and the complete series is still on my bookshelf (I read these in the early 90s and apparently the gender roles don’t age well, so I’ll pass on a second read). The series that has really stuck with me (and I’ve probably written about this before) is Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series—I’ve read the entire 14 book series twice and I’ll probable read it again.

As a final comment on The Rings of Power, Galadriel’s armour would actually provide her with chest protection—unlike ‘boob plate’ armour regularly seen elsewhere. As to why ‘boob plate’ armour would do the wearer no good check out this (oldish) article.

Different takes on the genre…

For any readers of high fantasy, I’ve stumbled upon some enjoyable and different takes on the genre. Kameron Hurley’s Worldbreaker Saga is fantastic, as is the Dominion of the Fallen series by Aliette de Bodard (it’s not fantasy, but I also really liked the Tea Master and the Detective). I’ve only read the first one of The Divine Cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett (and it was awesome), but a physical copy of the second one is next up on my reading pile.

There seems to be plenty of options of new worlds to spend some time in. Have you come across any high fantasy worth recommending?

That fantasy book in the cupboard (or why I’m sticking with Space Opera for now)

I figured out how to fit dragons into my latest WIP (and I’m perhaps, overly delighted about this)—so how different is Space Opera from fantasy really?

They are obviously two different things, but as a writer both include the fun of world building, creating adventures and general wonder.

Years ago, I wrote the first draft of a fantasy novel while working my way through my first reading of The Wheel of Time series. The working title of my story was Seven Towers (which may or may not be original) and it had many of the annoying tropes in it—like a character born with a destiny. Half-way through I stoped and reconsidered my story. After a massive re-write, I had something completely different. Now that I’m thinking about, I don’t think I’ve seen some of those ideas anywhere else (nothing is completely original, every story is really a mash-up of what’s gone before). Someday, I’d like to get back to it.

But… as an independent author, the number one challenge I have is discoverability. There are so many books out there, that mine are hard to find (so if you’ve enjoyed any of my books tell a friend). Changing genres will only make things more challenging to be found, so, for now, I’m going to keep writing science fiction.

Finally a writing update…

I’m deep into my next round of edits on Subject 34, the third Encoded Orbits book. Yes there are dragons (backed up with a very reasonable explanation), and a ridiculous taxidermy mount showed up in a scene this morning. Next up, I’ll be adding in more fun action scenes before I go back through it all to polish it up.

Later this fall, I’m starting on a shiny new story—which I’ll give some details on in a future newsletter.

Cheers,

Jeannette

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Encoded Orbits

• Fractured Orbits - direct or from the shops

• The Alien Algorithm - direct or from the shops

Settler Chronicles

• Lunar Escape - here or here

• Day 115 on an Alien World - direct or from the shops

• Far Side of the Moon - direct or from the shops

• Abandoned Ships, Hijacked Minds - direct or from the shops

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