What you wear or what you bear. It’s awfully hard to imagine the weight of a sword sheathed at your side or just how a leather tunic would feel when you’re a blacksmith pounding away at an anvil. Clothing style certainly has changed over the years, and unless you regularly attend authentic Medieval Faires, it can be hard to visualize what everyone looked like in a “simpler” time.
When trying to draw the characters in our novel, I had to pay attention to details about clothing and weaponry. Granted that fantasy is fantasy, and you can create your own variations of the real deal, but authentic style and weaponry can enhance the feeling of “period” or “time” in your novel. Fashion for poorer folk was dictated by practicality and available materials. Clothing was simple, drab-colored, and dirty. The rich, however, wanted to distinguish themselves by bright colors, frills, and imported materials like silk. Believe it or not, buttons were not around in the early Middle Ages. People used thorns to hold their clothing fast.
Weapons also changed with time, and not everyone carried a sword at his side. You might have to do research about when steel replaced iron, how swords were sharpened (and REAL swords were permanently nicked and dinged—not like the shiny blades we see in the movies), etc. If you have the opportunity to hold a Medieval weapon, get a feel for its weight. Or if you can’t hold one, look up how much one of those tools of destruction weighed, and find an equivalent. You had to be pretty buff to wield a good sword and bear your armor at the same time. And if you should be writing a sword-slinging scene, you may want to consider the feasibility of spearing, thrusting, slicing, or throwing your weapon of choice. For example, not every sword was made to cleave; some were made strictly for thrusting and jabbing.
In terms of researching clothing and weapons, the internet is a great resource, as there are many enthusiasts who truly know their stuff. Be selective about the sites you use. Take a trip to a museum, such as an art museum, to see the armor, clothing, and weapons on display. Nothing is better than seeing the real deal. Do some sketches or take notes while you’re there; use a camera, if photography is permitted. Another great source of information is books on costume. Good costume books illustrate and label attire for the rich, the common, and the all-around fashionable for any particular day and age.
Even if you don’t end up describing every sleeve and collar upon your characters, you’ll be able to better visualize their appearance, and you’ll add that authenticity that makes your story so much more believable.
-Stefanie
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Believable Fantasy: 10 Points to Consider Point #8: Religion in Fantasy
I was once told that there are two topics to avoid in conversation no matter what the cost: religion and politics. Strong opinions are wielded in these categories, and many are quick to offend as well as quick to take offense. But seeing as religion and politics play such a integral an powerful role in our society, all the more the reason why to include them in your fantasy novel.
Now speaking in terms of religion, fantasy fiction has received much criticism over topics like witchcraft and wizardry. This writer is going to follow what she mentioned in the first paragraph and avoid delving into that controversy. What I would like to point out is that including religion in a fantasy novel can serve as different vehicles to support the story.
Religion in characters
A tragic loss of faith. An atheist who wants to believe. A devout follower whose quest is driven by his/her convictions. Religion adds depth to a character. It can motivate, inspire, anger, and incite all kinds of emotion. It can also be the guide by which a character lives his life, influencing choices based on past, present, and future. Do your characters differ in religious beliefs? Does this cause conflict? How does a character’s religion influence customs and culture? In who or what does he believe? Does he acknowledge an afterlife (because that would certainly influence how he lives his life!)?
Religion in plot
Persecution. War. Sacrifice. We take a step back from our individual characters and ask how religion affects your fantasy world. As mentioned before, conflict amongst various cultures over religion is almost a given. Is there a sacred item coveted by both believers and non-believers? Is there divine intervention (Ancient Greek deities often played roles in the lives of mortal men)? Do a little research, and you’ll see that stories in myth, legend, and modern religion can be quite complex but also quite fascinating.
Religion in theme
The biggest picture of all is theme. What are you trying to convey? What is your message? Whether religion in your world is minor and independent of the novel’s theme or whether the novel is centered around a religious theme, you can’t deny the power of morality. In the end, the morality behind religion presents some of the most powerful themes. For example, is it ever right to take someone’s life? Many fantasy heroes are wrought from sword-slinging and bloodshed. Does this present a moral problem in correspondence with what the hero believes? As a writer, you can choose to imbed your own beliefs and morals within the theme, or you can simply strive to get a reader to consider a different point of view. Ultimately any reader will walk away with his/her own interpretation of your theme, but the challenge for you is to make sure your theme is identifiable to your audience; otherwise, your message has been lost.
Other aspects to consider with religion… Monotheistic or polytheistic? Myth vs. folklore vs. legend. Are there traditions, festivals, and special customs associated with religion? What about an afterlife? Are there stories/beliefs about your world’s creation? How is religion viewed in light of medicine and health? Does religion mesh or clash with politics in your world? Are there rites of passage for believers? What restrictions might religion place upon a believer? Is there a religious hierarchy? The list goes on and on, but the more thought you place into religion, the more you can harness a powerful tool to make your fantasy believable.
-Stefanie
Now speaking in terms of religion, fantasy fiction has received much criticism over topics like witchcraft and wizardry. This writer is going to follow what she mentioned in the first paragraph and avoid delving into that controversy. What I would like to point out is that including religion in a fantasy novel can serve as different vehicles to support the story.
Religion in characters
A tragic loss of faith. An atheist who wants to believe. A devout follower whose quest is driven by his/her convictions. Religion adds depth to a character. It can motivate, inspire, anger, and incite all kinds of emotion. It can also be the guide by which a character lives his life, influencing choices based on past, present, and future. Do your characters differ in religious beliefs? Does this cause conflict? How does a character’s religion influence customs and culture? In who or what does he believe? Does he acknowledge an afterlife (because that would certainly influence how he lives his life!)?
Religion in plot
Persecution. War. Sacrifice. We take a step back from our individual characters and ask how religion affects your fantasy world. As mentioned before, conflict amongst various cultures over religion is almost a given. Is there a sacred item coveted by both believers and non-believers? Is there divine intervention (Ancient Greek deities often played roles in the lives of mortal men)? Do a little research, and you’ll see that stories in myth, legend, and modern religion can be quite complex but also quite fascinating.
Religion in theme
The biggest picture of all is theme. What are you trying to convey? What is your message? Whether religion in your world is minor and independent of the novel’s theme or whether the novel is centered around a religious theme, you can’t deny the power of morality. In the end, the morality behind religion presents some of the most powerful themes. For example, is it ever right to take someone’s life? Many fantasy heroes are wrought from sword-slinging and bloodshed. Does this present a moral problem in correspondence with what the hero believes? As a writer, you can choose to imbed your own beliefs and morals within the theme, or you can simply strive to get a reader to consider a different point of view. Ultimately any reader will walk away with his/her own interpretation of your theme, but the challenge for you is to make sure your theme is identifiable to your audience; otherwise, your message has been lost.
Other aspects to consider with religion… Monotheistic or polytheistic? Myth vs. folklore vs. legend. Are there traditions, festivals, and special customs associated with religion? What about an afterlife? Are there stories/beliefs about your world’s creation? How is religion viewed in light of medicine and health? Does religion mesh or clash with politics in your world? Are there rites of passage for believers? What restrictions might religion place upon a believer? Is there a religious hierarchy? The list goes on and on, but the more thought you place into religion, the more you can harness a powerful tool to make your fantasy believable.
-Stefanie
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