by Naomi L. | August 12, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing |
By now, I’ve written quite a few “five reasons” posts for my blog. I’ve talked about the things I love about flash fiction and poetry, and I’ve listed my reasons for loving romance and science fiction. Now I’d like to get into another of my favorite genres of fiction, if not my absolute favorite: fantasy! This is a genre I fell in love with when I was a child and that I haven’t stopped loving since. So without further ado, here are the reasons I love fantasy. Enjoy!
1) It’s a testament to the boundlessness of human imagination.
Fantasy is the epitome of human creativity. The very word “fantasy” originates from a Greek word meaning “imagination” (literally “to show at the mind”). In fact, one of the reasons I love reading ancient mythology is that it offers an insight into human imagination from an early point in history. Since prehistoric times, people have been telling stories about the fantastic events that could very well have shaped the world as we know it, and while today we know that such incredible stories about deities and monsters never actually happened, it’s still interesting to see what amazing tales the human mind is capable of dreaming up. And that’s probably why fantasy remains such a popular genre to this day. For me, reading fantasy isn’t just about enjoying a good story; it’s about the thrill of being transported into another person’s imagination. How wonderful is that?
2) It’s the ultimate escape from reality.
Whenever I feel stuck in the monotony of reality (which is often), I like to take a break by indulging in fiction. When I’m really fed up with the real world, I dive headfirst into fantasy, because nothing takes me away from the pressures of life like indulging in a little magic from time to time. Whether it’s writing short stories about dragons, reading a seven-book novel series about young wizards and witches, or playing the hero in a medieval-themed video game, fantasy offers the thrill of escapism like no other genre can. Because what better way to escape from reality than by losing yourself in a world where absolutely anything is possible?
3) Other genres bend the rules; fantasy breaks them.
Two of my favorite genres of fiction are science fiction and fantasy, but sometimes when I compare the two, it’s hard to find the line that distinguishes them. They both feature intricate worlds, highly improbable plots, and characters who are capable of amazing feats. Perhaps the best way to distinguish fantasy from science fiction (or any other genre for that matter) is to consider how they compare to reality, because fantasy is the only genre that makes the truly impossible possible. Alien encounters, artificial intelligence, and dystopian futures technically could be a reality given exactly the right circumstances, but you’ll never see wizards casting magic spells or fire-breathing dragons soaring across the sky. Some things exist purely in our imagination, and that’s exactly what I love so much about fantasy: it pushes boundaries like no other genre can. In a nutshell, science fiction bends the rules, but fantasy breaks them.
4) It brings back the magic of childhood.
Remember when you were a kid, how you loved reading fairy tales and watching animated movies about magical characters who did amazing things? Naturally curious and free of responsibilities as children, we all enjoyed engaging in the wonders of magic, even if it only ever existed in our minds. But growing up has a way of forcing us to put aside our fantasies so we can prepare to face the real world. One of the greatest reasons I’m so fond of fantasy is that it often takes me back to the simpler time of my childhood, a time when it was okay to believe that magic was real and anything was possible if I only wished it with all my heart. Sure, nowadays I don’t longingly watch the skies for an owl carrying my acceptance letter from Hogwarts or feel a twinge of anticipation that I might find a golden ticket whenever I open a chocolate bar, but it’s still nice to keep in touch with that little girl inside who once did. She is, after all, one of the loudest voices that make up the writer in me.
5) It’s incredibly fun to read, write, and play!
Yes, I always end my lists with this reason, but what can I say? It’s always true! Fantasy, when written well, is engaging, exhilarating, stimulating, liberating, and all-around awesome! So the next time you feel stuck in the humdrum of the real world, try taking a break to indulge in a little fantasy. You never know what sorts of amazing adventures await in the imagination until you explore! Enjoy!
What about you? Why do (or don’t) you like fantasy?
by Naomi L. | August 5, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
It’s time for another batch of “What If?” Writing Prompts! Since I enjoyed writing the last one so much, this week’s post features another set in the history theme. See what twists you can write into true stories of the past! Good luck!
What if… every civilization in the world had shared the same religion throughout all of history?
What if… European nations hadn’t begun exploring the world in the 15th century?
What if… the British had won the American Revolutionary War?
What if… some of the greatest machines of the Industrial Age had never been invented?
What if… the Cold War had continued to the present day?
Have fun putting your own spin on historical tales!
If you have any “What If?” writing prompt suggestions (for any theme), please feel free to share them in the comments below. Ideas I like may be featured in future “What If?” posts, with full credit and a link to your blog (if you have one)! Also, if you’ve written a piece based on an idea you’ve found here, be sure to link back to the respective “What If?” post. I would love to see what you’ve done with the prompt! Thank you!
by Naomi L. | July 29, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
Yes, it’s time for another set of “What If?” Writing Prompts. This week, I’m sharing a batch themed to a new topic that’s been on my mind lately: mythology! What sorts of tales can you spin around the elements of classic myths and legends? Good luck!
What if… there really were such things as horses with horns, wings, fins, extra legs, or human upper bodies?
What if… dragons were kept as pets and guardians in the past?
What if… gods and goddesses of ancient civilizations were living among humans today?
What if… you had the ability to see people’s animal spirits?
What if… you were given the chance to become a hero of legend?
Have fun putting your own twists on mythological stories!
If you have any “What If?” writing prompt suggestions (for any theme), please feel free to share them in the comments below. Ideas I like may be featured in future “What If?” posts, with full credit and a link to your blog (if you have one)! Also, if you’ve written a piece based on an idea you’ve found here, be sure to link back to the respective “What If?” post. I would love to see what you’ve done with the prompt! Thank you!
by Naomi L. | July 22, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing |
English is a funny language. One of my favorite quirks about it is the way words can be changed completely with just a simple alteration. Sometimes you can add or subtract one letter (as in “peas”, “pleas”, and “please”). Sometimes you can swap letters in a word (as in turning a “dog” into a “god”) or between words (as in turning a “barn door” into a “darn boor”). And sometimes, all it takes to alter a word is to change the way you say it. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty neat.
So just for fun, here’s a list of 20 words that completely change in meaning when pronounced differently. Enjoy!
1) Bass – A BAS is a type of freshwater fish. A BAYS is a sound, voice, or musical instrument of the lowest possible range.
2) Close – To be KLOHS is to be nearby. To KLOHZ is to shut something that’s open.
3) Content – To be kən-TENT is to be satisfied or peacefully happy. KAHN-tent is whatever is contained within something.
4) Defect – A DEE-fekt is a flaw or shortcoming. To di-FEKT is to switch sides in a conflict.
5) Desert – To də-ZƏRT is to abandon someone or something. A DE-zərt is a dry and barren area of land.
6) Dove – A DƏV is a type of seed- or fruit-eating bird. DOHV is the past tense of “dive”.
7) Entrance – An EN-trəns is an access point or the act of entering a place. To en-TRANS is to capture someone’s attention by filling them with wonder and delight.
8) Intimate – To be IN-tə-mit is to be closely acquainted and familiar with someone. To IN-tə-mayt is to imply or hint at something.
9) Invalid – An IN-və-lid is a person weakened by sickness or injury. To be in-VA-lid is to be void, untrue, or otherwise not valid.
10) Lead – To LEED is to show the way, to be in charge, or to be superior. LED is a type of soft metal.
11) Object – An AHB-jekt is a material thing. To əb-JEKT is to express disagreement or disapproval.
12) Polish – To be POH-lish is to be of or related to Poland. To PAH-lish is to rub the surface of something until it becomes smooth and shiny.
13) Present – To be PRE-zənt is to be in a particular place. A PRE-zənt is a gift; the PRE-zənt is the period of time happening now. To pri-ZENT is to give something to someone.
14) Project – A PRAH-jekt is an enterprise planned to achieve a particular goal. To prə-JEKT is to move or extend outward.
15) Refuse – To ri-FYOOZ is to express unwillingness to do something. RE-fyoos is matter discarded as trash.
16) Row – A ROH is a group of people or things in a straight line. To ROH is to propel a boat through water with oars. A ROW is a noisy quarrel.
17) Sow – To SOH is to plant seeds in the earth. A SOW is an adult female pig.
18) Tear – To TEHR is to rip something. A TEER is a drop of salty water secreted from the eyes.
19) Wind – WIND is the natural movement of air in the form of currents. To WYND is to move around something in a twisting or spiral course.
20) Wound – A WOOND is an injury typically involving cut or broken skin. WOWND is the past tense of “wind” (WYND).
What are your thoughts on these words? What other words would you add to this list?
by Naomi L. | July 15, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
Here’s another set of “What If?” Writing Prompts for you! Since I love these genres so much, this week’s post features more prompts themed to fantasy and science fiction. See what stories you can write based on these ideas! Have fun!
What if… the human race were to colonize other planets?
What if… what you thought was a normal vehicle turned out to be a transporter into an alternate dimension?
What if… you discovered that changing the time on your watch changed the time in the real world?
What if… you trained dragons for a living?
What if… you woke up one morning to find your stuffed animals/action figures had come to life?
Enjoy writing some more fantasy and science fiction stories!
If you have any “What If?” writing prompt suggestions (for any theme), please feel free to share them in the comments below. Ideas I like may be featured in future “What If?” posts, with full credit and a link to your blog (if you have one)! Also, if you’ve written a piece based on an idea you’ve found here, be sure to link back to the respective “What If?” post. I would love to see what you’ve done with the prompt! Thank you!
by Naomi L. | July 8, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
Since there were quite a few good suggestions from Writer’s Carnival members on the last horror set of “What If?” Writing Prompts, I decided to split their ideas into separate posts. Continuing on the theme of strange happenings, this week’s post features more prompts in the mystery and suspense genres. What bizarre stories can you write based on these ideas? Have fun!
What if… you came home to find that everyone and everything was missing?
(Submitted by: Carol, Writer’s Carnival member)
What if… you were able to walk through your mirror into a land where everything is exactly the opposite of this one?
(Suggested by: Travis “TJ Bar”, co-founder of Writer’s Carnival)
What if… you kept seeing someone out of the corner of your eye, but every time you turned, no one was there?
What if… you kept waking up in the middle of the night to a strange noise in your house?
What if… you found a box in your attic containing special items and instructions to find a hidden treasure?
Good luck writing some mysterious and suspenseful tales!
If you have any “What If?” writing prompt suggestions (for any theme), please feel free to share them in the comments below. Ideas I like may be featured in future “What If?” posts, with full credit and a link to your blog (if you have one)! Also, if you’ve written a piece based on an idea you’ve found here, be sure to link back to the respective “What If?” post. I would love to see what you’ve done with the prompt! Thank you!
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