Fantasy is a very popular genre in books as well as in movies. But in the history of fantasy novels, there have been good ones and bad ones. So many people are asking, what makes a fantasy novel great? The answer to this question may differ. After all, individuals vary when it comes to taste even among fantasy novels fans. But the fact that there are commonly recognized great fantasy novels tells you that people do agree in great books share some common elements. To know what makes a fantasy novel great is to understand these elements. That’s what this article will do.
Emotional Connection
Fantasy novels don’t differ from other genres. This means that the elements that have made different styles popular are the same ones you can find in popular fantasy books. One of these elements is an emotional connection. People are drawn to works of fiction that they can connect with on an emotional level. The novel must be able to evoke emotions among the readers or else they will get bored with the book and may not even finish it. Human beings are creatures that give a premium to feelings. We value emotions. Feelings are what set us apart from animals. And the reason why we can appreciate works of fiction is that we feel and that we have emotions.
Thought-Provoking
Fantasy novels are filled with made-up worlds and characters. So it takes an extraordinary amount of creativity to come up with a new world or even universe and populate it with strange yet still relatable characters. A fantasy novel, therefore, should be able to stimulate the minds of its readers. For a fantasy novel to succeed, the writer must be able to hook you into his world. The fantasy world may be strange, but it should still be believable and familiar. That’s the kind of balance a fantasy novel writer should aim for. Without that balance, readers may not be compelled to read and finish the novel. A good book is one that makes readers think and question their beliefs and realities. If you can do that, then you are on your way to making a great fantasy novel.
Interesting Characters
When we think of the great novels, it is ultimately the characters that we remember. The Harry Potter series is about the adventures of the main character, Harry Potter. The Lord of the Rings series is memorable because of Frodo and the other characters in the book. To be called a great book, therefore, a fantasy novel needs to have great characters. Fans of fantasy novels are usually looking for extraordinary individuals. These individuals need not have superpowers, but they must display distinctive traits such as courage and benevolence. If you can create a character that can inspire readers, then you’re halfway to making a great fantasy novel.
Fantasy novels will always be popular. And there will always be aspiring fantasy novel writers. If you want to know how to crack the code that leads to success, then remembering the elements above will be a good start.
John is a writer who focuses on fantasy. He had shared some of his works to his local community and is planning to branch out. He is also a part-time English teacher.