Ok, I’m intrigued. I do wonder if American fantasy as discussed is perhaps more due to the writer’s background ancestry, than the land on which they lived? N.K. Jemisin, for example, is a most excellent fantasy writer and her work is not European-based.
I think that is the case for a lot of American fantasy writers, myself included. I know I can say with confidence that a large reason why ItGS and TJS have so much Scandinavian and Celt inspiration sprinkled throughout is because those cultures relate to my own ancestry.
That said, I also think the idea behind what Alexandru was saying is that it's also very much worth it for Americans to look to and lean on the history, culture, legends, and lands of North America specifically. Naturally a European influence will always exist there because the Americas became what they are from European colonies and settlers, and I don't think his intent was to say to eschew that entirely. Rarher, he suggests that there's value in us leaning more heavily on our own myriad myths and tall takes to creste a sort of fantasy unique to the Americas in a manner similar to how Tolkien crafted his fantasy very specifically for the English first and foremost. Of course, this isn't to say I expect this story to balloon to the same level of Tolkien, but the overall idea he was suggesting resonated with me, so here we are, with me stepping outside of my comfort zone to attempt a fantasy story that has a distinct feel of the culture, values, history, and legends that helped to define the United States.
Solid work. Especially love your emphasis of retribution over revenge, which stands in contrast to the whole revenge subgenre we're all too familiar with. Paul is a man doing what's right, not what's self-satisfactory. Enjoyed this a lot!
I try to make my stories as Texan as I can make them. Native gods, native animals, and definitely pre 1492. I very much try to stay away from firearms and powdered weapons and stick to swords.
Ok, I’m intrigued. I do wonder if American fantasy as discussed is perhaps more due to the writer’s background ancestry, than the land on which they lived? N.K. Jemisin, for example, is a most excellent fantasy writer and her work is not European-based.
I think that is the case for a lot of American fantasy writers, myself included. I know I can say with confidence that a large reason why ItGS and TJS have so much Scandinavian and Celt inspiration sprinkled throughout is because those cultures relate to my own ancestry.
That said, I also think the idea behind what Alexandru was saying is that it's also very much worth it for Americans to look to and lean on the history, culture, legends, and lands of North America specifically. Naturally a European influence will always exist there because the Americas became what they are from European colonies and settlers, and I don't think his intent was to say to eschew that entirely. Rarher, he suggests that there's value in us leaning more heavily on our own myriad myths and tall takes to creste a sort of fantasy unique to the Americas in a manner similar to how Tolkien crafted his fantasy very specifically for the English first and foremost. Of course, this isn't to say I expect this story to balloon to the same level of Tolkien, but the overall idea he was suggesting resonated with me, so here we are, with me stepping outside of my comfort zone to attempt a fantasy story that has a distinct feel of the culture, values, history, and legends that helped to define the United States.
Solid work. Especially love your emphasis of retribution over revenge, which stands in contrast to the whole revenge subgenre we're all too familiar with. Paul is a man doing what's right, not what's self-satisfactory. Enjoyed this a lot!
Yeah...I like it.
I try to make my stories as Texan as I can make them. Native gods, native animals, and definitely pre 1492. I very much try to stay away from firearms and powdered weapons and stick to swords.