What I mean is, if I establish early on that this is not the world as we know it, would you balk at mentions of talking wind, or flying men, of sentient animals and near-omniscient--and very real, not just the imaginings of a primitive religion--gods?
I want to write a tall tale like I haven't read in a long time, the kind you'd hear around a campfire. Or, in the words of Raymond E. Feist, a "ripping good yarn."
Would that be too much?
I only ask because I keep imagining a dubious reader throwing down my novel (knock on wood, ) and going "Come on!"
Maybe I'm just paranoid.
edited to fix the smiley
[This message has been edited by cvgurau (edited July 15, 2005).]
Posted by Shawshank (Member # 2729) on :
I think as long as you create the rules for your own world- and keep to them, then everything should be fine. Some readers might not like something that far out- but then- most people who read Fantasy and SF are willing to read something like that.
I think as long as you keep to the rules of your world, and keep it interesting- a story can never be TOO far out there.
Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :
I'll consider just about any crazy thing, until the author loses my credibility. When does that happen? As Shawshank pointed out, when a writer breaks thier own rules, then I say, "Aw, come on!"
Also, there has to be a reason for the fantastic element. Why is it there? Just for fun? Just for a colorful setting? Those reasons don't interest me at all.
quote:"You have wonderful ideas. Trust me, they're good," Card said. "Any one of them would make a story. If you believe in it and care about it, it will work."
Card explained how all stories stem from answering the question "why?" Stories explain the motivation behind characters' actions, and writers can make anything believable if they provide readers with details and reasons for why something happened, he said.
By the by, none of the ideas you mentioned sounded too out there. Go for it.
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
quote:Can a story be TOO out there?
Yes. For certain audiences and certain publishers.
Does it matter?
No.
Write what you love. Next question, please!
[This message has been edited by Christine (edited July 15, 2005).]
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Sounds like an interesting story!
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
"Guilliver's Travels" for a new generation!
I agree with whomever said it, as long as you don't break your own rules, go ahead and break everyone elses.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
As long as it's clearly fantasy, none of the things you mentioned are too far "out there" for a story.
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
I'm going to answer this differently. Suppose you wrote a story set in the year 5000. Try to imagine the tech they'd have. Now imagine explaining enough about it that the characters' answers make sense. These explanations might be enough to bog down the story.
But: too out there? Go for it!
Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :
Cool.
Now that I have your permission...
Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :
Internal consistency will be your best friend, in that case.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Yes. Make rules about what can and can't happen and don't ever break them. If you follow that, you can do anything in a fantasy, even make Dick Clark age.
Posted by Shendülféa (Member # 2408) on :
Have you seen Big Fish? That whole movie was a tall tale and it worked. Then again, it was about a guy who told tall tales and his son didn't believe him, but nevertheless, I think it still shows that tall tales can still be done and enjoyable.
Posted by dee_boncci (Member # 2733) on :
Just watched Big Fish again last night (again).
Regarding the original question, my answer is: no!
But keep in mind the intended audience. Many readers are open to, and seek out, such stories. Just tell them well.
Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :
Every story has an audience--even if it's an audience of ONE!
But given the size of the world and the number of people in it, it's likely that if you are interested in your story, someone else will be. Probably a lot of someone elses.
[This message has been edited by djvdakota (edited July 17, 2005).]
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
> Every story has an audience--even if it's > an audience of ONE!
:: starts trying to figure out a story with an audience of zero ::
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
The unwritten stories have an audience of zero. Or a story that the writer hates and doesn't even try to publish.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
I've had people like stories of mine that I hate.
Posted by teedee (Member # 2741) on :
Let your imagination soar with your talking wind!
Bob the Stormy Windcloud blew his gentle breeze upon the people of Utopia.
"With my breath I give you comfort. Worship me you gas bags!"
) and going "Come on!"
