by Shannon Lisa

Created on: January 25, 2008

I don't even know anymore. Obviously it also depends on your own definition of 'fantasy'...but not really. Many people believe that 'fiction' is included in 'fantasy' but that is a silly notion to follow. The genre of fantasy in its true definition in the world of entertainment literally pertains to a world or place with creatures or beings that do not exist in this world or place...or that ever have existed in this world or place at any time according to the constraints of 'average' society. To put it simply, according to MOST of the general populous...unicorns and pixies do not exist, so therefore, if you write a book about them...it is a fantasy novel. On the other side of that, since human teenagers and high schools DO exist and are recognized by the general populous...writing a story about them that didn't happen would thus be called a 'fiction' novel. Yes in many cases the 'fantasy' section is also called the 'fantasy fiction' section....but again....fiction is something that didn't actually happen...if according to the general populous fantasy things are not nor have they ever been real, then by the powers of deduction you can assume that fantasy equates to fiction....but fiction does not always equate to fantasy.

With that said, let me get on with it then.

Truly, my argument would be no...except for one thing...the fantasy genre has been watered down to some silly, abused cliches that are no more entertaining than a plastic bag blowing in the wind. Fantasy has become this stereotype of dragons and magic, and although that is some of my favorite fantasy, it is used up...it has been 'done' so to speak. But people keep doing it. My goodness, people keep on trying. With movies and books and television shows all depicting the fantasy realm as some place where faeries fly around naked and princesses only ever dream of love or kicking butt....Let's not forget about vampires and werewolves falling in love and making babies...that never gets old apparently...and some people think it's a new idea, which is laughable. Fantasy is over done...not over rated. People are tired of the same old thing, and medieval tales of knights riding horses from hell to save a princess from a fire breathing dragon that can only be killed if you shatter some jewel that lay in the heart of some dangerous mountain are getting stale.

I love fantasy, but someone needs to breathe new life into it. It isn't dead after all...just kinda sitting around waiting for someone to truly appreciate it again...

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