Comments on: The problem with “fantasy races” (and what to use instead!) https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/ A Blog On Writing Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:03:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 By: Barbara A Mealer https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-167219 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:15:57 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-167219 I actually like species. Way back when I was in high school, we talked about the different types of species of cats. And that was how the instructor called them. So I do favor that terminology.

I'm sure that a lot of authors didn't think of fantasy races as being icky, but it is. So, I'll need to think on what to call them since species is very scientific and better for sci-fi.

Thank you for the wonderful article and pointing out that old terminology just doesn't work today.

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166845 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 18:36:29 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166845 Hi Janet...welcome to WITS! I have been hearing great things about you for ages.

I've never written sci-fi, but your post sure makes me want to. 🙂

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166844 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 18:34:07 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166844 In reply to Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt.

Now I want to read this book. We read her book, The Dispossessed, in middle school and I have never ever forgotten it. She's amazing.

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166843 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 18:31:54 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166843 In reply to LYNETTE M BURROWS.

You outline this so well, both of you. It's always bugged me too.

]]> By: Janet Forbes https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166837 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:04:58 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166837 In reply to Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt.

Really interesting and I haven't read that one - I'll have to take a look!

]]> By: Janet Forbes https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166836 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:03:59 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166836 In reply to V.M. Sang.

It's funny because Tolkien worried about this, but it doesn't make it into his books. And so many of us use the Tolkeinian pattern without thinking about the birds and the bees - or perhaps the giant eagles and the Nazgul! 😛 I think it can bring a lot of interesting things to worlds and characters, if people choose to engage with it!

]]> By: Janet Forbes https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166835 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:01:15 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166835 In reply to Denise.

Thank you so much! I think topics about people and reproduction always have fascinating repercussions in stories. These parallels could definitely be used in other kinds of speculative writing too...!

]]> By: Janet Forbes https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166834 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:00:23 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166834 In reply to LYNETTE M BURROWS.

Thank you! It's always bugged me too, especially with all the social baggage around the word "race"! I'm glad I've got people reconsidering! <3

]]> By: Janet Forbes https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166833 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 06:59:40 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166833 In reply to Lisa Norman.

Thank you so much! <3 I think it's one of those things that can add loads of depth, if you want to explore it!

]]> By: Denise https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/10/the-problem-with-fantasy-races-and-what-to-use-instead/#comment-166832 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:01:08 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=50546#comment-166832 I'm not a fantasy writer, but this is very interesting and educational.

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