Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
“The created fantasy world must have its
own immutable laws.” Jane
Yolen
The key to fantasy
is belief.
Setting is integral to fantasy
and science fiction. Sometimes the setting is a ‘character’ itself. But even
when not used as a character it must become integral to the reality.
Jane Yolen notes that once you set up the
‘laws’ of the land: its premises and its logic—you cannot break it. Science Fiction leans on scientific laws or
inventions. Magic has consequences.
In Charlotte’s
Web, Charlotte could not be magically saved. There is only one ring that enables invisibility in The Lord of the Rings series, by J.R.R.
Tolkien. In Where the Wild Things Are,
by Maurice Sendak, only Max can choose to return away to his bedroom.
Reality is established through place,
character, and voice. Jane Yolen divides created worlds into three categories:
earthbound, faerie, and tourist
Earthbound is action in our world with
possibly fantastic characters such as found in Wind in The Willows, the
Borrowers, or Mary Poppins.
Faerie includes The Hobbit, The Riddle-Master
of Hed. They are in worlds totally apart both in time and space. They
include High Fantasy and usually include a serious tone of good and evil.
Tourist is a traveler who finds his way to
another time, or world, or dimension. Tom’s Midnight Garden, the land of Narnia,
Alice in Wonderland and Hogwart’s School are some examples of this category.
This category can be serious or humorous or both.
Just as an historical setting establishes
place, historical framework, season, time of day, moods, and atmosphere so
integral is the same to fantasy and science fiction. It must be authentic to
its premises.
And, like an historical, decisions need to be made re what are the
key factors that you want to maintain as its influence?
Action Steps:
If
fantasy or science fiction is your interest it is important to be well read.
1.
Choose whichever categories most interests you and set up a reading list of two
different series for two different age groups.
Or,
if you are not sure which draws you the most, choose two books from each
category to read over the next few months.
2.
Keep a personal reading log as you read, watching for gems of brilliance and
pieces that don’t work. Write down why you think it worked or why not.
Share: What is your favorite fantasy
novel? Why?
Read deep, marcy
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