Fantasy Story...

Out of curiosity, do you guys think it's possible to have an elf-like race, a fantasy setting with an evil ruler intent on taking over the world, and a hero/heroes who must rise up out of a medieval-type culture? At the moment, I'm struggling with my own story, and trying to decide whether to even finish it. Yes, it does include these broad generic cliches that have often become associated with fantasy, however I really do think it has some unique aspects [such as the source of this elite race's power, their obvious scorn for others which leads to their downfall, the way the heroes/villains are entwined in their struggles, the way the person who seems to be the MC/heroine is betrayed by one she trusted, and completely used without her knowing by another, etc?], and yet I worry that it will end up just being a poorly written story because it has the same generic ideas of so many that have come before it.

Opinions, anyone?

I don't get it. Why should we care about where the elf-like race's powers are derived from? Fantasy should be about making the implausible plausible and being able to express certain themes or ideas from them. What you have stated here are conventions of fantasy, not cliches. What makes a fantasy cliche or not is how these conventions are used. Most fantasies are viewed as "cliche" to authors because these conventions are used to tell the theme of good and evil which is a very common theme in fantasy.

Maybe you should focus your fantasy on another theme or idea? I mean why exactly do you want to write this fantasy? What ideas do you want to express to the audience?

Remember, tweaking a race so that they are unique doesn't necessary mean it will be unique if that race is used to tell a very common idea. It's how you use conventions and elements to tell a story.

Good luck.

Andy.

Don't use elves, dragons, kindly wizards, princes, beautiful princesses or dwarves. They are just ultimate cliché.

It's possible, yes, but very very very bad. Trust me, be original! Create your own races with histories and legends and islands.

Best,
Blink.