So as I’ve climbed up and down the epic fantasy rankings, I’ve noticed another dark fantasy author often attached to my own, my also-boughts, if you will. A fellow indie, it always gave me a good cheer to see him hanging around, proving I’m far from an oddball exception. Well, he’s running a blog tour from November 1 through November 30, and wanted to know if he could swing by here and yammer. More than honored to say yes. – David
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David Dalglish is sometimes referred to as an author of dark fantasy. On more than one occasion, the same has been said of my own writings. I don’t have a problem with the assessment, but I am often confused as to how readers come to that opinion. I am not suggesting it is a faulty opinion, but it’s not one I necessarily share.
Admittedly, bad things happen in my fantasy novels. People are killed. There are cannibals. Ghosts. Murder. Torture. Demons. A lot of these are elements that make up dark fantasy, if not out-and-out horror tales.
But, and isn’t there always a but, my way of thinking classifies dark fantasy not so much by the story elements themselves as the tone of how the story is told. Karl Edward Wagner was a dark fantasy writer. At times, Stephen King is a dark fantasy writer. F. Paul Wilson falls into this category in some of his works.
Perhaps the break in my own mind comes about because I have written a fair amount of horror, mostly in shorter forms. With horror, I try to approach each tale in a certain manner. Not only do I include dark elements, but I try to layer a darker intonation throughout the telling of each tale.
I don’t consciously do this with my fantasy writing. Maybe it is because much of my fantasy is in the novel, a longer form, which usually equates to a more mechanical style of writing from myself. I plant my butt (there’s another butt, though a different kind) in a chair and start typing.
In short stories, I generally feel much more emotional and connected to the stories. When writing a novel, I usually hold the story and the characters at more of an arm’s length relationship from myself emotionally. This is how I write. I’m not suggesting it’s the best or only way to write, but it’s what I’ve come around to.
So, when I’m called a dark fantasy writer, I’m sometimes confused. I don’t feel like a dark fantasy writer. Maybe an epic fantasy writer, or even a heroic fantasy writer from time to time, but not a dark fantasy writer.
Perhaps I’m being overly pedantic. There are no tried-and-true definitions to any of the labels given to the various genres and sub-genres of literature. Oh, I can spout off the fact Wagner and author Charles L. Grant are generally credited with coming up with the term “dark fantasy,” just as well as I can mention Fritz Leiber created the term “sword and sorcery.” But does that really mean anything? Readers and writers can use a term however they like, though not everyone will agree with their opinions. Labels are generally marketing tools, after all, and a reader will like what they like regardless.
That being said, within the ranks of fandom and readership, labels are also used to differentiate writers and stories, to let readers know that if they liked “this” writer, they might or might not also enjoy “this” writer over here. None of which helps me any. I write fantasy and horror, as well as a little science fiction, some literary works and whatever else comes to mind. I don’t mind being called a dark fantasy writer. It’s not a title I detest.
It just boggles my mind sometimes. Which is my problem, not that of others. Readers can all me whatever they want.
I just hope those readers enjoy my stories, by whatever title they give me.
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Ty’s novels include City of Rogues, Bayne’s Climb and More than Kin, all of which are available for the Kindle, the Nook, and online at Smashwords. His latest novel, Ghosts of the Asylum, will be available for e-books on November 21. To find out more, follow him at his blog tyjohnston.blogspot.com.
