Mundane Fantasy

[j_cheney]

Oh, dear.

So, I'm reading the work of four other writers for an upcoming workshop. I was told that I was being put in the group for 'traditional fantasies', but I'm beginning to think that I got put in the wrong one.

I'm certainly not claiming that the other writers aren't good. They're fine. That's not my worry.

Instead, it's more as if they're all heading out to lunch at the "ReUnion Tower" for their Fantasy meal, whereas I eat at "Soup R Salad". Possibly "Taco Bell".

Here's what I mean. I don't have a single demon in my stuff, nor a wizard, necromancer, elementalist, or any undead. I don't have gods popping by. I don't have....well, that's the point. I don't have.

What I do have is one guy who can send his spirit out-of-body to watch others. I've got a few unreliable and half-insane seers. I've got a (very limited) shapeshifter. They all do their best to conceal their abilities, and they certainly don't want anything questionable to get into the newspapers. They try to live normal lives, for the most part. They are MUNDANE (as much as they can be).

I have written a piece or two of Mundane SF. I'm wondering if I belong in the sub-genre called Mundane Fantasy.

Comments

[stinabat.livejournal.com]

absolutely the same lunch table. you betcha. what's wrong with being so charles delint?

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Just....him's him and I'm not.

[stinabat.livejournal.com]

perhaps it's because i work in a bookstore but i don't have that association. we use the term to refer to works set in a modern city with extra-added magic/fantasy elements.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I'm not working in a modern city, (nor are you) which is where the disconnect appears...