FANTASY FREES THE READER AND OPENS UP THE POSSIBILITIES, CHILDREN'S AUTHOR SAYS
The wonderful thing about fantasy, says author Gail Carson Levine, is that "it frees us. It opens up every possibility." At the same time, however, "it gives us a sense of the shape of a story. You can't imagine if there is nothing to go by, but using imagination within a certain context can help you shape ideas, gives you plenty of room to make up stuff."
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...53405%2C00.html
I love reading fantasy novels. In fact, I prefer series books like the Dark Tower Series and the Shannara Series. Fantasy allows me to take a short journey to a land where magic is real and anything is possible! In fantasy stories, everything you know is impossible is possible, even if just for a few pages at a time. I find myself day dreaming of being in the stories I am reading and having the powers to change the world around me with a single magical burst of power manifest from my own spirit. But since that cant happen, I read and submerge myself in the story I can only dream of.
Fantasy was my favorite genre for such a long time. When I read a good in-depth fantasy novel it takes me out of this life and puts me smack in the middle of the wonders and horrors of the fantastical worlds. If I let myself I could get completely lost in an epic novel for days on end, but I do have responsibilities.
I have a very deep respect for fantasy and science fiction writers alike. Its my opinion that it takes a great deal of creativity for someone to create a world or worlds unlike anyone has ever seen, and guide it along its timeline. Especially Robert Jordan because his characters are so complex in emotion that they seem like real people. I feel that I know Rand, the Dragon Reborn when I finish the book at the end of the day.
Fantasy also inspires me to expand my own creativity and is the reason for my own current work today. Although I haven't got very far on my own personal novel, I definitely have got farther than many people assumed.
I like reading fantasy because it really evokes the creative part of my mind. It sparks my own writing muse. I love getting inolved in fictitious worlds with situations that go beyond what is possible in our own world. It's nice to escape the pressures and stress of our own world and follow the stories of characters who follow their own stress and conflicts, and then live happily ever after.
Fantasy is the epitome of freedom for me! I spent a few years as a loner in school and during that time my imagination expanded. Not like it wasn't huge to begin with as a child, but being alone really helped it take flight.
I began reading Fantasy books at the age of 7, which was about the time I first started reading. I loved them! They gave me worlds to explore when I didn't have books, and a place to retreat in my mind. With them I created a whole world in my own head that was as vast as it was unique, full of different ideas and places. It sharpened my mind and my senses. Fantasy books enabled me to look outside of myself and see everyone else for who they were, and to view the world as the fascinating place that it is.
Literally, I have never gotten bored. Ever. I always have something to think about. And normally it all derives from simply have a foundation of Fantasy stories in my head. Whether I'm coming up with a new one, developing a character for a Fantasy thread, or reviewing a Fantasy story I read. Without them my life would be dull. I love my Fantasy stories and I find it hard to understand the people who have never read one in their lives. To me, they're freedom.
It allows me to get away from the day to day repetitiveness of my real life. Allowing me to exscape into a time and place. I find amazing with so many choice's or options with each path taken. The creative images that the author writes about allows my mind to let loose and create the towns, citys, and battles.
As well as the escapism, even though it may be for all too brief a period of time. I enjoy the idea of the neverending story. A trilogy is generally too short for the amount that I read, regardless of the length of each novel. I really enjoy the ongoing relationships that are formed in these books, and fantasy story writers normally put more effort into the worlds that they create. I love stories that follow a group of people on either a journey through strange lands, or stories the follow a family through generations. In fact basically any series of stories that uses cross references to characters helps me to maintain an interest. I appreciate the extra effort that goes into the creation of a believable world.
MI
Why I read fantasy?
Simple.
I love the warm fuzzy feeling when I finish a good novel and go to sleep.
I does not matter if it's blood and gore, good femslash or just a story about true human potential.
If I go to sleep wanting to stay asleep for a few years of subjective time and dream it was a good story.