Interesting Discussion

[handful_ofdust]

...going on over here (http://samsykes.com/2011/01/the-chosen-jerk-jam-session-with-n-k-jemisin/). I guess I’ll just never be comfortable with the idea that we should proactively shit on a particular type of narrative trope because it’s inherently evil, and thus the people who like it (who are obviously too effin’ dumb to figure that out) are bad and should feel bad, anymore than I like any other type of received wisdom. Thankfully, though, I also don’t think I’ve been guilty of this; most of my characters are anti-heroes at best who don't think of themselves as automatically qualified to “save” much of much, plus the fact that there’s an overall lack of authority figures of any sort in my world(s) who aren’t assholes, on some level.

I mean, “[Anasazi]” is sort of a Chosen One story turned inside out--ie, this slot could have been filled by anyone, it became yours through horrible bad luck, and now everything you know and love will be destroyed because of it/you. But then again, I do write horror, so perhaps for me, the relevant trope is “Chosen Monster” instead.;)

Comments

[barry-king.livejournal.com]

Bah! Th'boy needs to read Great Expectations.

[intertribal.livejournal.com]

My off the cuff reaction: Oh Lord, how people are defining "reimaginings" these days. It's like, yes, your epic fantasy is so different because your hero is a redhead. Sorry; sometimes I get frustrated by claims that something radical and different is being done when really the results are the same.

I think I've said this before, but one of the reasons I identify more with horror than with fantasy is because there's less trope exaltation/trope angst, I feel. MCs can die, or not. Monsters can be killed, or not.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I don't find the post, or much of the subsequent discussion, so much interesting, as doggedly wrong-headed.

[starvinbohemian.livejournal.com]

You know, I frequently disagree with you on these things, but I wanted to tell you that I really appreciate all the links you post because I've really enjoyed reading all the different points and discussions. Occasionally wrong-headed, sometimes enlightening, frequently disturbing, yet always entertaining discussions. :)