What Makes a Fantasy Novel?

Science fiction, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction are often regarded as the same genre. There are however certain traits that mark Fantasy as a genre within itself.

By definition: "A critical characteristic is that the world features some difference from Earth that is not a result of science or technology, but rather the result of magic or other anomalous phenomena."
"As a genre, fantasy is both associated and contrasted with science fiction and horror fiction. All three genres feature elements of the fantastic, of making radical departures from reality or radical speculations about what reality might be like, or might have been like. Some writers and critics prefer the term speculative fiction due to the frequent crossover from one genre to another."
Dictionary definition of fantasy The American Heritage (registered) Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition (Copyright 2004), 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Let's look at what makes a tale into a Fantasy novel and what are the specific devices an author can use to create their novel. The definition defines the parameters, where the novel must include some form of magic. Apart from that most fantasies include various aspects of the following topics.

A Quest
In most fantasies, the quest involves a journey, spurred by a dream, vision, loss, discovery or prophecy. The reflection of our dreams and aspirations are clear in the use of this devise as the hero and his troupe of loyal companions invariably set forth on the road to adventure. The vision that spurs the journey can originate in a threat, a challenge, the search for knowledge, strength or inspiration.

The Characters
From knights, peasants and foot soldiers, the heroes of the tale may wield magic artifacts but basically know little about magic. The parallel between our lives and theirs becomes more interesting when we consider how the genre's popularity is increasing. Consider the comparison between our modern technical workplace, and the journey through a land steeped in magic. We use and rely on machines we can operate but know little of how they function. Everyday we battle in a world where intuition no longer equips us for survival. Heroes often wield artifacts they know little about. The results can be beneficial or disastrous. While technology becomes less understandable, but more compelling and consuming, the reader identifies with the hero and his companions who traverse their fantastic world. The reader therefore identifies with the mainstream characters.

The Wizard
The wise old man, who knows about magic, often stands astride the border between good and bad, offers insight when needed, but for some reason cannot solve the dilemma facing the heroes. Think of the technician who repairs the computer, the scientist who knows things beyond our understanding. There you have a parallel for this character.

The Monarch
There is always a figure of authority on whose authority the quest is traveling. Royalty seems to be an inevitable character in Fantasy. Perhaps this too reflects life in general. There is no escape, even with magic, from the tedium of a society as controlled as reality.

Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, Trolls and Other Odd Fellows
There are many and varied species of odd characters the hero will meet on his journey. As we journey through life, the strangers we meet could easily become the basis for some exotic /fantastic creature. They enrich the fantasy world and provide a rich resource for writers to employ.

Dragons
A fantasy would not be complete without the characteristic dragon. Taken from myths and legend since the beginning of time the analogy of the serpent, and a creature able to fly, can reveal any number of sources and meanings. They offer threat and the need to destroy or conquer.

Magic Artifacts
Magic swords, talisman, books and spells are all part of the fantasy genre. There use can cause threat, or benefit, but how they work often remains a mystery to the hero and the reader alike. Tools used for the less magical are those implements we do understand and trust. The blunt edge of a sword and a character with intuition vie with the romance of a miraculous weapon in the hands of a hero, for a place in the Fantasy novel.

Damsels in Distress
There is always a damsel in distress. Well, even in fantasy there is scope for romance and as the genre moves into the new millennium the feminine figure in need of rescue is becoming less often a burden and more of an asset. In classical Fantasy, the maidens needed rescuing. Now they are quite often capable of doing the rescuing.

The Setting
The Fantasy world can be on any world, in any climate, but invariably the classic form of an agrarian landscape, free of manufactured pollution comes to mind. Popular demands tend to prefer the simple lifestyle of pre industrial society. Understandably, we seek to escape back to the good old days, so writers make use of the Arcadian idyll where life has the ability to be perfect.