If you've spent a good amount of time researching fantasy writing online then you have no doubt come across any number of posts about clichés in fantasy. One of the big no-no’s according to the various lists is having the characters on a road trip make stew. Yes, making stew seems to be quite popular in fantasy novels, and a good number of readers apparently take exception to this given how long it takes for a good stew to actually cook. Personally, I think they forget how hard it is to cook at all on the road (not to mention how sick and tired one would get of roasted rabbit), so tossing some things into a pot to boil for awhile is not exactly the end of the world.
Anyhow, I was reminded of this cliché by John Scalzi's review of The Name of the Wind. I love Scalzi and Rothfuss, so the review is worth checking out.
I had a point early in my fantasy novel where some characters needed to take a break early from their travels. I thought it would be a good point to poke fun at both the cliché and those who like to jump on it. Here is an excerpt:
Valgorn decided they’d camp early, just where the road left the woods. When Geldrath asked why they were stopping so early, Valgorn responded, “Do you know how long it takes to cook stew? Don’t get used to it."
Oddly enough, I have had a good number of readers actually try to tell me that I was doing something wrong here and didn't I know that having stew was wrong in a fantasy? Is it truly not apparent to these readers that I did this on purpose?
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Christmas Eve at the Old Church
5 hours ago
Good thing I scrolled down this far in my dashboard. I never would have saw this.
ReplyDeleteAs to your post I wasn't aware of the well known cliche, but I can see it's point. I think that if you know about the cliche, your joke should be obvious. I, for one, find it quite funny, and I think it's an excellent example of your brand of subtle humor.
I know you say you're not good at funny, but I would beg to differ.
Ha! I was in a word-building workshop with fantasy writer Carol Berg last fall, and I remember her stern warning not to have our traveling characters eating stew! My poor characters are always eating jerky and hard bread. They actually look forward to a rabbit.
ReplyDeleteTongue in cheek - go for it!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so funny to me how these rules grow legs and become gospel. The case you point out is a good one. Does anybody really believe that the strength of a good fantasy rests in whether the characters have stew or not?
ReplyDeleteI personally like authors who throw caution to the wind and defy convention, so I say stick to your guns and keep the stew set piece in.
that is actually hilarious. But who are we to say how fast stew cooks in a magical realm.
ReplyDeleteYou know, if you had a safe way to carry around dried beans while they soaked in water, they only need about an hour to boil up... Just add veggies and meat. ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't open that! It's dinner.
Huh. I never noticed an overabundance of stewing or people complaining of such. Now I have to go bonder whether I've had characters make stew.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I've heard that rule tons of times, never thought about making a jab at it in the book though!
ReplyDeleteI just keep wondering, though, whether I need to take it out since so many readers have commented on it without a single one seeming to understand that I was purposely poking fun at it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt. I rather liked it.
ReplyDeleteteehee... I didn't know it was a cliche... so funny what details become pernicious after a while... I recognize it from the LotR MOVIES (don't remember if it's in the books or not) but it just seemed like a normal (realistic) detail to me when I read... now, with the background, I find it funny, too.
ReplyDeleteTed, I think that's hilarious. The problem with stew in fantasy is that beginners forget it takes so long to cook. You're not making a mistake here, you're lampshading a cliché. Stick with it!
ReplyDeleteBesides, I doubt anyone would stop reading because of this, even if they're annoyed. It's a tiny paragraph in the midst of the novel!