Difficulty withstanding, I love to write elves. Probably some of the hardest parts about writing them is the public perception. The ideal of elves is often Tolkien's, so many fantasy writers are ridiculed for including elves in their stories as it's an "already been done" idea. Many have avoided this by creating different types of elves, who have varied across literature, whether they live in the North Pole, in cupboards, are ugly, pretty, benevolent, mischievous, or just plain wicked.
But for me, the ideal elf is the Tolkienesque elf--who border on the edge of perfection and all start to look similar. Yes, they are really hard to write well, especially without being slammed as a copy-cat.
So while I went with the traditional elven cultures I loved (for one world, anyway), I created characters who started out perfectly elven and then had some huge altering event that totally changes their life... or who are already "not the norm". This has led to quite an interesting cast of elven characters throughout my books, and I hope you will get a chance to read about all of them. Unfortunately, my first book with elves, Moonscript, doesn't get to highlight their fey skills so much, but I intend to entirely make up for that in later stories. ;)
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22 comments:
Elves! I love elves! They're awesome. *nods*
Of the elves in your picture . . . I'm not sure which one I'm most intrigued by; I want to know about all of them! I guess if I have to pick, I'd say the elf on the far left, the one who looks like some kind of assassin. Or maybe the one next to him, who looks rather pirate-y.
Mmm... Elves! They are my favorite fantasy creature!
Lovely drawing, by the way. :D
I think the most fascinating ones to me are the one in the middle, the one directly to his left, and then the one to the far left. She looks pretty cool.
Great job!
I think that Tolkien's elf culture is the best, and for people to claim you're copying is ridiculous. It is like calling C. S. Lewis a copycat for having Santa and other mythical creatures, none of which were his own invention.
Personally, I like the one to the left of the middle and then the farthest left.
@Sarah: Yey! Share the love! Ooo, good choices. And your perception is very good.
Rayne: I know, mine too! Good choices. Though the one on the far left is actually a guy...yeah, kind of difficult to tell with his breastplate poking out, but that's because of the angle his body is twisting...I wondered if he would be mistaken. ;)
Bookishqueen: Yep! I personally haven't been told copying is ridiculous. But I've seen Elves get inferred "copied" in so many book reviews. Yes, exactly! Tolkien didn't come up with elves either. Ah, great selection!
Wow, the one on the far left is getting a lot of love! Awesome! =D
I like the guy on the far right. There. I'm a rebel.
@Micaella: Good, good, choice. He's actually one of my favorites too, and definitely the eldest in my imagination pictured here. He's not in any of my planned novels yet, just the old stories I used to write, but I plan on having him in a book somewhere.
I vote the one in the white robes. Serene and peaceful, but powerful as well.
I don't know what it is about elves, but they certainly appeal. I like the pure, otherworldly sense of them. And it's ridiculous to say that Tolkien 'owns' elves. : ) I feel like there is huge space for originality while still following the general image of elves.
@Allison: Yes, he's a great character, and if you ever read Moonscript, you'll get to read about him, but his own story would come in another book. :)
The second and third from the left look like interesting characters (I especially like the idea of a sailor elf...or at least he looks like he goes about in boats)
The one at the farthest right stood out almost at once. It is not often that one sees a muscular and bearded elf. That is a nice fresh idea. yes, let the elves have beards!
@ Blue: Nice picks! Yes, orginally the sailor-looking guy was a captain of his own ship, and though he doesn't own a ship now, he is around and involved with the sea quite a bit. You might notice he has a small little sole-patch (or whatever those little patches of beards are called).
Yes, my muscular and bearded elf dressed in skins and furs...I don't mind talking about him, because since he isn't any novel I have planned yet, I don't fear any spoilers. He is called the Rogue. Nobody is really sure how he grew a beard (since that's kind of impossible, at least in my world), but a beard he has. My original history of him (who knows if it will change) is long and fascinating. Oh, I just adore him. He starred in at two of my obsolete series and I still play him in some of the fantasies my friend and I act out. :D
Going by the picture (which is amazing as always, by the way!), I'm most interested in the guy second from left, with the sailor-ish costume and purple bandana, because he looks like he's a little more fun and down-to-earth. I know elves are supposed to be fascinating because they're not down-to-earth, but... still.
I would like to know more about the fellow standing to the right of Errance with the green cape. He looks interesting!
@Clara: Hurrah for the elf in the green cape!!! Quiet and perhaps inconspicuous-appearing compared to the others...but easily the most powerful character on that page! He's a main character in one book I have planned and a supporting character in its sequel.
@Hannah: Ah! I see now. Woops! Anyway, I'm sure he's a very manly elf in person. ;)
@Rayne: Yep. Hehheh. He's a hard one to draw from a distance, because of his eye shadow and everything. But he very much a guy. A chilling and complex one at that. :)
I love all your elves, Hannah! But it's so hard to pick one that's the most fascinating to me. It would be like picking a favorite grandchild elf or something. I must admit a certain soft spot for Errance...and Corin, after all I know the most about them. Poor Errance...I think I need to go bake him some cookies.
I love the picture and the comments. Very fun, everyone!
Ooh, the white-haired elf looks very intriguing...but the pirate-y fellow on his left is really cool too. Awesome drawing!
:D Thanks, Emma! I'm delighted how many people are most intrigued by my white-haired and pirate-y fellows. :)
They should make 'I love Elves' buttons. Oh, I know. Such a geek.
The elf that fifth from the left, the one in brown and green, looks so intriguing.
I know, they should! *basks in geekiness*
Ah, good choice. Very, very good choice. Actually, they're all good choices, but I like seeing that guy get some attention since he's kind of quiet-looking compared to the others. ;)
This is awesome, Hannah! I love it! These elves all look so interesting. I would be especially intrigued to learn more about the one in brown with a green cloak just to the right of the center and the one to the far right, :)
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