The definition of what high and low fantasy are seems to depend on whom you ask.
Currently on Wikipedia, high fantasy is described as a sub-genre of fantasy and as being interchangeable with epic fantasy. The works of Tolkien are cited as the archetypal works of high fantasy. High fantasy stories are described as being set in alternative, fictional worlds rather than the “real” world. Low fantasy is described as a sub-genre of fantasy in which magical events intrude on an otherwise normal world. Low fantasy is alternately called intrusion fantasy, presumably because magic “intrudes” on the workings of the normal world. Low fantasy is also sometimes said to be a combination of the normal world and fantasy elements. Examples given are Marvel comic books and movies as well as stories like Conan the Barbarian or perhaps even Tarzan.
The first way I heard the difference between the two described was as follows – High fantasy is a story in which magic plays an important role in the world the author has created. Low fantasy is a story in which magic plays a lesser role or may even be non-existent in the world the author has created. In neither of these is there a definition about how fantastical the story world is.
This version of the difference I first heard is now being used to re-categorize both high and low fantasy. Both can be either high or low magic. Examples of this would be – A Song of Ice and Fire is high/epic fantasy with low magic. The Harry Potter series is low fantasy with high magic.
Confused yet? I am.
I always thought I wrote low fantasy because I never have a great deal of magic in my stories. It is present, but as the plots are usually more about the characters than the magic, low fantasy best described them. However, many of my stories have complex worlds that are not the real world, which would make them high fantasy. Ouch! My head is starting to hurt.
I’ve decided to simple call myself a fantasy author.
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further write ups thank you once again. Pet Porter Annorah
Hurrah! Finally I got a weblog from where I be able to in fact take useful facts concerning my study and knowledge. Agata Galvin Wylen
Thanks for the recent blog which is very thought provoking. I liked the analogies which need to be read with more than a surface consideration. Meade Hadley Halsted
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing these details. Mildred Des Cramer
I have been examinating out a few of your articles and i must say pretty good stuff. I will surely bookmark your website. Roanna Ellary Latt
It seems you possess a real knack for composing impressive content. I certainly am in agreement with your statements. Thank you for posting this. Karole Corbett Borman
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post. Awesome. Wilma Isiahi Nunnery
Amazing! Its genuinely remarkable paragraph, I have got much clear idea concerning from this article. Heath Patrizio Danna
Thanks a lot for the article post. Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool. Wendy Moritz Matilde
Good article! We are linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the good writing. Darb Alyosha Erinna
Just wanna remark on few general things, The website design is perfect, the subject material is very excellent : D. Lexy Lamond Loggia
I have been reading the posts, and I pretty much agree with what Mary said. Jyoti Ephrayim Bracci
Wise words by Arundhati Roy. And such a contrast to the swans and the haiku. Beautifully put together. Maridel Rowan Fredek
I think this web site has very superb written articles articles . Willie Agosto Yalonda
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and also the rest of the website is really good. Lanita Tirrell Mordy
You made a few good points there. I did a search on the issue and found the majority of folks will go along with with your blog. Merilyn Arney Galen
Hi colleagues, good paragraph and good arguments commented at this place, I am really enjoying by these. Eddie Tony Tymothy
Inspiring story there. What occurred after? Good luck! Virgina Niel Rento
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before. Roxine Terrance Donaugh
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be useful to read content from other writers and practice a little something from other websites. | Mirabel Jodie Crescentia
Hey there. I discovered your web site by way of Google whilst looking for a related topic, your site came up. It appears great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then. Rici Seumas Burr
Good article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.| Ame Emory Catlin
Im obliged for the blog. Really looking forward to read more. Cool. Farra Cosmo Evita
I was able to find good information from your content. Lorinda Aguistin Grazia
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
useful source