Fantasy Cliches you hate?

[nathanKmcwilliams]

Hmmm. Overall, cliches don't bother me much. If I don't like something, then I don't read, watch, consume it. Easy as that.

If I had one to pick: it would be:

TRYING TO MAKE FANTASY STORIES REALISTIC.

See for me...Fantasies are escapism, and why would I want to make that escape the exact same as my own world? I wouldn't.

Honestly I don't like these kinds of threads, where everyone bags on creators that are just doing what they like. It's gatekeeping at its finest.

Hey creators? Make what you want to make, if you want to change the status quo, then do it. If you want to make cliche stuff, go for it. Create what you want.

[DualDragons]

Same, I agree with you on these kind of threads. They give me anxiety with people telling what not to do. Especially when multiple points are present in my work.

[Darlynne]

I really dislike a soft magic system that is never fully explained. I'm fine with magic in the genre, but when there are no rules and the characters can do whatever they want whenever they want with little to no consequences is just giving them a deus ex machina ending. If they can literally conjure up whatever specific thing for whatever specific situation with zero limitations then (in theory) the character will have absolutely no problems in defeating whatever force they're assigned to defeat.

On the other hand, I absolutely love hard magic systems that are very clear-cut from the beginning, and the rules are solid and never change. (Think Full Metal Alchemist or... Avatar to the extent of only being able to bend your element). I think a lot of writers avoid writing hard magic systems cause they think it limits their creative freedom and it's really difficult to set a magic system that is relatively balanced without putting too many restrictions on the characters but that's why it's so good. Restrictions might cause problems down the line, but that just makes the character even more impressive if they can figure out a way to get over that hurdle through a creative method that doesn't break the rules of the world.

[Cavechan]

Honestly I don't like these kinds of threads, where everyone bags on creators that are just doing what they like. It's gatekeeping at its finest.

Hmm... it's funny I both agree with this but I also kind of like these threads. I think it's kind of fun to be like "Shit, does that apply to my story??" And also gives me ideas for when I write a new story.

[jmhenry]

Honestly, I'd love to see some threads about tropes and storytelling we like. The internet's already full to the brim with the negative

[Cavechan]

There was one here: https://forums.tapas.io/t/lets-talk-about-cliches-you-love-to-see-use/39911/15

It didn't get as many responses though.

[jmhenry]

Well that's a shame ^^; Not too late to fix though!

[nathanKmcwilliams]

@DualDragons first...I love the title! Second, I hate to see creators that are just getting started and are proud of their work, get dumped on. I struggled for a long time getting my own series off the ground worrying if it would pass the gatekeepers or not. Eventually I just said screw it.
Creating a story is hard, I prefer it if people make what they like, instead being coerced into making what's trendy or 'modern.'

@Cavechan I don't have a huge problem with it. Unless it causes a young creator to give up, because now they've been convinced by their peers that the thing they've worked so hard on is "cliche = bad"
But I also applaud innovation too. Both are good, as long as you keep creating what you want.
I also understand the venting process too, I'm not trying to devalue the people's right to complain, but I also wanted to voice my opinion as well.

@JMHenry yep. Same, it's all too easy to get sucked into the negative mindset.

[TAMAnnoying]

People should remember that Cliches you hate are not "bad" just means you wont be willing to watch it/read it as much. But a fantasy story is incredibly long and has many parts to it.

lots of people will get over reading another "chosen one" story if the world building or characters really interest/speak to them.

[jensrichard77]

I believe that cliches are a tool for storytelling. A tool you have to know how to use.

Bad writing makes bad use of cliches. And there are too many bad stories about magic being a secret. I want it to be a natural thing of the universe. But if you are using the cliche right, you got a great story.

Only exception is probably, like, Harry Potter. You go, Harry Potter.

[Larslaustsen]

All I can say to your post nr.5 is...

You will love my fantasy novel...
Here is a little trailer:

And now the link to the story:
The Catmen Sorceress

[jensrichard77]

How could I forgot that story of the Catmen?
That is a fine example of unique storytelling and right use of cliches.

Here @Larslaustsen is letting the MC tell the reader about the decisions she makes, that sometimes ends up in a cat-cliche. But you are with her and understand why it ends up like that.
And what can you do? A cat will always be a cat. Just ask the internet

[nathanKmcwilliams]

Sure, they are. I'm just saying that opinions on whether something is bad or not is subjective.

I'm just a guy on the internet who has an opinion.

I'm also a creative nobody in terms of success but that's not the point xD. My opinion is, I just like seeing people create and share their work. Freedom of expression is a beautiful thing, even if I do or don't agree with views presented in said work.

And as far as my own creative process? I don't follow trends. I make what I want. As long as I'm proud of the end result, then I've done my job. People can like or hate it if they want. That's their prerogative.

[jensrichard77]

And as far as my own creative process? I don't follow trends.

He he. In that case, I'm glad that we are making Bunneh The Rabbit together
We are making what we like and only use "trending" stuff when it makes sense... or ? Do we even have any "trends" in it???

[DasIstWunderblyat]

I think nobody here is shitting on a certain author/series, or branding them as bad and encouraging to quit. I also do think some of the points I listed as "dislike" also applies to my story.

If Tapas was a food court and we have a discussion about a food we dislike, I do not think someone state that they dislike pizza is an attack to pizza maker or an effort of gatekeeping that no pizza should be in that food court. It is a different thing if they start campaigning outside the discussion that pizza is bad and everyone who make and like it should be shamed for it, or trying to ban pizza. I think discouraging creators is not the point of this thread, it is rather a normal discussion about thing you see too much or find it unlikeable in media. People are free to dislike thing.

I think any content creator with at least half a brain agree that cliché can be good or bad depending on the use, such as usage of garlic can enhance or ruin the food depending on the use. Is it wrong though to state you dislike garlic because it will discourage cooks? LOL nope.

Also I am sorry if I sound pressed.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

First and most importantly, I love garlic. salt

I wasn't saying people can't dislike something. Dislike away. I was just sharing my view on things.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

I get it that it can be upsetting for some, just stick to the assumption that it is only a small portion about your story and it does not immediately cancel yours.

But who knows, some of us probably are talking shit about our own work. That is fun.

[Drewbie]

I personally only ever get on here to see if any of these fit my story and even then it's just taking it with a grain of salt. You can never account for everyone's personal preferences but you can always account for your own.

[C_o]

Elaborate magic "systems". To me it is a really boring and unimaginative way of categorizing/quantifying something that is inherently supposed to be illogical and not understandable . Otherwise it wouldn't be "magic", it would be science. This ties in with a lot of gripes I have with generally pointless "world building" that is all the rage in the fantasy genre, a lot of it feels self indulgent and doesn't serve any sort of interesting story.

There are a bunch of fantasy cliches that are boring to me: ChOsEn OnE, resurrection, fetch the X amount of artifacts, Dark Lord Fascist, main character is unwittingly a reincarnation of a God, deus ex ultra weapon, etc. The list is endless. For a genre that exists to literally allow ANYTHING to happen, there sure are a lot of people who simply rehash the same things over and over again.

[Kann]

A lot of cliches I don't like (I don't think I can really hate a cliche) are already mentioned here.

I can only add one, which I don't really dislike. I just think it's meh. But when in universe healers are so powerful, they can bring someone to life with a snap of their fingers.

I like healing magic that has limited power. Leaves scars, cannot bring back to life or make lost limb reappear, it's hard to pull off or it's user has to do something in exchange for it to work. That kinda thing.