Serious question, why do so many prompts for fantasy stories just copy Lord of the Rings?

I was looking at a prompt list from a writing workshop in Austin and over half the ideas were about a group of heroes finding a magic item to defeat a dark lord. It feels like people forget you can build a world without elves and orcs. What are some good sources for fresh fantasy ideas that aren't just Tolkien again?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivias881d ago

Read a blog post about using history books for fantasy ideas.

jade6391d ago

Honestly, I get why it's the default. That story shape just works for a lot of people as a starting point. Maybe check out some mythologies that aren't European, like West African or Polynesian stories, for a totally different feel.