Statistics: Posted by Lily of Archenland — Tue Jan 26, 2016 9:15 pm
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Gandalf, Frodo, Aragorn, Tom Bombadil even all to some respect "prefigure" Christ, i e would have done so if that age had really been there.
Statistics: Posted by hansgeorg — Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:46 am
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But otherwise, Ruritanias are usually set "in our world" (though not always in Lloyd Alexander), so decide a region and make a history typical of it, but not identical to any of the real countries in it.
Like Hal Foster did with Thule and Inner Lands, which are most probably not Norway and Sweden, but rather parts of what is really Norway. Or like Hergé did with Syldavia and Borduria (note: of these only the history of Syldavia is detailed, Borduria being a second invader after getting rid of the first invader Turks - and Borduria is also a contemporary threat, both in King Ottokar's Spire and in The Calculus Affair). Then there is Vulgaria in Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. But that is not very detailed in history and certainly not Medieval, especially not after arrival of a motor car, but also not in previous troubles, like Child Catcher being a clearly non-Medieval and Modern feature.
Perhaps Syldavia's history is not quite typical, got rid of Turks very early for a Balkan country.
Statistics: Posted by hansgeorg — Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:08 pm
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I was almost going to say that you could write this pre-crucifixion/resurrection and go with a more Jewish-type of faith (ie: hoping for Messiah rather than already having had him come), but you say the setting is idealized medieval, so that kinda nixes that idea if you wanted to pursue the ambiguous world setting.
However... I remember reading one juvenile biography as a kid about Indians (that is, Native Americans) who had not received the Gospel and yet at least one man in the village did have at least something of an understanding of and relationship with God. That would easily work in this world or another.
The pro of these is that you could get away with not having to specify anything about a crucifixion/resurrection event, whether or not it's happened in the world of your story. The con is that you would lose that very important element (yea, the very pinnacle) of the Christian faith. So if your story needs that, then I've just talked myself into a corner and will proceed to shut up.
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:32 am
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I'm now curious how easy it hard it'd be to write a story during which no one questions whether it's supposed to be set in the real world or in another. I don't know about you, but Disney films such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (or even Barbie films like Princess and the Pauper and Island Princess) don't really make me wonder, even if they use made-up country names like Seridoza and Appalonia. I have never asked myself that; sort of assumed it's okay to be in either this world or another. *shrugs*
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:07 am
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So I'm considering writing a novel that may or may not end up needing fantasy elements, but for the sake of argument, let's say it doesn't. It's about a castle guard and some things that happen to him. Now here's the thing: I'd like to set the story in a fictional idealized medieval European-type set of counrtries (Like Ruritania from the Prizoner of Zenda). The focus is on the character's story, and I want to invent my own history for the kingdom and its neighbors (not involving any actual countries). I could, of course, set it in another world, which gives me the liberty to invent whatever history I want, but then I get into an awkward situation with having to worldbuild the religions of the nations, because a lot of this story is about forgiveness and redemption and I see the characters needing to send prayers heavenward at least a few times. Making it a Christian nation would be perfectly effective. So, what do I do? Pull something like they did in the Princess Bride novel and say that the place exists somewhere "before France but after Paris"?
What are your thoughts, fellow readers and authors?
Statistics: Posted by kristi — Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:31 pm
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