From Noble Elves to Beauty Pageant Trolls: How to Break Free from Fantasy Tropes

My love story with fantasy began with Dragonlance Chronicles. The dark mages, the mysterious elves, the noble paladins (Sturm in particular, whom I mourned greatly when he died in an epic battle with the evil-yet-awesome Kitiara), and not to mention the dragons. This book series was the shimmering portal that drew me into the fantasy world, and made me want to create my own worlds and adventures in that very same setting.

And I’m not alone—countless writers will mention classic fantasy books and authors as the source of their inspiration.

But while we all drink from the same Tolkien-inspired well, that doesn’t mean we need to stick to the same old rules that governed fantasy novels throughout the late 20th century.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Questioning Fantasy Stereotypes

In the real world, most of us have already kind of agreed that cultural stereotypes are not cool. But for some reason, we’re still totally fine sticking to them in a fantasy setting.

There seems to be a quiet consensus that elves (for the most part) are good, honorable, and noble; orcs are bloodthirsty warmongers; and goblins and trolls are dim-witted and hard on the eyes.

There’s nothing wrong with using this framework if it serves your story—but it’s not a law set in stone. If you want to be original and steer away from fantasy tropes, try questioning these defaults.

It could be a refreshing twist to explore the desires and motivations of a well-read, peaceful orc (especially if they’re the exception in their society), or a dragon who wants to befriend a princess instead of eating her. (I played with a similar idea in Someone to Care For.

Epic battle of the Twelve Turtle Lords: Shrinking the Scope of Fantasy

How often have you come across a fantasy book that didn’t start with a map?

It’s common for the hero—or the adventuring party—to traverse endless miles, cross ancient lands, and stumble into epic battles between neighboring nations.

But fantasy doesn’t have to span an entire continent you’d need to hire a cartographer to draw. A good story doesn’t require hundreds of characters, multiple languages, and sprawling political schemes.

Just like realistic literature isn’t always about road trips across America, your fantasy novel doesn’t have to be either. It can focus on one troll in a swamp-side village who dreams of winning the local beauty pageant.

Doth Thou Even Adventure, Bro?

The elf sat atop his steed, paused betwixt the two towering gates and said “Tis the town of Fatstingvile, is it not?”

Okay—this one’s not exactly a trope, more of a stylistic cliché—but it deserves a mention.

Fantasy writers often lean into overly formal, frilly language. And while there’s beauty in an elevated tone, it’s not a rule you have to follow.

Depending on your subgenre and the atmosphere of your book, you might want to experiment with a lighter tone. For a comical twist, your characters might even incorporate some modern slang into their speech (just be careful not to rely on jokes the internet will forget by next Tuesday).

Conclusion

We all love—or at least respectfully acknowledge—The Lord of the Rings. But that doesn’t mean we have to abide by its laws.

Mix it up. It’s fantasy after all—it was meant to break the rules.

So the next time you sit down to write a fantasy novel, consider how your character’s race defines (or doesn’t define) their personality, what tone best serves your story, and whether your plot really needs twelve kingdoms and a prophecy.

Now close this tab (but if you found this article helpful or thought-provoking, consider subscribing) and go make some magic.