Rewriting the ‘Fireball’ spell: Why You Don’t Need to Reinvent Fantasy Every Time

Sidhe, Drow, Fae. These are all terms fantasy authors have used to describe a race of creatures that tend to be tall, pointy-eared, and long-lived (and not to mention—better than humans). If this description brings a certain three-lettered word to mind, I wouldn’t be surprised, as all these terms refer to the same fantastical phenomenon—you guessed it, elves!

And it doesn’t end with elves. You could use original terms to describe many fantastical races in your fantasy writing. The problem is, that for the most part, these would strongly resemble the tried-and-true races we already know from other fantasy books—gnomes, dwarves, dragons, goblins, and the list goes on.

Now, I’m not saying you should never create your own terms and rules for your fantasy world. But just like no wizard would bother writing their own take on the good ol’ ‘Fireball’ spell, not all writers need to rush and create their own fantasy structure and terminology. When they do, they should have a pretty good reason for it. Here are some ideas:

To Highlight Differences

Your elves might not be long-lived, pointy-eared, fair, or tall. There may be features that  set them apart from the traditional portrayal of elves, and these differences could influence their motivations, behavior, and thinking. Using a different name can help distinguish them from the classic, Tolkienesque elves as well as help shape the reader’s expectations accordingly.

Copyrights

Some terms may be copyrighted by the creators of games, books, or shows, making them problematic to use. If you’re writing about a creature that’s copyrighted and want to include it in your fantasy book, coming up with a unique name could be a smart move.

World Building

While some writers (myself included) enjoy using the existing fantasy framework to set their stories in, others find great pleasure in the art of creating their own worlds. They might want to conjure intricate systems of magic with unique mechanics, pantheons of gods and goddesses, and entirely original races and creatures.

If originality and world buildings are your primary goals in writing, creating your own terms for such creatures could make sense.

Being Unique for the Sake of Being Unique

Despite the reasons mentioned above, there are times when creating new terms for existing creatures might be unnecessary.

While it can be fun to let your imagination roam wild, filling your fantasy novel with new terms, names, languages, and races, isn’t always essential. Before deciding whether to invent your own names for familiar fantasy concepts and creatures, consider the following:

Are My Elves Really Different?

Imagine I wrote a work of fiction about a fantasy world inhabited by Gurgomzoids. These fantastical creatures have scaly skin, large leathery wings, piercing serpent eyes, and acrid, flaming breath. They also enjoy living on mountains, hoarding gold in their caves, and occasionally possess magical powers.

You don’t have to be a hardcore fantasy nerd to know I’m talking about dragons. In this specific scenario, giving them a different name added no real value for the reader (no matter how cool the name is, and Gurgomzoids is a pretty cool name, I would say).

If your elves walk like elves, talk like elves and scoff at humans like elves—they’re just that. Elves.

Confusing the Reader

World-building can make your story stand out, offering your readers a chance to immerse themselves in a realm the likes of which they’ve never experienced before. And in an age where it feels like we’ve seen it all, an original work of fiction can definitely set a writer apart. However, be cautious not to confuse your reader.

If I have to remember ten different names of races, three warring kingdoms, and dozens of new terms for things I am already familiar with, I might start losing track of what truly matters—the plot.

For example: The Grabzard king, Korkumusht the Third, ruled Ingrambrodia with an iron fist for the past Kilennia (a term the Grabzards use to describe a century and a day, since the orbit of their planet is off every fifth year of the Umbragzian cycle). However, the threat he faced now was unlike anything the Grabzard’s had ever seen—a plague of Kikishkamots (a type of dragon that is very small).

See what I mean? It might seem fun at first, but it’ll tire your readers out quickly.

Losing Focus on What’s Most Important

The final question I encourage you to consider when deciding whether to create unique terms for your races and creatures is: What’s most important?

World-building offers many joys, but it can easily become a rabbit hole. Without noticing it, you can find yourself lost in the weeds—perfecting the mechanics of a spell or crafting a new language—and lose sight of the bigger picture.

A rich and original world might lure new readers in, but it’s the complex characters, intriguing plots, and relatable challenges that will keep them engaged.

If you spend days figuring out how to make your dwarves different from those in the mines of Moria, but your plot shares the depth of a Teletubbies episode—well, you’re doing it wrong.

Conclusion

In the end, you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel. Consider whether your inventions add value, and don’t overcomplicate things for the reader. Remember, it’s the characters and the plot that truly matter. And now, let's get to writing!