Author: Matthew Ducharme

The Hapless Writings of a Canadian Fantasy Author
Gods, Daemons and Demons: The Ever-Expanding Pantheon of Fantasy

In this latest from his regular series, Canadian-born, UK-based fantasy author Matthew Ducharme has something to say about our fantastical, non-human fauna and flora.

 

There are many recipes to good fantasy, and a multitude of forms it can take, but there are two ingredients that must always be present: magic and mythical creatures. 

I argued in my second article that fantasy can’t truly be fantasy without magic. I believe this to be true—if you disagree, let me know why in the comments (though you’re still wrong)—but I also believe fantasy requires fantastical creatures.

Elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, hobbits, balrogs, and myriad others in the well-known Tolkien-inspired stables are, for me (and most of you too, I bet), the first to come to mind. But in my—our—defence, these creatures have dominated the fantasy of 20th and 21st centuries. They’ve been a sort of foundation for the genre’s collective lore.

Take, for example, TTRPG. I’m an avid tabletop gamer. I’ve played games like Hero Quest, Warhammer and D&D for waaaay longer than it’s been cool—thanks for the bump, Stranger Things—where these creatures are also commonplace staples. In game, we know which monsters, non-human races, and beasts of burden to expect.

Games that use miniatures are, by design, very static; if there isn’t a miniature, it’s not in the game, simple as that. D&D, however, has a lot more freedom, also by design. An experienced DM (Dungeon Master for those of you who haven’t played) can throw in some weird and wonderful new monsters, so long as they follow the rules of the game, but that’s rare. Still, most of what we see comes from the (now vastly expanded upon, and still expanding) Tolkien pantheon.

  (more…)

 

The Hapless Writings of a Canadian Fantasy Author

Adventure calls … and you’d better answer.

 

In his latest column, Canadian-born, UK-based fantasy author Matthew Ducharme is perhaps a little overworked, and feeling in need of an escape as he goes against his Jedi teachings in search of excitement, adventure, and the boundless expanse of the imagination.

(more…)

 

The Hapless Writings of a Canadian Fantasy Author

It’s a Kind of Magic

 

In this, the second of a regular column series, Canadian-born, UK-based fantasy author Matthew Ducharme dives into the realms of magic and their effect on the worlds in which they’re written.

 

 Fantasy without magic isn’t fantasy.

There, I said it. 

I had to get that out of the way first thing. You might find yourself disagreeing – but if you do, well, you’re wrong.

Magic is essential to fantasy. 

Now, there’s room for interpretation on exactly what qualifies as magic, but that’s kind of the whole damn point.

In my last article I touched on how, when done well, fantasy is among the most immersive reading experiences the literary world has to offer (insert generic qualifying statement here: in my opinion, of course). I began the process of explaining the ‘why’ behind my love for the genre—if you haven’t read it yet, do so…now, HERE. I spoke about fantasy’s (yes, yes, yes…and science fiction’s) inherent need to develop worlds from nothing, coaxing its readers to enter them completely. 

  (more…)

The Hapless Writings of a Canadian Fantasy Author Attempting to Answer the Dreaded Question: Why Fantasy?

In this, the first of a regular column series, Canadian-born, UK-based fantasy author Matthew Ducharme ponders the questions he’s asked most about the genre.

It’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I can recall, and it’s the same for every one of us genre-fiction addicts: So, why fantasy?

I can’t help the initial knee-jerk affront that comes on the heels of the question every time it’s fired my way. There’s an implicit patronisation packaged along in the snark of it; the unspoken ‘but you’re an adult’ pinned to its lapel. Sure, it’s unspoken, but we know it’s there. 

Fantasy has been my favourite genre for as long as I’ve been reading. It gives me a genuine joy that (aside from perhaps science-fiction) no other genre even approaches. But (of course there’s a ‘but’), I’ve always felt like it was something I was expected to grow out of. Wizards and dragons are for kids…

…and thus, this deeply-rooted, subconscious drive to explain my affinity for the genre is born.

My defences would ram into place, and I’d answer with a shrug and a perfunctory (self-deprecating) ‘I’m a huge nerd’, ‘I grew up with it’, or something along those lines. Giving these types of answers was almost compulsive. I have my reasons, but in the face of this challenge (and we can dig into the reason I assume it’s even a challenge in the first place later…much later) they felt like nothing more than the superficial justifications of someone trying to convince themselves it’s OK to like—no, love—to LOVE this thing in question.

I love fantasy.

(more…)