Just a Quick Note About GNS and Podcastle subs

So, back when I was in high school, I contracted the Arthurian Virus. I had a protracted, severe bout. It went dormant for a while, but it's chronic and incurable. Every few years it knocks me flat.

As a result of this, I have a whole bookcase in my office that's devoted entirely to Arthurian literature--medieval, modern adaptations, you name it, as well as various history books that are in some way related to the topic.

The source of the infection, by the way, was my innocent, bored rambling among the shelves of my local library, looking for something to read. I saw something called "The Last Enchantment" by Mary Stewart, and it had a shiny gold cover and looked like it might be kind of fantasy-ish, and I had Saturday afternoon to kill, so what the hell, I checked it out. Be warned, don't do this. Start with The Crystal Cave instead.

So, here's the thing. I'm not by any means an expert in Arthurian literature, medieval literature, Post-Roman Britain, etc. I am merely a hobbyist. Still. If you've seen Camelot and/or read T.H. White (or read The Mists of Avalon, but I'm finding a cursory knowledge of Malory and White, dimly remembered from school, is most common in the slush I've seen) and thought you'd dash off a fantasy story using Arthurian themes or characters without any further reading--especially if you're trying to situate the story in a "realistic" historical period (for instance, the previously mentioned Post-Roman Britain, or more commonly the generic "middle ages" most people associate with Arthur), it will be incredibly obvious to me. Like, bright, flashing red lights obvious. And such a story is extremely unlikely to satisfy me in any way.

Just thought I'd mention that.

Disclaimer--I'm not saying one has to have read a million obscure texts, or even any particular famous text, to do what I would consider good work with Arthurian material. I'm saying that you ought to know the material you're using pretty darn well, and be aware of the way others have often used it in the recent past. The "dash off" part in the sentence above is important. Also see previous entries about not working ideas hard enough, and just reaching for the first thought that comes to mind. Also insert a rant here about worldbuilding and generic European medieval settings.

Besides, a little extra reading never hurt anyone.

Just a Quick Note About GNS and Podcastle subs

So, back when I was in high school, I contracted the Arthurian Virus. I had a protracted, severe bout. It went dormant for a while, but it's chronic and incurable. Every few years it knocks me flat.

As a result of this, I have a whole bookcase in my office that's devoted entirely to Arthurian literature--medieval, modern adaptations, you name it, as well as various history books that are in some way related to the topic.

The source of the infection, by the way, was my innocent, bored rambling among the shelves of my local library, looking for something to read. I saw something called "The Last Enchantment" by Mary Stewart, and it had a shiny gold cover and looked like it might be kind of fantasy-ish, and I had Saturday afternoon to kill, so what the hell, I checked it out. Be warned, don't do this. Start with The Crystal Cave instead.

So, here's the thing. I'm not by any means an expert in Arthurian literature, medieval literature, Post-Roman Britain, etc. I am merely a hobbyist. Still. If you've seen Camelot and/or read T.H. White (or read The Mists of Avalon, but I'm finding a cursory knowledge of Malory and White, dimly remembered from school, is most common in the slush I've seen) and thought you'd dash off a fantasy story using Arthurian themes or characters without any further reading--especially if you're trying to situate the story in a "realistic" historical period (for instance, the previously mentioned Post-Roman Britain, or more commonly the generic "middle ages" most people associate with Arthur), it will be incredibly obvious to me. Like, bright, flashing red lights obvious. And such a story is extremely unlikely to satisfy me in any way.

Just thought I'd mention that.

Disclaimer--I'm not saying one has to have read a million obscure texts, or even any particular famous text, to do what I would consider good work with Arthurian material. I'm saying that you ought to know the material you're using pretty darn well, and be aware of the way others have often used it in the recent past. The "dash off" part in the sentence above is important. Also see previous entries about not working ideas hard enough, and just reaching for the first thought that comes to mind. Also insert a rant here about worldbuilding and generic European medieval settings.

Besides, a little extra reading never hurt anyone.