Sunday, April 1, 2012

Ahoy, Adventure Approaches!

And.... go!







This year I've chosen to explore 26 aspects of the fantasy genre that make me a devoted reader and writer of it. Without further ado, our first topic is A for Adventure.


"Remember what Bilbo used to say: It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. you step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~J.R.R. Tolkien


Adventure is defined as an undertaking that involves danger and unknown risks.

Think of poor Bilbo Baggins who was a simple Shire Hobbit until a strange old man showed up at his door with 13 Dwarves and an ancient map. Who would have predicted such a fellow would soon be dealing with a fire breathing dragon and not one, not two, but five armies all after the treasure of the mountain? Or little Lucy Pevensie who hid in a Wardrobe and found herself in an enchanted forest full fauns and talking animals... and a wicked queen who wanted her dead.

There is no better genre than fantasy for throwing us head first into the most wild, unpredictable, and gloriously fun adventures. We get to sit at ease in our homes all the while experiencing the desperate search of a unicorn for the rest of her people, or an orphan boy's noble sacrifice to rid the world of the most powerful Dark Lord, or an assistant pig-keeper's attempts to become a strong warrior like his hero Gwydion, or the fight between brothers and sisters for the vacant throne in the greatest city in the world. There's no where you can't go and nothing you can't do through the pages of a fantasy book.

Fantasy: the Greatest Adventure.

25 comments:

  1. Lord of the Rings was adventure personified for me! Such an excellent example, and great start! :)

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    1. Agreed. All of Tolkien's writing have the most amazing high adventure.

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  2. Love this! Adventure seems to be a reoccurring theme but I love the different ways people are expressing it.

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    1. Thank you. Adventure is something that calls to all of us, I think.

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  3. And here I thought fantasies were those, ahem, pesky thoughts that plague the inside of my head!
    Thank goodness for Tolkien, and Happy A to Z!

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  4. Love your theme and I can't wait to see what you come up with for the other letters! And, of course, major props for the choice of quote in todays post. :)

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  5. What a great topic for A to Z! I can't wait to see what other fantasy terms you use. Adventure is appropriate considering I approach this challenge as one great adventure! But in terms of books (esp fantasy), without adventure, what else would you have? I need the adventure story, almost more than the character development.

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  6. You're off to a great start, I love the meme. Kudos!

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  7. Such a perfect start for a fantasy themed alphabet. Looking forward to reading the rest!

    M.J. Fifield
    My Pet Blog

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  8. Woo-hoo! Great start. Adventure is something I'll never tire of.

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  9. Adventure is the best type of story.
    And we did pick the same word today.

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  10. I second Nicole on the excellent quote choice. Great post!

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  11. I'm definitely looking forward to this adventure :-)

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  12. That's a great quote to start with.
    I'm not sure what the book the unicorn thing is referring to :(

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    1. I'm referring to The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. :)

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    2. Oh, okay. I've never read that. I did see the movie when it came out, but I don't remember being much impressed with it. That's probably why I never read the book.

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  13. "There's no where you can't go and nothing you can't do through the pages of a fantasy book."

    I rarely read fantasy, but this is why I love watching it in movies...unlimited adventure. :)

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  14. It sounds like April will be an adventure on your blog. :)


    The Golden Eagle
    The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

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  15. Part of what I like in fantasy/sic-fi is that life is simplified. Generally there is a Quest - a few complications, perhaps a B plot, but not like Real Life where problems can be more nebulous.

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  16. I am SOOOO excited!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Theme for A-Z as a fantasy love myself. Can't wait to see the next 25 entries!

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  17. I love your theme for the A-Z, Sarah! Fantasy is my home in story. I often venture out and read other genres, but I always come back to fantasy. Can't wait to read the rest of your posts.

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  18. Fantasy is indeed a marvelous adventure. Go, Acorna!

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  19. I love a good adventure story. My favorite :)

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  20. Thank you all for your lovely comments. I'm glad my theme choice was a good one!

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  21. I'm a big fan of adventure wherever I find it! :) Yay for A-Z challenge.

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