Battle Quote by Kristin Nelson
“Cliché openings in fantasy can include an opening scene set in a battle (and my peeve is that I don’t know any of the characters yet so why should I care about this battle) or with a pastoral scene where the protagonist is gathering herbs (I didn’t realize how common this is).”
About This Quote
Fantasy often starts with familiar scenes that can feel generic and disengaging if characters aren’t introduced.
In simple terms: Common fantasy openings can feel generic without character context.
Introduce characters early to hook readers.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you subvert a cliché opening?
- What details can you add to make a battle scene compelling?
Relying on tropes may alienate readers seeking originality.