How I Create Respectful Fantasy Legends

Writing fiction has a lot of fun benefits as well as some unique challenges. For one, in fiction, (especially fantasy) anything can be true! You can make whatever idea you have come to life. You want to write about a polka dotted creature from an ancient Aztec legend? Go for it! But how do you balance that with sensitivity? How do you give the proper respect to the Aztec legends?

In my opinion, the most important part about showing respect is making sure what you are writing is portraying accurate and not demonized or idolized. Treat them as real and true. I believe that if the intention to respect is there, then it will show up on the page. I always try to give respect for my influences. That being said, we’re not all perfect and that’s where sensitivity readers come in. They can help you turn some of those moments that the intention of respect did not fully hit the mark.

So how do I do it? Let’s start at the beginning.

I’ve been influenced by something. A tradition, a location, a fandom, an actual legend. Great! Now it’s time for research. Because I’m a fantasy author, I don’t do extensive heavy research. I would not claim to be an expert on any one subject I have researched. I do try to learn enough to be irritating at parties, though.

When I was doing research for Theo’s short story, I read a lot of French Polynesian legends and cultural analysis of those legends. My goal was not to become an expert on them but to become familiar with the things they commonly shared. I wanted things that would help make this completely fictional legend of a peal feel like it fit in with legends of that area.

And that’s where my modifications come in. I have a story, it has a plot, and I need these this legend to fit into the plot. So I created one. But, when it came down to the mechanics of the spell, the motivations in the legend, and even how it was told, I stuck to those things that was common among those real stories.

For Theo and his pearl retrieval, I invented a legend instead of altering, and it all comes down to the plot. I went with a method that best served my story line and character.

How I chose to create this one is not an end-all method. This way worked really well for my setting and my characters this time, but there are many other stories and writers that go hard into the historical details of a legend. I’ve never read or watched one that I didn’t think they handled it with respect. Those are also some of my favorite stories.

I also won’t claim to never evolve. Who knows, I could write a treasure hunt story based off a real historical event! But since my fantasy stories are set in the modern world, I love using influences from everywhere. I think it adds depth and richness to the world building and I will continue to use them.