Reinventing the fantasy wheel

Robert sent me a wonderful question yesterday: It seems many traditional fantasy authors create works that have an Old English or Anglo-Celtic setting. I also know fantasy writers are often criticized for doing just that. Do you think traditional fantasy writers have to reinvent the wheel, so to speak? Is it enough to modify the usual setting? Was your choice of setting influenced by what others have created? And to get deeper: Do you think readers want familiar settings? Does bucking the trend help or hurt getting published and selling books?

I think we probably have Papa Tolkien to thank for the English/Medieval settings. I think some fantasy authors (I include myself in this) go with the medieval/Renaissance trappings because we loved fairy tales as children and grew up reading traditional fantasy series that were set in quasi-medieval/Renaissance societies. Growing up, I loved "princess gowns" but at the same time I wanted a sword to go with my gown.

I used Renaissance Venice as a model for Mermeia. I've always wanted to go to Venice, and I just love the whole "canals & palaces" thing. Not to mention, canals are great places to hide bodies. ; ) I love Renaissance history and politics, especially the Italians -- the Medici, Borgia, and Sforza families. The Prince by Machiavelli formed the basis for my goblins. And I've just bought some more books on those families as research for my future books. Gotta love the intrigue and backstabbing (both literal and figurative).

I've also always liked fantasy books who had "real" characters, people I could identify with, people who I'd want to have a drink with. I've tried to make my characters the same way. Make them familiar, approachable, people who talk like we do, people you care about and want to revisit throughout an entire series. I've tried to make my settings familiar as well (Venice as the basis for Mermeia). Most readers get the connection, so they're able to visualize the setting. Combine that with likable characters, and you have books that readers can immerse themselves in. At least that's what I was going for.

As to traditional fantasy writers having to reinvent the wheel, it's not reinventing the wheel so much as making it your own. I hear agents and editors saying that they chose this or that book because of the voice. It jumped out and grabbed them. I know that was the reason why my books sold -- my publisher loved Raine's voice. And it probably didn't hurt that my goblins are different from any other goblins out there, and my elves aren't Tolkienesque, serene perfection. I tried to take the usual fantasy trappings, and put my own spin on it. It's what made my work stand out, get noticed, and get published.