The Problem with Dragons

Dragon Problems

What is the problem with dragons?

Yep, you guessed it, they will burn your house down and eat your offspring.

Welcome to my blog, The Problem with Dragons, this is a space for writers and readers of Fantasy and Historical Fiction and anyone who has a love/hate relationship with a dragon. Don’t let the dragon gaslight you, it doesn’t love you.

Writing in the fantasy genre is particularly challenging because it seems like everyone does it. Why are so many writers drawn to this genre? Because the world is dark and hurtful and we need an escape? Maybe, or perhaps we love being swept away, we love the romanticism of sword-fighting and, of course, we love dragons.

I have made it my personal mission to write fantasy stories that do not include dragons. Instead, I prefer to create my own magical and mythological creatures. So far, I have succeeded in my mission but that doesn’t mean I won’t eventually cave to the song of the world’s favorite mythical creature.

So back to my blog title – What IS the problem with dragons?

The problem with dragons is they have no flaws. They breathe fire, have armored scale’s, and can fly. Now you may argue that their weakness is a love of shiny objects but if that is a flaw then it is one shared by just about every person and creature on the planet. Whose eye isn’t caught by a shiny bauble from time to time?

Dragons are the Mary Sue’s of the writing world. They’re the character no good writer would willing write. Characters need to have flaws. Therefore, the dragon as a character is no good – or shouldn’t be but somehow, we still love them in all their flawless glory.

Leave me a message in the comments. Would love to hear your take on the problem with dragons. Valid arguments may be highlighted in future posts.

For something to read in the meantime, I recommend my favorite non-dragon dragon book, where all the dragons are metaphorical:

Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman (Historical Fiction)

*All opinions expressed on this site are mine unless otherwise stated. I am not paid for any promotions.

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8 responses to “Dragon Problems”

  1. thingvery8d865126ee Avatar
    thingvery8d865126ee

    This is a beautiful insight on dragons and fantasy.

    There’s a beautiful quote on this topic by G.K. Chesterton:

    “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”

    It is beautiful that our inner-child is drawn to fantasy and to the seemingly undefeatable.

    As you said:

    “The problem with dragons is they have no flaws. They breathe fire, have armored scales, and can fly.”

    So many of us are drawn to fantasy. We all need to know that the metaphorical dragons in our lives— those problems that seem to have no weaknesses to speak of— can indeed be defeated.

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    1. Part-Time Dragon Avatar
      Part-Time Dragon

      Eloquently stated and very perceptive. I love this! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Armafair Avatar
    Armafair

    I’m world/lore building for a fantasy trilogy that’s heavy on the dragon lore (beginning book 2).
    Should I be here?

    – Armafair

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    1. Part-Time Dragon Avatar
      Part-Time Dragon

      Glad you are here. Is your first book published yet, or are you working through your trilogy before publishing? How is the world-building going?

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  3. cheerful4f8d715618 Avatar
    cheerful4f8d715618

    Absolutely loving the building. There are parts of the book(s) that I’m keen to get on paper that are key elements and want to ensure things work around them.
    Not my first book. Earlier this year completed the draft and 1st edit of a 36k word kids’ book. Working on illustrations and hoping to be done by EOY.

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    1. Part-Time Dragon Avatar
      Part-Time Dragon

      So, you’re both an Illustrator and an Author? That’s pretty neat. I am out of practice with my drawing skills. I wish I had more time for it.

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  4. Armafair Avatar
    Armafair

    Odd that it changed my name to cheerful4f8d715618

    – Armafair

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  5. Part-Time Dragon Avatar
    Part-Time Dragon

    I think it auto-assigns names. I had to go in and fix mine, too, and I run the site 🙂

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