I read fantasy. I read a lot of fantasy, and science fiction. These two genres are my more favored ones. I do read other genres but mostly these. Over the years, from the time I began to really read fantasy until now I seen one big change.

The Readers of fantasy.

I suppose I should explain myself. I have a small group of writing friends with whom I talk with and enjoy lunches with, and plain have fun writing with. Two of us are also big fantasy readers, and writers. The others are children's book writers, and literary novels. All of these are different and yet, similar.

When I first began to write fantasy, many would ask me why I was writing such nonsense. I think times have changed and the media, or moreprecisely Hollywood, has helped. In a big way they have made fantasy much more accessible.

It was after viewing Lord Of The Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, that my cousin mentioned he read Tolkien. I nearly did a double take. He has always been one to comment that fantasy is not legitimate. I couldn't resist. i Had to say it.

"Did you read the novel?" Of course I expected the answer of no, it's fantasy. Here was his answer.

"Yes, and I was surprised how well written it was, much better than the movie, I didn't know about Gandalf and how long he was looking for the information he sought" (Okay I was wrong. He did read the book)

"Oh, cool. So is fantasy legit?" I had to ask.

"Well, I suppose so, I think I reserve judgment until I read more."

He has become quite the reader of fantasy and of literary novels. He would be the first to admit that something isn't a good read, and when something is more or less fantasy-science fiction books. While he'll never become a fantasy buff, he will certainly never say that the genre is a joke.

It took Hollywood to make it work, and yet, for the reader who do read fantasy, it is still one of their more enjoyable genres. On the one hand a reader can step into a new world, out of this one for a while, and then come out with different insights into the "ordinary" world. On the other hand, the imagination it takes for an author to write fantasy is harder to maintain than some other genres, as the second it fails the reader will put it down.

Is Fantasy Legit or a joke?

That's a loaded question, to fantasy readers at least, for most it's legitimate, as they will read whatever is good and well-written. They all have their favorites, but will read something recommended to them by other fantasy lovers.

For others... it's a joke, until they see it on the big screen and give it a chance, and then will say it's more legit. But never a joke anymore.

For others, no matter how much a reader will recommend or not they will never read it or go see it on the big screen without scorn. To them fantasy is a joke, and they will admit to liking science-fiction but that is about all.

Still, fantasy writing is complex and challeneging, but for a reader of fantasy they enjoy for what it is: Good writing.