Definitely. Fantasy is a form of novel. A novel is basically a long narrative in prose, and fantasy meets this criteria. Fantasy novels create entire new worlds or add magical elements to our existing world. They have complex characters, engaging storylines, and often explore deep themes just like non - fantasy novels. Some famous fantasy novels include 'The Chronicles of Narnia' which have been beloved for decades, showing that fantasy novels are an important part of the overall novel landscape.
The word count has a big impact on the story. If it's a short word count, say 40,000 - 60,000 words, the story may have to be more streamlined. There won't be as much room for long - winded descriptions of the fantastical elements. But in a longer novel, like 120,000 words or more, the author can really go to town. They can create elaborate backstories for characters, build huge and intricate magical landscapes, and have long - running storylines that span across different regions of the fantasy world. It's all about how much space the author has to tell their story.
Yes, fantasy counts as fiction. Fiction refers to any narrative that is created from the imagination, and fantasy is a genre within fiction that typically involves elements such as magic, supernatural creatures, and imaginary worlds. Examples of fantasy works include 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter'. These stories are not based on real - life events but are products of the authors' creative minds, which is the essence of fiction.
Word count is important in light fantasy novels as it influences the marketability. Publishers often have specific guidelines regarding word count. If a light fantasy novel is too long, it might be more difficult to sell as it could be costlier to produce. On the other hand, if it's too short, it might not seem like a substantial enough story. For instance, a novel that is only 30,000 words might be considered a novella rather than a full - fledged novel and may not be as appealing to some readers.
Typical fantasy novels can range from 60,000 to 100,000 words. But there are shorter ones for younger readers or as part of a series starter that might be around 30,000 - 50,000 words. Longer, more in - depth and complex fantasy works can reach 150,000 words or more. For example, 'The Lord of the Rings' is a very long and complex epic fantasy with a significant word count.
The plot complexity is a major factor. If there are multiple storylines, sub - plots, and twists, it will likely increase the word count. World - building also plays a huge role. A detailed and elaborate fictional world with different cultures, languages, and magic systems requires more words to describe. Character development is another aspect. If there are many characters with in - depth backstories, it will add to the word count.
In novels, word count usually included punctuations because they also took up the number of characters. In typography and editing, punctuations are usually regarded as a character, so they are also considered a part of the word count. When writing, it was common to count the number of words in the word count, including punctuations and other characters.
The word count of popular fantasy novels can vary greatly. For example, 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien has a significant word count. Its detailed world - building, numerous characters, and complex plotlines contribute to its length. There are also shorter but very popular fantasy novels like 'The Hobbit', which has a more manageable word count while still delivering a rich fantasy experience. And some modern fantasy novels like 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series are also quite long with each book having a substantial word count to accommodate the vast and intricate storylines.