One Hundred Fantasy Clichés That Really Need To Rest In Peace

#47: A Small Cast

  What is about to be said here is not recommended by many authors.  In fact, they often frown about this opinion.  I could very well be the only one who sees this as a true cliché to cover here on this huge editorial.  This is a huge risk for me.  But in the end of the day I am one who likes to be truthful about their opinions when it comes to any type of subject manner.  Having the ability to freely express your feelings is not only a gift, but a true blessing.  That applies to the people reading this part of the editorial as well.  You do not have to agree with me on everything and you have all the liberty to even say so in the comments.  I love to see more than one side of the story, if you know what I mean.  Again, this idea is frowned upon too.  In this case though, I just care about the truth.

  Have you ever noticed that the main cast size to a lot of fantasy novels is surprisingly pretty small?  Sure, three, maybe even five characters get to be the central focus.  However, have you seen a main cast size bigger than that?  If the answer is no, I am not surprised.  Many writers like to keep the main cast condensed to at most five characters.  This is so character arcs can stay consistent and not be at risk for the dangerous plot hole.  There is a divide between main characters and secondary characters for this reason as well.  While the main characters always have some type of internal or external struggle, secondary characters usually have at most one per series and almost none in stand-alone novels.  It is a divide that many feel keeps a book well organized and avoids confusion.

  At least that is what writers think must be done.  What if I told you that it is possible to expand the focus to not just five characters, but to ten or maybe even twelve characters?  In recent years, some authors have found out this is actually a possible feat.  Though harder than keeping the cast smaller, with dedication the end result can be even greater than limiting yourself to five characters.  Bigger casts can be the better choice.  In fact, creating a bigger cast can be the more original route.

  Masters of this craft involve two of the greatest writers in literature; Steven King and George R. R. Martin.  Steven King in multiple novels has created vast casts that easily compel the audience.  These include two of his best known novels; The Dome and It.  Both books are able to switch to multiple points of view chapter after chapter.  In doing so, the stories still have the same strong flow.  They might actually be better for it actually.  George R. R. Martin on the other hand does this entirely with his huge book series Game of Thrones.  In there, various characters from multiple kingdoms and at multiple social standings are allowed to take the spotlight.  You are allowed to enjoy the inner workings of the kingdom The Lady of Dragons is creating while witnessing John Snow beat up a bunch of white walkers in the North.  The series for its character structure got so popular as to gain an internationally acclaimed TV series which has been running for over five years.

  Bigger casts can be a blessing in disguise.  With more characters at your disposal, the opportunities for the plot can be endless.  An endless disposal of characters matches perfectly with the idea of the fantasy genre.  Fantasy strives best with outside of the box imaginative stories.  More characters added in as the central focus strengthens this ideal. 

  Of course, the choice is up to you.  Do you think small casts are too overused and could use expansion through much larger ones?  There are various ways you can answer this question.