While chatting with a writing friend today the subject of terminology came up. Two things came to mind; the novel I'm currently reading (Foundling by DM Cornish) and a burble about author Steven Brust.
In the current read some standard issue "things" have fun and exciting names. For example: a Vinegaroon is a sailor, a "Misbegotten Schrewd" is a troll. This, in my opinion has added a strange haunting dreamlike quality to the feel of the story. A BIG plus!
The burble is this: James Blish, writing as William Atheling, Jr., commented negatively about authors who, in an attempt to seem more "science fictional" or more "fantastic," would call a rabbit some funny-sounding name instead of just "rabbit." In response to this some feel that Steven Brust, a master fantasy writer with an acerbic wit and creativity, devised the norska. Creatures which lure the reader into thinking they were nice fluffy rabbits and that Steve had therefore violated this rather reasonable rule-of-thumb put forth by Blish . . . until their important difference was revealed . . . how do we know that rabbits wouldn't eat dragons if they were available...?
I think this is a nice reminder that rules written by authors work for those authors, but may not work for you. Here's to breaking the rules!
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