Fable and the Verbivore are focusing on all things Adventure during the month of September. So, today, we’re talking about some of the classic elements of adventure stories that make them so much fun to read and watch.

We view adventure as more of a trope or a set of story elements that really can be present within any genre of writing or film. Not all adventure narratives are the same, they can take place in a modern, fantasy, science fiction, or historical setting. It is more that you know the feeling of an adventure narrative when you see it rather than having rules that are set in stone, but in general they typically have:

A character that’s thrust into an unfamiliar world

A quest or journey

A fast pace and/or ticking clock

Macguffins and/or treasure hunts

High stakes and risks with real consequences

A strong villain or antagonist (though it could be supernatural or nature itself)

Humour and witty banter

Growth and character transformation

We also discuss how making the road difficult and the experience unfamiliar helps to engage the reader’s empathy for the protagonist. If things come too easily in the story, we tend to feel that it’s not very realistic.

Adventure stories help remind us that we don’t always want to play it safe, that we want to grow and change, and help us feel what it means to be truly alive.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore