Ooh, the feeling is familiar. For casual listeners: I've found it useful to tell them what the story would be about if there were no fantasy elements. "It's about how people interact in a closely-regulated society where identity is a liquid commodity" sounds more impressive than "It's about aliens who live in a planetwide RPG". Phrases such as "character-driven", "connotational aspects", and "the sociological implications of" can help too. Put enough in and the audience distract themselves. ^_^
For people who really care: If people get stuck on the word 'fairy', try 'hidden descendents of a half-forgotten magical race'. Or 'sidhe' or 'the blessed folk of myth'... to paraphrase Churchill, the old words can be the most evocative. If the plot contains some readily identifiable hook -- "It's a murder mystery, a coming-of-age story, a heroic quest" -- that can help too. It doesn't have to be a major part of the plot; just something for the listener to keep in mind until they can curl up with the finished product.
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Date: 2006-09-19 05:44 pm (UTC)For people who really care: If people get stuck on the word 'fairy', try 'hidden descendents of a half-forgotten magical race'. Or 'sidhe' or 'the blessed folk of myth'... to paraphrase Churchill, the old words can be the most evocative. If the plot contains some readily identifiable hook -- "It's a murder mystery, a coming-of-age story, a heroic quest" -- that can help too. It doesn't have to be a major part of the plot; just something for the listener to keep in mind until they can curl up with the finished product.
Hope you find something satisfactory!