Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
Or to phrase this in the reverse: if you start by calling something a dwarf or an elf then the reader will automatically attach certain attributes that you then have to turn if they don't fit. If there is nothing traditionally dwarf-like or elf-like about your characters then you would be better off avoid using that term.
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This. Some deviation is normal, if it is drastically different, call it a different name. Obviously its your book, you do want you want, but in general anything you call "elf" should mostly fit the "elf" stereotype for best results when attempting to communicate to your reader. The goal is to tell a story so well your reader is lost in it. Anything you put as a barrier to that (as in non-elf,elves) just makes your job that much harder.