Is it good writing to use an out of time adjetive?

[happyhobo2000]

I'm thinking if you used a modern descriptive term to describe something fantasy. For example:

"The mongol horseman rode quickly across the battlefield like a F-16 Combat Jet."
"The Spartan's blade ran into the body much the way a tank runs into a thin brick wall- the victim cracks and explodes."

[Marrone]

Well, it's called an Anachronism, and yes, if you use it tastefully. I write really abstract, but I tend to stay away from them if I'm in a fantasy setting. If it sounds good, if it's rocking and you feel it, use it! But if you're not digging it, why take the risk of someone misinterpreting it?

Good catch.

[happyhobo2000]

Thanks man. Just wanted to know if people would be like WTF?

[Jorick]

Depends on how you're using it. Generally it's fine to dip into the past for descriptors, such as calling a guy in a far flung future sci-fi setting who's great at all sorts of arts and sciences a 'Renaissance man.'

It gets a little awkward when you're pulling from the future of the time setting though, such as in your examples. I would suggest avoiding those because they come off as strange and kind of broken. Not only are you making a comparison to something that doesn't even exist in that world and thus breaking any sense of immersion readers have, they're also fairly poor analogies. A Mongol horseman is nothing like a modern jet, a sword thrust would not make someone crack and explode like a tank smashing a wall down. Hyperbole is fine to use now and again, but sometimes it's just too much and makes people roll their eyes.

Another thing to note is that you might want to be careful of references to things outside the world of the RP you're in. Say you're in a swords and sorcery type of RP, Lord of the Rings style world with fantasy races and magic and the like. Making a reference to Roman legions or Mongol hordes would seem kind of awkward since that's something wholly outside of the world of that RP.

Doing this sort of thing is not wrong or bad in any objective sense, it doesn't break any rules of grammar or anything. It's all a matter of subjective preference, of which I've given my personal views above. If you like it, go ahead and do it, it's not a big deal either way.

[happyhobo2000]

Okay, i was reading one of the Ranger's Apprentice novels and it sort of did break the immersion the few times he did it. Thanks, just wondering if it was just me

[Durandal]

It is very very silly-sounding to do something like that. Sure, they might get the reference more if you say, "HE BLASTED THROUGH LIKE AN F-16", but at the same time, it breaks a suspension of disbelief that is a fundamental aspect of novels.

[Ruby]

Mostly you risk breaking the illusion of fiction, and having your readers jar out of the world you were writing for them.

I'm guessing the level of writing you're worried about it, this isn't an issue.

[Brovo]

Well, it's called an Anachronism, and yes, if you use it tastefully. I write really abstract, but I tend to stay away from them if I'm in a fantasy setting. If it sounds good, if it's rocking and you feel it, use it! But if you're not digging it, why take the risk of someone misinterpreting it?

Good catch.

*Reads question*

*Reads Marrone's answer*

*Has nothing more to add--not typical for me*

Marrone is right.

[happyhobo2000]

thanks....