Tolkien and C.S Lewis gathered material for their work by drawing on their favorite elements of mythology. As they did so they reestablished what was considered the mythology of England. For readers today, their work is the foundation of what has defined the fantasy genre for the last fifty years. It is an inspiring and intimidating feat. For American writers, grasping the elements of our modern mythology can feel equally as daunting, and perhaps even more nebulous.

Firstly, as modern writers, we have access to or some passing familiarity with a dozen more cultures’ folklore and mythologies than Tolkien or Lewis were likely to be exposed to in their studies. However, this doesn’t mean that we necessarily even have the mastery of these stories that Tolkien and Lewis were able to have from their classical educations. Then there are also iconic stories and characters in our modern mythology with legal owners, who require us to pay money to use them, if they let others use them at all. There are many archetypal characters and plots that are so well-known it has become easier to parody them, than it would be to tell original stories about them or get permission to incorporate them into new works

Perhaps, the wisest way to answer the challenge of Tolkien and Lewis’ work may not be to try to define the current mythology and give representation to everything but to establish our own mythologies. A genre writer establishes their own mythos, and in doing so, they show what stories have influenced them and what those influences were.  An American writer doesn’t necessarily need to encompass every aspect of American Mythology. But the writer can compile the mythologies that were most influential him/her, and show his/her highlights. The influences from historical figures, American tall tales, the fantasy and science fiction novels that everyone quotes, and the cartoon characters that many of us grew up watching. All of these things can make a writer’s own mythos more easily understood but also personally unique. Who knows. If such a mythos resonates with the audience, it could redefine a genre.