What makes a fantasy story? Our first instinct might be to answer ‘magic’ – spells, mythical beasts, potions. Yet fantasy contains multiple key elements. Read the following simple breakdown of elements of the fantasy genre and tips to write magical, fantastical tales: (more…)
Fantasy series such as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Rowling’s bestselling Harry Potter series still win over new generations of fans. How can you also write a successful series, avoiding clichés of the genre? Here’s how to write fantasy series, the ‘do’s’ and the ‘don’ts’: (more…)
Why is fantasy book writing popular with aspiring authors of all ages? Some possible reasons: Nostalgia for childhood make-believe The mystery and allure of magical phenomena The major commercial success of many fantasy authors (J.K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett, J. R. R. Tolkien and George R. R. Martin, to name only a few) There are many fantasy […]
Many people may first think of fantasy fiction in terms of enchanted worlds or magical creatures, but those worlds must be populated with engaging characters. Strong characters are important to fantasy fiction for many reasons: Fantasy often tells the story of events on a grand scale, and having characters the readers care about makes that […]
It’s no exaggeration to state that J.R.R. Tolkien invented the contemporary fantasy genre as we know it today or at least the part of the genre that concerns itself with invented worlds, quests for treasure or magic and mythical races and creatures. But before he became one of the most famous and best-selling writers in […]
Most lovers of fantasy fiction are well-acquainted with such classic works as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. But what are some of the lesser-known but important works of fantasy literature as well […]
The difference between the fantasy and science fiction genres hasn’t always been an issue, as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America points out. However, there are a few key differences in the genres that can help us to separate one type of book from the other in the ‘science fiction vs fantasy’ debate. […]
Learning how to create a fantasy world that feels real to readers is easy when you follow these five steps: Step 1: Plan the lie of the land Creating a solid, believable physical world is the first step. The reason some fantasy novelists and readers seem so obsessed with maps is because the act of […]
World building is an important component of fantasy writing because your fantasy world must be grounded in a history and abide by certain rules in order to persuade your readers to suspend their disbelief when you bring in magic, fantastical beasts and other implausible elements. Below are some of the important questions to ask yourself […]
One of the keys to believable fantasy writing is to ground it in tangible, everyday details. By asking yourself what your characters eat, wear, live in and more, you will begin to build a setting that your readers feel that they inhabit along with your characters. Think about your characters’ way of life Thinking about […]
