Top Eight Rules For Writing Fantasy

So you want to write a fantasy novel? You loveprejudices between races you will need to have
the work of so many fantasy writers and youan understanding of why these exist. The detail of
have a partially formed idea about an elf, a dwarf,your history and descriptions will be based on how
and an odd love triangle. Where to begin? Themuch you will be using a person of that race in
answer is the first of my eight rules for writingyour story.
fantasy. Enjoy!5. Characterizations must be made from the point
of view of the fantasy world. You can't take a
1. Begin with the world. Creating the world whereperson from 21st century earth and transplant
your fantasy novel is set is one of the mostthem to the world unless that is the whole point
important parts of creating a successful fantasyof the story. Otherwise, the character will not be
novel. And this world must be pretty fleshed outbelievable.
before you move on to the next step. Why you6. Your story will probably revolve around a
ask? Because just as earth has specific rules thattheme. One of the most common themes is good
cannot be violated without explanation (forvs. evil though there are many to choose from.
example, the law of gravity), your world will haveOnce you decide on your theme, try to avoid
laws too. It will also have its own geography,making overt statements concerning it at all costs.
weather patterns, animals, and races of peopleLet the reader learn about the theme and make
and/or other fantasy creatures. If you jump rightconclusions on their own. Don't make conclusions
in and begin writing your fantasy novel withoutfor them. You don't want to be preachy - this is a
any consideration for these rules, you will findhuge turn off for readers.
yourself in a situation where you will need to7. Beware of deus ex machina. This term refers
rewrite carefully to avoid any contradictions onceto an unexpected and improbable solution to a
your world has been fully created.problem in your story. Think of it like the hand of
2. Create maps. These can be very generalGod which suddenly shows up to fix the problems
except in the areas where the action will bethat you as a novelist created and can't now
taking place. Maps help lend depth to your storyresolve. These artificial resolutions are death to a
as you write. Your details will tend to be morefantasy novel.
grounded.8. Stay away from fantasy cliché's unless
3. If your world is going to include any form ofthat is something that you require for your novel
magic, then you must create the rules for its use(i.e., you are writing a fantasy spoof). You don't
before writing about it. You must decide its limits,want to have readers groaning over something
its costs, its required actions, its possible uses, etc.you've written. Dwarves with long beards who
Only by creating the rules of magic will its uselove mithril and hate elves, elves who are long,
make sense and seem believable.willowy, and haughty, and short-lived humans who
4. If you are going to have different races living injust want to fight and have fun - it seems I've
your world, then you will need to create a historyread all of that before.... I wish you the best of
and a description for the characteristics of theseluck as you create the next great fantasy novel. I
races. You will also need to know how people ofcan't wait to read it!!!
different races treat each other. If there are