| So you want to write a fantasy novel. First, I just | | | | world. Unfortunately you will need to leave it from |
| want to say thank you, the world needs as much | | | | time to time and you really do want to come |
| fantasy as it could possibly get. Fantasy is the | | | | back right to where you were at. |
| stuff dreams are made of; well sure, there might | | | | The very first page of your note pad should |
| be a few bumps and bruises, and certainly a | | | | clearly state your plan, starting with your fantasy |
| thousand heart stopping moments, but in the end, | | | | world. Your brand new world will need everything, |
| when the task is done, a bright new sun will shine | | | | terrain, plants and animals. Please don't be |
| and life's beauty becomes clear again. | | | | tempted to write from the world of another |
| Just before you reach for your pen and paper, | | | | writer, it doesn't work for you, and certainly wont |
| let's take some time to look at the task ahead. | | | | work on your readers. We want first rate, not a |
| You're writing a novel, a real fantasy novel, what | | | | second hand spin off. |
| a wonderful journey you're about to have. Taking | | | | You will also want to create your brand new |
| some time to examine what a fantasy novel is, | | | | characters. Certainly you need a hero, |
| will light the path ahead for you and make it | | | | companions, or secondary characters and an |
| easier to stay focused. | | | | antagonist, in the very least. |
| A fantasy novel is really an exploration of the | | | | As with writing any novel, you must set your plot. |
| human condition, in a way a fantasy novel may | | | | Having your plot organized before writing has |
| be considered a medium for understanding of | | | | many advantages. A well organized plot keeps |
| what life is about. It's true that a fantasy novel is | | | | your novel consistent. Certainly you will come |
| commonly populated with wizards and dragons | | | | back to your plot outline often and chop and |
| and all sorts of fantastic creatures performing all | | | | change things, but consider your plot a plan. |
| sorts of incredible feats, but really, a fantasy | | | | Perhaps you might also be comfortable with |
| novel is a story in our parallel world. A fantasy | | | | including your notes in a spreadsheet on your |
| novel paints a portrait of life using symbols and | | | | computer. Keeping track of your novel with a |
| imagery. | | | | clear map and time line from the start is the trick |
| Ultimately, great fantasy novels will contain | | | | making it all work together. |
| themes like the struggle of good and evil. The | | | | If you do not already have a clear vision of your |
| beauty of using fantasy to express this struggle | | | | novel, you do not need to sit around and wait for |
| is that there is not always a clear line between | | | | it to come to you. You might very well be waiting |
| the two. Fantasy allows a writer to say this | | | | years and then it is perhaps in vain hope that a |
| without having a reader feel uncomfortably | | | | light will suddenly come on. Take some time here |
| challenged on what could be a heated debate. | | | | to feed your inspiration. The inspiration you will |
| A fantasy novel allows a writer to discover the | | | | find now will be all the motivation you need to |
| meaning of life, and invites the reader to make | | | | keep on track and see your aspiration of being a |
| their own observations and conclusions in | | | | published fantasy author realized. |
| comparison that a fantasy is cloaked in imagery, | | | | Inspiration for your fantasy novel may be found |
| the subject is not confronting for a reader and | | | | in mythology, fairy tales and folklore. In fact you |
| enjoyable entertainment instead. This is the way | | | | are sure to find very many interesting |
| life is supposed to be. | | | | comparisons between these arts. That sweet |
| Conflict is to a fantasy novel in the same way | | | | fairy tale your mother told you at bed time may |
| conflict is to real life. Not conflict of the physical | | | | turn up with different characters and a different |
| kind, although you are very welcome to include | | | | "happy ever after" found in a tale in Greek |
| this in your novel, but conflict of the emotional | | | | mythology. |
| kind. That's life. Turmoil, decisions, struggles, | | | | You might even draw a little inspiration from |
| choices and tensions, they are all there in a long | | | | sociology and criminology studies. Certainly being |
| days work. | | | | familiar with some basic biology also contributes |
| While writing a fantasy novel you will find that you | | | | immensely when developing your worlds |
| spend a lot of time just thinking, dreaming and | | | | atmosphere. The secret to making your fantasy |
| planning with a pencil in your hand. After all, you | | | | novel a success is to make it believable and keep |
| have a whole world to create, every little detail | | | | it real. Fantasy is real; keep this in your heart |
| will need to be recorded, checked, rechecked, | | | | when you're writing and believe in yourself as |
| revised and written again. There is a lot for you | | | | much as you do your novel, then find yourself |
| to remember and you could possibly be writing | | | | smiling graciously as you accept your first royalty |
| this over the next few months or even years. | | | | check. |
| This is a long time to absorb yourself into another | | | | |