| Most fantasy writers have been constructing their | | | | clothing like magic capes or belts. Don't take this |
| fantasy world since childhood. It grows with them; | | | | element too lightly. |
| they add to it as they develop as writers until it's | | | | I have known many writers who try to insert |
| so real to them that writing about it feels | | | | guns and flying machines into their world and are |
| effortless - even when they seem to have | | | | promptly asked to remove them by pedantic |
| created a huge, sophisticated universe. | | | | publishers! |
| But if you're new to the genre, where do you | | | | Now for some writing. |
| start? | | | | Invent three major castes of inhabitants. For |
| Many professional fantasy writers will joke about | | | | example: human, elven and dwarves say, or |
| 'the formula' for good fantasy because it does | | | | make up your own. One of the caste may be |
| exist and good fantasy authors still use it - not | | | | dragons if you want to be faithful to the 'formula'. |
| because they're lazy but because the fans want it | | | | Describe the class system for each. Who's the |
| - in fact insist on it! | | | | king or the head magician, how the government |
| It has been condensed thus: 'Hero, artifact, quest'. | | | | of Elders work, what the peasants do, whether |
| That's it. All you need to start a fantasy novel! | | | | there are bands of mercenaries roaming the |
| Think Froddo, the ring and the journey to Mordor | | | | countryside, that kind of thing. |
| and you'll see what I mean. | | | | Now think of three characters for each caste - |
| I prefer something a little more organic and | | | | have them related for maximum impact. For |
| creative. | | | | instance three characters might be Princess |
| Get a very large sheet of paper. A3 at least - | | | | Tumar who needs to regain the crown after her |
| that's about 3 feet by 2 in the US. Draw an | | | | father was killed by the evil Majadon, aided by her |
| outline for your kingdom - or kingdoms. | | | | younger brother. |
| Experiment with the shape of coastlines, | | | | Write a paragraph for every character, describing |
| archipelagos and spits. Maybe put some islands | | | | their physical appearance. |
| around it. | | | | Give each of the characters an agenda that is at |
| Use a blue crayon or chalk to shade in the sea | | | | odds with at least two of the other characters. |
| and draw a compass somewhere on the paper to | | | | Write a few pages describing the scenario you |
| orientate the map. Maybe a scale too: one inch | | | | have invented. |
| equals 100 miles say. | | | | By now you should be feeling an attachment to |
| Divide your kingdom into countries or regions - | | | | one or more character. Choose one to be the |
| draw in the border lines. | | | | hero and give him or her an important quest that |
| Using different color pencils, add mountain ranges, | | | | they must undertake to gain maturity, power or |
| lakes, rivers, whatever you like. Have lots of fun | | | | enlightenment (perhaps all three!) |
| with this bit! | | | | Next, choose a magic artifact that the character |
| Cities normally grow up on rivers and ports - so | | | | must obtain during this quest. Don't choose a |
| start placing important cities and towns, farming | | | | book! |
| communities, military posts etc. Start thinking | | | | Then create a huge threatening situation (a war, |
| about trade routes, badlands and resistance | | | | natural disaster or magical event) in which the |
| enclaves where nobody goes... | | | | characters are all at risk - of losing their power, |
| Don't forget that most fantasy is set in an | | | | authority, self respect, lives etc. and then... |
| entirely medieval world where technology is limited | | | | Open up a new file and write: Chapter One. |
| to bows and arrows, spears and fire, with a liberal | | | | Okay, over to you! |
| sprinkling of magical swords, jewels or articles of | | | | |