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