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