What Is Fantasy? Â
Fantasy writing is a magical journey where you get to create entire worlds from your imaginationâworlds where magic thrives, supernatural beings roam, and the ordinary rules of reality no longer apply. Itâs a genre that invites you to dream big and write even bigger. Â
The best part? Fantasy gives you the freedom to shape your own rules. Youâre not confined by realityâyou get to rewrite it!
Whether youâre dreaming up epic battles in high fantasy like The Lord of the Rings or weaving magic into modern-day settings like The Dresden Files, rememberâyour creativity is limitless. With a little structure and a lot of heart, you can create a story that truly resonates. Youâve got this!
Why Fantasy Matters Â
Fantasy isnât just about escaping into magical worldsâitâs about discovering deeper truths in a way that feels larger than life. It gives you the freedom to explore themes like good and evil, family, friendship, identity, and morality in vivid, unforgettable ways. These stories donât just entertain; they connect with something universal and meaningful in all of us. Â
But fantasy does even moreâit sparks your creativity and challenges you to imagine not only what could exist, but what should exist. When you write fantasy, youâre stepping into a proud tradition of storytellers who build worlds that inspire, challenge, and expand the way we see things.
So, if youâre dreaming of creating your own otherworldly adventures, know this: you have the power to craft stories that can truly move and inspire others. Keep goingâyouâre part of something magical.
Key Types of Fantasy Â
Fantasy is an incredible genre, full of endless possibilities and unique ways to tell a story. Whether youâre dreaming up your own tale or exploring new books, thereâs a type of fantasy out there for everyone. Letâs dive into some of the most popular types and what makes them so special. Who knows? You might just feel inspired to create your own magical world!
High Fantasy Â
Think big, bold, and epic. High fantasy takes you to entirely new worlds, complete with their own histories, maps, and magical systems (like The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson). These stories often follow heroic journeys, intense political drama, or destinies shaped by magic. If you love expansive sagas and immersive settings, this might be your flavor of choice. Â
Urban Fantasy Â
What happens when magic meets the modern world? Urban fantasy combines the extraordinary with the everyday (for example, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman). Picture supernatural creatures hiding in plain sight or secret magical societies buzzing just beneath city life. These stories often feel grounded and relatable but with an exciting twist of the fantastical. Â
Dark Fantasy Â
For those intrigued by the shadows, dark fantasy blends magic with the macabre (e.g., A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin). These stories explore moral ambiguity, survival, and violence in worlds that feel gritty and raw. If you enjoy tales that challenge characters (and readers!) to face harsh truths, this might be your niche. Â
Sword and Sorcery Â
Adventure awaits! Sword and sorcery is all about thrilling action and personal quests (think Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard). Itâs less about grand, sweeping narratives and more about daring heroes (or anti-heroes), treasure hunts, and magic-fueled adventures. Perfect for when youâre craving excitement and fast-paced stories. Â
Portal Fantasy Â
Ever dreamed of being whisked away to another world? Thatâs exactly what portal fantasy offers (like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis). These stories explore the magic of discovery, the challenge of belonging, and the wonder of connecting two very different realities. Itâs a great pick for anyone whoâs ever wished to step through a wardrobeâor a rabbit holeâand find something amazing. Â
The Essential Elements of Fantasy Â
Building a magical tale isnât just about wizards and dragonsâitâs about creating a world and characters that truly resonate. Letâs explore some key elements that will take your story from good to extraordinary. Â
Relatable, Complex Characters Â
Your readers might be drawn to your fantastical world, but itâs your characters that will keep them hooked. Give your heroes and villains depthâreal flaws, clear motivations, and the kind of struggles that make them feel human (even if theyâre elves or sorcerers!). Think about how they grow. What challenges shape them? Â
Tip: Characters who live in the grey areas between right and wrong, like Severus Snape from Harry Potter, often leave the biggest impact. They remind us how beautifully complicated people can be. Â
Immersive World Building Â
Your fantasy world can be as wild as your imagination, but it still needs to feel real. Take time to think about its culture, geography, history, and even its politics. These details breathe life into your setting and give it a soul. Â
Tip: Instead of overwhelming your readers with all the details at once, let your world unfold naturally. Show it through conversations, conflicts, or moments of discovery. Itâs like sharing a secretâitâs more exciting when revealed piece by piece. Â
A Strong Magic System Â
Magic is often the heartbeat of a great fantasy story, but it needs structure to truly shine. Whether your magic is intricate and rule-bound (like in Mistborn) or mysterious and ethereal (like in The Lord of the Rings), defining its rules, costs, and limitations brings clarity and intrigue. Â
Tip: Think of magic as a deal that always comes with a price. What does it take to cast a spell? What happens if itâs misused? The stakes feel higher when magic isnât just âeasy.â
Learn how to create a magic system.
Thought-Provoking Themes Â
Themes are the soul of your story, the deeper meaning that connects with your readersâ hearts. For instance, Harry Potter explores love, friendship, and self-discovery, while The Hunger Games challenges ideas of oppression and survival.
Ask yourself: What big question does your story explore? Weave that question into your charactersâ journeys and the conflicts they face. Â
Riveting Conflict Â
Every great story has stakes, and fantasy is no exception. Whatâs at risk in your tale? Is it the fate of the kingdom, the redemption of a flawed hero, or a fight for love and belonging? The best conflicts are the ones that hit home emotionally, even in the midst of magical battles. Â
Tip: Let your readers feel the tension, the heartbreak, and the triumph. When your audience cares about whatâs at stake, theyâll root for your characters every step of the way. Â
Tips for Writing Fantasy Â
Make Your World Part of the Story
Donât treat your setting as just a backdropâmake it an active part of the narrative. Design world rules that either assist or challenge your protagonist in meaningful ways.
Example: The Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson uses its Allomancy magic system extensively, where charactersâ abilities are tied to consuming various metals. This directly impacts both the plot and their strategies in overcoming obstacles.
Align Your World with the Theme
Reflect your storyâs theme through the setting:
- Use overly ordered worlds for narratives about rebellion and freedom.
- Choose chaotic worlds to highlight stories about finding stability or meaning.
Example: The Hunger Games portrays a rigidly controlled dystopia to amplify themes of rebellion and inequality. The ordered structure of the Capitol juxtaposed with the chaos of the districts emphasizes these ideas.
Be Intentional with Power Structures
Ask questions to shape your worldâs dynamics: Who holds power, and why? Who wants power, and how do they pursue it? How does your protagonist interact with or disrupt these systems?
Example: George R.R. Martinâs Game of Thrones features a world of complex power dynamics, where intricate political structures and rivalries are explored through the Seven Kingdoms. Every character's arc is deeply tied to their pursuit of, or struggle against, power.
Learn Without Copying
Study how great fantasy authors use settings to explore universal themes. Avoid imitating their workâuse their techniques to inspire your own unique vision.
Example: J.R.R. Tolkienâs Lord of the Rings uses the vast, layered world of Middle-earth to explore themes of friendship, sacrifice, and corruption. Its methodical world-building inspires many, but great authors personalize those techniques rather than replicate them.
Focus on Theme Over World-Building Details
Remember, your world isnât the story itselfâitâs a lens to tell the story. Use the world to amplify your message and support the characters and plot.
Example: The Giver by Lois Lowry centers on themes of freedom versus control. The minimalist world-building serves the theme, conveying a sterile, controlled society to emphasize the protagonist's fight for individuality and emotions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Fantasy Writing (and How to Fix Them)
Modern Language and Anachronisms
Why Itâs a Problem: Using modern slang or phrases that donât fit the setting can break immersion.
Example: A knight in a medieval-inspired world saying, "Itâs all good, bro."
How to Fix It:
- Keep dialogue and narration consistent with the cultural and historical context of your world.
- Avoid using metaphors or idioms that donât make sense in the setting, like "busy as a bee" in a bee-less environment.
Slow Pacing and Filler Content
Why Itâs a Problem: Readers lose interest when the story drags or feels like itâs going nowhere.
Example: A 10-page description of a character eating breakfast with no connection to the plot.
How to Fix It:
- Ensure every scene moves the plot forward or develops characters.
- Use varying scene lengths and types to maintain momentum.
Forced Humor
Why Itâs a Problem: When jokes feel out of place or ruin emotional moments, they come across as unnatural.
Example: A character cracking a joke right after their best friend dies.
How to Fix It:
- Match the humor to the tone of the scene and the personality of the characters.
- Save jokes for lighter moments or when they serve as a coping mechanism.
Shallow Magic Systems
Why Itâs a Problem: Magic without rules, depth, or consequences feels lazy and unengaging.
Example: A hero magically solving a problem without any prior explanation of how magic works.
How to Fix It:
- Create clear rules and costs for magic.
- Integrate magic into the world, culture, and plot. Make it meaningful and integral.
Info-Dumps
Why Itâs a Problem: Overloading the reader with backstory or world-building details disrupts the flow of the story.
Example: The first chapter being a textbook-style history of the world.
How to Fix It:
- Reveal world-building naturallyâthrough dialogue, action, or character perceptions.
- Tease information to keep readers curious instead of overwhelming them up front.
Poor Character Development
Why Itâs a Problem: Flat, one-dimensional characters fail to connect with readers.
Example: A villain who is evil for no reason, or a hero without flaws.
How to Fix It:
- Give characters realistic motivations, personal goals, and room to grow.
- Ensure their actions align with their personalities and past experiences.
- Show how events change them throughout the story.
Gratuitous Sex and Violence
Why Itâs a Problem: Explicit content that feels unnecessary or exploitative can turn readers off.
Example: Including a graphic battle scene just for shock value, without progressing the plot or developing characters.
How to Fix It:
- Only include explicit content if it serves the story or characters.
- Treat these scenes like any otherâask yourself how they advance the narrative or deepen relationships.
Poorly Executed Tropes
Why Itâs a Problem: Overused clichĂ©s or tired plot devices without innovation bore readers.
Example: A âchosen oneâ story with no fresh twist or unique stakes.
How to Fix It:
- Add your own spin to familiar tropes. Whatâs unique about your chosen one or your quest?
- Play with reader expectationsâset up familiar tropes and then take them in unexpected directions.
Forced Romance
Why Itâs a Problem: Romantic subplots that lack chemistry or feel unnecessary can frustrate readers.
Example: Two characters falling in love instantly without any meaningful connection.
How to Fix It:
- Develop relationships gradually, showing how characters grow together.
- Focus on building emotional intimacy and mutual respect, rather than relying on clichĂ©d love triangles or âinsta-love.â
