How to Write a Fantasy Story That Sells
Thinking about writing a fantasy story or novel? If that's the case there are some things you should definitely do before you start writing. What? You might ask yourself... Answer a bunch of questions about your story to define it so you're not making the biggest mistake that new fantasy writers make... wondering around in your story.
I hate that.
And so does everyone else.
Unlike some other genres where you can tell a story from memory/imagination because the story is pretty much real life, fantasy it much, much, much different. There are SO MANY details involved in the creation and maintenance of a fantasy world, that creating a fantasy story really does take a "how to".
Here are a list of questions that you can ask yourself, but be ready to write down the answers, because you'll want to reread them. In rereading them you'll discover new things in the dark corners of the ideas you thought were brilliant, and those new things will be the best thing about the fantasy story you're about to write.
What time period/culture will your world most closely resemble?
This is more important that most realize, as it determines the general rules that your whole story will revolve around. Will it be medieval? Or, perhaps, ancient China or Greece? Look into the different ancient cultures until you find one that fits your ideas.
How does your magic system work?
You must know everything about your magic system. And when I say everything, I mean it. Every weakness, strength, quirk or rule that's involved in making the magic of your world work, because it will channge the entire plot given the chance.
The magic system will make or break the readers faith in your world. Even if you never reveal the rules of the magic system, you must know them and never break them.
What's at stake?
Is the world at stake? The fate of a kingdom or princess? Obviously the hero's life is at stake, or this wouldn't be a fantasy story, but you have to figure out the thing that the hero can't bear to lose and then make that the stakes. This seems like a simple idea, but in fact, many fantasy plots lose track of this one thing. They wonder around in chapters, circling events that have nothing to do with what's at stake overall.
What does your hero want to change about their self/life?
This is the basic tenant of all heroes, an underlying dissatisfactin with something in their life. Without this clear reason the reader will find it difficult to see the story through the eyes of the hero, and when that happens the reader will likely stop reading your fantasy story.
You can read more indepth fantasy story building steps on my blog, you can get to it through my website below. Thanks.
I hate that.
And so does everyone else.
Unlike some other genres where you can tell a story from memory/imagination because the story is pretty much real life, fantasy it much, much, much different. There are SO MANY details involved in the creation and maintenance of a fantasy world, that creating a fantasy story really does take a "how to".
Here are a list of questions that you can ask yourself, but be ready to write down the answers, because you'll want to reread them. In rereading them you'll discover new things in the dark corners of the ideas you thought were brilliant, and those new things will be the best thing about the fantasy story you're about to write.
What time period/culture will your world most closely resemble?
This is more important that most realize, as it determines the general rules that your whole story will revolve around. Will it be medieval? Or, perhaps, ancient China or Greece? Look into the different ancient cultures until you find one that fits your ideas.
How does your magic system work?
You must know everything about your magic system. And when I say everything, I mean it. Every weakness, strength, quirk or rule that's involved in making the magic of your world work, because it will channge the entire plot given the chance.
The magic system will make or break the readers faith in your world. Even if you never reveal the rules of the magic system, you must know them and never break them.
What's at stake?
Is the world at stake? The fate of a kingdom or princess? Obviously the hero's life is at stake, or this wouldn't be a fantasy story, but you have to figure out the thing that the hero can't bear to lose and then make that the stakes. This seems like a simple idea, but in fact, many fantasy plots lose track of this one thing. They wonder around in chapters, circling events that have nothing to do with what's at stake overall.
What does your hero want to change about their self/life?
This is the basic tenant of all heroes, an underlying dissatisfactin with something in their life. Without this clear reason the reader will find it difficult to see the story through the eyes of the hero, and when that happens the reader will likely stop reading your fantasy story.
You can read more indepth fantasy story building steps on my blog, you can get to it through my website below. Thanks.
