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