This week I continue with my writing fantasy fiction series where I explore writing this genre in twelve steps. Check out my previous blog on LEARNING FROM FANTASY NOVELISTS and DEFINING THE SETTING OF YOUR NOVEL.
Develop your fantasy world through short stories.
Nope, absolutely not. They say Tolkien wrote reams of short stories of his world and that’s fine. Short story writing is a great skill to have. I dislike short stories. I hate reading them and I’m not sure I’ve ever written one – well perhaps a couple way back in high school. So, I fail at this strategy but perhaps you don’t. And perhaps you’ve even created a collection of short stories to market or use as a carrot for newsletter signups.
This could also be a good strategy if you find it difficult to finish a longer novel.
Create rules for your kingdom.
This is part of your world building strategy but who hasn’t created a rule while in the midst of a plot crisis? “Hey if they could do this, all would be explained!” OR “A dragon could work in this scene.” Just between you and me, my world of Thorius didn’t have dragons and night hounds when I wrote book 1.
Magic is outlawed (a popular way to increase conflict), my kingdom has a medieval setting, there is political intrigue and battles. So, my world basically follows that time period but I can tweak things like costumes, armor and dances if I choose because… it’s fantasy. AND a mermaid can fulfill her dream to become human!
Please return next week for part 4 of writing fantasy fiction, when I’ll discuss obeying your world-building laws and outlining your story.
