Do you like to be shocked? Romanced? Enchanted? Reading preferences vary greatly, which is why we write so many types of stories. Genre storytelling may seem like a strange phrase. "Can't all storytelling be categorized by genre?" Yes, but there's m...
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Gilbo couldn't remember the last time he'd left his pod. The rest of his family, all five-hundred of them, had been on one adventure or another, returning with stories of their exploits. Some had flown to the rim of the chasm. Many had even jumped into the abyss and swam with the snorklepusses despite their sharp tails. All Gilbo wanted to do was float on his back and count the purple clouds that passed through the branches of his home in the shimshackle tree.Until the day fell. That's when everything changed.
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Many fantasy authors choose the genre because they love to invent different realities from the one they live in. And their readers love the genre because they're looking for ways to escape reality for a while. Whether it be painting landscapes of supernatural realms, choreographing mythic battle scenes, or developing a language spoken by elves, the job of a fantasy author goes beyond the work needed to write realistic fiction.
What sets fantasy authors apart is often the scope of their record keeping. As the writer, you will need to create rules. You will want your world and its characters to make sense and stay consistent throughout the story. Organizing these details and keeping them updated is critical.
We hope these tips will help you think about your fantasy worlds in more realistic ways. Because every world, even imaginary ones, should feel real to your readers.
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FIRST STEPS
> Read stories in the genre. For some, this may be a moot point, but it never hurts to remind starry-eyed new writers to re-read the stories that got them hooked on fantasy. Take note of the aspects you love about your favorite stories. Is it the unique characters? The unusual world? The point of view of the narrator who's navigating a strange land? If you keep in mind the parts that drew you in, you're more likely to add those aspects into your own work.
