Gee, maybe I should have read an article like this before I began my first epic fantasy romance! I got this outline from a Reedsy Blog and gave it my own spin, using most of the headings. Please comment below if anything particularly resonates or if you disagree and have a different take or perhaps additional points.
1. Research the fantasy fiction market
Certainly, before you start your first fantasy novel, you need to be familiar with the genre you’re writing
in. Was I? Sort of. I had an epic fantasy reading background which were romantic fantasy NOT fantasy
romance. I’m not even sure I would’ve used a romance plot to outline Princess Avenger. I had only just joined Romance Writers of Australia and gone to my first conference. But I soon learned the beauty and simplicity of the romance plot.
I strongly feel you must write what you know and love. Having said that, I’m still getting my head around my genre which is epic fantasy romance for adults. It’s sexy too. And set in a medieval world which is a world I inhabited for decades in my teens and twenties. I’m still listening to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series today. My characters are in their 20s and 30s. If I had researched first, perhaps I would’ve made the characters younger and left the explicit sex out, giving my stories a broader appeal.
So yeah, research is good, even if only for promotional purposes. How much research do you do before you write?
2. Learn from the greatest fantasy novelists.
Oh wow! I totally did this BUT did I learn from the greatest fantasy romance novelists? No!
My inspirations were Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Raymond Fiest, Terry Brooks and David Eddings. They all wrote epic fantasy sagas and I ate them up. Nowadays I can’t tell you the last book I read that was
written by a man!
written by a man!
Additionally that influence led me to write in series and I’m unlikely to read a book in any genre if it’s a
standalone.
From those fantasy novelists I learned world building, grammar, tropes, characterisation and plot
without even realising it.
3. Define the setting of your novel.
Easy. I had already existed in those worlds for decades. But I didn’t want to overdo the description. So I
dropped in elements to allow the reader to paint their own picture ie, the cobblestones, taverns, rushes
underfoot, metallic stench of blood, etc
dropped in elements to allow the reader to paint their own picture ie, the cobblestones, taverns, rushes
underfoot, metallic stench of blood, etc
I’m impatient and don’t enjoy reading paragraphs of description so I don’t make my readers do that
either. However, I need to concentrate on keeping the senses engaged so my stories completely
immerse the reader in the world – they are living the story.
either. However, I need to concentrate on keeping the senses engaged so my stories completely
immerse the reader in the world – they are living the story.
At the start of a scene, it’s a great tip to announce (either by telling or showing) where the scene is taking place, so your reader is right there with you.
4. 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 for him.
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.
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.
5. 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.”
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, armour and dances if I choose because… it’s fantasy.
political intrigue and battles. So, my world basically follows that time period but I can tweak things like
costumes, armour and dances if I choose because… it’s fantasy.
6. Obey your world building laws
Once you’ve made your rules, don’t break them. This is one of the hard and fast laws to writing fantasy.
Readers will call you out on it if you forget one of your own rules, unless it can be explained logically. For example, when my Defenders change from human to beast their clothes disappear and then reappear
when they change back to human. But in other fantasy, shapeshifters must undress before the shift
unless they wish to end up with shredded clothes, etc.
Readers will call you out on it if you forget one of your own rules, unless it can be explained logically. For example, when my Defenders change from human to beast their clothes disappear and then reappear
when they change back to human. But in other fantasy, shapeshifters must undress before the shift
unless they wish to end up with shredded clothes, etc.
7. Outline your story
This old chestnut. We’ve all heard of plotters and pantsers and everything variation in between. I agree
some plotting is needed even if it’s only writing your synopsis first and using that to refer to. Whether
you’re plotting your book right down to the minutia or just generating a vague outline before you start
your first draft, both are valid ways of keeping your story on track. As I’ve written more books, I’ve used more in-depth outlines, especially for the later books in my series which were romantic fantasy.
some plotting is needed even if it’s only writing your synopsis first and using that to refer to. Whether
you’re plotting your book right down to the minutia or just generating a vague outline before you start
your first draft, both are valid ways of keeping your story on track. As I’ve written more books, I’ve used more in-depth outlines, especially for the later books in my series which were romantic fantasy.
8. Perfect your character development
Characters are central to most stories, even those with amazing worlds and incredible environments. It’s
vital to know your character’s motivations, fears, loves, deepest desires, their recent and not so recent
history, their likes and dislikes. Personally, I think this aspect is the most critical part of drafting a great
story and it can be fun too.
vital to know your character’s motivations, fears, loves, deepest desires, their recent and not so recent
history, their likes and dislikes. Personally, I think this aspect is the most critical part of drafting a great
story and it can be fun too.
9. Use real world themes
I’m not so sure this is a vital part of drafting a good story depending on why you’re writing it. You
certainly don’t want to come across preachy and that can easily happen if you dwell too much on your
own deeply held beliefs or traumas. However, many an author would strenuously debate me on this –
and that’s ok. I want my reader to enjoy an escape when in my stories. Therefore, if they’re too close to
the real world, that can be ruined.
certainly don’t want to come across preachy and that can easily happen if you dwell too much on your
own deeply held beliefs or traumas. However, many an author would strenuously debate me on this –
and that’s ok. I want my reader to enjoy an escape when in my stories. Therefore, if they’re too close to
the real world, that can be ruined.
Having said all that, prejudice of all types is a strong theme in my books.
10. Be specific about the elements of your writing
This point speaks to the use of just enough details to give your reader a picture of a place, a character, a
smell or any other element that helps the reader enter your world. You want to engage as many of their
senses as you can. And any fantasy elements such as my night hounds need to have a picture painted as
they are specific to my world. Making your fantasy elements unique helps captivate the reader.
smell or any other element that helps the reader enter your world. You want to engage as many of their
senses as you can. And any fantasy elements such as my night hounds need to have a picture painted as
they are specific to my world. Making your fantasy elements unique helps captivate the reader.
I think many of us could do more with this. I find I tend to mistakenly assume my readers know more
than they do, because fantasy realms are so familiar to me.
11. Don’t overwhelm readers with details
Having mentioned being specific and painting a picture, it’s also important to avoid overdoing it. For
example, your descriptions of clothing, places, dances, people, even conversations, don’t have to delve
into the minutia. You may have to reduce some scenes to sentences or paragraphs or even cut scenes
altogether to avoid boring the reader.
example, your descriptions of clothing, places, dances, people, even conversations, don’t have to delve
into the minutia. You may have to reduce some scenes to sentences or paragraphs or even cut scenes
altogether to avoid boring the reader.
It’s always better to drip feed details into a story than using the infodump. I find this easier if you begin
with an inciting event so that your reader is drawn into the adventure straight away. They will observe
the characters reacting to the situation and learn much about them if you get it right.
with an inciting event so that your reader is drawn into the adventure straight away. They will observe
the characters reacting to the situation and learn much about them if you get it right.
12. Keep asking questions as the writer
Questions are important, not only to make sure your world makes sense but also to solve plot problems.
Don’t expect answers right away. It may take days or weeks for your muse to come up with the answer
to your question. However, I find my muse gives better solutions than if I force the answers because I
need to meet a certain word count. I’ve been known to write my problems down and return to them
later. Often, they’ve already been solved!
Don’t expect answers right away. It may take days or weeks for your muse to come up with the answer
to your question. However, I find my muse gives better solutions than if I force the answers because I
need to meet a certain word count. I’ve been known to write my problems down and return to them
later. Often, they’ve already been solved!
~~~
Princess Avenger
Perfect for fans of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series.
A princess in disguise. A shifter with a hidden agenda. Will they uncover the truth in time for romance to blossom?
Captain Vard Anton struggles to control his budding lust for the determined princess he’s supposed to defend. And as an animal shapeshifter charged with killing her father, he knows he can never reveal his true identity. But the violent beast form he cannot master threatens to expose him and risk her safety.
As her feelings for Vard continue to bloom, Alecia is devastated when she’s betrothed to a lecherous lord. And wracked with guilt over his ultimate mission, Vard fears there is no way for them to ever be together. But her obsession with vengeance may be the death of them both…
Can Alecia and Vard topple a tyrant to join their destinies and their hearts?
Princess Avenger is the thrilling first book in the Queenmakers Saga epic fantasy romance series. If you like strong heroines, sexy shifters, and forbidden passion, then you’ll adore Bernadette Rowley’s enchanting adventure.
Queennakers Saga (Books 1-4)
The saga begins with PRINCESS AVENGER.
Titles contained in this box set:
Princess Avenger
The Lady's Choice
Princess in Exile
The Lord and the Mermaid
Bernadette Rowley
First published by Penguin Australia and then Pan Macmillan Australia, Bernadette is now an independently published author. The Queenmakers Saga contains eleven books spanning the genres of fantasy romance and romantic fantasy.
Her favorite tropes are enemies to lovers, forced proximity and forbidden romance. Strong themes include the horse/human bond and healing.
When not at her desk, Bernadette can be found absorbed in a good romance or romantic suspense, swimming, walking or having coffee with friends.
Great article, Bernadette. I agree to read the writing and how-to advice out there, then use what resonates. Absolutely love epic fantasy too, and can see footprints of the genre in my paranormal stories. Fans of Robert Jordan? I’m there!
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn! Totally agree. Now I think we need another article, this time on fantasy tropes!
ReplyDeleteLove the post. Great for the beginner, or a refresher for those writing a little while.
ReplyDelete