Transcripts
1. Introduction: Ever wanted to write a fantasy novel? Or maybe you've already written one and would like further suggestions and ideas on how to bring your story to the next level. Welcome to my course and writing a fantasy novel. It's perfect for beginner and intermediate writers. He, you'll learn about mythology, characterization, archetypes, magic, and writing incredible price. My goal is for you to write a fantasy novel that's brimming with maiming, originality, and personality. There is a class project which you'll hear about near the end of this course. So keep an eye out for it. So why do I make this course? I made this course as a fantasy writer myself, who has two novels under her belt. This experience has given me a unique perspective on writing fantasy. And I'm excited to share it with you today. Ready to begin? Let's get started.
2. What Makes A Good Fantasy Novel?: There are many misconceptions from readers and writers about what makes a good fantasy story. Some say a magic system, while others prefer moral ambiguity. There's a small aspect of truth from these answers off to roll. A drawing cards for fantasy literature has always been magic and world-building. But this is not really satisfying answer because it doesn't tell us everything. Of course, it is tempting for me to tell you my opinion on what makes a good fantasy novel, but I will do that. Rather, the question is directed towards you. Take a moment, pause this class, and guide back to the fantasy books you love. What in your opinion, makes a good fantasy? Write down your answers, maybe post them. But think hard about why you love fantasy and what books excel in the genre. There are no right or wrong answers here. The reason for this exercise is because I want you to express yourself while writing a fantasy novel. Don't feel as if you must adjust your opinions or outlook on fantasy to fit the opinions of others, you may not like grim, dark fantasy. And that's why k, developing a strong perspective on what makes good fantasy will help you.
3. The Reason Why: I want you to consider the reason why in your fantasy novel. Ask yourself, why are you writing this novel? How does it differ from other fantasy novels? Why should read his care about your story, characters, setting, and plot? The best fantasy novels have a strong sense of purpose. Both of the Rings was the result of Tolkien wanting to build a mythology for England post the industrial revolution. This is one example of many Bye and a strong purpose. You are better equipped to make storytelling decisions. Little, Sir. Authors must develop a strong vision for this story. If you did not outline you stories in advance, they're efficient for your novel may emerge after the first few drafts. But plays strongly consider why you want to write a fantasy novel and why this particular story and what you contribute to this genre.
4. Fairytales, Mythology & Folklore: All let you in on a sacred about fantasy literature, fancy, as we know it today, is heavily driven by mythology, folklore, and fable. View these as the building blocks of fantasy. For centuries. Humans have used mythology and fable to express their culture, to communicate abstract ideas, and in some cases to provide action. A well-known example of mythology is no balls. Much of the sources we have about most mythology assigned by Vikings, who use them mythology to shape a dynamic society is an important point because frequently fantasy is dismissed as me escapism. But really, fantasy teaches us about the past, present, and future. Fantasy can give us insight into cultures, individuals, and societies. But it does so through symbolism of key types and storytelling. If this interests you, I have another course on Skillshare about writing fairy tales. You may want to check that out. As I talk more in depth about this, I've role. I suggest you read myths, fairy tales, and fables. While you create your fantasy store. This will help establish a timeless feel within a story and may add lightest to which readers will appreciate. If you are looking for starting points, I will recommend one checkout, a Aesop's Fables and the Grimm Brothers. They stories are marvelous because at first glance, they look quite straightforward, but underneath layers of depth and a dynamic and clever understanding of human nature.
5. Mood & Tone: Every fantasy story has a time to it. A time means a certain mood or feeling that is due to certain stylish and narrative choices. For example, in the early Harry Potter books, there is a whimsical and US-centric fail, but lights off in the series. There's a melancholic and ethereal feeling, as we can see in the order thing next, the Department of mystery saying, some fantasy novels feel serious, while others like this quote, I'll light and fun. Here's what I want you to do. Carefully consider how your fantasy story feels, the audience. What emotions and moods do you want them to associate with your novel? Once you have that answer, it's time to consider the best way to establish his time. A good hack is to read other fantasy novels and Georgetown what times and makes you associated with them. Then ask yourself, how will you create this? What stylish choices, this hay or she make, going deep. And you'll discover an incredible way in writing fantasy. Many writers, in my experience overlook made and time. And if you pay attention to it, you will stand out from many novelists. Plays night, this will take time and practice. Creating mood, and time does not happen. Overnight is through revisions and rounds of edits. But pay attention to simple as well, choices and description. You know how earlier I mentioned the Department of mysteries. Well, one why JK Rowling creates an authorial and unsettling time is through the color blue. She lets us blue in many of the objects of the same. In the film, there were three dominant colors, blue, white, and black, which when mixed together, represents an unsettling highest source of light as well as darkness. This creates a very rich contrast which adds lightness to hurries emotions and experiences. My pointings, certain colors, objects, symbols have deeper meanings and you, as fantasy novelist, can create them.
6. Characterisation: I want you to carefully consider your characters. A problem. If much of fantasy literature, all adult characters. Once this is, for some stories, characters are a huge selling point for fiction. You don't need to subvert and archetype of smashes stereotype or I feel like that. But take time and take care in crafting characters. It's best to give them a need or a goal. And I highly recommend adding some backstory for each character. A great exercise is to write a biography for a to be a main characters. You may also want to create a Mate board. When you've established through your characters are it's time to look at their relationships with HR, but consider your character's personality, goes behavior and backstory. This will add richness to your fantasy novel and radios will love it.
7. Archetypes: Archetypes, according to psychologists, call young, refers to mental images derived from our unconscious state. What does that mean for the fantasy writers? Well, it refers to a recurring character throughout human history. An example of an archetype, which I'm sure you already know is, well, the heart. Now a hearer is a common motif in mythology, religion, political science, branding, and well. Fiction, comics. There are countless archetypes, way too many to mention here. But archetypes are worth a mention because they are, okay. It's fine to write archetypes, especially in fantasy fiction. You, as a fancy writer, may think the chosen one is too cliched or overdone. But it's not. Fantasy has always thrived of archetypes. This a true rethink book by Joseph Campbell called a Hero with a Thousand Faces, which I highly recommend. You check apps. However, archetypes are not an excuse to get lazy with characterization or setting. You still need the building blocks, the storytelling, such as character motivation, micro retention, and more.
8. Conflict & Tension: On the internet, you can find plenty of information about storytelling. And it is impossible to feature everything in one shot, of course. But I want to stress the importance of conflict in shaping the story. Considered the internal and external conflict to your story has combine both macro and micro conflicts within your narrative. For reason. Why conflicts matters is that it contributes to tension which is necessary in any story. I want you to create. Between characters. They go, their enemies, they friends, and more importantly, within themselves. Tension and conflict. A bike driving forces in storytelling. And it is easy to see why. I strongly suggest you ask future better rate is for take partners or editors. Whether they thought fantasy novel had sufficient tension and if you story kept the interest. This also helps if you plan to publish or query agents with your fantasy novel. Because you do want to keep their interests and you don't want to bold. That is a very important Best of luck. I know this is a challenging point.
9. Worldbuilding: There is plenty of advice her mind about well building and the different approaches one can take. But for this video, I will take a different angle. Many fantasy writers for understandable reasons believe while building to be the most crucial aspect of the story, it's not under the third great world-building withdrawal rate is in. It won't give them a reason to stay. In the next video, you'll learn how the supplies, particularly to magics them S3, time for it. My advice for world-building is to strive for consistency. Especially when you develop fictional lands, countries, items, histories, languages and more. You won't the different well building elements to mesh together nicely. And this is only possible if there is some consistency. The matters, but it's not the only my thing. For some writers. Well building can be hurdle. Also. Consider the various things and characters in your story and make worldbuilding choices on what complements them best.
10. Magic Systems: Let's talk about magic. Though. Not every fantasy story has a magic system. Most to this point, the light strongly toward building and the advice from their apply see, your magic system may not pay the mice important aspect of your story, but it's a great way to demonstrate your creativity. Also, some elaborate magic systems can tape and symbolism and characterization. When shaping a magic system, consider what mood you want your fantasy novel. If you are going for a whimsical fairy tale, what time? Then perhaps you magical system will be vague and open, too many possibilities. On the other hand, your magic system may have roles and principles. Keep in mind that magic systems take time to develop and may change between drugs.
11. Create A Worldbuilding Resource: It's important to stay organized, especially with your well building. As you create your own universe and magic systems, it's possible to become overwhelmed with the amount of memories and ideas you've come up with. This is why it's great to have a wealth building resource. This can take many forms. Who wiki page or Word document. I recommend using Notion or a note-taking app. These are great tools for writers who must stay organized while having a place to jot down ideas. Notion also has advanced phages, such as toggle, galleries, Kanban boards, and timelines, which can simplify the world-building process. The XIV and special software for world-building resources, which may interest you. But it's really important that you have a place where you can put all your documents and ideas down. If you like. You will build in resource doesn't have to be digital. You may want to purchase a journal and use the pages with drawings and goats. It's up to you.
12. Scope & Originality: A mistake many rough fancy rights make is believing that having a unique magic system automatically makes story as a whole original song. Many fantasy writers give attention. Elaborate magic systems, boss histories, and details for fictional places. Well, this can make your story stand out from others. It may not be enough. Make sure you give significant attention to characterisation, plot intention. As all stories require them. A mobile advanced point regarding originality and fantasy literature is saying, consider the driving force behind you wanting to write this particular story. If the thing matches to you, your story will say more personable, intense, and emotional. And mistake I see is focusing too much on originality and subverting the genre. When really a beginner writer should pay more attention to character, setting and plot. Don't get me wrong. Well, building matters. But it's not. The only thing. Is I lush, fantastical worlds of certainly invoke. You may benefit from a smaller and more intimate approach. If you want to write an epic fantasy with different countries, languages and characters, like Georgia or Matson says Song of Ice and Fire. So then that's okay. But understand that George RR Martin hat to develop his storytelling skills over time by whacking on smallest stories. The lodge of the scope of the story, the hotter it is to pull complex ideas off. If you haven't written a fantasy novel before, seriously, consider whether it is wise VH ride a large, expansive, epic fantasy. Chance. You are better off sounding small and building your way up.
13. Genre: Time to give away a sacred, the best YX a fantasy literature don't use often genres as sources for inspiration. For example, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Morel by Susannah clock is clearly inspired by historical fiction, but it also takes keys from children and select your jaw. Mystery and drama. There are fancy novelists who will say deal with crime, literary fiction, and environments. The options are endless. I strongly suggest you read widely, particularly outside fantasy. By doing this, you will stand out among other fantasy writers. And more importantly, you'll see fantasy literature from different perspectives. If you need recommendations, find out what books you fantasy writer likes. You may be a fan of Brandon Sanderson who has many connections with client right is a more advanced point, is to consider a science fiction and horror to other strands of speculative fiction. Although others may not share my opinion. Some of the most memorable fantasy novels have elements of science fiction and horror. A brilliant example is Philip Pullman's he stopped materials clearly inspired by LA, modern scientific writings. Another suggestion is to write nonfiction, whether it's political science, philosophy, memoirs, history, travel, or economics. A problem many fantasy writers have is that they have to detach from the railway held in that rating. And while that can be a positive, it can also weaken your writing and your folks. The best way to overcome this is to expose yourself to a variety of literary styles and genres. I also recommend studying plays, films, comics, and poetry. All four of these mediums have plenty to teach. Fancy rotis. If you need a starting point. Great Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The structure is brilliance and there are fantastical elements. This will help you develop an EFL Language, storytelling, plot, and characterization. Best of luck.
14. Visual Language: All the genres in fiction. Fantasy has huge drawing card because fancy depicts events, objects, and individuals with imagination. It's important that the writer uses visual language. This can then use in lush descriptions. There's a really good children's book called The little white holes. Like gardens, food, animals are described with such innovations detail. If you want a more well-known example, you can't go wrong with Tolkien's intricate descriptions of nature. Or JK Rowling's attention to hope what's causal visual language? Your opportunity to make your weld come to life and make your characters places, objects. Same, fat Maria, however, pretty parties is not for every fantasy writer. And don't think you need a fancy writing. For some writers, Sharp writing works better. This is particularly true for fairy tales and magical realism. A good trick is to use more powerful and impactful words. Instead of describing a character or sad, you may use a stronger word, such as miserable, place, little changes can make a big difference. And you will appreciate it.
15. Writing Your First Draft: We've now reached a stage where you want to consider your first draft. This process will differ as some practice like to plan in advance what others rights on a whim. Consider your preferences, but also have an open mind for change. If this is the first novel you for it, there's a strong chance you will not use arriving so much in such a short time period. So please don't be harsh on yourself. Also remember that first drops are never perfect. If something bugs here, you simply write a night. I suggest sticking to a schedule if you can. You may also want to start a diary, a pet you riding prices. And what you've discovered, just plays. Remember, there will be times when you hate your riding and times when you think you've written a masterpiece, this can cause some stress. And even if you are an ambitious person, plays understand that writing novels takes time and practice.
16. Class Project: For this class project, by going to create a made bold for you fantasy story. Simply create a collage of photos, illustrations, and quakes that inspired you to write this particular story. If least five shop or any other software, perhaps you'd like to troll, which is terrific as you can scan and then PI sit in the class projects section below. Be mindful of ecology use as this can communicate the tone of the fantasy novel. If you're a native inspiration or you'd like some examples. I press in mind and you are welcome to ask any questions on the Skillshare class. I hope you enjoy this task. And I can't wait to see what you've come up with.
17. Conclusion: Thank you very much for participating in my Skillshare class for writing a fantasy novel. I welcome any feedback, comments, or reviews. As I look forward to improving my teaching and helping creative writers. Writing a fantasy novel certainly has its challenges. And there is a lot to keep up with. I tried to pack as much advice in schools as possible. And it may seem overwhelming, but I have strong confidence in that you can get through it. It just may take some time and patients also, please don't worry. If you have to change things or if he first draft is kind of sloppy. I know mine was and I'm the only one. Best of luck again, and I hope to see you soon. Thank you and goodbye.
Madeleine Rose Jones, Creative Writing & Lifestyle
