Thread: Writing Fantasy

Here's my issue,every time I write I get a little side tracked and want to write a horror story.Also when it comes to fantasy what type of things should I avoid? What are things you'd all like to see?(races,magic)
I look at Dungeons and Dragons or the game Oblivion and they inspire me to write...but when writing I wouldn't want to copy someone else work.
Right now i am working on a conjurer but not sure what type of personality to give him
any advice is appreciated
I know this is a little scattered sorry

War, sorry to tell you, but these aren't the kinds of questions people can answer for you. It's like asking, "what sort of woman should I marry?"

To put it a little harsher, if you can't get a glimmer on this, like the personality of your main character, then what makes you think you can write a story?

Google "Limyaael's Fantasy Rants" and get back to us.

Wohooo, that's a little harsh. haha.Will he come back?

If he comes back it should be to thank you. I've had little interest in reading and no desire to write fantasy, but Limyaael's Fantasy Rants make me want to give it a try.

There are many great ideas there. I'm sure they are old hat to you fellows who write fiction, but to me, a non-fiction writer, they are a revelation, and not just for fantasy, but for any kind of fiction.

Originally Posted by darknite_johanne

Wohooo, that's a little harsh. haha.Will he come back?

Harsh? The person wanted advice on writing fantasy. At least, that's the most answerable question they asked. They're certainly not going to get a useful answer here.

Well, they certainly could if they asked a useful question. Such is life... if you can formulate the question you can get an answer.
So maybe he's a one-post wonder and goes elsewhere, where people tell him what his character should be like.
Or maybe he thinks it over and starts working on something and puts a story up.

Pretty much what I meant, Lin.

Originally Posted by lin

So maybe he's a one-post wonder and goes elsewhere,

That's kinda annoying.

Negativity much. That's no way to greet a new poster, get off your high-horses guys. His question is earnest and he's obviously just beginning.

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

Harsh? The person wanted advice on writing fantasy. At least, that's the most answerable question they asked. They're certainly not going to get a useful answer here.

Funny, because I thought this was a Writing Forum, as in a place where people come to ask writing questions.

OP I recommend you throw your material up whenever you have it ready and people will be glad to help.

Originally Posted by caelum

Negativity much. That's no way to greet a new poster, get off your high-horses guys. His question is earnest and he's obviously just beginning.


Funny, because I thought this was a Writing Forum, as in a place where people come to ask writing questions.

OP I recommend you throw your material up whenever you have it ready and people will be glad to help.

That's what I was saying. lol!

Originally Posted by caelum

Negativity much. That's no way to greet a new poster, get off your high-horses guys. His question is earnest and he's obviously just beginning.


Funny, because I thought this was a Writing Forum, as in a place where people come to ask writing questions.

OP I recommend you throw your material up whenever you have it ready and people will be glad to help.

OK caelum. Next time someone comes in and asks someone to spend the next four years of your life educating them about a genre with thousands of books in it, we'll appoint you to the task!


There's nothing particularly wrong with using Oblivion or D&D as inspiration, but it's good to know the pitfalls. There's no better resource for that than Limyaael's Fantasy Rants, so I see no reason why they ought to be duplicated here. Maybe I should have given a link, but the site will be the first thing that comes up on google with those search terms.

I don't take a position as extreme as Lin's, but it's good to know what to ask if you want an answer.

An opinion here... Not necessarily an answer to anyone. But...

This was what would appear to be a case of one of bazillions of gamers who have an itch to write about 'stuff my character would do'. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it also doesn't necessarily mean one has the capacity to actually write a story. Being both a writer, and a gamer, and a writer for games, I've seen it over and over again.

So... If WoW ever gets back online here in hopes of finding an answer, I'd suggest taking a creative writing class at your local community college. At least you'll get in some practice, and perhaps learn if you actually are capable of and enjoy creative writing of that sort. If you can and do, then start writing and hone your skills. If you can't or don't, then you can go back to the gaming table or computer and make your stories that way.

Fair enough?

Originally Posted by Wolfson

This was what would appear to be a case of one of bazillions of gamers who have an itch to write about 'stuff my character would do'. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it also doesn't necessarily mean one has the capacity to actually write a story. Being both a writer, and a gamer, and a writer for games, I've seen it over and over again.

I'm sure they'll recognize that once they actually write a story and have it critiqued.

Ugh. I had an acquaintance who handed me a manuscipt that contained a meandering account of the expoits of one of his favorite characters (halfling, of course) and his traveling companions. In and of itself, it was tedious - but it was filled with such gems as:

(In a description of the adventuring party) "... and an elf with a pension [sic] for not wearing clothes named Teann."

or

(In a description of a town meeting lead by a gavel-wielding magistrate) "... he hammered the room into silence."

Okay... The damn thing hurt to read.