Thread: Writing Fantasy

I was just looking for a variety of tips and advice when it comes to writing this genre.As in what kind of group of characters,things to avoid, and anything people would like to see.
any advice is appreciated.
On a side note,every time I do start writing fantasy I automatically want to write horror or vice versa.(it usually happens if I watch a movie or play a video game)

There is no perfect formula of what works with fantasy (or any other genre of fiction).

Be creative and try to avoid rewriting what others have done. Yes there are common themes (good vs. evil, the heroic quest, things like that) but make it fresh. New places and characters and cultures.

Read for ideas and inspiration (not only fantasy, but other genres and nonfiction).

I knows I didn't give you anything specific because there is so much out there that you can do.

Good luck moving forward.

Terry

Hi Boromir,

Expanding on TWErvin2's comment, You may want to check this author's books out:
Taylor Anderson, Destroyermen series
This series (4 books so far with the 5th coming out next February) are Sci-fi novels (i think).

The story takes place during WWII, has great characters and a second dimension.
They are really good, well, I like them, but may provide you with some ideas for Fantasy.

Limyaael's Fantasy Rants

thanks for all the advice so far

I love fantasy. With fantasy your not restricted with anything. The sky is the limit. But bare in mind there are tons of fantasy novels out there. So try for a fresh take on things.

I would suggest taking a look at the Dungeon and Dragons novels for ideas and inspiration.

The game books are great too like, the manual of the planes would be a great thing to look at for geography, the monster books, the demonicon, the draconicon, etc..

I think fantasy is my favourite genre because it is limitless. I am always looking for new ways to enter a fantasy world, a new way to write one. I think fantasy is about pushing the limits of your imagination. However I think there still needs to be normality within fantasy. There needs to be something that connects it to our world, something human. Audiences want to be taken to another world, but they need something normal to ground them so that they find it believable. If you see what I mean?

The best advice that I can give you on fantasy writing is this: fantasy, as a genre, reaches far beyond quests and kings and magic swords and dragons and chosen ones. It does not have to involve a secondary work with made-up names and barely disguised mythological figures. Fantasy can be as cutting as a razor or as vast as the sea. It can tell the stories of the lonely and the dispossessed, the sad and the mad. It can be about homeless people on the streets of New York or rich people in L.A. penthouses or colonists on a moon that happens to have air and grow delicious grapes. Tastes vary and people like what they like, but I know I'd prefer to read about the best wine ever made on the moon rather than Creos Of Lungenholm, Chosen wielder of the Darksword Drakenbane.

Bet editors would too.

Check out the work of Kelly link and Jeff Ford and Jeff Vandermeer and Jay Lake and Ben Rosenbaum if you haven't.