Blog Archives

THE JOYS OF WRITING FANTASY

3/10/2015

You can invent whole new worlds or use recognized fantasy backgrounds (e.g. a fairytale background usually does not need explaining).
You can invent whole new monsters or use recognized ones (ogres, wicked witches and so on).
Talking animals/creatures is not a "sin" in fantasy. I like well written anthromorphism (hate "cutesy" - as in all character portrayal, the dialogue you give your characters must "suit" and nobody speaks "cutesy". I always loved Animal Magic when I was a kid and never felt Johnny Morris's "words" that he gave creatures to "speak" on this show were out of place or not right for that creature).
You have to limit magic (if not, you have no story because everyone can do magic and they cancel each other out. Restrictions include some people can't do magic or only use basic spells while others are more powerful. There has to be a clash element and resentment at others being able to do more magic is a good one to use. Magic also has to have a price for its use. If the more powerful can just dominate because of their skills here, again there is no story but if everyone has to be careful in how they use magic because it drains them, again you have clashes and tension points here, all good for your tale).

1/10/2015

Inventing characters that are your own.
Producing work that you yourself enjoy.
Knowing that being creative in any way is good for your health, especially mental health.
Completing a short story, novel or script or poem is in itself an achievement and gives you something to work with. You need that starting point.
When a few extra minutes crop up and you get to scribble down ideas. Both the time and the ideas prove useful!

And as for some of the frustrations...

Reading published work you honestly believe isn't any good but you know there's a celebrity connection.
People misunderstanding what you are trying to achieve or who put your writing down.
Feeling as if you'll never get to the end of a short story, novel, script or poem.
Not getting those extra minutes to write ideas down. Or if the time flies by and you feel you've hardly achieved anything.