Writers Write is your top writing resource. In this post, we discuss five things to consider before you write an epic fantasy.
One Goal To Rule Them All
An epic fantasy is always cool. I love books with multiple plot lines and lots of characters and maps and new worlds and languages. But these aren’t easy to write. When I have to teach someone who wants to write one of these the first thing I do is give them a hug. And then I give them a stern talking to. Because there are a few things you have to keep in mind.
Top Tip: Learn how to write fantasy. Buy The Fantasy Workbook
Five Things To Consider Before You Write An Epic Fantasy
1. Keep it simple:
- Lord of the Rings: They all want the Ring.
- Game of Thrones: They all want the Iron Throne.
- Harry Potter: They have to defeat Voldemort When you consider the scope of these stories the goal seems almost too simple, but that is where the strength lies.
2. How do you know if you have too many storylines?
3. World building is tricky…
4. The more, the merrier
5. Be kind to your reader
Creating worlds and languages means you have to rename almost everything. Sometimes we get a little carried away and mess around with vowels and create odd sounding names, and that is awesome. But keep in mind you will have to type this weird concoction of letters several times and your reader will have to read and hopefully be able to pronounce the names. Tolkien and Martin make us work hard with odd, similar sounding names. Be gentle with us, because…
Must-Read: The 4 Pillars Of Fantasy
Readers and their reading habits have changed
When I think of my favourite fantasy titles I have to think back, way back. That’s right, they are old. Like I read-them-in-high-school old. If you look at the pages the text tends to be dense, with little dialogue and lots of description. Although this is a characteristic of this genre (and older books in general) I’d warn you to keep in mind that younger readers have different reading habits.
Today we want more white space. Shorter paragraphs, more dialogue, and lots of action, aka, show, don’t tell. There are many reasons for this, but primarily we have less time to read, we are used to shorter, more condensed writing. Yes, blame the internet.
Writing an epic fantasy is awesome. Have fun and build a beautiful world. Happy writing.
Top Tip: Learn how to write fantasy. Buy The Fantasy Workbook
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Top Tip: Learn how to write fantasy. Buy The Fantasy Workbook
3 thoughts on “5 Things To Consider Before You Write An Epic Fantasy”
This article was good up to the last two sentences of #5 and the last section “Readers and their reading habits have changed” I am an Epic Fantasy writer and I have polled readers and writers in this category in areas where there are large numbers of both. The readers range in age from YA to elderly and typically more in the elderly – the older generation who when young cut their teeth on epic fantasy. None prefer the added white space, the loss of descriptions, or the loss of creative words as you suggest. That’s what makes an Epic Fantasy – Epic. Younger readers hooked on the Internet perhaps could benefit from weaning off the internet and get hooked on old fashioned reading. Meanwhile, there is a healthy market for the same old fashioned Epic Fantasy and those of us who write them will continue to do so despite your recommendations.
When it comes to making a plot too complicated, I am a big offender, but getting better! This helps…number one in particular. Thank you!
Useful and concise advises.
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