how to write fantasy

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Writing Fantasy Jodi McIsaac Calgary Public Library Writers’ Weekend 2014 www.jodimcisaac.com

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A series of slides on how to write fantasy, by author Jodi McIsaac (The Thin Veil series). Given at the Calgary Public Library Writers' Weekend on Feb. 1, 2014.

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Page 1: How to Write Fantasy

Writing Fantasy Jodi McIsaacCalgary Public Library Writers’ Weekend 2014www.jodimcisaac.com

Page 2: How to Write Fantasy
Page 3: How to Write Fantasy

What makes a book “fantasy”?

Page 4: How to Write Fantasy

Fantasy subgenres

Sword and Sorcery

Urban

Paranormal Romance

Contemporary

Historical

Fairytale

Alternate History

Comic

Superhero

Juvenile

Mythic

Dark Fantasy

Page 5: How to Write Fantasy

1. World-building

2. Characters

3. Magic systems

Page 6: How to Write Fantasy

1. World-building

• Religion• Politics• Gender roles• Military• Economics

• Role of

science• Role of

magic• Natural laws• History• Education

Page 7: How to Write Fantasy

1. World-building

• Borrow from existing mythologies/history

• Use a story bible or spreadsheet

• Don’t info-dump

Page 8: How to Write Fantasy

2. Characters

Give them weaknesses

Avoid stereotypes

Make them easily distinguishable from each other

Pronounceable names

Page 9: How to Write Fantasy

3. Magic systems

Hard magic (Kingkiller Chronicles, Superman)

Soft magic (LOTR, GoT)

Sanderson’s First Law of Magic: An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how

well the reader understands said magic.

Page 10: How to Write Fantasy

3. Magic Systems

“Magic comes with a price, dearie.”

Cost

Limitations

Page 11: How to Write Fantasy

3. Magic Systems

Questions to ask:

• How do people gain access to the magic?

• What can the magic do?

• What are the limitations of the magic?

• What are the costs for using magic?

• Can the magic be undone?

• What do you need to use the magic?

• How does magic make life worse for your characters?

Page 12: How to Write Fantasy

Questions?

[email protected]

www.jodimcisaac.com

Facebook.com/jodimcisaac

Twitter.com/jodimcisaac