The words "realistic" and "fantasy" really don't seem to fit in the same sentence. Often as writers we are tempted to think that whatever goes when it comes to fantasy, because it isn't dealing with the real world... right?
But we are writers, and we want what we say to deal with the real world to a certain extent. Maybe we paint a vivid world where gravity is reversed, but the characters living in that world still have to deal with poverty or threats against their way of life. Those are realistic problems, problems we deal with in our world here and now. Thus fantasy, while dressed in fantastical and mythical clothes, speaks to some very real and very serious issues in our world.
Here are a few ways you can make your fantasy more realistic:
1. Create believable/relatable characters.
We all encounter those protagonists who are too perfectly the victim. Or the ones who are the perfect moral standard for the rest of the characters. Or the card-board cutouts who reflect the story back to the reader without actually engaging with their circumstances in a believable way.
How about that bad guy who is just too cliche for words? Who laughs maniacally and destroys things without you ever actually understanding why? The one who is just there to propel the storyline so that those two perfect protagonists are thrown together in a way that will inevitably end with the antagonist's demise and their blossoming love for one another?
I am sure we have all encountered these types of characters. Yes, fantasy is a way for us to create our own worlds the way we want them. But wouldn't it be so much more powerful if, in this world, the characters had to struggle with messy relationships? With knowing when to do the right thing? With failure and discouragement?
Fantasy is just like any other genre in that it is the vehicle authors use to communicate truths to their readers. How powerfully and relevant it is communicated is up to the author. The first step to effective communication is creating characters that are relatable and real, even in a world with dragons and elves.
2. Build an enticing storyline.
Some storylines just don't work. Either there isn't enough detail or there is too much. Either little to no description is given of the world and its history, or the writer spends whole chapters going into all the minutest details. Finding balance is key when you want to draw people into your story. Don't over-explain but don't leave gaping holes in your plot. Things can't just randomly burn down; evil people can't be chasing your main character for no reason. (Trust me, I've read stories where this has happened.)
Make sure you take the time to set up each situation so that when the time comes for the twist in the plot, the reader is not left scratching their heads wondering how the villain made it to the cliff so quickly.
3. Don't be afraid to write yourself into the story (but not with every character).
We all have that character who is really just ourselves inserted into our own storyline. If we're really good (and I really don't think I am yet), we'll keep our presence subtle and use those characters to reveal more of our own struggles. We'll be able to share those lessons we've learned throughout our lives, even in a fantastical setting.
This being said, we should not make every character encountered simply a different facet of our own personality. I struggle with this myself in my work. The voice never really changes from character to character, and I think it should. I think we should all be observing other people, learning how they think and act and speak, and incorporating what we have learned from them and from their actions into the characters we create. This means spending a lot of time and energy studying and learning from others, but it pays off in the end.
4. Write what you know... but not really.
We are told this constantly as writers: "write what you know." But in fantasy this really can't apply to everything. After all, who of us has ever encountered a dragon? Or battled against goblins? Or crossed mountain ranges on an epic quest to save the universe?
Maybe you have crossed mountain ranges (my hat is off to you, then, that is really amazing), but saving the universe is a little out of your league. Fantasy means "fantastical"; it is something other than our own world. You have to write about things you can never experience in real life.
We all have dealt with disappointment, though. We have all been challenged in some way. We have all been alone, discouraged, beaten down. Some of us, targeted for what we believe or how we dress or how we talk. We all know what it is like to fight Evil in our lives, our hearts, and our world. These very real struggles can be "what we know" when we write fantasy. Sure, you've never had to overthrow an evil overlord. But you've had to overthrow evil desires in your heart. You've had to conquer that extremely difficult situation at work. You've had to be the diplomat to your friends and/or family. All of these experiences can be applied to a fantastical universe.
Instead of a difficult coworker, you have a grouchy wizard who, instead of preying on your self-esteem (like your coworker does), keeps turning you into and out of a toad whenever he feels like it.
Instead of acting as diplomat with your family, suddenly you have two kings who can't get along and need help before they destroy each other in a war. (And don't some of those inter-friend or inter-family disagreements feel like an all-out war sometimes? But I digress.)
My point is: Your story is your world. You can communicate the trials and triumphs you have experienced. You can write what you know disguised in fantastical language.
These are a few things I have found to be very helpful in creating my own fantasy world. Of course, I am learning and growing on this writing journey, just like everyone else. What are some helpful tips that you have found when writing your own fantasy works? Please share, I would love to read them!
But we are writers, and we want what we say to deal with the real world to a certain extent. Maybe we paint a vivid world where gravity is reversed, but the characters living in that world still have to deal with poverty or threats against their way of life. Those are realistic problems, problems we deal with in our world here and now. Thus fantasy, while dressed in fantastical and mythical clothes, speaks to some very real and very serious issues in our world.
Here are a few ways you can make your fantasy more realistic:
1. Create believable/relatable characters.
We all encounter those protagonists who are too perfectly the victim. Or the ones who are the perfect moral standard for the rest of the characters. Or the card-board cutouts who reflect the story back to the reader without actually engaging with their circumstances in a believable way.
How about that bad guy who is just too cliche for words? Who laughs maniacally and destroys things without you ever actually understanding why? The one who is just there to propel the storyline so that those two perfect protagonists are thrown together in a way that will inevitably end with the antagonist's demise and their blossoming love for one another?
I am sure we have all encountered these types of characters. Yes, fantasy is a way for us to create our own worlds the way we want them. But wouldn't it be so much more powerful if, in this world, the characters had to struggle with messy relationships? With knowing when to do the right thing? With failure and discouragement?
Fantasy is just like any other genre in that it is the vehicle authors use to communicate truths to their readers. How powerfully and relevant it is communicated is up to the author. The first step to effective communication is creating characters that are relatable and real, even in a world with dragons and elves.
2. Build an enticing storyline.
Some storylines just don't work. Either there isn't enough detail or there is too much. Either little to no description is given of the world and its history, or the writer spends whole chapters going into all the minutest details. Finding balance is key when you want to draw people into your story. Don't over-explain but don't leave gaping holes in your plot. Things can't just randomly burn down; evil people can't be chasing your main character for no reason. (Trust me, I've read stories where this has happened.)
Make sure you take the time to set up each situation so that when the time comes for the twist in the plot, the reader is not left scratching their heads wondering how the villain made it to the cliff so quickly.
3. Don't be afraid to write yourself into the story (but not with every character).
We all have that character who is really just ourselves inserted into our own storyline. If we're really good (and I really don't think I am yet), we'll keep our presence subtle and use those characters to reveal more of our own struggles. We'll be able to share those lessons we've learned throughout our lives, even in a fantastical setting.
This being said, we should not make every character encountered simply a different facet of our own personality. I struggle with this myself in my work. The voice never really changes from character to character, and I think it should. I think we should all be observing other people, learning how they think and act and speak, and incorporating what we have learned from them and from their actions into the characters we create. This means spending a lot of time and energy studying and learning from others, but it pays off in the end.
4. Write what you know... but not really.
We are told this constantly as writers: "write what you know." But in fantasy this really can't apply to everything. After all, who of us has ever encountered a dragon? Or battled against goblins? Or crossed mountain ranges on an epic quest to save the universe?
Maybe you have crossed mountain ranges (my hat is off to you, then, that is really amazing), but saving the universe is a little out of your league. Fantasy means "fantastical"; it is something other than our own world. You have to write about things you can never experience in real life.
We all have dealt with disappointment, though. We have all been challenged in some way. We have all been alone, discouraged, beaten down. Some of us, targeted for what we believe or how we dress or how we talk. We all know what it is like to fight Evil in our lives, our hearts, and our world. These very real struggles can be "what we know" when we write fantasy. Sure, you've never had to overthrow an evil overlord. But you've had to overthrow evil desires in your heart. You've had to conquer that extremely difficult situation at work. You've had to be the diplomat to your friends and/or family. All of these experiences can be applied to a fantastical universe.
Instead of a difficult coworker, you have a grouchy wizard who, instead of preying on your self-esteem (like your coworker does), keeps turning you into and out of a toad whenever he feels like it.
Instead of acting as diplomat with your family, suddenly you have two kings who can't get along and need help before they destroy each other in a war. (And don't some of those inter-friend or inter-family disagreements feel like an all-out war sometimes? But I digress.)My point is: Your story is your world. You can communicate the trials and triumphs you have experienced. You can write what you know disguised in fantastical language.
These are a few things I have found to be very helpful in creating my own fantasy world. Of course, I am learning and growing on this writing journey, just like everyone else. What are some helpful tips that you have found when writing your own fantasy works? Please share, I would love to read them!
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