How to Write a Fantasy Novel {Part One}
There are many fantasy
novels and writers outside; published and unpublished. For those who aren't
published yet and are planning to write a fantasy; here are some thinks to
watch out with.
1) Original
characters.
They can make or break your
story; the characters in your novel. If they aren't interesting; then no one
will read your novel. Your characters are a part of the process of making your
novel original.
When you think of fantasy;
many people immediately think of strange-colored hair and strange beings.
Considering the first one; you'll have to be careful with it. Don't give a
person a weird hair color just because you say it's "cool". Same goes
for birthmarks and scars. There has to be a reason why a person has this and
not just because it's "cool".
An original character will
do much better than a character with a strange appearance. Avoid the cliché
characters as well: the tortured hero; the wicked advisor and the gruf dwarf.
We've seen them; we've read them. Do not kill all the hero's family off
immediately.
You heard it before; but to
make a character original: give them flaws. Though this
doesn't mean you should give them a "tendency to push people away";
that has been done as much as other things. Unless you can put a twist to it;
don't do it.
Some good flaws include: stubbornness;
jealousy; apathy or a temper. Try and see what happens!
And of course; don't forget
your most powerful source of originality: the villain. The villains who are
evil "just because" don't belong to a novel. Try giving them good
points; loyalties and stuff. A reader will like it much more if they understand
the villain's motives. I’ll dig deeper into the villain later.
Watch out for part
two: original plots!
*is being evil*
ReplyDelete...
*and quiet*
Great post, Elfish Mishy!