(Courtesy of Pinterest)
Those of us who write
fantasy have probably already come to realize either through our own struggles
or through efforts to learn about fantasy writing, that it is a complex stage
in which to place our stories. From the first conjured idea of a fantasy story
to the final page care must be taken to make the story believable.
What are the things that
keep our real world from falling into chaos and confusion? Consequences. If
there were no consequences we would have no need for rules of orderly conduct—or
maybe we’d all be dead because no one would go to jail for murder, right? To
make a world real, a writer has to establish a society with rules of conduct in
order to exist in that society. To give the story purpose, there have to be
opposing societies made up of those who believe the rules are too harsh or
interfere with their happiness. Naturally, there are those who wish to change
society to suit their own diabolical desires.
Heroes and heroines may have
powers that don’t exist in our real world, but they must have some limitations
to their power or a consequence in using that power that makes them selective
in how they use their gift.
And what about villains who
may not care about consequences in using power? Well, they too must have
limitations, a certain weakness or flaw that will make them vulnerable. It’s up
to the champions of the tale to find those vulnerabilities and have the courage
to use them—usually for the good of all beings.
(Pinterest)
Going on a quest to rid the
world of something evil cannot be made easy. Like villains, the more difficult
a quest is, the more magnificent its accomplishment. No matter how invincible
an evil being might be, all magic has limitations of some kind. The hero’s
heart understands this and will persevere until he (or she) finds the flaw, the
chink in the villain’s armor, the thing that will end the villain’s existence
or keep them from accomplishing their evil intent. The writer will then have to
give the character the means to locate the villain and neutralize their power.
And that, in a microchip is
how to write a fantasy. Makes me want to break out in song. Oh what fun it is to write a fantasy story.
My Fantasy Trilogy Legends
of Winatuke is a 3 novel set (for only 99cents in digital) about the modern day
family of McKnight who travel to the world of Winatuke, a place in another dimension
where time has stopped in a somewhat Medieval era to fight against the evils of
the Dark Isle. Winatuke is populated by humans, some of whom are Gypsies who
travel from one realm to another, and the winged Nimway of Valmora who lead the
fight against the abominations that inhabit the Dark Isle and Lake of Sorrows
that surrounds the Isle. The Nimway have special abilities (limited, of course)
and magic is real, both white and black. Winatuke is a dangerous place to be.
LEGENDS OF WINATUKE
a trilogy of
paranormal/fantasy novels
DARK ISLE, Book 1
The legend begins when love
and evil collide.
LAKE OF SORROWS, Book
2
The legend continues with a
curse, a quest and undying love.
THE LIGHT OF VALMORA, Book 3
A quest for an enchanted
light...a Gypsy’s love...and a warrior’s sacrifice to save Valmora
Pennytook, the Gypsy who
assists the champions in their quests against evil gets his own story titled PENNYTOOK in the fall anthology, MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND MIDNIGHT KISSES.
Myths are supposed to be
false…but some are terrifying and true.
Blurb:
Pennytook is a war weary
Gypsy who longs for peace from the past and wants something meaningful in his
life.
Esmeralda, a Gypsy trick
rider, has harbored a deep affection for the chieftain, Pennytook, for many
years. But her dark secret will never allow him into her life.
A mythological creature is
about to unleash its horror and change the destinies of Esmeralda and
Pennytook.
Buy
Links: Smashwords Amazon
Sarah
J. McNeal is a multi-published author of several genres
including time travel, paranormal, western and historical fiction. She is a
retired ER and Critical Care nurse who lives in North Carolina with her
four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides
her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several
instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and
short stories may be found at Prairie Rose Publications and its imprints Painted
Pony Books, and Fire Star Press. Some of her fantasy and paranormal books may
also be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery and Victory Tales
Press. She welcomes you to her website and social media:
Very true, otherwise it could be a dystopian mess.
ReplyDeleteDenise
No, I definitely wouldn't want everything to be bad in my imagined world. The good guys have to have their day. And the dark things have to have their limitations just like those good guys. But, of course, darkness and evil cannot be totally eliminated or that would leave no challenges for the future--even in an imaginary world.
DeleteThank you so much for your comment, Denise.
It's tough writing an old fashioned medieval world magic and monsters story and have the world make sense, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing I'm a plotter because it takes a great deal of thought and planning to get it right. It may not be easy, but it's really interesting to fit it all together.
DeleteThank you for commenting, Gerald. I appreciate it.
Sarah, you have given me new insight into what it takes to write a fantasy. This is a genre I seldom read and have never attempted to write. My feet are planted too firmly on the ground to soar on wings of fantasy but I admire anyone who has the imagination to do this and do it well, as you obviously do.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you have given me new insight into what it takes to write a fantasy. This is a genre I seldom read and have never attempted to write. My feet are planted too firmly on the ground to soar on wings of fantasy but I admire anyone who has the imagination to do this and do it well, as you obviously do.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time at the beginning of my writing career when I did not write romances and I focused on science fiction and fantasy. Then a creative writing instructor told me to include romance in my stories because she felt that's what the stories needed in order to sell. She was right. I began writing fantasy romance. So, Linda, even though I mostly write western romances now, every once in a while, I have to write a little somethin'-somethin' from my love of fantasy. Ya just need a break now and again to venture into the unknown.
DeleteThank you for your kind words and for coming by to comment, Linda. I really appreciate it.