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Joana Fling
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So you want to write a fantasy novel?
May 20, 2014
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Lisa Shearin Group National Bestselling Author – So you want to write a fantasy novel, or in the
case of many first-time authors—the vaunted “fantasy trilogy.”
That’s how my Raine Benares series started out—a trilogy. It grew, as many fantasy series have a
tendency to do. I’m going on six books now, but that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to talk about
fantasy and the gazillion permutations and sub-genres thereof.
If you walked up to someone on the street and asked them what fantasy fiction was, you’d probably
get the following in some shape or form. Fantasy is when elves, dwarves, humans, and assorted
allies are on a quest to find the long-lost magical thingie or elusive sacred whatsit, which the bad
guys (evil wizard, mad king, and their menacing minions) will kill, enslave, or obliterate you to
keep for themselves.
Yeah, that’s fantasy, but that’s far from all there is. Subgenres include epic fantasy, urban,
contemporary, sword & sorcery, dark, historical, alternate history, steampunk, Arthurian, comic,
mythic, fairy tales, science, mystery, paranormal, erotic, romantic, and recently I’ve even heard
mention of zombie romantic fantasy. (Yeah, I don’t want to go there either.)
Since it’d probably take half the magazine to write about them all, let’s stick with six of the top
sub-genres, which as a beginning fantasy novelist, probably include at least one of the pools you’ll
be dipping your toes into for your first foray in the worlds of fantasy.
High Fantasy—Also called Epic Fantasy, this subgenre is what the general population thinks of as
fantasy. At its core is the battle of good versus evil, the stakes are high, with races,
civilization, or even the entire world at risk. High Fantasy usually takes place in a quasi-Medieval
or Renaissance world. Quests and magic are an integral part of the plot. The classic example of
this is Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Urban Fantasy—The story takes place in our world in the present or near-future. The setting is
usually in a city (hence the name “urban”). Magic and magical/supernatural creatures either exist
openly in our world, or covertly with only a select few (the protagonist and their allies) aware of
their existence. Just a few of the more popular creatures inhabiting the urban fantasy world are
monsters, fairies, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, angels and demons. Two of my favorite urban
fantasy series are The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, and The Cal Leandros Novels by Rob Thurman.
My favorite quote about the difference between High and Urban Fantasy comes from Scottish fantasy
novelist, Alan Campbell: “If high fantasy asked you to embark upon a quest to find a magic stone,
then urban fantasy would be waiting in the shadows, ready to mug you when you got back.”
Priceless.
Contemporary Fantasy—This sub-genre, like Urban Fantasy, takes place in a modern setting, contains
magical or supernatural creatures, which either live in our world or crossover from another realm.
Also, the creatures and magic tend to remain secret to the vast majority of the population. Great
examples of this sub-genre are Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
Sword & Sorcery—This is considered by many to be the “granddaddy of fantasy.” Think Conan the
Barbarian. In Sword & Sorcery, the quest is the thing, with a small band of adventurers getting
in dicey and dangerous situations fighting their way to their goal with plenty of derring-do. Kind
of like Dungeons & Dragons in a book.
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woodsierra
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Re: So you want to write a fantasy novel?
Jan 7, 2017
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Great Posting! I used to want to be a write but I wasn't able to do that 
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priyasengp45
Joined: Mar 7, 2018
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Re: So you want to write a fantasy novel?
Mar 9, 2018
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