#fantasy tips

Have you ever started writing a story and realized your world has a bunch of unexplained shit and you have to fill in the gaps as you go? Me too, buddy. Me too. Here’s a checklist so that you can fully flesh out your world to the max. (I’m dying)

How does Time work? (Minutes, hours, days, the daylight cycle, years, ect.)

Species (if Fantasy. Will probably make another post on this.)

Countries, Nations, Tribes, ect. (nationalities/ races. Will probably make another post on this.)

The geography of the world (draw a map. Doesnt have to be good. Just for a general idea.)

Rivalries between races (includes prejudice, racism, ect.)

Religions

Technology

The Magic system. (Will probably make a whole other post on this.)

animals, plants, ect.

The sky: Sun, Moon(s), Stars, Constellation, Are there rings? (If the planet has rings)

Educations system

Government system

Politics

Methods of transport (Vehicles)

Medicine

masterlist. main navigation.

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1. Subgenre

One of the first things you need to establish in your story is the subgenre of the high fantasy story you'll be writing. But Azura, high fantasy is already a subgenre?? Yes, it is, but what type of high fantasy?

Different types of high fantasy will require different types of worldbuilding. For instance, dark fantasy needs horror elements and an eerie setting, while steampunk fantasy will have complex machinaries instead.

Here are some examples of high fantasy subgenres :

• Epic fantasy

• Steampunk fantasy

• Dark fantasy

• Medieval fantasy

• Heroic fantasy

• etc!

2. Magic system

Most high fantasy stories will have a magic system, so if you're planning to include one, you'll need to do loads of planning.

Who can or cannot use magic, and why is that? Is it inherited, learned, or both? Are there any taboos in using magic? Are magic users praised or feared? What's the limit of using magic? Are there any incantations or magical tools involved? There are countless questions to tackle while coming up with a magic system, so make sure you plot it in detail.

3. Culture

Where there's people, there's culture. Although it won't be too frequently mentioned, having certain cultures in your world will make your worldbuilding more realistic.

Are there religions? Do people worship God(s)? When are the holidays? Are there any unique traditions? What gestures are considered impolite? It's little things like these that bring your story to life.

4. Type of government

Naturally, your world will have a government system. Decide what yours will be. Republic? Monarchy? Democracy? Theocracy?

Your government should also reflect your time and location setting - maybe using an emperor or empress to reflect a more medieval timeline, and using a president for a more modern setting. If your world is going through a war, you can use a system governed by the military. I have a post about writing a fictional government, you can refer to it for more info!

5. Language

What language do the people in your WIP speak? Is it fictional or not? If your setting is in a single region, they'll probably have the same language, but if it's set in different parts of the world, it's only natural to have more than one language.

Different languages can also be used to indicate diversity. If you're wondering how to incorporate multiple languages in a single language book, try reading Six of Crows as a reference - it shows the contrast of people speaking in different languages perfectly, even though the book is only in English.

6. History

Having a history of your world will help you understand it better. Has there been any previous wars between nations or disputes between the government and civilians? Or has the land always been peaceful, for some reason?

Hi! Don’t worry it’s not too much at all also that’s a really interesting question!

here’s some tips / ideas:

they’re fireproof not sun proof! The main scary thing about vitiligo is that you have no protection from UV light so there would still be a need for things like sunscreen! You could have your character mention that they still need to wear it or have another character question why they’re putting sunscreen on even if they’re fireproof.

you could have your character always take note of where shaded areas are and actively choose to stay under there rather then in direct sunlight. A parasol or something similar might work too!

Maybe have them take note of what the weather/ environment is and how long they’re going to be out before they go somewhere.

Not sure how different your fantasy world is from our world so feel free to get creative! Maybe instead of sunscreen they have potions/lotions and instead of parasols they have something else or hell, make the parasol a fantasy element! Maybe they have clothes specifically designed to repel the suns light!

i'm finally gonna try and write my modern fantasy novel that's been floating around but there's one thing i need advice on..

When writing/drawing mermaids. Merdudes. Merfolk. Just. God, the gills.

I mean. I understand why people would put the gill on the neck, like, fish have gills behind their head, sharks have them a bit lower, but. The human body, or at least a anthropomorphic body, cannot have gills on the neck. Now I know it’s not supposed to be real, because it doesn’t exist, and you made it up, and that’s valid. Yeah. It is. But science. Logic. The necessary space for a body to function. Gills aren’t just holes in the skin where water magically change in oxygen, they’re organs. Like. Space-taking organs.

Like that. Yeah. And you notice here that the gills are quite big for the fish’s general size. So imagine for a human being. Anthropomorphic being. Whatever. We breathe a lot more than fish. Our lungs are big like, two or three of this one fish. And I’m talking about three fish each lung. Yeah.

Here’s the human respiratory system:

The diaphragm separates the lungs from the digestive system, but there’s a large space under the lungs, right? And it perfectly follows the curve of the ribcage, right? When the lungs expand, they press on the diaphragm, but the flat area stays, right?

Now, the throat:

Where’s the space? There’s the trachea, the oesophagus, the fRicKiNg spine???? Where are you putting the gills? Where do those blades-like organs go? How many are you supposed to put in there? How does you character eat? Drink? bReAthE AcTuaL aIR????? I’m having doubts here.

In conclusion: the underside of the lungs. One on each side. Smooth transition from air to water, the gills close when your character is out of water and open when their airways get immersed. When they come out, the water flow down out of the body by the gills (soaked clothes possibilties, hello???). The lungs expel the air by the classic breathing water and breathing out air method if the character doesn’t think about emptying their lungs before entering water (or falls in it, duh), plus it can create subplot for, I don’t know? Different properties of gills for saltwater-breathing merfolk, mildwater or freshwater-breathing merfolk? That could be nice?

Another potential place to put the gills, of course, could be an enhanced back of the jaw, under the ear, but it does look weird and might not follow the aesthetic you’re looking for. By making your character look funny. Yeah.

Like, instead of having a prophecy that specifically say that things will happen because fate says so, what about the characters noticing a series of strange coincidences that lead them so far to that point of the story, and wandering if there's something behind it all.

Or, instead of having a immortal character with supernatural powers, what about a elderly character who tells the most crazy stories about his youth, like that they're centuries old and have mystical powers, and everyone thinks they are senile, but after strange happenings that one can explain their stories start making sense.

(and get along well with all your little neighbours)

1. If you find a spider in your house, don’t kill it. They will remember, trust me on that one.

2. If you find your book laying in a different place than you’ve put it, don’t freak out about it and, if you have the possibility, leave it there. It might take up to a day, so just let them finish reading.

3. When entering a library on a rainy or snowy day, make sure to wipe off your shoes, you never know who’s helping the librarian. Probably nothing special would happen if you didn’t, but it’s just impolite.

4. If you spot someone who you think have scales or fangs, don’t stare, that’s rude.

5. Always be kind to stray dogs. Always.

6. If you’re having an argument with someone and they start to produce steam, just keep in mind that it might be time to leave.

7. If a bunch of pidgeons seem to be following you around, don’t pay attention to them and don’t show that you noticed. They’ll give up eventualy.

8. If you find random money in your pockets, don’t be weird about it. You can leave a cup of tea in the kitchen over night, they’ll feel appreciated. You can totally drink it later, in the morning, too.

9. If a stranger smiled at you, smile back. It will pay off later.