Fantasy Writing

Gallandor: The High Kingdom of Eldoria

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Every world has its crown — the place where history, destiny, and power converge. In Eldoria, that place is Gallandor. Known as the First Kingdom, Gallandor was born out of victory in the First Sundering, and for a thousand years it has stood as the guardian of prophecy, the jewel of Arathia, and the seat of the High King and Queen.

It is more than a kingdom. It is the beating heart of Eldoria.

The Land of Arathia

Gallandor lies in Arathia, the fertile heartland of Eldoria. Its rolling plains are rich with crops, its rivers glimmer like silver threads, and its roads carry travelers from all corners of the realm. Yet at the center of this abundance rises something far greater — Ashrathal, called Emberhold in bardic songs.

This mountain was not born of nature alone. It rose from the scar of the First Sundering, a peak forged in ash and fire when Malakaroth, the Dread King, was defeated. To the lords of Gallandor, it is Ashrathal, the Throne of Ash. To the common folk, it is Emberhold, the Keeper of Embers. Both names are true. Both carry weight.

Upon its slopes and around its base, Gallandor was built — a kingdom of stone and memory. But beneath the mountain lies a darker truth.

The mountain itself is a tomb.

At its core rests the chained body of Malakaroth. Gallandor is both protector of the world and reminder of its greatest wound. To live in Gallandor is to live in the shadow of vigilance, knowing that peace is not guaranteed but guarded every day.

The City of Arathia

At the mountain’s foot sprawls Arathia City, Gallandor’s capital and the jewel of Eldoria. Its white-stone walls gleam in the sun, its spires rise toward the heavens, and its streets hum with knights, scholars, merchants, and pilgrims.

Notable Landmarks

  • Caer Thalion – Royal citadel of House Galanor, where the High King and Queen sit the throne. Its banners fly high above the city.
  • The Great Library of Eldoria – Vault of prophecy and history, where the Whispering Stones are kept under guard of the Keepers.
  • The Hall of the Dragon Riders – Monument to Gallandor’s proud order of dragon riders, now faded but never forgotten.
  • The Spindelum Vault – Hidden deep beneath the city, where the Spindelum of Time was once locked away.
  • The Whispering Stair – Tower where seers climb to glimpse visions. Its steps echo with voices not of this world.

Arathia City is not only the seat of kings. It is the memory of the First Sundering, the guardian of prophecy, and the heartbeat of Eldoria itself.

House Galanor: Blood of Kings

At the center of Gallandor’s story stands House Galanor, the ruling family whose line stretches back to the Age of Ashes.

  • King Alric Galanor – A wise and battle-hardened High King, patron of the Keepers and defender of prophecy.
  • Queen Elenara Galanor – Regal and compassionate; scarred forever when Morgathra, sister of the Dread King, attacked her during pregnancy.
  • The Brothers Three – Torin, Kael, and Eadric. Triplets born in a single breath of fate, scarred in the womb by Morgathra’s curse. Each bears a fragment of shadow, and each is bound to destiny.
  • Galen Galanor – Brother to Alric, a retired general and secret leader of the Keepers, sworn to guard the Spindelum of Time.

House Galanor is not just a royal bloodline. They are guardians of the world’s hope. The fate of Eldoria itself is tied to their scars.

The Burden of the Crown

Gallandor’s rulers carry more than crowns — they carry the weight of a tomb. Every monarch of House Galanor swears the same oath:

“As long as Gallandor stands, the tomb remains sealed.”

It is their glory, but also their curse. To be High King or Queen is to watch over the wound of the world, never free of the shadow it conceals.

The Culture of Gallandor

Gallandor’s people are proud and resilient, shaped by both plenty and vigilance.

  • Farmers tend the fertile fields of Arathia, their harvests feeding much of Eldoria.
  • Knights uphold ancient codes of chivalry, carrying lances and banners that trace their lineage to the First Sundering.
  • Scholars of the Great Library dedicate their lives to understanding prophecy and recording the lore of the past.
  • Common folk live with quiet pride, knowing their kingdom is the shield of Eldoria.

Gallandor is also haunted by memory. Every festival, every song, every monument whispers of the war that shaped the world. Its people live with hope, but also with scars.

Legacy of the Dragon Riders

Gallandor was once home to the legendary dragon riders, warriors who forged bonds with dragons and carried fire into battle against Malakaroth’s legions. Their order has all but vanished, but their spirit remains.

The Hall of the Riders is lined with statues. Songs still tell of Riven and the others who rode flame across the skies. Some believe their bond is not gone — that when the world needs them most, dragons and riders will rise again.

Gallandor in the Brothers Three

For the Brothers Three, Gallandor is not only their birthplace. It is their burden.

Born in Caer Thalion, beneath the banners of House Galanor and above the tomb of Malakaroth, their scars tie them to Gallandor’s destiny. Their journey stretches far across Eldoria, but all paths lead back to Ashrathal — to Emberhold — the mountain that holds both ash and ember, ruin and hope.

If Gallandor falls, all Eldoria falls with it.

“The crown of Gallandor guards the tomb,
If the crown should fall, the world is doomed.”

Behind the Writing

Gallandor has always been one of my favorite creations. From the beginning, I knew I wanted a kingdom that felt both majestic and haunted — a place of light and glory, but one forever built upon scars.

Tolkien’s Gondor inspired me, but Gallandor became something heavier. Not just a city of stone, but a city built on a tomb. Not just a line of kings, but a bloodline bound to prophecy. For me, Gallandor embodies the tension of fantasy itself: light built over shadow, hope born of ruin.

Crafting Gallandor has been my escape — a place to explore, to build, to return to when life demanded too much. It’s been years of sketches, notes, maps, and songs. And now, opening its gates here is a joy, letting you step into the world that has lived in my head for so long.

Until Next Time…

Gallandor is the First Kingdom, but it is only the beginning. Soon, we’ll step into Silvermoon — the hidden realm of elves — and Greenwood — the torchlit dominion of druids and forest spirits. We’ll descend into Ironclad’s glowing forges, sail with Stormwatch’s storm-driven fleets, march across Durhaven’s frozen plains, and walk the haunted halls of Barakthûn.

But it begins here, in Gallandor.
The First Kingdom. The guardian of the tomb. The heart of Eldoria.

If the crown of Gallandor falters, so too does the world.

Years in the Making: A First Look at The Brothers Three Series and the Journey of Storytelling

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Welcome back to A Hobbit’s Journey.

It’s been a little while since I last wrote here, but this season feels like the right time to begin again. For the past few months, I’ve felt the pull to return to this space — to share stories, reflections, and the worlds I’ve been quietly building in the background. Today begins a new chapter of writing, one I’m excited to walk with you.

If you’ve read my blog before, you know I love to explore Tolkien, myth, and the beauty of fantasy. That passion hasn’t changed. But alongside those reflections, I’ll also be sharing something very close to me: my own novel series, The Brothers Three.

Over the weeks ahead, I’ll be writing about the fantasy world I’ve been building for over eight years — the lore, the kingdoms, the songs, the villains, and the brothers at its heart. I’ll also share the process behind the words: how stories are mapped, how characters are shaped, and how world-building grows from sparks of inspiration into living, breathing realms.

This is the next step of A Hobbit’s Journey — not just reading and reflecting on fantasy, but creating it, together.

The Brothers Three Novel Series

It begins in Gallandor, the First Kingdom of Eldoria, built into the mightiest mountain in the land. For centuries, it has stood as the seat of the High King and Queen — a place of power, politics, and history. But beneath its grandeur lies a deeper truth. The mountain itself holds the sealed tomb of the Dread King, who was defeated in what the old songs call the First Sundering, a war so vast it drew every race and kingdom into its fire. The era itself is remembered as the Age of Ashes, when the world burned and nearly broke under his shadow. His body was entombed in the mountain’s depths, and Gallandor rose above it — both protector and reminder of the darkness that once sought to unmake the world.

It is here that three brothers were born together, in the same moment, under the same breath of fate. Triplets. A rarity even in our world, but in Eldoria, it is almost unheard of. Their birth sent whispers through the kingdom — whispers that destiny had not chosen one heir, but three.

Yet they were not born unmarked. Before their first cries echoed through the halls, Morgathra — the Dread King’s sister — had laid her curse upon them. Each bore a scar, etched before birth, a reminder that darkness had not forgotten.

And so their lives began not as princes in peace, but as sons of prophecy, tethered to a storm that has yet to break.

A World Called Eldoria

Their story stretches far beyond Gallandor’s mountain citadel. It unfolds across seven kingdoms, each with its own crown and song.

  • Silvermoon, hidden high in mist-shrouded mountains, where the High King’s palace glimmers faintly in the moonlight.
  • Ironclad, carved into the mountainside, its forges glowing red against the night sky.
  • Greenwood, a city grown into the colossal trees of the ancient forest, alive with torchlight and elven grace.
  • Stormwatch, clinging to jagged cliffs above a raging sea, its towers lit by lightning and battered by endless waves.
  • And others still, each carrying scars from the age of shadow, each holding secrets that will one day test the Brothers Three.

Eldoria is not merely a setting. It is a land heavy with memory. Every stone remembers the wars that came before. Every ruin whispers of glories and griefs long past. And in its silence, something stirs again.

The Spindelum of Time

At the heart of their first tale lies a relic — the Spindelum of Time.

Neither jewel nor crown, it is older than the kingdoms themselves. Some say it was forged by the Keepers. Others claim it fell from the stars. All agree on one thing: it does not serve lightly.

The Spindelum does not bend to men’s will. It tests them. To glimpse it is to see past, present, and future threaded together in fragile strands. To wield it is to risk shattering them all.

The Brothers did not seek it. But it has called to them all the same.

Songs Already Sung

And here is where the story blurs with myth. Across Eldoria, bards sing fragments of it already — not as prophecy, not as history, but as echoes.

They sing of The Forge Beneath the Veil, where fire was first kindled in darkness.
They mourn with The Whispering Wastes, where silence holds the voices of the lost.
They tell of oaths, of stars, of flames that would not kneel.

And if you’d like to hear those songs brought to life, you can. Over the last several months, I’ve been sharing them through a project called The Ambient Bard — a YouTube channel where the tales of Eldoria are sung out in bardic style, weaving lore and music together. It’s been a joy to take pieces of this world and give them voice, letting the songs of Eldoria echo outside the page.

Why I Write

Writing, for me, has always been more than words on a page. It’s an escape — a way of stepping outside the weight of the world for a while and breathing in another one. Some people find relief in music, others in long walks or painting; for me, it has always been stories.

When life has been heavy, the page has been a place to lay it down. When the world has felt too loud, the act of creating another has been quiet enough to hear myself again. Over the years, that practice of world-building, character-making, and plotting stories hasn’t just been about books — it’s been about restoration.

And that’s part of why I’m sharing it here. Not just to say “here’s my novel,” but to open the process, the joy, and the love of fantasy that’s carried me since I was a child. If you’ve ever felt that pull into a book that made you forget the clock, or if you’ve ever longed for a story that gave you space to breathe — you already know why I write.

Why This Story Matters

The Brothers Three isn’t just a book I’m writing. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of loving fantasy, of fifteen years of blogging, of eight years of world-building, character-making, and story-weaving.

It’s about brotherhood. About scars that become strength. About the fragile hope that even in a world overshadowed by darkness, light can still break through.

And maybe that’s why I want to share it here. Not because it’s finished — it isn’t. Not because it’s perfect — it won’t be. But because stories aren’t meant to be hidden. They grow brighter when they’re shared.

Looking Ahead

So what can you expect here in the weeks ahead?

  • Lore & World Building — more glimpses of Eldoria’s kingdoms, heroes, and villains.
  • Writing Reflections — behind-the-scenes looks at process, inspiration, and creativity.
  • Fantasy Explorations — my ongoing love of Tolkien and other works that shaped this journey.
  • The Brothers Three — teasers, tales, and moments as the saga continues to take shape.

This blog will be a blend of both my world and the craft of writing itself. A place where the songs, the lore, and the process meet.

Until Next Time…

This is only the beginning. In the weeks to come, I’ll be sharing more glimpses of Eldoria — its kingdoms, its heroes, its ruins, it’s shadows, and my writing process of how I look at creating a fantasy world and more.

For now, I’ll leave you with this:

The Brothers, Born as one, scarred as three, bound by the turning of time.

And a question, for you:
What draws you most to fantasy stories — the characters who carry the burden, the lore that breathes beneath the world, or the landscapes that make you long to wander?

Writing A World Of Fantasy

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content-writing-typewriter-paperballs-ss-1920Doing something a little different for today’s post!  I’ve been putting a ton of time into plotting, world-building, and just getting that much needed time into writing on my novel series, so I wanted to share some fun tips I’ve learned along the way about writing in the fantasy genre.

Writing a fantasy novel is great fun – you can literally let your imagination run wild.  It’s a little different when writing a novel set in the real world as unlike books set in a reality where you can use real-life as examples, you’ll have to invent everything in your new fantasy world.  Do you enjoy writing, are you working on a fantasy novel, or have you had the notion to start one?  I hope the next few minutes while reading this helps you no matter what stage you might be in for writing a novel.

One of the best things you could do to kickstart things is to read as many classics as you can find!  No matter the type of book you begin writing this will give you a good idea about what works and what doesn’t.  Remember though that reading other people’s works is something to help with idea spawning and relax your mind.  You must take note not to simply copy the ideas you’ve read from any of the good old classics or other pieces of work you find.  If you find yourself dealing with elves, halflings, and orcs whilst being a reluctant hero on a quest to destroy a powerful item, it’s probably best to scrap it and start again. It is true that all stories are a combination of those the reader has encountered over the years. But, you should always try to find an original angle and it certainly should not be obvious what the source material was. Reading the classics will also allow you to discover how well-crafted characters interact with each other as the story progresses.

Tip 1: Use established myths and legends as the basis for your fantasy world. Think about what your fantasy world might be like.  Do your studying and find out what your world and culture are mostly like….Is it Celtic, Roman, a medieval world or a blend of multiple cultures with your own twist on it? Once you’ve chosen, go and read about the myths and legends that relate to those cultures. The mythological creatures and characters and their stories will give you a great basis for your new world.

Tip 2: Get to know your imaginary world – you need to be able to describe it in detail if you are going to convince your readers, for the duration of the book at least, that it exists. Be thorough and detail everything you can possibly imagine about the world you are creating.

  • Physical – what does your fantasy world look like? Think about and make a note of:
    • the color of the sky
    • what other planets can be seen from the surface
    • whether the air is breathable
    • what the plants look like
    • what creatures live there
    • whether there are seas
    • what the landscape looks like
    • futuristic world or something older
  • Residents – decide who lives in your newly formed fantasy world. You should spend time thinking about how they look, what they eat, how they move, whether they need sleep, how they speak to one another etc…
  • Society – what kind of society exists? Do they need money to buy things? Is there a complex system of politics they follow? Do they have a police force, a king or president? Is there a religion?
  • Special powers/magic – Do the residents have any special powers or use magic? If so, what are they and why do they exist? Does everyone have the use of them or only certain people?

Tip 3: Make your characters believable. This is one of the most essential parts of the book if you want to hook and keep readers interested in the story. A great way to achieve this is to apply logic to every character in every fantasy world you create. This means creating a set of rules that apply to the world and the character. The rules can be based on either real life or they can be simply invented by you.  Remember if you are creating the rules of the world, don’t let a BOX hold you back from being creative.  Sometimes creating our own ways is just the push we need to make that next step in our creative writing.

Tip 4: Make sure you keep careful notes of all the details you invent for your new fantasy world. This will help you maintain continuity throughout the novel. There are many ways of doing this, some writers like to have a set of cards with the details on, others set up spreadsheets; so play around with different systems to find one that suits you the best.  I personally use a book mapping chart I created in excel that helps me track all major parts of the book I need.  I hope these few steps help you get started, or give an idea of what steps to take next in writing your new fantasy novel!

Remember, have fun!! That is the first and foremost thing I can say when writing… Have Fun and lots of it!

The Beauty & Challenge of Writing Fantasy

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1_gR4JdoxLh-qGgRTWtXLphwSince I’ve been back to a more frequent schedule of writing both on my novel and here on the blog I wanted to take a look at some of the challenges of writing fantasy, scheduling time for it and doing what you love.

First of all, I just want to say how much I love epic fantasy, both as a reader and as a writer. To me, this genre is unmatched in the way you can make anything possible, with no boundaries on your creativity or imagination.  This type of freedom in writing opens up so many possibilities but also brings in a lot of challenges as well.

I think everyone who has put a pen to paper or their fingers on a keyboard has run into the issues of staring at a blank page and thinking about all the things you could put down on the said page. It’s hard because once you start writing, you can and will be constrained at times by what you write on that page.  When that light bulb moment kicks in and the initial idea becomes a reality for you it’s like a thrill ride honestly.  Not really knowing where it’s going to take you, or what is coming up around the corner can be exciting and frighting all in the same moment.

For me, one of the biggest challenges and joys of writing comes with the creative freedom you have over the story and how it’s being told.  Ultimate possibilities are within the power of your fingertips and absolutely no one can tell you what should or shouldn’t be done when writing.  There really isn’t a rule book when it comes to this stuff, as you as the author can invent entire worlds filled with culture, history, and whatever you want it to have.  The challenge though comes in once you start writing those ideas, as it must be consistent across the story just as things would be in real life, but you have a different set of rules you can play by per-say.

Another challenge you will probably encounter is around world-building and unfolding the history and creation in the story itself. I tend to immerse myself in the process, inventing names, cultures, beliefs, trying to envision them all in my head. This is extremely challenging and time-consuming, but once you have that idea solidified like you want it is very rewarding and freeing.

Building characters is also another challenging place when writing. It’s hard to stick to one point of view when writing an epic fantasy novel, so finding a balance between points of view to that character’s personality and connecting them with the audience can be tough.  I’m working on my first novel right now and it’s been a long enjoyable, tiresome, exciting time but the challenges have been overwhelming at times.

Overall I wrestle with myself a lot and the world I’m creating as I will spend hours trying to make things perfect before they ever hit the page.  Unfortunately this has caused a lot of unwritten things that probably could have been written badly and fixed while editing.  I began book plotting which helped with this madness and over the last few years has kept my mind somewhat straight on where the story needed to go…..and allows me to visually see the overall plot, sub-plots, and timeline.  When I began seeing things tie together, I simply could not believe what I was reading honestly.  I was kinda shocked that things were making sense and that what I was reading was working.  Ultimately, seeing this epic story, set in a made-up world come together is my reward.  Having that sense of freedom and joy while writing is hard to explain but for everyone out there who has experienced it and managed to push through the challenges knows how rewarding writing can be.

Keep pushing through those challenges, have fun with your writing, and pursue those dreams as the process of learning and seeing your world come together is so worth it.

Creating a Fantasy World & Plotting a Novel Series

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BlaugustRebornLogo2018Ok, so I know this week was supposed be about generating topics for your blog that you can sustain yourself for the rest of the event.  So far I haven’t put out but one post outlining topics like this.  My brain has been focused largely on writing fantasy over the last few months and it has been hard to break out of that.  Here is what I’ve done for this post though is slap together eleven tips I’ve learned about writing fantasy and writing in general.

Have you ever asked yourself what it’s like to write a novel, or how one goes about it?  So have I, and I’ve learned that each has to find there own way of bringing the inner creative writer to paper.

I’ve been working on a novel series for several years now, upwards of the last seven years but I haven’t spent all of those years just writing.  I’ve currently finished two books in my Brothers Three series and I’m currently half way through the third book.  This is a high fantasy novel series that honestly started almost twenty years ago with a note I wrote down.  It was just an idea, and it’s morphed and changed over the years into an actual book.  One day I do hope to be a published author and will continue to strive for that dream.

One thing out of this process I learned a long time ago was planning goes a long way in being successful when plotting a story, or any thing you write.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion and love for writing, and seven almost eight years ago was when I really started pushing to one day have my material published.  Honestly, I can’t even take credit for the idea of seeking a publisher, as my wife is the one who talked me into it.

Currently I am doing a lot of character development for book three and as I said before…..it has been a lot of planning, character plotting, long nights of staring at a blank screen with nothing other then a hot cup of coffee, or twelve that gets accomplished. One might ask, after so long do you ever feel like giving up or even quitting?  The honest answer is YES and NO….yes it’s hard to find time to write when you work in another full time job, have three children, a wife, and other responsibilities that come before a hobby. At times it is frustrating when you hit a wall and have absolutely no words, direction, or even a faint hint of where you need to go next in the story you so passionately want to get finished.

The biggest thing that helps keep me grounded in the perspective of writing, is my wife and three children!  My wife continually gives me feedback on my writing, both good and sometimes BAD, and these stories were originally birthed for my children as bedtime stories.  This idea kept in mind has pulled me through frustration, and the itch to quit at times and has allowed me to plot out the first five books in the series.  Having finished two of the books so far I have noticed the light at the end of the tunnel syndrome…..and getting to see this story come to life on the pages is quite overwhelming!

So, I write all this to say, if you are a writer of whatever genre then here are some writing tips I’ve learned along the way.  These have come from my own mistakes, my successes, and even mentors I’ve had over the years of how to put things in perspective and keep yourself on track!

Evaluate the Writing Style

If you have a love for writing, then you may find yourself slave to the writing itself. Remember you are the one doing the writing, and it is possible to create a schedule that doesn’t engulf your entire life around writing.  You do have a life, so go live it!  If writing is a job you wish to pursue and have as your job in life, then dedicate time to it, learn new ways of writing, evaluate how you come about writing.  Try writing in different areas away from the home.  A change in scenery can be a world changer for a writer as it helps open the creative flow.

Getting Ideas on Paper  

Do you have some good ideas or a potential story brewing in your head?  Sit down and make sure you write those ideas out on paper.  Typically you would have a character, or character in mind and a place in which these ideas would evolve over time.  They would be centered around some major events, like a war or even someones death.  Once you have the main ideas or plot of the story written out, start asking simple questions, like, “why?” “when did this happen?” “how?” and move onto more detailed questions like, “How did this affect the lands?” “Who is to take blame for this event?” etc…. Once you have these ideas sorted out, pass them onto a friend, fellow writer, etc to pick apart and ask them for a honest opinion.  In the end, this process can help you determine the the major plot lines of the story, where will the main focus of characters and development be, and even sub-plot lines.  All these things added together help you make the story become whole.

Making Your World and Places Come to Life

Where will your fantasy creations live? Is this a made up world that you’ve created, or is this some parallel universe with mystical creatures full of big tales to be told?  There are absolutely no limits on what the imagination can create.  Decide what places your story will be centered around and take into note the previous of letting another review your ideas. Go into detail when creating your world….the races, animals, plants, rivers, lakes, you name it and make sure you list it.

Keep a Notebook and Write it All Down

Never ever leave the house without your notebook.  You never know when you will have this amazing idea pop into your head for the fantasy novel to come.  Write it all down: Your main character, the major events, the kind of world it is, you name it, because all these ideas will come together and firm the story up.  Trust me it’s awful to have this fantastic idea pop into your head and find that you have absolutely nothing to write it down on.

Don’t Be Afraid to Change Things 

Always, Always, Always, take a look at the major underlying plot that everything centers around. Make sure that everything you’ve created centers around this plot because it’s easy to wonder off into a wild rabbit hole. Look at the major event or events and don’t be afraid to mold it, change it, as you have to make this event believable to the readers.  This is what your entire novel hinges on and if the plot line doesn’t make sense, or doesn’t hold the readers attention… well… I think we know what happens next.  Work on other characters who help build the plot line and your protagonist on his/her journey. Not every hero needs to be a loner and he/she could vary in anyway you want.  They may have a family, they may be cold at heart and emotionless until someone comes along they care about.  You name it! Don’t make your story revolve only around your character. Show the feelings of the people around your protagonist and how their decisions affect them. Don’t make a story of one person; make a story about the journey of one person.  Learn how to join sub plots and other events to the major plot line. These could be a birth of a child, or as in my book the birth of multiple children based around a prophecy.  These events will cause your story to have a sense of feeling, emotion, and building that brings the reader closer to the characters and story.  Make sure your characters grow over time in the stories, as the experiences should help mold and make them into who they are to become. After pulling things together, don’t be afraid to make changes (subtle or drastic) to your characters, and story. Make obstacles in your character’s life. Not everything will be easy for him/her. Make sure you’re writing a fantasy novel, not a walk in the park that becomes boring to read.

Creating Your Visual Fantasy World 

This is one of my favorite things to do in bringing a story to a visual understanding!  Grab a piece of paper and a pencil. It’s time to start drawing out what you see in your head. Do a ton of research on land, rivers, map creation etc… If you’re planning to build a world from root, start drawing simple lines. You can make seas, oceans, lakes, mountains, and other strange factors in your world. Draw the lines of kingdom’s lands and empires. Put post-its and other notes on your map to locate some events. Remember: your map doesn’t have to be well made. Be free to use any materials you like, and have fun!

Deep Rooted History 

Do you plan on having a deep history and timeline in your story? Plot out a chronology of your story as this could help aid the reader and bring them closer to the events going on. Plot out the events that appear in your book, or just stories of other events that will indirectly explain the ones in your plot. Don’t think it’s a waste of time to build a world which, for the most part, won’t appear in the book. It’s important for the reader to know that the writer knows what he’s talking about and isn’t putting random things on the pages of his/her book. Make your characters tell a legend or mention some event that you have carefully planned out. As the writer, you have to know something that the reader’s don’t….and always make sure you know what you’re talking about.

Character Development 

Make sure you know the main character or characters, don’t just make a place holder in the story with a random name laying on the pages.  Plan everything about your character. This is where you put some deep well thought out time and attention into the story. Does he/she have fears (death, darkness)? Where/when was he/she born? Under which circumstances? Do they have siblings? Do they have someone they love? Be free as this is your story!

Things About your World 

Remember that chronology planning you read about earlier?  Not it’s time to take it a step further…. Be as detailed as you possibly can with the imagination you have!  What kind of homes do people live in? Jobs? Types of clothing? Government systems? Do they have schools, or some type of training grounds soldiers are sent to? Family bloodlines that rule the kingdoms, is there magic in the land, or some dark evil threatening the lands?  Can women fight in war too, or is it only for men? Are there any fantasy creatures roaming the lands? Don’t leave anything out as this will probably be the biggest step in your story. The base will be here. Everything you’ll come up with needs to be here. Don’t worry if you’re taking too long writing everything out. A good story needs to have a solid foundation that covers every base you could think of.

Plotting and Planning

This is one of the most time consuming and sometimes frustrating step in the process. Making the chapters of your story, and tying everything into itself. Define what kind of writer you will be. What will be the length of your chapters and book or books? Will you write in third or first person or take on the challenge of both?  Will you describe your characters and surroundings to make the story more personal to the reader, will you not care and just want to make an epic legend? This is one of those steps you can’t be afraid to change and touch multiple times, and sometimes with a very critical eye!  Reverse the roles at times and look at it from a readers standpoint!  I think I have spent more time plotting my books out then writing the stories and honestly that is what makes for a deep and rich story.  I spent the first few moths plotting out a simple book chart that lists (Years, Major Plot, Minor Plot, Characters, Etc…)  It is my go to before I ever even think of writing at times. Remember don’t be afraid to create, change, and plan!

Let Others Review 

Don’t forget to reach out to others and let them read your work. Print out your finished product and hand out multiple copies to people who may enjoy reading your novel. It can be a few close friends at first, but once you start getting feedback and start building confidence, you might want to consider trying to publish.  Accept any criticisms, good and bad as they will make you a better writer in the future. Fix anything that your editor tells you. Believe that you can be published if you put your mind to it, but try not to hope too strongly for your book to be published, since you could end up very depressed if all doesn’t go to plan. If your work is rejected by one editor, edit the story or send it to a different publisher.  Remember what drives you to write, and don’t lose sight of why you love doing this.  It’s easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and get caught up in the moment of a job, instead of the passion for writing!

Creating the Inner Workings of a Fantasy Novel

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I’m doing something a little different again for today’s Blaugust post!  Personally I have been writing a ton on my own novel series, and I wanted to share some fun tips I’ve learned along the way about writing in the fantasy genre.

Writing a fantasy novel is great fun – you can literally let your imagination run wild.  It’s a little different when writing a novel set in the real world as unlike books set in reality where you can use real life as examples, you’ll have to invent everything in your new fantasy world.  Do you enjoy writing, are you working on a fantasy novel, or have you had the notion to start one?  I hope the next few minutes while reading this helps you no matter what stage you might be in for writing a novel.

One of the best things you could do to kickstart things is read as many classics as you can find!  No matter the type of book you begin writing this will give you a good idea about what works and what doesn’t.  Remember though that reading other peoples works is something to help with idea spawning and relax your mind.  You must take note not to simply copy the ideas you’ve read from any of the good old classics or other pieces of work you find.  If you find yourself dealing with elves, half-lings and orcs whilst being a reluctant hero on a quest to destroy a powerful item, it’s probably best to scrap it and start again. It is true that all stories are a combination of those the reader has encountered over the years. But, you should always try to find an original angle and it certainly should not be obvious what the source material was. Reading the classics will also allow you to discover how well-crafted characters interact with each other as the story progresses.

Tip 1: Use established myths and legends as the basis for your fantasy world. Think about what your fantasy world might be like.  Do your studying and find out what your world and culture is most like….Is it Celtic, Roman, a medieval world or a blend of multiple cultures with your own twist on it? Once you’ve chosen, go and read about the myths and legends that relate to those cultures. The mythological creatures and characters and their stories will give you a great basis for your new world.

Tip 2: Get to know your imaginary world – you need to be able to describe it in detail if you are going to convince your readers, for the duration of the book at least, that it exists. Be thorough and detail everything you can possibly imagine about the world you are creating.

  • Physical – what does your fantasy world look like? Think about and make a note of:
    • the colour of the sky
    • what other planets can be seen from the surface
    • whether the air is breathable
    • what the plants look like
    • what creatures live there
    • whether there are seas
    • what the landscape looks like
    • futuristic world or something older
  • Residents – decide who lives in your newly formed fantasy world. You should spend time thinking about how they look, what they eat, how they move, whether they need sleep, how they speak to one another etc…
  • Society – what kind of society exists? Do they need money to buy things? Is there a complex system of politics they follow? Do they have a police force, a king or president? Is there a religion?
  • Special powers/magic – Do the residents have any special powers or use magic? If so, what are they and why do they exist? Does everyone have use of them or only certain people?

Tip 3: Make your characters believable. This is one of the most essential parts of the book if you want to hook and keep readers interested in the story. A great way to achieve this is to apply logic to every character in every fantasy world you create. This means creating a set of rules that apply to the world and the character. The rules can be based on either real life or they can be simply invented by you.  Remember if you are creating the rules of the world, don’t let a BOX hold you back from being creative.  Sometimes creating our own ways is just the push we need to make that next step in our creative writing.

Tip 4: Make sure you keep careful notes of all the details you invent for your new fantasy world. This will help you maintain continuity throughout the novel. There are many ways of doing this, some writers like to have a set of cards with the details on, others set up spreadsheets; so play around with different systems to find one that suits you the best.  I personally use a book mapping chart I created in excel that helps me track all major parts of the book I need.  I hope these few steps help you get started, or give an idea of what steps to take next in writing your new fantasy novel!

Remember, have fun!! That is the first and foremost thing I can say when writing… Have Fun and lots of it!

Writing Foundations of Fantasy Characters

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When you think of fantasy novels, most people think, epic battles, magical worlds, filled with creatures and mysteries to solve. Those worlds have to have must be populated with engaging characters, and instances to grab the readers attention.  Strong characters are important to fantasy fiction for many reasons:

  • Fantasy often tells the story of events on a grand scale, and having characters the readers can connect to and care about makes that story tangible, and more enjoyable.
  • Fantasy often has an element of wish fulfillment about it, so readers want characters they can identify with and understand.
  • Engaging characters can help readers feel as though they get pulled into the story, and feel comfortable in an otherwise unfamiliar invented world.

The most popular fantasy fiction tells us that enduring characters influence how much readers love a work of fiction. Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione, and a whole host of other amazing and enduring characters throughout fantasy history are all amazing examples of iconic fantasy characters.

Several of the characters listed above are protagonists, but the surrounding cast to the protagonist must be engaging as well. No reader will feel suspense if the antagonist is unbelievable and lacks the luster to engage the readers. If the love interest in the story is one-dimensional, readers aren’t likely to be interested.  A mentor adds gravity to the protagonist’s quest, and sidekicks make the protagonist more likeable by bringing in the chance of humor and good laughs. This creates a broad contrast, and wholeness that a protagonist who is busy defeating evil throughout the book might otherwise not have the opportunity to show.

Characters are the heart of your fantasy novel, and without strong characters, the reader ultimately won’t care what happens between epic battles, how the hero of the story grew and challenged evil, or ultimately how the book ends.

One way to create memorable characters is to begin with set types and add depth to each of the specific characters.  No matter what approach you take to creating and developing characters it has to work for you.  This is definitively a formula based way to create characters, but fantasy character types are no different then how the framework of a plot outline works. If you think about some of the characters listed above, there are several types.

Hermoine Granger is the smart girl, Harry Potter is the orphan boy with secret magical powers, and Bilbo Baggins is the reluctant adventurer. All of these are stock characters from literature and the fantasy genre in particular. Yet if you are familiar with these particular versions of these characters from your own reading, you know that this stock description only scratches the surface of who these characters turn out to be: it doesn’t fully convey their strengths, weaknesses or story arcs.

Here is a list of five different fantasy character types you can develop and make into memorable characters for your readers! 

The Protagonist – aka “The Hero”

 

Up to this point, we have mostly discussed the protagonist, but there is a reason for this. This is the most important character in your story. If the protagonist doesn’t work, it won’t matter how well-developed the other characters are as no one will care or even stay engaged enough to finish the story.

Here are a few points to consider as you develop your protagonist:

  • Is your protagonist an ordinary person or do they have some extraordinary powers that help them fulfill their destiny?
  • Is your protagonist more of a traditional hero or is he/she an antihero? In other words, does your protagonist display typical qualities such as courage, loyalty and goodness, or does the protagonist have a dark side?
  • What are some of the defining characteristics of a protagonist? This will definitely help you put together an initial frame for developing this character.

The Antagonist – aka “The Bad Guy”

One error some writers make is creating an antagonist who is purely evil. Their reasoning may be that a more evil character is more likely to create suspense for the reader.

The problem with this approach is that the character may become so over-the-top evil that the reader disengages. A story is often more interesting when the antagonist has motives that are clear and understandable, even if the characters logic or actions behind their motives are wrong.

Another approach to making your antagonist more attractive and enjoyable to read is giving the character a connection with the protagonist.  If you have ever read any of the great fantasy novels of our time, then you get to see these connections come to life very clearly.  Look at Voldemort in Harry Potter or Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars universe.  In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron is not relatably human, but Saruman was the mentor of the good wizard Gandalf, so when Saruman switches allegiance to Sauron, the betrayal increases a sense of threat and helps the reader understand the emotional roller coaster this has on it’s characters.

The Great Mentor 

This is one of the greatest categories of characters in a fantasy novel ever in my opinion! Like so many stories before this write up we saw such greats as, Frodo Baggins has Bilbo and Gandalf, and Luke Skywalker has Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Each of these great mentors are absolutely invaluable to the protagonist’s development. The main function of a mentor is to educate or train the protagonist, but the mentor can bring a very powerful and emotional component to the story as well.  One of the most interesting things over the course of a fantasy novel, is it’s almost inevitable that at some point the mentor and protagonist must part. Whether this means the death of the mentor or simply the mentor’s departure, this is usually a very emotional and dramatic turning point for the growth of the story.

Here are some points to consider when developing the mentor:

  • Does the mentor have any unusual abilities such as magical powers, or is their primary purpose to impart wisdom and teach?
  • What is the relationship between the protagonist and the mentor? Is it positive from the beginning, or is it a rough and bumpy ride?
  • How do the mentor and protagonist part? Is it sudden and tragic, or is it planned? How does the way the relationship ends affect the protagonist and overall cast of characters for the story?

The Sidekick

Protagonists can sometimes seem incredibly heroic, and sidekicks can help humanize them as well.  At times you will even see the sidekicks overshadow the protagonist.  This is not a fail on the part of the writer, but instead just a natural progression of the roles in the story.  In fantasy fiction, a protagonist often becomes so much larger than life that as the story progresses it becomes increasingly difficult for the reader to relate and engage. Meanwhile the sidekicks are often characters who are more ordinary and perhaps more likable or similar to the reader, which helps them enjoy and engage with this character. What is most important about the sidekick is that the writer remains in control and keeps things cohesive! It’s very easy to derail yourself when writing a character type like a sidekick, as you can pull the focus away from the main plot and protagonist so easily.

Sidekicks often offer wisdom, comic relief, or commentaries that match the reader’s perspective more closely than that of the protagonist. We’ve seen some very memorable and fond sidekicks but some of my favorites to date are still R2D2 and C3PO from Star Wars. Sidekicks are frequently invaluable, and often a protagonist cannot succeed without them.

 

The Famed Love Interest

Much like the sidekick, the love interest helps bring a level of humanity to the protagonist that is needed. The love interest also provides additional opportunities for conflict, suspense, and engagement with the readers. To create an effective love interest, writers should make this character multidimensional and not simply a perfect reflection of the protagonist’s — or the writer’s — wants, needs, and desires.

The love interest will usually be setup in such a way they challenge the protagonist by seeing or doing things in a different way. This character may also raise the bar for the protagonist which helps orchestrate their relationship.  This type of character opens up so many different paths you could take with the protagonist, such as a cause they can be committed to, or even a vulnerability the readers relate with.

One of the most important things to keep in mind while developing this character and the relationship, is that creating any relationship in a fantasy based novel should be no different from any other type of fiction. Writers in the fantasy genre will find it most effective and best suited to portray the growth of the relationship in real and concrete ways, as it makes it easier for the readers to engage and relate.

Protagonists, antagonists, sidekicks, mentors and love interests may seem like basic characters of fantasy, but they are the foundations of a well developed, and very complex set of characters that readers have fallen in love with for ages throughout the fantasy genre.  Have fun and enjoy the wild ride you get while creating the characters in your novel, as they will be the unique attraction points readers engage with!

The Kings of Gondor: Part Nine – A Bloodline Lost

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Welcome back fellow hobbits and people of Middle Earth! It’s been a very long time since I last wrote about the Kings of Gondor, but after a long break and much time away with family I felt it time to return and continue writing.  So, looking forward to continuing this series and many others just like it.

83600606The Unwise King

Earnur was the son of Earnil II. He like his father was a great warrior and became a great leader of armies before he became King.  His greatest victory was against Angmar in the Battle of Fornost, in which he defeated the Witch-king, whom he intended to slay had his steed not panicked in terror of the Witch-king’s darkness.  Earnur became King in TA 2043, and was challenged by the Witch-king of Angmar.  The King of the Ringwraiths, who then resided in Minas Morgul wanted this King of Gondor dead and gone.  Earnur, being quick to anger and wrath, would have accepted his challenge had the wise Steward Mardil Voronwe not held him back, and so the first challenge went unanswered.  Just seven years later a second challenge came, mocking Earnur, and the steward Mardil was not able to stop the King this time.  Ernur accepted the challenge, and after entering the gates of Minas Morgul with a small escort, Earnur was never heard from again.  The unwise King was thought to be dead, so his crown now rests upon his father’s tomb in the Hallows of Minas Tirith.

Prophecy_GlorfindelThe Battle of Fornost

A year prior to the battle, the armies of Angmar conquered Arthedain, the last realm of Arnor. Angmar’s armies had taken Fornost, the capital of the Dunedain, and Arvedui, the last King of Arnor, had drowned in the Ice-Bay of Forochel. A year later, a fleet of ships under King Earnur arrived in the Grey Havens and set off toward what was left of the once-great northern kingdom. With the armies of Gondor came men from Rhovanion, elves from Lindon, and the remainder of the Dunedain (among them Aranarth, the Prince of Arthedain).

The battle itself did not take place in the city of Fornost, but on the plains to the west of the city, near Lake Evendim. The armies of Angmar hurried west to meet the assault, and seeing this, the cavalry of Gondor rode north into the Hills of Evendim to wait in ambush. As the main part of the army of Gondor met the enemy in battle, the Gondor cavalry set out from the hills to strike the rear of the army of Angmar. This served as the turning point in the battle, and allowed the combined armies of the west to gain the advantage. Realizing that his forces were all but completely destroyed, the Witch-king of Angmar fled eastward. As he fled, an army led by Glorfindel came up out of the south and blocked his escape, destroying what was left of his crumbling army; the Witch-king himself was able to escape during the night and fled southward. Though the battle itself had been lost and Angmar utterly destroyed, Sauron was extremely pleased with the Witch-King’s work, for the destruction of the northern kingdoms of the Dunedain was a victory for the Dark Powers which far exceeded the loss of the Witch-King’s realm.

Glorfindel,_Elrond_and_King_Earnur_unite_against_the_Witch-King_of_AngmarA Broken Bloodline

The Line of Anarion was broken with the disappearance of Earnur, and the rule of Gondor passed to the Stewards beginning with Mardil Voronwe, the Steward who had tried to restrain Earnur from going to Minas Morgul to face the Witch-king. The Stewards were to rule “until the King returns” for it wasn’t sure at first whether Earnur had been killed dueling with the Witch-king or not. In addition, Earnur left without naming an heir, and while many nobles in Gondor could lay some sort of claim to the kingship, those claims were generally held in doubt, and no one wanted to risk another civil war like the one that had devastated and weakened Gondor.

The Stewards of Gondor were firstly the chief high councilors to the Kings of Gondor and then the rulers of Gondor, until the return of the rightful king (Aragorn Elessar).

First created by the powerful King Romendacil I, Steward was the traditional title of a chief counselor to the Kings of Gondor.  The Quenya name for the title is Arandur , “Servant of the King”.  The steward was was usually an elderly man not from the Royal House chosen for his wisdom and integrity, and was never permitted to go to war nor to go abroad.  During the time of the Steward Pelendur, from the famous House of Hurin, the title became hereditary, passing the station of counselor from father to son, much like the Kingship.

The House of Hurin was founded by one Hurin of Emyn Arnen, Steward to King Minardil, the twenty-fifth King of Gondor. They were of high Numenorean blood, but not descendants of Elendil in the ruling line.

After the death of King Earnur, who left no heir to the throne of Gondor, the Steward Mardil Voronwe became the first of the Ruling Stewards. Mardil was the first of the Stewards to administer Gondor, and his descendants did so for 25 generations.

The Stewards watched over the throne until it could be reclaimed by a true King of Gondor, an heir of Elendil. When asked by his son Boromir how long a time must pass before a Steward could become a King, if the King did not return, Denethor II replied, “Few years, maybe, in other places of less royalty … In Gondor ten thousand years would not suffice” (The Two Towers).

The Stewards never sat on the throne of the King; instead, they sat on a simple chair of black stone placed below it.

I hope you all are enjoying this series as it has been an absolute blast to write and put together!  We are nearing the end of the series but still have a lot more writing to do, so stay tuned to the site and think about following so you never miss one of my series.

You all stay awesome and I bid you a fine farewell!

Cheers,

Iogro Merrybelly

 

Creating Great Fantasy

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creating-great-fantasyWhile some have looked down on fantasy fiction as derivative, poorly written or childish, the fact is that our oldest literature is fantasy fiction. From The Epic of Gilgamesh or the Odyssey, or one of my absolute favorites Beowulf! All of these stories that have survived the disappearance of ancient civilizations are stories of gods and magic and quests and monsters. It’s undeniable that fantasy is one of the most popular and favorite of many across all ages.

J.R.R. Tolkien is generally considered to be the father of modern English-language fantasy fiction for adults. There were fantasy novels written prior to Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, such as Lud In The Mist by Hope Mirrlees and The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison, but it was the commercial success of Tolkien’s work that kicked the modern genre into high gear.

Like every genre, fantasy is capable of producing fiction that is well-written and thoughtful with original characters, settings and plots. Modern classics such as the Earthsea series by Ursula K. LeGuin or Jack Vance’s Lyonesse series stand as proof that fantasy series can have wide appeal among readers of all ages and reading preferences. One of the biggest hits of today’s generation is, George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series which is wildly popular with critics, readers and viewers of the TV series adaptation, Game of Thrones.

Despite the success of G.R.R. Martin, some still argue that the last thing the fantasy genre needs is more long series of novels. However, this view does not appear to be shared by either readers or writers.

Writing A Series That Contributes Something New:  A Few To-Do & Not To-Do’s

Read A Lot of Fantasy
This advice is sort of a cliché in itself, but something that is quite necessary in my opinion. If you are thinking about writing a fantasy series, then you are probably already well-acquainted with the genre, but you may only read a certain type of novel or a handful of authors.

Becoming familiar with the genre’s clichés and pitfalls means reading a lot of fantasy novels. This includes the good, the bad and the awful, and as you are reading think about the plot and what works, or doesn’t work. Read what is popular and what is critically acclaimed as the broader the scope of your reading, the better you will know what kinds of fantasy worlds and subtopics are still to be told.

In addition to reading contemporary writers, you should also read older fantasy. In part, this is important for understanding the history of the field, but it’s also important because it often provides insight on where clichés come from. When Tolkien penned the Lord of the Rings trilogy there was nothing cliché about elves and long quests and magic rings and using Northern European myth as the basis for a long fantasy series, but that is no longer the case.

Knowing the history of the fantasy genre and the realm you’ve decided to dive into will help you understand how to write a fantasy series. It also shows that elements of the fantasy genre that critics sometimes ridicule are not inherently bad but simply have been done 30 or 40 years ago and have been worn thin through overuse.

Forget The Big Guys

Tolkien, C.S Lewis, L. Frank Baum, and a countless number of others are the best the genre has ever known.  They have in sorts cast a very heavy shadow across the field. Too many would-be and actual novelists who hope to follow these giants and their footsteps have shoddily constructed languages and maps and worlds and created thinly veiled versions of his characters.  I myself have even been inspired by these authors, but it’s important you move away from big authors like this as to not get sucked into any overused work.  Burly dwarves and angelic elves can be interesting, but if you use stock characters such as these, try incorporating them in an innovative way in your fantasy books.

Fantasy Traditions

Some writers feel that using the traditions of a culture that is not your own is a kind of appropriation, but we could say that about any genre of book if we take an honest look at the author’s inspiration.  Drawing inspiration from the history, art, literature, and folk lore is just good practice for great idea churning! This does require a level of sensitivity and a lack of condescension, if you want to steer clear of possible backlash, but it’s quite possible to do without offending a culture or misusing these ideas.

Looking at a lot of culture and legends that have been used over the fantasy genre, you can look no further then Europe.  Some people say it’s been overused in the modern fantasy but George R.R. Martin turned this so called overused idea into a fantasy classic with his Fire and Ice series.  He chose a period of history that is largely overlooked and he approaches his novels as if they were historical fiction.  Martin brings something fresh and rejuvenated even though his inspiration seems to come from a part of the world that has been reworked to death by fantasy novelists before him.

Stop When It’s Time to Stop 

One of the biggest complaints about fantasy novels / series is they don’t end.  At times the story is lacking depth and stretches to broadly across many books.  Don’t overstay the book series welcome among the readers as they can quickly be burnt if you don’t know when to stop.  Leaving the audience gritting for more is the best way to end a book as it’s way better then complaints rolling in about you needing to throw the pen away ages ago. Keep track of when you write, how long the series are running and what kind of feedback you get and it will make things much easier on when to stop writing vs. continuing something that’s not working.

How Do I Get Readers Hooked Across Story Arcs?

If you are looking at having multiple books then planning is key!!!

I can’t stress enough on how important it is to have the overall story arc planned out and tracked.  Each book should be plotted out and each individual story arc should be tracked as well.   You simply cannot write a three, five or even eight book series that sustains the necessary narrative drive and focus to keep readers interested without some idea of where the story is going. Planning also helps you avoid introducing subplots and characters in earlier books that go nowhere.  Errors like this can be frustrating enough to make your reader put your books down halfway through the series and never return.

Your books must be self-contained to some degree as well. You must balance the progress of the overall arc along with the smaller arcs.  Readers will easily become frustrated and may lay the book down if you move away from the main arc for an extended period. This becomes a fine balance of holding the readers attention and being able to switch between multiple stories through a books overall story arc.  Different readers will naturally have some characters and story lines that interest them more than others, but you need to keep all of your story lines engaging enough to keep the reader turning pages. One way to do this is by writing emotionally-engaging characters. Another is to ensure that the main arc of the story is furthered through subplots.

Finally, one of the most important points to keep in mind is that writing a fantasy series is in many ways no different from writing a novel. You ultimately have to approach your series as though it is one very long novel.  This can be very tough and challenging because you need a fully realized world that engages characters to inhabit, a plot that is going to draw readers in, and the mix of conflict / tension that will keep the readers turning pages for more.

Fantasy remains one of the most popular series among readers of all ages.  Avoiding the pitfalls of clichés and planing a strong story arc that drives the story to completion and produces something readers will grab a hold of.  Keeping the main story arc central is key throughout the novel series but avoiding the addition of too many subplots is that fine balance between readers being hooked, and dropping the book like a hot potato.  Stay focused and have fun while you write which will help you move the story along.

Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016 – Cartography of a Fantasy World

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I wanted to do something different this morning and take a look at map making!!!  Didn’t you ever draw a secret treasure map when you were a kid?  Map making is fun but it can be a huge challenge and pain point for writers who want to depict their world to the audience.

Technically I’m wrong in calling it “Map Making” which I pulled this from the definition off of Wikipedia.

“Cartography (from Greek χάρτης khartēs, “map”; and γράφειν graphein, “write”) is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively”

Personally I’ve always enjoyed making maps for any of the stories I’ve written but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have frustrations that came along while making them.  Creating a map for a fictional world is one of the most satisfying things you can do, as it gives you a greater idea and visual reference to what your world really looks like.  All those ideas floating around in your head about this magical world is only a pen and paper away. Creating a map on paper is one of the best ways for a writer to connect to their world as it allows you to see the geography of the land, and best thing is it’s yours so customize how you see fit.

I’m not a published writer “Yet” but that is something I am diligently working on as I have a fantasy novel series that’s in the making. This epic story is currently four years in the works and map making has been a huge piece of depicting this piece of fantasy.  The worst part about writing when you have a map for reference is when you go back and realize you’ve missed a great detail of location specifics in the story.  It’s one of those oops moments you get when writing and the questions begin to pop about why didn’t I look at this closer, or why did I write location A when it really should have been location B the war took place.

Frequent reference to your map can be one of the greatest tools in the bag for you as a writer.  Stumped on where your hero was supposed to end up, check the map and maybe it will turn a flickering light bulb into a bright spotlight of an idea.  The uses for a map from a writers perspective are to help bring the story to life, and give the geography of what you have in your head a visual presence for you and the reader.

Mapping a world isn’t a set style and there really isn’t anything you can do that is wrong or would break some hidden rule of map making.  Take a look at the visual style of the following map.  Probably one of the most famous fantasy worlds ever created to date.

middleearth.jpg

I don’t think their will ever be another world quite like what Tolkien created with Middle Earth, but that’s not to say we can’t get some inspiration off of the beautiful world he created.

Another famous author and amazing story with a vast beautiful map is Narnia.  Both C.S Lewis and Tolkien had grand creative minds and each with their own flair for map making.

Map-of-Narnia-cs-lewis-1434807-700-528

Now a quick look at a rough draft for one of my maps I created.  It’s nowhere finished and doesn’t have the flare or prestige either of the maps above do.  The world I’m creating is for the novel series I spoke about earlier.

This is the first time I’ve ever let anyone look at one of the early rough drafts of one of my maps.  This one is still in the works and it’s ever changing at times with new places and grows as I continue to write this novel.

Welcome to Ardonia – The main world of my novel series Brothers Three

Map (2)

 

How do I get started map making…..?

  • Have fun and CREATE
    • First and foremost have fun with it and allow it to be something that sparks creativity for you and your story.  Don’t let it become a burden or you will be overwhelmed and quit pretty quickly through frustration.  It’s easy to try and be a perfectionist when creating a map for anything so don’t be afraid to have multiple versions, drafts, copies, and let the map be something that could continually grow and change just as a real world does.
  • Take Risks
    • Don’t be afraid to develop something that doesn’t work the first time around.  Remember things have a natural process for development and as you write and grow the story, your map may continue to grow with it.  Don’t get stuck in one style of box….have a bunch of them and hop in and out whenever you want.
  • Create the Foundation
    • Every world has a center of attention.  What is your’s?  What are the major cities, towns, and locations on your map?  You have to start somewhere so why not start with a basic list of cities and towns.
  • Land Development & Growth
    • Anything you create will always be a work in progress of sorts.  As I mentioned above the land mass you create will have a natural development process and a free flow but you have to allow for that space and development to happen.  Have some places in your world that aren’t mapped out per say….maybe it’s a discovery point later on in the story and a new map get’s released. Just sayin.
  • Features of the World
    • This is a very complex piece of map making, as you not only have to think about the geography of the land, but the type of surroundings, climate, cultures, race of inhabitants etc.  Do you have a town with a unique culture that stands out from the rest, or maybe a deserted location locked away with dark secrets.  The possibilities are limitless of how you carve the land and features of this world.

 

Have fun creating your world and enjoy the development of how the characters of the story interact with their surroundings. Go checkout some of your favorite fantasy / sci-fi novels and begin to explore their worlds as it will help you get a perspective of what to do for your map.