Today's guest blogger is Shah Wharton, who is here to talk about how you go about creating a plausible, consistent supernatural world. She knows a thing or two about the topic, being the author of Finding Esta, an urban fantasy novel about a fledgling journalist who discovers more than she ever bargained for. Take it away, Shah:
Firstly, thank you Brent for having
me on your lovely blog, today.
* * *
In
essence, the surreal and the inconceivable are what fantasy stories are all
about, so this is a difficult question to answer. Every fantasy story must
possess a lush, dynamic story, which plays out within a magical world,
constructed of characters who must travel beyond their normal, everyday world,
for some kind of adventure. Even if they live in the same world we live in,
other, possibly unseen, mystical elements must also be presented at some
point.
With
urban fantasy for example, the world in which the characters reside is usually
our world. The only difference is that it’s another version of our world, but
with layers. In my book, the Supes layer is where vampires, weres, witches, fey,
and even the Mimicanes (an alien race who’ve cloned human appearance and
supernatural powers for thousands of years) live. And the paranormal layer
consists of lost spirits who languish in the Shadow Lands for all eternity,
unless they have power enough to walk beside you, unseen. All of whom seek
refuge, or a one way ticket to move on.
Brent’s
question is a difficult one to answer, not least of all because it’s subjective,
but in keeping with a how-to post for story craft, I’d recommend you do the
following:
1)
Choose the magical/supernatural characters with care. They must maintain not
only your own interest, but your readers, too. Indeed, if this is a series, that
could mean many months, even years of writing time spent with them. You don’t
want to choose vampires if you are already bored of them (I doubt I’ll ever get
bored of them). Research other stories about them before, then try to give the
element/characteristics your own twist.
2)
Keep a log of all magical/supernatural elements, and keep detailed notes on the
supernatural characters who possess them. Scrivener is a perfect storage place
for all your notes.
3)
Devise a map of your world, even if it’s the world in which we live, because the
supernatural elements should be added as a separate layer on top. It needs to
feel as real as our own world, but different enough to be awesome!
4)
You must, above all else, believe in the world, and the characters you’re
writing about. Otherwise, your readers certainly will not. I think the same can
be said of any story or genre. If the author of a great romance doesn’t believe
in her characters' love, the readers will sense that and put the book
down.
Do
you write fantasy stories? What can you add to this list? Do you read fantasy?
If so which is your favourite fantasy genre?
Shah Wharton
Author of Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, New Adult, Fiction
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