Genre

Fantasy

Fantasy author R. A. Salvatore
Craft of Writing

World Building Reflections From Master Fantasy Author R. A. Salvatore

Fantasy author extraordinaire and New York Times bestseller R. A. Salvatore is one of the most prolific and influential authors in the space today. He recently joined us for a chat about the writing life and his favorite subject, world building.

julentto photography Yr1SCCRJXIY unsplash — watercolor illustration
Genre

How to Write an Adventure Story That Leaves ‘Em Breathless

You want to know how to write an adventure story—the kind of heart-pounding saga that keeps readers up until the wee hours, whispering, “Just one more chapter,” until their eyes dry out. Well, this is how it's done.

A knight swinging their sword.
Genre

The Author's Guide to Writing Fantasy Characters

Fantasy stories are epic tales filled with interesting and compelling characters, but coming up with that cast of imaginary people can be difficult. We cover everything you need to write your fantasy characters in this guide.

Intense close-up of a bright light shining on a green eye, the face otherwise obscured in darkness.
Genre

What is Dark Fantasy? Your Guide to Literary Devastation

Learn how to write dark fantasy, the subgenre that invites you to explore nightmarish landscapes, meet darkly complex characters, and ask unsettling questions about morality.

A stone sculpture of Medusa with snakes for hair, solid green eyes, and a screaming mouth.
Genre

Author’s Guide to Fantasy Monsters, Creatures, and Humanoids

Need inspiration to fill out the corners of your world with magical beings, horrifying monsters, and everything in between? This list of fantasy creatures should do the trick.

A person wearing an ambiguous animal mask with horns stares down at the viewer.
Genre

Grimdark Fantasy: Your Guide to Literary Devastation

Love unthinkable horrors, dark magic, morally questionable protagonists, and grotesque creatures? Then you're gonna want to know about the grimdark fantasy genre.

A person in a mask and cape sits at a computer.
Genre

Everything Great About Fantasy Comedy (And How to Write It)

What could be more fun than combining the wonder of fantasy with the delight of comedy? Learn how to master this magical genre with our comprehensive guide.

The Colosseum at sunset.
Genre

Writing an Enchanted Past With Historical Fantasy

Learn how to blend the fantastical with the historical in a genre that's more popular than ever.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy between two bookends.
Genre

High Fantasy vs Low Fantasy: Demystify the Difference

What do people mean when they talk about high and low fantasy? And which one are you writing? Finally get the answers right here.

Hands coated in a black substance reach out against a dark and smokey background.
Genre

How to Write Dark Fantasy Your Readers Won’t Recover From

Want to write a thrilling dark fantasy that will haunt your readers for the rest of their lives? Here's how to get it done.

Person showing glowing sparkler against night sky.
Genre

Dabbling in Magic: How to Write Fantasy with Dabble (Guide + Template!)

Dabble is a powerhouse of a writing tool, but it feels extra strong in the hands of a fantasy writer. If you're looking to pen a grand adventure full of magic and monsters, use this guide and template to leverage all Dabble has to offer.

A wand sits on an open leather-bound spell book.
Genre

Must-Know Fantasy Tropes for Aspiring Authors

Want to write the kind of fantasy stories that draw readers in and get them hooked? Then you need to know your fantasy tropes. Here's a quick guide to the most popular conventions of the genre.

Silhouette of a person holding the moon.
Genre

Unlocking the Universal Power of Cosmic Irony

Is the entire universe conspiring against your characters? Then you might be dabbling in cosmic irony. Enjoy this guide to all things cosmically ironic, from where you've seen it to how to write it yourself.

A concerned-looking fairy stares off into the distance.
Genre

​​Subgenres of Fantasy You’re Gonna Want to Know About

What subgenre does your fantasy novel fall under? What does that mean for your readers' expectations? And why does any of this matter? If you don't know, you're about to find out.

Stars projected onto a person.
Genre

The Creative Writer’s Ultimate Guide to Science Fantasy

Does science fiction alone feel too limiting for your vast imagination? Do you feel like your fantasy world could use a dash of futuristic technology?

A crowd of people in a busy city street with a person in a leprechaun outfit on the sidewalk.
Genre

How to Write Urban Fantasy and Put Magic in the Mundane

Urban fantasy occupies a unique and exciting spot in the fantasy genre, bringing magic and supernatural elements to our modern world. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about how to write urban fantasy, from worldbuilding to common plots and themes.

Fractal glass pattern of pinks and purples.
Genre

50 Fantasy Story Ideas for Your Next Quest

Whether you're looking for a fresh fantasy story idea or just need a bit of prompting to unclog that writer's block, we've got your back with 50 different ideas spread across five different categories: worldbuilding, characters, plot, twists, and magic.

A sailboat sailing on the reflection of a cloudy sunset.
Genre

How to Put Your Spin on Fantasy Plot Ideas (Plus 25 Original Fantasy Prompts!)

Coming up with a new, original idea for your fantasy story can be as difficult as the grand quests we write about. In this article, we look at ways you can put your own spin on fantasy plot ideas and cover 25 unique prompts across multiple fantasy subgenres.

A ring of light flaring above a person with an upheld hand, their reflection in the water underneath them.
Genre

The Massive Guide on How to Build a Magic System

Ready to enchant your readers? Dive headfirst into our jam-packed guide on crafting a mesmerizing magic system. From the nitty-gritty of magic users to the art of setting up those big magical twists, this guide is bursting with all the tricks up our sleeve, and they can all be yours!

A swirl of orange and blue dust against the dark sky.
Genre

Hard vs. Soft Magic: Which is Best for Your Fantasy Novel?

All magic systems are made of hard magic, soft magic, or some hybrid between the two. In this article, we discuss what these two schools of magic are, what they bring to the writing table, and how you can wield them in your writing.

A cobblestone bridge next to a road, the entire scene washed in blue light.
Genre

The Magic of Writing a Fantasy Setting

One of the best parts of reading (and writing) fantasy is getting lost in the incredible worlds that are rich in lore, characters, and magic. But creating those settings isn't as easy as it seems. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to write a fantasy setting.

A grassy valley between mountains with the sun rising on the horizon.
Genre

What is Hard Fantasy?

Amongst the elves, orcs, wizards, and ancient curses of fantasy is "hard fantasy," a term that is part subgenre, part writing style. If you want to know what hard fantasy is, exactly, you've come to the right place.

A piece of iron with bright white sparks on one end.
Genre

How to Describe Spellbinding Magic in Fantasy Novels

Magic is what makes fantasy so great, which means you want to get the words right. But how do you go about describing magic? Is there supposed to be a reason behind each arcane word? We cover it all in this article!

fantasy conflict
Genre

Villains and Curses: Picking a Conflict for Your Fantasy Novel

Conflicts in fantasy books are fun because they tend to have epic proportions. We’re talking war and strife and evil overlords planning to enslave humanity. You don’t really get that kind of massive conflict in say, a contemporary book set in downtown Seattle. 

Man Sitting Under A Tree Reading A Book during Night Time
Genre

Turn Fantasy Into Reality: How to Write a Fantasy Novel

Writing a fantasy novel is a big, exciting, and rewarding undertaking. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about writing a fantasy story.