Fantasy Genre
September 21, 2008 | 
Author Fairies, or fae folk, are one of the staples of the fantasy genre. Although they populate classic fairy tales more often than fantasy novels, fairies still have a place in modern fiction. If you write fantasy fiction and are interested in fairies, this article can help you learn about the different types and their usual roles in stories.
How to Write Fairies in Fantasy Fiction
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World building is an important and really, really fun part of writing fantasy and science fiction novels.
Of course, since fantasy and sci fi occur in worlds that do not actually exist, you need to world build in order to know where and what and how your characters will be doing whatever they need to do.
What are some of the main areas of world building?
- Map making
- Political systems
- Economy
- Social groups and interactions
- Education system
- Language creation
- Industry and agriculture
- Religion
Are all these things necessary to create a believable fantasy or sci fi world?
Well… maybe.
This is where the world building trap starts to slam shut.
Some fantasy and sci fi writers – me included – have delved into building the world of their novel so deeply that it becomes a distraction from writing the book. I have spent a week on a map. I have studied linguistic systems and created my own languages. I have outlined royal successions for dozens of generations, and written brief histories for each one.
Did doing all this make my stories better?
Yes, I think it did.
Was all of it necessary? Was all of it used?
No way.
World building is fun. World building is important. But 95% of the world building you do will not make it into your novel. It may be vital to know the history of the kingdom and how it affected the trade routes, but chances are, that will not make it into your book.
Fantasy Fiction Genres and Sub-Genres – Read More Here
Urban or Contemporary Fantasy Genre
Urban or contemporary fantasy differ only in that urban fantasy is set in a city and is sometimes darker in nature than contemporary. Harry Potter is an example of contemporary fantasy. These fantasy genres combine magical beings or spells with modern socity.
Urban fantasy is growing in popularity.
I have never had much truck with magic.
Sure, I did a bit of telekinesis with some dragons and elves, but no fireball-tossing, invisibility-gaining, let-me-rub-my-crystal-ball magic before.
I now find myself wanting… no, needing… to write magic into my current WIP. The magic is illegal, but accessible to most. Some modicum of intelligence is needed to perform magic, though it can be packaged and sold to the lower classes.
The magic must come from something found only in one kingdom.
Since it must be limited in scope to a particular area, I can only assume the magic comes from an animal, vegetable, or mineral found there.
However, someone in the other kingdom can also do magic. I think someone is shipping him ‘the stuff.’
Whatever it is.
How to Write Fairies in Fantasy Fiction
Fairies, or fae folk, are one of the staples of the fantasy genre. Although they populate classic fairy tales more often than fantasy novels, fairies still have a place in modern fiction. If you write fantasy fiction and are interested in fairies, this article can help you learn about the different types and their usual roles in stories.
Elements of Time
Available from Twin Trinity Media.
Elements of Dimension continues the Twin Trinity short story anthology series with more top-quality stories and poems. This book explores the themes of science fiction, fantasy and reality. I have one short story, "Death Obeyed," and one poem, "Tale of the Suburban Dungeon" in this book.
"Elements of Time" short story anthology is available now. It features winning stories from the Accentuate Services contests plus themed poetry. Two of M. Lori Motley's short stories, "Inescapable" and "No Time Like Now," are included.
"Elements of Soul" short story anthology is available now. It features fifteen winning stories from the Accentuate Services contests plus themed poetry. Two of M. Lori Motley's short stories, "Summer Heat" and "Flood of Tears," are included.