Fantasy Writing - The Setting

The Fantasy world can be on any world, in any climate, but invariably the classic form of an agrarian landscape, free of manufactured pollution comes to mind. Popular demands tend to prefer the simple lifestyle of pre-industrial society. Understandably, we seek to escape back to the good old days, so writers make use of the Arcadian idyll where life has the ability to be perfect.

Fantasy writers create worlds using their own style and voice. The process follows a path of logic. Even within similar fantasy settings, distinct points of diversity set scenarios apart. Carefully chosen words change the flavor of the backdrop. This backdrop establishes components that make up everything from authority structures, belief systems and even the geography of the landscape. These details lay the groundwork for a Pre-modern society and culture. Environment, learned behaviors, social organizations and beliefs all influence this culture. Adding culture gives the characters a structure within which to make choices, take sides and interact.

Religion

In a pre-modern fantasy world, religion is often tied in with government structure. In such a culture, laws reflect the religion's belief in right and wrong. For example, if the religion believes it is wrong to speak of those who have died, it would not be uncommon to find a law in the fantasy world that enacts punishment if one of its citizens speaks of the dead.

Religion can be based on superstition or reality. The fun of writing fantasy is that the writer can create a bizarre belief system as long as it makes sense within the plot and fantasy characters' lives.

Magic

Every fantasy contains some element of magic. It's part of what makes the world work. It doesn't have to be called magic, but the element must exist. Unlike Science Fiction, the magic in fantasy is not based on science but on a form of mystical magic that still must make sense to the reader. A base line of how and why it works must be drawn.

In my novel Windwalker, an ancient necklace holds healing properties. The history of the magical properties is passed from generation to generation through the oral telling of history. However, the magic of the necklace only works for characters from a specific bloodline. It's not called a magic necklace, but readers not only understand its powers, but also know when it will work and when it won't.

Language

Language reflects origins. Fantasy writers develop different regions and languages for only one reason--to bring the two cultures together in some fashion within the plot.

Does your fantasy world have one language or more? Learning to communicate is a vehicle for character growth. Fantasy characters that survive a hostile environment only to find one other survivor that can't speak their language adds elements of conflict while forcing the two characters to work together.

Government

Who is in power? How did they get to this place of prominence? When developing a pre-modern fantasy world, government plays an important role. Without structure, every character is free to do what is right from their point of view. However, if the government treats its citizens unfairly, it opens the door to a power struggle on some level. How the quest for justice develops and what it involves will depend on the government's structure. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

	Are indigenous people ruled by outsiders or enemies?
	Do settlements or colonies populate the fantasy world?
	How is the country, state or area divided?
	Is the government a democracy with rights exercised by the people?
	Are representatives elected?
	Is the government a monarchy?
	Does a patriarch or matriarch sit on the throne?
	Is there only one kingdom or several friendly or rival kingdoms?

Get Started Writing Fantasy

These basic elements will get you started. Plan to set aside time to write each day to develop the habit of writing. Have fun, take a class and hone your skill.Take a moment and pop over to epress-online blog and you can get a preview of my novel Windwalker.

My second young adult fantasy, Beyond the Fifth Gate, is due out in September. I'll keep you all posted.

How to Dress Your Victorian Female Character - Part 2

Stockings

It's worth noting that during Victorian times, a Lady never referred to her legs. Petticoats and other undergarments were worn to hide the shape of a woman's legs. Does your Lady wear stockings gathered at the knee? What kind of garter holds her stockings in place? Are they made from rich silk fabrics with woven patterns or embroidered motifs? Or are they plain, ribbed, or fancy knit stockings?

• Garters: An article of clothing used to hold up stockings—garters evolved over time so be sure to dress your fantasy character appropriately. The first garters tied around the leg, the next garters slipped onto the leg, and then elastic garters were invented. By the end of the century, a strap sewn to the bottom of the corset worked like a suspender to secure the stockings. What garter is appropriate for your character's period?

Other Underwear

• Crinolines: A skirt made of coarse stiff fabric like cotton or horsehair worn over the petticoat and then covered by a decorative petticoat

• Bustles: A pad, cushion, or framework worn under the back of a woman's skirt to expand, support, and display the full cut and drape of a dress. It was worn over the petticoat and then covered by a decorative petticoat.

• Corset covers: Protected the dress and corset from perspiration. This garment originated as the separate bodice for the petticoat. This waist length garment opened at the front.

The Victorian Skirt or Dress

Victorian Ladies were women of fashion. Over the basic dress, they wore a variety of matching draperies and overskirts which fell in graceful folds to embellish the dress. The basic dress sometimes came in two pieces, a matching bodice and skirt. Other dresses were sewn as a single garment with a fitted seam at the waist. Another popular fashion used consistently in writing fantasy is the one-piece princess dress with no waist seam. Dress style varied with fashion.

Dress Accessories

Ladies made a fashion statement by completing their look with matching accessories. Other items you'll want to add and research include collars, under-sleeves and cuffs.

Matching capes and jackets added a bit of flare to the basic dress. Sometimes these matching capes and jackets were made to be worn indoors. Other outwear includes things like cloaks, shawls and mantles.

Shoes and Boots

Shoe fashion for indoors included flat slippers in the first half of the nineteenth century. For outdoors, Ladies wore short boots with flat heels. During the second half of the century footwear developed heels and boots became taller.

Head Coverings

• Caps: In the early Victorian period, caps were worn indoors by married and older Ladies.
• Decorative hair-nets
• Bonnets: Worn outdoors over indoor caps.
• Hats: Stylish hats were worn without the indoor cap.

Other Victorian Accessories

To complete your character's wardrobe you'll add other Victorian Accessories. The following list will aid in your research to complete the look:

Gloves, flat purses, walking stick parasols, pleated folding fans, jewelry and more.

Now that you have the basics to get started, visit sites like the Victorian Fashion Timeline for more information.

How to Dress Your Victorian Female Character - Part 2

Stockings

It's worth noting that during Victorian times, a Lady never referred to her legs. Petticoats and other undergarments were worn to hide the shape of a woman's legs. Does your Lady wear stockings gathered at the knee? What kind of garter holds her stockings in place? Are they made from rich silk fabrics with woven patterns or embroidered motifs? Or are they plain, ribbed, or fancy knit stockings?

• Garters: An article of clothing used to hold up stockings—garters evolved over time so be sure to dress your fantasy character appropriately. The first garters tied around the leg, the next garters slipped onto the leg, and then elastic garters were invented. By the end of the century, a strap sewn to the bottom of the corset worked like a suspender to secure the stockings. What garter is appropriate for your character's period?

Other Underwear

• Crinolines: A skirt made of coarse stiff fabric like cotton or horsehair worn over the petticoat and then covered by a decorative petticoat

• Bustles: A pad, cushion, or framework worn under the back of a woman's skirt to expand, support, and display the full cut and drape of a dress. It was worn over the petticoat and then covered by a decorative petticoat.

• Corset covers: Protected the dress and corset from perspiration. This garment originated as the separate bodice for the petticoat. This waist length garment opened at the front.

The Victorian Skirt or Dress

Victorian Ladies were women of fashion. Over the basic dress, they wore a variety of matching draperies and overskirts which fell in graceful folds to embellish the dress. The basic dress sometimes came in two pieces, a matching bodice and skirt. Other dresses were sewn as a single garment with a fitted seam at the waist. Another popular fashion used consistently in writing fantasy is the one-piece princess dress with no waist seam. Dress style varied with fashion.

Dress Accessories

Ladies made a fashion statement by completing their look with matching accessories. Other items you'll want to add and research include collars, under-sleeves and cuffs.

Matching capes and jackets added a bit of flare to the basic dress. Sometimes these matching capes and jackets were made to be worn indoors. Other outwear includes things like cloaks, shawls and mantles.

Shoes and Boots

Shoe fashion for indoors included flat slippers in the first half of the nineteenth century. For outdoors, Ladies wore short boots with flat heels. During the second half of the century footwear developed heels and boots became taller.

Head Coverings

• Caps: In the early Victorian period, caps were worn indoors by married and older Ladies.
• Decorative hair-nets
• Bonnets: Worn outdoors over indoor caps.
• Hats: Stylish hats were worn without the indoor cap.

Other Victorian Accessories

To complete your character's wardrobe you'll add other Victorian Accessories. The following list will aid in your research to complete the look:

Gloves, flat purses, walking stick parasols, pleated folding fans, jewelry and more.

Now that you have the basics to get started, visit sites like the Victorian Fashion Timeline for more information.

How to Dress Your Victorian Female Character - Part 1

When writing a Victorian era fantasy novel, even though it's fantasy, you'll want your world and characters to represent the period with accuracy. Even if you loosely develop a fantasy world based on the Victorian period, the information in this article will help dress characters in Victorian style apparel with enough detail to make it real in the reader's mind.

In this article we'll study the clothing of a Victorian Lady. Lady was the proper title of any woman whose husband ranked higher than baronet or knight, or who was the daughter of a nobleman not lower than an earl. A Lady's affluent lifestyle followed fashion. With that in mind, this article takes a look at how to dress a fantasy character based on historical dress.

Details down to underwear reflect a Victorian character's placement in time. In the first half of the nineteenth century undergarments served a utilitarian function. At that time, underwear lacked trimmings and decoration. But in the second half of the century, frills like lace and embroidery came into style. When dressing or undressing your character, keep details period specific.

Basic Victorian Undergarments

• Chemise: a loose-fitting, white linen shirt-like undergarment designed to hang straight from the shoulders, fit loosely at the waist, sometimes more tightly at the hip and reached to the calf. You'll want to research neckline shapes and other small alterations for the timeframe of your story.

• Drawers: an undergarment that covers the lower part of the body with legs reaching to the knees. Legs of this garment were sewn separately leaving the crotch open. Drawstring casings gathered at the back above a loose-fitting seat. This loose fit design prevented the open seam from separating. Again, depending on the exact time frame, you'll want to research whether the legs to the drawers for your character should be flared or wide, or gathered at the knee.

• Corset: a close-fitting undergarment, stiffened with whalebone or similar material and often tightened by lacing. It fit tight around the trunk of the body. Women wore this garment to shape and support the body. It was worn over or under the petticoat.

• Petticoat:(most often made in one piece with the bodice attached) Commonly made of flannel, this garment worked as a slip or underskirt worn for warmth and to hide the contour of a woman's legs. Often a decorative petticoat was full and trimmed with ruffles or lace. Three Petticoats were usually the minimum worn.

• Stiffened petticoat, crinoline or bustle: Several petticoats were worn to support the bell shape skirt (before the cage crinoline in the 1850's). Early petticoats were starched and corded (cords ran through them to hold the hem out). Petticoats changed with fashion. As you design your character's wardrobe, consider the decade you want to target within the Victorian era. Do some research. Should your character be wearing a narrow paneled skirt or a wide bell skirt? Bustles came and went. Be sure to check if it is appropriate to add a bustle to your character's fashion sense.

• Decorative petticoat: Depending on the year, decorative petticoats included things like flounces down the back, popular colors like scarlet or added decoration at the hem that showed below the hem of the dress

Don't leave your character standing there in her undergarments. Be sure to watch for part 2 of How to Dress your Victorian Female Character to give her an authentic look.

Chivalry In Fantasy Writing - Part 2

Adulterated Chivalry In Fantasy

Just as the contaminated code of chivalry went forth with the crusades, such scenarios make for interesting fantasy civilizations. In today's culture we think any man can be considered chivalrous, but historically it wasn't so. In practice, chivalry was limited to knights, barons, and earls. Men of noble birth.

Unusual fantasy cultures present new and unique qualifications for what constitutes noble birth and chivalrous behavior. Questions to consider when developing a fantasy culture include: Are characters born into nobility or similar social distinction? Does wealth and poverty play a part? In Windwalker the distinctions presented by the racially divided society offer opportunities for underdogs to shine the light on what is truly chivalrous.

Growth Of A Chivalrous Fantasy Character

Chivalrous behavior is a matter of heart more than living according to a set of rules. Chivalrous development within the fantasy character builds on lessons learned. Lay a foundation showing how the fantasy world works. This leads readers to form an opinion of what is good and honorable. It doesn't have to be an extensive detailed account that tells the reader what to think, but rather snippets that allow the reader to learn along side the character as they grow.

Historically, a youth of noble birth went through years of training before he could be admitted into the ranks of knighthood. The title of knight was not only earned but a sign of military excellence. About the age of seven, he started his pilgrimage to knighthood as a page. He ran errands and performed humble tasks for noblemen and ladies. During the process, he learned proper manners and received an education. This was the foundation.

Training A Fantasy Character

Rites of passage open the door to creative plot basics. Youth can tend to be rather cruel or overly sensitive. Training forges the fantasy character as they move away from what is known into a new environment that tests the character's integrity. In the right scenario, times of training draw lines between internal good and evil-right and wrong. These situations not only define a character, but also draw the reader to care-to love or hate.

Traditionally, when the page reached young adulthood (about age 13) his training became serious. He moved from the comforts of home into a castle owned by a friend of his father. Within this castle, he'd live and work as a squire. This is the time he learned the skill of using a sword, lance and shield. These skills were honed in mock battles with other squires.

Fantasy Readers And Characters That Connect

Fantasy readers learn along with characters in well-written fantasy. They gain external knowledge, and through body language and internal dialog learn how characters feel.

For example, consider a squire character involved in a training tournament. Readers learn the character's riding technique. They know what he's thinking as he approaches the target. Is he confident or fearful that he will fail before a love interest sitting in the stands? If the squire's lance hits the target dead on, it falls over, but if he hits it off center, the target spins around and smacks him on the back. Readers understand the rules and feel the muscular steed beneath them. If bystanders mock, the reader feels the humiliation.

Fantasy writers strive for readers to know what the objective is and how the character feels. The character and reader become one. They know who's watching and what it means.

Knight-like Fantasy Characters

Fantasy writers learn to carry over the magic of the chivalrous past. Knighthood carried a sense of honor and could be forfeited if the knight broke his vows. Why or how a knight-like character would break his vows would of course depend on the plot and how the fantasy writer wants their character to grow. A knight without honor was regarded as a knight dead.

In the movie The Natural a young gifted ball player played by Robert Redford has the opportunity to fulfill his boyhood dream of playing major league ball. He leaves for the big city with promises of marriage to the girl he leaves behind. This knight-like character breaks his vow after being shot by a mysterious woman. His code of conduct must be proven sixteen years later when he reemerges into the baseball scene and into the life of the woman he had promised to marry.

The chivalry of knighthood historically wasn't romantic or the exciting lives we read about in fantasy today, but that is the adventure of fantasy writing. As writers, we pick up the gauntlet and run with it. Where it takes us stretches the imagination and brings the reader along for the ride.

Chivalry In Fantasy Writing - Part 1

To learn how to write an element of chivalry into fantasy, first ask why it's important. Fantasy writers establish a code of conduct to help readers understand who is good and who is not. Fantasy realms open opportunity to create a different code of ethics. Although ethics differ from world to world, they still need to be anchored in the real world to allow the reader to relate.

In medieval times the church fostered a code of chivalry. Fantasy writers today often include historically chivalrous themes including basics like upholding the honor of women and the protection of the weak. How that's accomplished will be determined by the code of conduct established.

For example, in my fantasy novel Windwalker, the young protagonist is taught by his grandfather not to stare at the bumblefoot but to treat her with respect. This may sound more like good manners, but this behavior goes against the queen's edict, which declares a bumblefoot baby be killed at birth. Instead of treating her with respect, the law requires she be reported. The code of conduct reflected in the hero's actions at a young age goes against the law. Readers know breaking the law is bad but are forced to make a moral stand. Do they agree with the law? When the protagonist doesn't report the girl, it's no longer the grandfather's ethics but his own. Circumstances introduce what is right and wrong; while the fantasy writer motivates the reader to take sides.

Chivalry found its birth amid the obligations of service and loyalty within feudalism. This righteous code of conduct actually curbed some of the bloodletting violence of the medieval era. However, an adulterated version of chivalry carried crusaders on savage quests that left behind scars still festering in some cultures today. With all that in mind, how does chivalry work when writing fantasy?

Tomorrow we'll look at adulterated chivalry in fantasy writing.

Consistency and Logic in Novel Writing - Part 2

What Character's Own

This category and the next are the two that present the most inconsistencies when writing. If your character loses his dagger in scene five, yet slices his enemy with it in scene eight, that break in consistency causes the reader to falter wondering if they missed something.

Tracking possessions prevents consistency glitches. You don't want to lose the reader as they flip back searching for what they missed. Track what your character owns and wears. If they have on boots that clack on the hard tile floor in chapter 1, unless they've changed they shouldn't be sneaking up wearing moccasins in chapter 4. Or if they lose their jacket, don't make it available when the temperatures drop. What characters own and use impacts logic.

Donna Sundblad's writing book, Pumping Your Muse recommends keeping a running list to track pertinent items owned or used by each character. When a chapter is written, read through it and update your tracking lists. This allows you to catch inconsistencies when the plot heads in a new or unexpected direction. Tracking allows wardrobe and possessions to keep up with each change.

Character Physical Traits

Characters evolve. Tracking their physical attributes provides a quick reference for novelists in the throes of emerging plots threads. Don't stop to wonder what color eyes-tracking allows the author to glance at the list, add the detail and keep writing.

Tracking physical characteristics also helps to avoid a blue-eyed character from becoming a green-eyed vixen later in the story just because green eyes suit her personality at that point. It's fine to make the change, but tracking not only follows the changes, but forces the writer to go back and search for any mention of the physical attribute in earlier chapters. It's necessary to hunt down previous references making them constant throughout. The goal is consistency.

Traits and Quirks

Real people have quirks. Adding small habits and quirky mannerisms brings realism to your characters. Do they bite their nails? Twirl the hair at the back of their neck? Stand with slumped shoulders?

Such traits help to paint a personality. Personalities fluctuate but habits die hard. Track habits and quirks and keep them consistent.

Guest Author Bio: Bryn Colvin is an author of fantasy and erotica books. She is largely published electronically. When not writing, Bryn is an avid reader, an active pagan and a folk enthusiast.