• Romance Tropes in Fantasy: 5 Popular Love Stories in Fantasy Books

    A professor in a college creative writing course once told his class that every story is a love story. At first, this may seem like an overstatement, but when you step back and analyze storytelling, it rings true. Love exists in every story—whether it’s love for another person, a country, God, or even an idea. This means that no matter what fantasy story you’re writing, romance in fantasy will likely find its way into your narrative. While those seeking an overt love story may turn to the romance genre, romance is not exclusive to it. Many fantasy books incorporate romance…

  • Exploring Imaginative Fantasy Subgenres

    Welcome, fellow traveler! You have officially been introduced to the realm of the fantasy genre and are ready to begin your quest in writing your story. The time has come to look even closer at the elements that have already been introduced as well as other elements that may arise later in the writing process for this particular genre so that you are well-equipped for the journey ahead. Let us begin by asking this question: what kind of fantasy would you like to write about? While it would be an impressively amazing accomplishment, no story can house every element within…

  • Welcome to the Writing Realm of Fantasy

    Imagine this: a terrifying-looking orc who has secret dreams of one day becoming a world-famous bard. A well-seasoned wizard who has helped countless heroes succeed on their quests is ready for retirement. A princess and a unicorn team up to save the few surviving unicorns from a goblin who is killing them for their horns. If any of these sound appealing or like something you may have thought of before, fantasy may just be calling you to write and your imagination is more than welcome to take up residence in this mystical writing realm. This genre has been around for…

  • Rise of the Hero: Writing the Hero’s Journey Arc

    Imagine this. A youth who lives a carefree life is suddenly thrust into a situation where they must leave behind everything they know to embark on a journey full of uncertainties and dangers to accomplish a specific task. Along the way, they meet companions and other unusual characters who either aid them or try to stand in their way. The events that unravel during this journey all lead up to one ultimate decision, one ultimate goal to make what had ultimately gone wrong right again. The youth succeeds, becoming a hero in the process, and they are rewarded with the…