Fantasy Writing Category
The Writer’s Guide to Broken Bones
Posted on February 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
Breaking a bone is one of the most common and impactful injuries in fiction. Whether it happens during a dramatic fight scene, a tragic accident, or an adventurous misstep, fractures offer an opportunity to showcase your character’s resilience, vulnerability, and recovery journey. To write these scenes realistically, it’s essential to understand the types of fractures, […]
The Writer’s Guide to Basic Anatomy
Posted on February 14, 2025 Leave a Comment
Understanding basic anatomy doesn’t just make your injury scenes more believable—it makes them more engaging. While you don’t need the expertise of a doctor, by focusing on how injuries affect the body, you can craft realistic, impactful moments that resonate with readers and deepen their connection to your characters. Take the time to research and […]
The Writer’s Guide to Writing Injuries Realistically
Posted on January 31, 2025 Leave a Comment
In storytelling, injuries are more than just obstacles for heroes to overcome. They have the power to deepen character development, increase plot tension, and add a layer of authenticity that draws readers into the narrative. But to achieve these effects, injuries in fiction need to be portrayed with realism. A character who takes a severe […]
World-building Case Study Example
Posted on January 17, 2025 Leave a Comment
Creating a captivating fantasy world requires not only vivid imagination, but also a structured approach to bring the world and its inhabitants to life. In this article, I’ll walk through every element of world building, following the journey of Zarina, a young woman with a rare gift for manipulating an extraordinary form of magic. I […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: World-building for Urban Fantasy
Posted on December 20, 2024 2 Comments
Urban fantasy combines the magical and the mundane, placing supernatural elements in contemporary settings. This subgenre offers a unique opportunity to explore familiar urban landscapes infused with magical intrigue, mythical creatures, and hidden societies. Crafting a believable and immersive urban fantasy world requires careful attention to detail, character integration, and the interplay between reality and […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Building a Magic System
Posted on October 25, 2024 Leave a Comment
Magic is one of the elements that defines the fantasy genre and often serves as the lifeblood of a fantasy world, influencing everything from plot dynamics to character development. A well-designed magic system not only enhances the immersive experience but also provides a solid framework for storytelling. Here’s a guide to building a magic system […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Magic Systems
Posted on October 11, 2024 1 Comment
Magic systems are a cornerstone of fantasy, infusing your world with wonder, conflict, and intrigue. A well-crafted magic system not only enriches your story but also deepens character development, drives plot progression, and enhances world-building. This guide is an introduction. Over the next several weeks, I will explore how to build a magic system. Hard […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Economy & Trade
Posted on September 13, 2024 Leave a Comment
Economies and trade systems weave together the fabric of societies, shaping the livelihoods, aspirations, and interactions of their inhabitants. These are the systems by which goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed within a society or geographical area, influencing institutions commas policies commas and behaviors. For writers, creating rich and believable economic landscapes can […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Food
Posted on August 30, 2024 Leave a Comment
Food is more than mere sustenance; it serves as a cornerstone of culture, reflecting the history, values, and traditions of a society. From exotic feasts fit for kings to futuristic delicacies harvested from alien worlds, the culinary landscapes of speculative fiction offer endless opportunities for creative exploration. From the ingredients used to the methods of […]
The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Factions
Posted on July 19, 2024 Leave a Comment
While political systems may set the chess board of power and conflict, factions are the pieces on that board. From the plucky rebel band hiding out in the woods of a fantasy story to the Empress and court of a galactic domain, factions can open up many storytelling and plot opportunities. In this guide I’ll […]
Rebecca Shedd - Author 