#Fantasy novel | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

natt-writes · 22 hours

Text

~5 Writing tips that actually help~

(These tips are meant for fiction books, especially fantasy. so if you’re writing nonfiction a decent amount of these won’t apply to you. Sorry!)

Find your writing voice.

one of the biggest issues I find in things written by beginners is a lack of emotional connection with the narration. Sure the story can be great, but without personality, without looks into the characters minds, without little quips here and there, it really isn’t all that interesting. Something that really helped me to realize this was a book called the tragical tale of birdie bloom. It’s a kids book but it honestly has such a good narrator (and storyline tbh) that you can look past the little kiddy-ness. I recommend you check the book out if you’re looking for some inspiration. I will be making a post about how to develop your writing and character voices soon so if you want some extra help with that, stay tuned!

2. Get to know your characters.

I know that you all probably already know this, but characters are one of, if not the most important part of a book. Readers don’t want to read about a flat, boring character who just feels like a vessel for the horrifying amount of trauma you add to your story. They want to read about people that feel real, people with flaws and feelings and hobbies and backstories. When I wanted to develop my characters I started going through the drafts, the plot outlines, everything and seeing what the characters did, said, felt. Then I took their basic backstory and started lining things up. Like if a character decided to get into a fight with another character, I would see what had happened to them that might have caused this. Maybe they had been abused as a child and thought that any disagreement meant they had to fight for their life. Maybe this person reminded them of a former enemy. After you start to figure out what connects the characters to the big plot points, you can then start to develop subtle things. You could start writing something, realize this situation would have triggered a character, and then drop subtle hints towards them feeling uncomfortable. Go nuts with it, after all you can never over-analyze a character.

3. Describe things uniquely.

Descriptions are what help us to understand what’s going on in a scene. They can tell us about the tasty drink a character is enjoying, the slick dress that someone is wearing or the way a characters muscles tense when a certain someone enters the room. But sometimes descriptions a fall a bit flat and that can ruin the experience for the reader. Something I always try to remember is to try and come up with new words describe something, for example; “her eyes were a beautiful shade of brown.” Is a very basic and over used description, instead you could try; “her eyes sparkled as she sat across from me, gleaming a rich chocolate shade as the light from the candles reflected off of them”. This is a much stronger sentence as it gives both environment hits and a description of the eyes, all while staying away from overused terms. I often see this theme in stories written by beginners, things being described in a very straight forward manner. And of course this is ok once in a while, especially if this isn’t a very important topic, but it still sounds better when you branch away from that basic sentence structure. I always like to use descriptive sentences to push things forward. Here is another example; “she was wearing a fluffy green dress with lots of lace. She walked over to the door and opened it.” Vs “the lacy trim of her green dress dragged on the floor as she walked towards the door. She smiled wide as she held it open, inviting her guests into the building.” Making strong sentences is very important, so please toy around with different words, structures, etc, until the sentence fits the type of book you’re trying to write.

4. Make trauma realistic.

Yes, even if you’re writing a fantasy book, characters experiences have to be realistic. Something that always gets on my nerves is when writers come up with a good idea for some trauma, so they just give to a character, even when it doesn’t suit them at all. if you are going to give a character trauma you need to explain it, set it up so it actually fits into their character arc, then have the character actually be affected by it. They can’t just randomly be like “I got shot by a dude.” And that’s it if there is no way that character could have gotten shot given their life experiences. Also if you want a character to be relatively unaffected after an extremely traumatic event you have to plan it out so that they have a specific and consistent trauma response that makes them not react shortly after an event like that. Characters are supposed to be like people, and no two people react to trauma the same way, so you do have some leeway if necessary, but people also don’t just stay the same after something horrible happens, they are affected by it and that has to be accurately portrayed. This does get easier the more you get to know the characters though, as soon you will know how they react to things and how to plan trauma that suits them.

5. Make a plot outline.

I cannot stress this enough, make a plot outline. Making a plot outline literally saved my book, and they are really easy to make! I recommend you download a spreadsheet app like XL spreadsheets or Apple numbers but you could even use google docs if you want. You want to put in all the chapters and then give each chapter at least six spots to write scenes. Add a spot for adding the main event of the chapter/a summery of what you have to write. This will help you to understand what you have to write for that chapter and how it fits into the next chapter. After that you start to fill all the scene boxes in with your plot information. Having a plot outline is great as it can be super vague and messy, but still hold all your ideas. It also helps to prevent unnecessary rewrites later, as you can just edit the plot outline before you start writing the first draft. You can even make a plot outline after you’ve started writing your book. That’s what I did and I promise, it still is very helpful. (Example of a plot outline below.)

34 notes · View notes

mxxnlightwriting · 1 day

Text

✨ A SPARK OF MAGIC RELEASE ✨

The rumours are true. A Spark of Magic is out into the world and you can get it now and read it to your heart's desire. I hope you're excited to meet Alice and Isaac, follow them on their adventures and stick around for what's to come. I had a lot of fun writing this book and I hope that same love, care and excitement reaches you once you pick this book up. Thank you for giving it a chance!

Rest assured, this is only the beginning 🔮🐚✨

Synopsis

Life can change in an instant.

Isaac had it all: place on the swimming team, popularity amongst his peers, and acceptance to a prestigious university. Until he didn’t. Now, he grows a tail whenever water is involved. He is running out of time and ideas.

Danger looms around every corner.

Alice has only wanted one thing: to get her magic back. After having her life turned upside down, reconnecting with her powers is the only way to prove her worth as a witch, and hopefully leave her small town for good.

Help is worth risking everything.

Isaac knows Alice might be his only chance at getting his life back, but her help doesn’t come without sacrifices. Differences must be put aside to find a solution, even when everything feels like it is trying to drive them apart. Luckily they seem to agree on one thing: this should be their secret.

Secrets are hard to keep. The answers are even harder to find.

Trust can be earned, but at what cost?

#indie author #self publishing #urban fantasy books #writeblr community #writeblr #urban fantasy #writing community #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #indie books #indie publishing #fantasy books #fantasy novel #urban fantasy novel #ya fantasy #ya fantasy novel #wip: a spark of magic #book release #mermay 2024

17 notes · View notes

sweetarethediscords · 28 days

Text

It’s Slow Burn. It’s tedious trust turning into certain loyalty.

It’s deals made in desperation becoming unbreakable bonds.

It’s noticing, focusing, the subtle shift of light in their eyes, the shifting wrinkles that show in different smiles.

It’s bearing the sting to taste fleeting sweetness.

It’s careful words and cautious actions despite the ticking clock.

It’s holding back a hand to save their suffering.

It’s watching as the pain works its way through their bones.

It’s knowing that the smile you wish to give them, the kind words, would only lead to anguish.

It’s finding other ways to love them.

It’s endlessly searching for ways to relieve their agony and give them the adoration they deserve.

May it take days, or months, or decades. You’ll keep your devotion in a bottomless jar hoping someday they will drink from it, greedily, happily, sore throat eased from your efforts.

#the maiden of the barren rime #mina #sebastian #writblr #bookblr #mbr #writing #new books #slow burn #fantasy novel #fantasy romance #romantasy

1K notes · View notes

burntoutdaydreamer · 5 months

Text

Questions I Ask My Beta Readers

"Did you like it?" just doesn't cut it when you're trying to get useful feedback, so here's some questions that get your reader really thinking about your work:

What are your general impressions after reading? How did you feel when the book ended?

(For fantasy/sci-fi) What did you find most confusing about the world? What did you find the most interesting? What do you want to know more about?

Were there any scenes that broke your suspension of disbelief? Which ones? Why?

Which chapters were the hardest to get through? Did you find yourself skimming the text at any point in the story?

Which character was your favorite? Which was your least favorite? Why? (Note that this question is best when asking multiple readers. If one person really dislikes a character, it could be personal preference. If multiple people can't stand a character for the same reason.... well, that's a problem you need to fix. Unless, of course, you want your readers to hate that character. Just make sure that their hatred enhances the reading experience instead of ruining it).

Did you get any characters confused or mixed up? If so, did this make the story hard to follow?

What was the most suspenseful moment in the book? What was your favorite moment of the story? What was your least favorite moment in the story? Why?

Which setting in the book was clearest to you as you were reading it? Which setting was the most difficult to envision?

Did you feel there was a lot of info dumping at any point? If so, where?

How do you feel about the plot? Were there any parts that confused you or seemed nonsensical/ illogical?

Did you feel any part of the story was predictable? Do you have any predictions for the next book(s)? If so, what are they? (Again, another question that's best when asking multiple readers. Be aware of your audience here. Some people, especially those who read a lot, are really good at predicting where stories are going to go. If those people are able to guess what happens next, that might actually be a good thing, because it could indicate that your story is progressing logically. Too much predictability is a problem, but a little isn't bad. This question is just to make sure the plot twists/progression aren't painfully obvious to most readers).

What plot holes did you find in the story so far?

Were you invested in the story? If so, at what point did you become invested? Did you lose this interest at any point? (The second point here is really good for determining whether you have a slow beginning. Sometimes readers might really like your story overall, but would not have gotten past the first few chapters if they were reading it for fun instead of as a favor for you. This happened to me last time I asked someone to read my work, and it made it clear how much of the beginning I needed to rewrite entirely).

Any other questions or comments?

2K notes · View notes

thewriteadviceforwriters · 5 months

Text

The Five Types of Readers That Read Your Fantasy Book (For Writers)

As a fantasy writer, understanding your target audience is crucial for the success of your book. Knowing the different types of readers who are drawn to the genre can help you tailor your writing to their preferences and create a more engaging experience. In this blog post, I'll help you explore the five types of readers that are likely to read your fantasy book and provide insights into their characteristics and expectations.

The Escapist Reader

The first type of reader is the Escapist. These readers are looking for a break from reality and crave immersion in a rich and imaginative world. They are drawn to epic quests, magical creatures, and fantastical settings. As a writer, you can capture their attention by crafting a vivid and detailed world, filled with intricate plotlines and larger-than-life characters. Engaging their sense of wonder and providing an escape from their everyday lives will keep them hooked from the first page to the last.

The World-Builder

The next type of reader is the World-Builder. These readers are fascinated by the intricacies of world-building and the lore that shapes the fantasy realm. They enjoy exploring the history, mythology, and geography of the fictional world you create. To captivate these readers, focus on developing a well-constructed and cohesive world that feels authentic and believable. Pay attention to the small details, establish consistent rules of magic, and provide glimpses into the rich tapestry of your universe.

The Character-Driven Reader

Another important type of reader is the Character-Driven reader. These readers are emotionally invested in the journeys and growth of the characters they encounter. They want to experience the highs and lows alongside the protagonists, forming deep connections with them. To engage these readers, focus on creating well-rounded and relatable characters with compelling arcs. Develop their motivations, flaws, and relationships to evoke empathy and resonate with your audience on a personal level.

The Plot-Oriented Reader

The fourth type of reader is the Plot-Oriented reader. These readers are primarily interested in the twists, turns, and surprises that unfold throughout the story. They enjoy intricate and well-paced plots that keep them guessing. As a writer, you can capture their attention by crafting a narrative with unexpected twists, clever foreshadowing, and satisfying resolutions. Keep the suspense high and deliver a satisfying payoff to keep these readers engaged and coming back for more.

The Theme-Seeker

The final type of reader is the Theme-Seeker. These readers are drawn to the deeper meanings and messages embedded within a story. They enjoy exploring philosophical, moral, or social themes that resonate with them on a personal level. As a writer, you can captivate these readers by weaving thought-provoking themes into your narrative. Explore complex issues, challenge societal norms, and offer unique perspectives to stimulate their intellect and leave a lasting impact.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of readers that are drawn to your fantasy book can help you tailor your writing to their preferences and create a more immersive experience. Whether you are capturing the attention of Escapist readers, captivating the World-Builders with your intricate lore, evoking emotions in Character-Driven readers, surprising Plot-Oriented readers, or stimulating the intellect of Theme-Seekers, knowing your audience is key. By crafting a story that resonates with these reader types, you increase your chances of creating a loyal fan base and achieving success as a fantasy writer.

Blow your readers mind. Happy writing!

568 notes · View notes

redraccoonart · 8 months

Text

Elaine & Azriel, from the ACOTAR series 🌹

I had such a great time painting this commission piece and discovering the characters, now I’m looking forward to read the books 🥰

Elaine & Azriel are characters from Sarah J Maas novel called “A Court of Thorns and Roses”

Art Commission / Please do not use/sell 🙏

313 notes · View notes

catfayssoux · 17 days

Text

Me writing my first draft vs writing my second

142 notes · View notes

laylakingwrites · 5 months

Text

Hey! I am an author who has just finished writing their first book and I want to know if it’s something people will read, so let me give you guys the low down on here!

♡ High fantasy romance!!!

♡ Follows the perspective of the morally gray male rather than the female.

♡ Gambling raccoon??? (Like come on! Hell yeah!)

♡ LGBTQ and all inclusive!!!!!!

♡ Villain gets the girl?

♡ You don’t know who’s lying until the very end!

Basic Synopsis:

Morally gray guy is tasked by a nobleman he doesn’t like to bring runaway girl back home. However, after meeting this girl he starts to realize that her father has sinister plans for her and she is not who she says she is either. Our morally gray guy also isn’t sure he can turn her in anymore.

Our working title is The Prince of Lies!

#female writers #writers on tumblr #writer community #authors #debut author #new author #new books #book blog #bookblr #bookworm #books and reading #would you read this?#fantasy #fantasy novel #romance #dnd

204 notes · View notes

lunar-eclipse-tales · 5 months

Text

When you’re working on an adult fantasy novel and Sterek is your inspiration for the two main characters and love interests.

Different clans that are shifters

War between shifters and humans

Enemies to lovers

Grumpy x Sunshine

Forbidden Love

Touch them and die

Stuck together

Celtic vibes

Disability representation

Sarcasm & Snark

Action

Spicy

#teen wolf #Sterek #eternal sterek #stiles x derek #stiles stilinski #Derek hale #fantasy #fantasy novel #spicy novel #fantasy books

146 notes · View notes

salomedebeaurepaire · 4 months

Text

Mairon by Krabat

146 notes · View notes

smellyarmpithaver · 1 year

Text

You know how some people think Cale is a dragon? I would like to add fuel to that fire by reminding you that dragons are seen as "Laid back" and known to like solitude and that Cale is open about his dream of being a slacker, as well as the fact where he lives (super rock villa) is in a forest in an underground cave. And when I mean people I mean the general public.

#lout of the count’s family #cale henituse #cale #lcf cale #lcf #my thougts #fantasy novel #novel #lcf cale Henituse

877 notes · View notes

lone-nyctophile · 1 year

Text

667 notes · View notes

heyitsrink · 7 days

Text

His face fascinates me. His Great Brow overshadows his Eyes and in a human person this expression would be called a scowl, but in the Gorilla it seems to mean the exact opposite. He represent many things, among them Peace, Tranquility, Strength and Endurance.

#Piranesi #susanna clark #fantasy novel #fantasy art #piranesi fanart #book fanart #still haven't stopped thinking about this book #and I read it back in october

63 notes · View notes

sweetarethediscords · 22 days

Text

It’s Hurt/Comfort. It’s listening beyond hearing. Seeing beyond sight.

It’s finding ways to treat the wound, be it salve or bandage, kisses or quiet.

Salt to cleanse a festering sore.

Honey poured down a throat cried raw.

It's...

It’s limbs entangled in the dark of night, fingers knotted in hair, breath and heartbeats slowing into a steady rhythm, a reminder that you’re both still here, both alive, together.

It’s gentle lips pressed against old, deep scars. Silent prayers of gratitude whispered into the gnarled flesh.

It’s the years past the pain, when you’re both old and happy, but the nightmares still come. Far and few in-between nowadays but just as feverish and frightening as they were back when their cause was fresh. The hand that rests on your shoulder gently. The reverent, patient whisper of your name becoming a lighthouse beacon. Waking you, saving you. Thumb brushing the tears off your cheeks as tender as if it were the first time.

#writing #bookblr #the maiden of the barren rime #fantasy novel #fantasy romance #fantasy books #new books #mbr #hurt/comfort #romantasy #words #fae

307 notes · View notes

duckprintspress · 8 months

Text

Pre-Orders Now Open for “Many Drops Make a Stream” by Adrian Harley!

Pre-orders for Adrian Harley’s debut sapphic fantasy novel Many Drops Make a Stream are now open!

A memory-stealing cult. The ever-watchful City of Eyes. Making small talk. Join Droplet as she faces all these horrors and more…

Vigilante shapeshifter Droplet has trained her entire life to take down those with more power than scruples, but she still makes mistakes. When a rescue mission goes wrong, a memory-stealing cult of blood mages escapes with kidnapped captives in tow. To save them, Droplet reluctantly teams up with the outgoing, tenacious Azera. Droplet knows better than to trust a human—she made that mistake once, and that person’s betrayal scattered her community across the known world—and she can tell Azera is hiding secrets behind her sunny smile. But if they can’t learn to work together, even Droplet’s own memories could be lost.

Many Drops Make a Stream, Adrian Harley’s debut novel, is the stand-alone first book in a series of related fantasy-mystery-heists featuring the shapeshifter Droplet and the friends and found family who work alongside her to fight the corrupt powers-that-be. Many Drops Make a Stream is rated general (adult) audiences and features shapeshifting shenanigans, a nascent f/f quarrelers-to-lovers pre-relationship, a wonderful extended cast of family and pseudo-family, necromancy and blood magic and spellwork (oh my!), and one (1) very angry goose.

For this campaign, we’re offering:

Many Drops Make a Stream e-book (ePub and PDF formats)

Many Drops Make a Stream digest-sized trade paperback book (bonus: every single print book comes with a bookplate signed by Adrian Harley!)

Droplet!Dux Die-Cut Sticker

Many Drops Make a Stream Cover Art Print

Shapeshifting Droplet Enamel Pin

Patron-exclusive extra wooden coaster (for people who support Duck Prints Press at the $10/month and $25/month level on Patreon and back this campaign)

Better yet, you can get a discount by picking one of three bundles:

Many Drops Make a Stream E-Book + Merchandise

Many Drops Make a Stream E-Book + Print Book

Many Drops Make a Stream E-Book + Print Book + Merchandise

You can learn all about the book, the author, the campaign, and our offerings by visiting the pre-order page NOW!

Want a chance to win a trade paperback copy of Many Drops Make a Stream? Help us spread the word about this campaign by liking and signal boosting our posts on any of our platforms that including “sharing” functionality (such as Tumblr, Mastodon, Bluesky, and Facebook), and you can get up to 4 entries per platform where you share!*

Campaign backers will also get bonuses based on the number of signal boosts our posts receive! All the social media links for sharing are on the linked pre-order page, so help us tell the world about the awesome book, and who knows – you might win a copy! (But only if we fund, ’cause we can’t afford to print the book if we don’t fund, so help us make sure people who want to buy The Awesome learn that The Awesome exists!)

*sweepstakes rules and conditions

#duck prints press #adrian harley #many drops make a stream #sapphic fiction #wlw #fantasy novel #sapphic novel #queer authors #queer books #queer fantasy #sapphic fantasy

189 notes · View notes

mxxnlightwriting · 27 days

Text

✨ A Spark of Magic Book Cover Reveal ✨

It's finally here! After teasing it for so long and saying how happy I was with the book cover, I finally get to share it with you 🥺 @.catarinabookdesigns did a wonderful job with it, and I couldn't be happier with it!

I'm not kidding when I say this cover has many easter eggs. I love covers that take a new shape once you've read the book, and I wanted to do something similar with this one. A Spark of Magic is a story wrapped in mystery where each answer leads you to more questions, and I wanted that sort of vibe for the cover. Where does this connect to? Whose character is this related to? Oh, so this is what that means!

This is the ebook version of the cover. The paperback has a few other details on its spine and back and I'll show those to you at a later date once I have the physical copy with me.

For the time being, I hope you enjoy this cover! If you're curious about what each element connects to/its meaning, you can drop a comment, stop by inbox or reblog with what you'd like to know.

A Spark of Magic is one step closer to being yours. You can pre-order the ebook from most retailers here! (Note: Amazon's link will only be available on release day. I apologise for the inconvenience) Paperback pre-orders coming soon.

allowing me to share each step of this journey with you 💛

✨ About A Spark of Magic ✨

A Spark of Magic is a YA urban fantasy novel, the first in the A Spark of Magic series. If you like witches, merfolk and shapeshifters, and the struggles of having to keep your magic hidden while navigating high school, then this book might be for you.

#book cover reveal #indie author #cover reveal #self publishing #urban fantasy books #writeblr community #writeblr #urban fantasy #writing community #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #indie books #indie publishing #fantasy books #fantasy novel #urban fantasy novel #ya fantasy #ya fantasy novel #wip: a spark of magic

55 notes · View notes