Creating a fantasy world from scratch is akin to creating a painting, you throw some paint, and the picture unfolds eventually to what you had in mind, or rather, close enough in some cases. The adaptation of these landscapes play a key role in the books' backdrop, influencing the characters and their narrative arcs. This has been a significant factor in the creation of my two series, 'Remnants of Magic' and the 'Realm at War Trilogy'.

Subscribe now

Beginning with 'Remnants of Magic', a young adult fantasy series, one has to consider the many dimensions to the universe that has been created. The series dances around the themes of magic, mechanization, and political shifts. The historical background plays a crucial but subtle role, gently influencing the world, making it more tangible to the reader and the characters that populate it. These details of the past become invaluable allies when creating the sequels. It provides a sense of familiarity, an intimate knowledge of the world, facilitating a smooth storytelling process.

All sorts of evolving creatures are present in the ‘Remnants of Magic Cycle’.

In the case of the 'Realm at War Trilogy', which incorporates more mature themes, the historical context adopts a distinct tone. A complex tapestry of romance, political turmoil, and war is interwoven into the fabric of this universe. This rich past shapes the societal norms and culture of the world, making it pulsate with life. Here again, the knowledge of history became instrumental when writing the sequels, as it provided a sturdy foundation for building new narratives, while retaining the essence of the world.

The key to building these two series was the rigidity of their histories. Despite the contrasting themes and moods of the series, the underlying backbone of a fixed historical narrative remained intact. This helped maintain the stability of the world, ensuring consistency even as new elements were introduced and characters evolved.

Creating boundaries using rigid histories didn't limit the creative process; instead, it ignited innovative thought. Boundaries have a unique way of encouraging exploration within established limits, pushing the creator to think differently while still adhering to the world's pre-set rules.

An imagining of Ariana Valoria, from the ‘Realm at War’ trilogy.

Reflecting on this, I find that investing time and thought into developing detailed, unwavering histories for both the 'Remnants of Magic' and the 'Realm at War Trilogy' has been advantageous. For the former, the historical background helped preserve the enchanting aura of the world while enabling the introduction of new elements in the sequels. For the latter, the layered past formed a solid foundation for further exploration in the sequels, providing space for growth while staying rooted in established norms.

For me at least, creating fictional histories for my series has undoubtedly deepened the narratives, enhanced my writing experience, and hopefully the end result

-LP

Leave a comment

Indie Author LP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.