Step 3B: Map Making
Now how about its time for us to create a map of your world? This part isn’t that complicated and if you want a simple map then you don’t have to be artistically inclined that much, but if you want it to be really detailed and you don’t think you could draw it then I recommend you either contact someone who could like a cartographer or use some map making software (for your convenience I listed a few that you could use below).
As you might have known there is some software that can enable you to make some pretty cool maps, some software are good to use but others are way too complicated to use unless your good at that stuff. And behind those software packages, there are groups of people who enjoy creating maps and might do yours for free or for a small fee.
If you want to have a cool map, probably the software is the way to go. None of these applications are things you can just start using overnight, however, they are not impossible to grasp.
Here are the ones that I know:
Campaign Cartographer ( http://www.profantasy.com/ )
Fractal Mapper ( http://www.nbos.com/products/mapper/mapper.htm )
Dundjinni ( http://www.dundjinni.com/ )
AutoREALM ( http://autorealm.sourceforge.net/index.php )
Tiled Mapeditor ( http://www.mapeditor.org/ )
Of course, you can always use one of the major graphics programs, such as Adobe Photoshop. But for people who can’t draw, using one of the programs above is the only way to go. I also recently stumbled across a relatively simple map maker that creates really nice ones. If youre interested, its free with no download necessary and most of it is just drag-n-drop.
Inkarnate Beta(http://inkarnate.com/)
Step 4: Creating Species
As you know Fantasy is a lot of fun, but it’s also a LOT of work. And the expectations are very high in the genre. If you can’t create realistic races/creatures that people will love, then your story is going to fall flat. No pressure, right?
So im going to help you with it and break the process down into 3 phases (or steps)
Phase 1: Appearance
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is what your race or creature will look like.
If you don’t want to create a creature from scratch, another thing you can do is base a race off of an animal but give it a twist. For example, animals that are larger than usual, can speak, or have magical abilities. Simple, right?
This also applies to human-like races. You don’t have to make a fantasy race look completely foreign. They don’t have to have blue skin like they’ve just stepped out of Avatar. A lot of fantasy beings (elves, dwarves, faeries, witches/wizards) look similar to humans but with slight physical differences and/or added magical abilities.
Phase 2: Environment
Another very important element for developing a good, realistic Fantasy race is the environment in which that said race lives. The environment affects certain aspects of our lives such as clothing, materials, food, resources, jobs, and trade, even behavior! These are all important elements of a society.
Our environment also affects what sort of food you can grow, what animals are available to hunt, and therefore what sorts of dishes can be made. In Mexico they grow chili peppers, avocados, and limes, while in Greece they grow figs, dates, and olives. Both countries have very different dishes! Also, note that when you have two countries that each have something the other does not, this can lead to either trade or war.
Another thing to consider is what sort of jobs your environment creates. If you have an area rich with coal, you’ll have a lot of coal mining jobs like in The Hunger Games. If you have a lot of land, more people might be farmers. If you’re on the coast, you’ll have a lot of fishermen.
For Fantasy creatures, think about what sort of habitat it lives in. Does it like mountains or forests? What does it eat? Is it prey to any other animals? Do people hunt it as a resource?
Put a lot of thought into the environment in which your race or creature lives and how it influences their way of life and you will add layers of realism to your story!
STEP 3: Culture
Developing a culture is probably the most daunting aspect of creating a fantasy race, which is understandable. Cultures are extremely complex. There’s a lot to think about and it can get overwhelming quick. Making up a culture for a race that doesn’t exist is no small task!
While trying to find a way to simplify what makes up a culture, I came across this article that suggests there are seven basic elements of a culture. I would argue there are more, but since some of the things that are missing like food, clothing, etc. we touched on in the last step, I feel this list fits perfectly for the purposes of our discussion.
So what are these 7 basic elements of a culture?
- Social Organization (family units and social classes)
- Customs and Traditions
- Religion
- Language
- Arts and Literature
- Governing Systems
- Economic Systems
I think if you spend time exploring these seven points you’re going to have a nice, fleshed out culture! Now, just because language is on here don’t think you need to create a whole new language (or several!). I would actually advise against it unless you can do it with the same finesse as Tolkien. It’s good to consider if you have races that speak different languages and how this could be important to your story, but you can imply a language barrier without actually creating the languages.
Additionally, I would suggest borrowing from cultures in real life. Tolkien did this in Lord of the Rings–for example, the people of Rohan are based off of Celtic culture. Drawing from real-life sources will help to add realism to your story.
I would also highly recommend studying sociology and history, either by taking a course or getting some books on your own. Studying these subjects will help you to understand how intricate cultures are, how they work, and how different cultures have interacted with each other over time. This will help you to write more complex and realistic cultures in your own stories.
Other Helpful Resources:
https://randyellefson.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/how-to-create-fantasy-races-or-species-part-1/
http://inkandquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Fantasy-Creatures-Worksheet.pdf
If you’re still with me, then thank you and stay tuned for part 3 where I explain how to develop languages
Blogonteenz 