13 Kick-Ass Tips for Writing Fantasy Fiction

13 Kick-Ass Tips for Writing Fantasy Fiction 13 Kick-Ass Tips For Writing Fantasy From Professional Fantasy Editors Has there ever been a better time to be writing fantasy? Where once it was a fringe genre, now fantasy is everywhere in pop culture, from Harry Potter to the memes surrounding Jon Snow.There’s also never been a more exciting time to write fantasy. The genre is changing daily, as authors such as Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke, and Patrick Rothfuss continue to interpret, subvert, and stretch it to attain new pinnacles. What’s more, the public can't seem to get enough of it, proving that there is a market for fantasy - and it’s a big one.So, if you’re an author, where can you find a place for yourself in today’s talent-rich terrain?In our search for the finest writing tips in the realm, we spoke to seven of the top fantasy editors on our marketplace. They’ve worked with George R.R. Martin, James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, and many more of the brilliant authors who are re-defining the genre. Here’s what they said.1. Identify your marketIf y ou don’t know your market, you’ve already made a mistake, says Erin Young, an agent for Dystel Goderich Bourret, which represents authors such as James Dashner of Maze Runner fame.â€Å"Oh, my market is fantasy,† you might say, waving your monthly subscription of Imagination And Me. But is your story steampunk, urban, or grimdark fantasy? Is it for children or  young adults? Are there elves or tech? Is it set in the modern world, or is it a re-imagining of an alternate past? Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, for instance, doesn’t target Discworld’s readers, and no-one would instinctively group Harry Potter and Stephen King's The Dark Tower in the same category. Castle Ruins, art by Jeff Brown.â€Å"You’re absorbing ideas. You're absorbing grammar. You're absorbing sentence structure and rhythm and prose,† she says. â€Å"Read books with description or dialogue you admire. Read the books that are classics- they are classics for a reason- and read the books that are bestsellers and read the books that are award winners. Read and read and read, and you'll start to see your own writing improve.†To take specific action, Nieveen suggests picking the 10 books that you most admire. Then, it's just a matter of re-reading them and noting strengths in their plot, dialogue, characters, and scene structure.  Learn from the best - and then go forth and tilt the arena again yourself.What are your tips for writing fantasy? Leave them in the comments below. You can also check out our list of the 100 best fantasy series ever  for inspiration!