by Medievalwarfare

True creativity begins not just in imagination but in design. Hello and welcome to a world of imagination crafted from the lives that we all experience. For you see, anyone can write a book featuring dragons and magic, but only a small few can turn our world into a masterpiece of literature.

This masterpiece I speak of is Hard Fantasy—fantasy based off the aspects of the real world with fantasy elements. Now, Hard Fantasy definitely lives up to its name because it is not a common subgenre of fantasy, but the works made underneath this expansive subgenre are wonderful nonetheless.

For instance, what sets Hard Fantasy out from all the different subgenres is the "balance." An author has to add fantasy elements such as magic or fantastic landscape but must also "balance" the world by using physics, limitations in society or the very weapons people use. It is a balancing act that truly is something hard to master. But, the result will be amazing as the readers will be able to imagine that they are in this world and will plot ways to overcome its limitations and rule the world that you create. Is it not the dream of an author to have the readers so engaged?

But before we go anywhere in explaining how it is made or why you should be interested in it, allow me to give my own point of view on this subject. I have written only one fantasy book on Wattpad called Unreality and it fell under Hard Fantasy, not really by choice but by coincidence. I simply had this story featuring magic based on how creative a person can be and the destruction of this order due to my main character. It was only till I was asked to write this introduction did I ever realize how amazing this topic is. It's so complex yet so simple at the same time how you have to change the real world into a new one while still keeping its structure. You want a world filled with dragons, well, add them but alter them so they fit into the limitations of physics. Do you want the sky to be a different color? Change what the sky is made of and maybe add another sun all so it fits together. See, there is so much to be done and so much creativity that can be unleashed. That is why I personally love to write under Hard Fantasy.

Don't let my speech be all that entices you, however. Look at these past examples of Hard Fantasy: 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. No, I'm do not jest. Yes, these book fall under Hard Fantasy though they are mostly seen as examples of historical fiction or philosophy. The true elements of fantasy, however, lies in the setting.

In both stories, they are set in the real world but with a twist. In 1984, the world is ruled by three totalitarian superpowers that control their populace through lies and close monitoring. In Brave New World, people are controlled by being given products that ultimately destroy their ability to express thoughts but entertains them while this happens.

Now, we all know that neither of these have happened in this world to those extents, however, because these books have created worlds that turn our current world into a story by altering it, they are interesting and have become masterpieces many people know even if they have not read it.

So, enough reminiscing and grandeur. I will now explain how to make Hard Fantasy. When first writing Hard Fantasy, you must realize that the characters will be what drives the plot and makes the story stand out, not just simply the setting. The characters that work best for which stories truly depend on the topic, but one thing does remain constant: there has to be a character that alters the setting. Going back to 1984, Winston, the main character, knew the secrets behind Oceania and ultimately decide to try and destroy the totalitarian state with his inevitable failure resulting after that. Though it was a failure, this whole attempt attacked the setting of the book and gave it a more surreal feel. This is something that at least one of your characters must do. Not only is it necessary but it is intriguing nonetheless.

But what setting best fits this subgenre? That is up to you to answer. For you see, this story is made unique by the setting. It is your book, your vision, your tale. Make it unique by whatever characteristics you choose to add. The only advice I could give you is to make sure that some aspects of the real world remain. That little detail makes the reader more capable of understanding the setting and being entranced by it.

And also decide what theme you wish to have it about. Is it a simple good vs. evil story? Is it the tale of a mighty warrior? Is it about escaping seeming impossible odds? These are choices, hard choices. It fits the name, does it not?

But that all for my witty humor. Hard Fantasy is your piece and your difficulty. Change the world and make it your own. I wish all of you luck if you choose to follow this subgenre. Have a great day.

Example of Hard Fantasy on Wattpad:
Unreality by Medievalwarfare

Synopsis:

Magic is not some whim that only the foolish believe. True magic lies within one's mind. Creation is the true power behind what creates and what destroys.

But then you may ask, who controls the magic, the Creators? Three people-chosen by their fate or by taking their position from another-rule the universe. They are the ones that created you and will destroy you.

Yet, one boy seeks to claim the throne for himself. It had been many eras since any human successfully defeated one of the three. He intends to defeat all three of them.

Will he succeed? Only imagination shall tell.

Excerpt:

At this moment, I was just returning from a trip to earth to enjoy the sights and was making my way back to the Creators' hidden world at the edge of the universe. In a few moments, I entered this place and was welcomed by the blank world with a white light emitting over the endless horizon.

I soon landed and made my way to my throne. After a good day, I wanted to take a nap and relax. but, once I sat down on my throne, a portal opened and Anametha exited. "Hey, Cavalier," She greeted me. "Hey, Ana," I said with a smirk. "Aren't I the most powerful thing there is?" "You sure are," Anathema agreed, with no expression in her words. I simply ignored her as I wanted to annoy her all along. She is simply envious of my position as the Proximus.

"I am not," she said. I looked at her with a frustrated expression. "So, you're going to read my thoughts now?" She sighed and turned away from me to show her obvious annoyance with me. "Go back to your realm if you're upset."

Anametha turned back to me and made her eyes glow a deep red. "How about you learn to shut up sometimes." "Oh, but if I did, you would become upset." I chuckled a bit while she continued to fume before closing my eyes to enter my realm.

"Maybe, I'll just teach you a lesson in silence since you want to sleep on me." So, she wants to pull something on me? You know how this will end, Anametha, and it will not be fun for you.

I opened my eyes and escaped my realm to look upon her. She had bright red cheeks and brown hair that flowed down her shoulders. My creation, she is so beautiful. But anyway, I drove back my thoughts and formed a fist with my hand. I then pulled downward and during the same motion, a hole formed beneath her feet. She was standing on a patch of space. Now, there was simply nothing.

She fell, screaming at the top of her lungs. That was until she flew back through the hole and I replaced it. "I hate when you do that," She commented, hiding a smile. "You say that, but you forget you can fly."

More on Hard Fantasy:

Kate Messner - How to build a fictional world

https://youtu.be/ZQTQSbjecLg

Brandon Sanderson's writing lecture on Magic Systems

https://youtu.be/jXAcA_y3l6M