Fantasy is a genre of modern art and literature that has grown out of a fairy tale and still resembles it like a double. The first fantasy works were based on archetypal plots, epics, legends, and myths. At the same time, the fabulous motive in them is reworked, filed in a modern way.
The first fantasy works appeared at the beginning of the 15th century and in structure resembled a historical adventure novel of the Middle Ages or Renaissance. Most often, the world where the action took place was fictional, although close to the real one. Heroes faced supernatural phenomena and creatures, performed feats, and thanks to them grew spiritually. Arthuriana, a saga about the king of the Britons, inspired many writers, artists, poets to original works.
But the most significant contribution to the formation of classic fantasy was made by the English writer J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the novel "The Lord of the Rings". Since his books were published in the middle of the 20th century, they have not lost popularity. Curiously, they are based on a story cliché about a hero who sets off on a journey to save the world. Despite this, Tolkien's texts are deep and unique, and canonical characters evoke sympathy.
Separation is not related to text quality. Fantasy is considered high in which the action takes place in a fictional world, abstracted from ours. It can resemble a country, an empire that existed in a particular historical period or builds a unique setting. The main thing is that miracles, mythical creatures, and other fabulous references are considered the norm and do not surprise heroes.
But low fantasy puts the characters in a world connected with reality, in which magic is the destiny of a few and unobvious or questionable force.
The future work on the environment, the mechanics of magic, depends on which fantasy subgenre you choose. In the first case, you will have to come up with a lot from scratch and try not to repeat one of the famous writers. In the second, organically integrate magic into everyday life.
In the fantasy world, it is important where and when events take place. This does not mean that you have to spend a few copyright sheets on a detailed story, but the reader must be entered into the subject, to explain by what laws a fictional universe operates.
When performing this task, be careful. Tell us about the features of things and phenomena before immersing the reader in the magical world, but do not throw out all the explanations at once; this will make the text-heavy and flat. Weave knowledge gradually - into dialogs, memories, prophecies, and try not to get carried away.
Despite the magic cut, fantasy is always a story directly related to modern man. Archetypal motifs sewn into it go by the wayside. To be believed, the magic abilities of the heroes, their decisions, and further events should be justified - by coincidence, a duty. Otherwise, the wings that have grown in the character exactly when you need will break the narrative's integrity.
If a fairy tale is built according to a familiar, linear scenario, then for fantasy, the novelty of the plot and intrigue are paramount. Achieve it with the help of working out the spiritual path of the heroes and fight with the cliches. After all, there is nothing worse than wasting time and energy on a book that someone once wrote before you.