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 (by Jennifer Summer)

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"--S-Some tea?" He managed, disliking the stammer. Social gatherings were not something to be fancied altogether, but several previous occasions had proved otherwise, that there were people whose company he may even come to enjoy despite the stultifying strictures of the setting. "It would be a pleasure, though I--" He paused to make a slight bow to the young lady. "Well, your brother and I have not made proper acquaintances and, I think it would quite strange for us to meet suddenly like this."

"Oh, the new student? Yes, I think I see him around sometimes, with the other first-year (what was his name?) MacMillian." He wasn't the most observant, but the welcome ceremonies were always noisy occasions. "Did you grow up together?" He asked, remembering most families had mutual connections.

"You are helping enough as it is, Mr. Miller! I apologize if I am taking away from your free time. To repay you, I will be sure to put in a good word about you with father. Perhaps when you have time off from your studies you could come over for some tea?" 

Elizabeth spoke with only the purest intent, her innocent mind not one to pay much heed to social classes and the hierarchy of those that could mingle without such interactions being frowned down upon. Walter had been of much help to the young lady, and to meet someone so selfless and kind was a true rarity; why, she couldn’t help but want to befriend him! Any well-rounded student at the academic facility could have easily brushed her off and been on their merry way, yet he answered her plea and dedicated a portion of his time to searching the school for a person he didn’t even know. A good person, indeed, and she was not about to let him slip from her grasp. Her mother and father would surely approve of this older gentleman.

"Oh, I see. I actually came today to pay him a visit, but I was separated from the tour guide when I took notice of a male that I assumed was Earl— I mean, Ciel Phantomhive.” With a quick glance at his feet, the girl saw that his pace had slowed just enough to match her own. Strike number two of an act of good grace. 

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This cat, however, would not bring to mind an over-indulged feline, nor would he be too pleased with a similar moniker if he came to realise what that meant. He thought a line of thought awkwardly translated into What is a hello?, the subtler cattish nuances unfortunately lost on our economical human tongue.

Recently-handled old books and human were familiar to his repository of odours. That and about fifty other things his olfactory virtues allowed what would've been denided to a less sensitive nose: the wood-and-dust of tables touched, papers handled both fresh and stale, hair combed through with a hand...all with the faintest brush of feline nose before he retreated, seemingly to consider the merits of this interaction.

Then at last, hazarded a few steps forward. Mostly harmless.

Thoughts of dropping the too-heavy Fungal Growth Patterns and Corvidae Collectory into the nearest shelving trolley disappeared when the cat he had been at so much pains to befriend decided, very voluntarily, to poke its nose out the stacks.

Mercurial, Charles thought as he - carefully, with the tread of a fox - closed in on the feline. The last cat he had known was the saucy, pudgy, hard-of-hearing old family tom the children exultantly nicknamed King Pudding (the original was much too mouthy) before he, very regrettably, passed away. That was some years back and Charles had been a-travellin’ since; this encounter was a considerable novelty. Remembering suddenly that the two books he held aloft looked like murdering clappers he quickly deposited them in a lower shelf (wrong section again) and, unarmed, slinked along the length of the space and murmured a “Hello” and several other ice-breaking things. Then he proferred his hand awkwardly for a sniff-test. No alarming sudden movements, he decided.

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[ Awkward is sharing the same face-claim. ]

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Not a single volume has been opened. That’s a great shame. There’s something sad about an unread book.

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Walter warmed up considerably at that, at knowing another student's interests in what he did. Or what people did. There was something in that mindset he could learn from, he was sure.

Surprise was writ all over the Owl's face. "Those are...really eclectic past-times!" He began to speak, then paused. "You'll have to forgive my presumptions, it's a common mistake of mine to assume one's leisure would have to be related in some fashion to one's house placements." Though he was left wondering why he was in Green House. Perhaps he was just as good at sports.

"I'm sure if you enjoy them, it doesn't matter where you are placed here. Not everyone is the same."

"As for me...I have a soft spot for botany."

Thomas shrugged. “What’s surprising about wanting to know about a colleague and his interests? I suppose it is rare at this school, but I assure you the sentiment is genuine.”

Though despite what the Owl said, the subject did seem interesting enough, at least it seemed like it would be to the more scholarly types. The Blue Dorm intrigued him has a whole by being filled with individuals so dedicated to just…learning. Just learning anything that piqued their curiosity and Thomas was a bit jealous of that ambition.

The redhead perked up curiously at being inquired about his own interests. Though he necessarily didn’t hide his extra interests, he was hardly ever questioned about them and he found the change rather nice.

"Ah well, I came here fore leisure instead of work, the same as you, actually. I suppose one would expect me to list off the names of sports and foreign exercise routines or something like that. However," Thomas motioned his head towards the book tucked under his arm, "I actually came to the library in search of inspiration for some…different hobbies. My mother had me start learning the flute when I was a child and I learned the craft of jewelry making from my uncle when I was almost just as young. I’ve personally found both hobbies enjoyable, and weather like this is the perfect excuse to practice them."

Though he wondered if the Owl would believe him when he spoke. Thomas was sure that once he showed up to his dorm with a book on mermaids that his peers would assume he borrowed it solely for the pictures of topless women, and that’s something the redhead wasn’t looking forward to dealing with.

"But back then you said history isn’t your preferred subject. What would you say are ones that are?"

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At the voice Walter had turned expecting to find a younger person asking for directions, and so he gave quite a start at seeing someone of his age. Someone of my house?

"The assembly hall? It is in that building." He gestured toward an august affair -- mammoth, white and gleaming, like a whale bone -- a considerable distance away from where they were. It was not yet assembly, and as such it was not yet time for students to congregate at its entrance, waiting for the crowd to shift up the stairs in a less-than-orderly manner. Helpfully, "Go up the stairs at the end of the corridor, rather than the one at the front. -- I find that stairway to be least congested."

How odd, though. "Pardon my presumptions, but do you happen to be a new student?"

beginnings

As expected, Michael felt quite lost, although he did visit the school during summer break with his parents- just to see it. After all, his father was filthy rich and part of the English peerage- so of course, they wished to see where his son would spend his last year of studying before sending him off to university (and they did make a deal with Oxford in secret. The only thing Michael got to do now, was passing this here) Economy, oh how excited he was- it was merely for the fact that they did want to put someone on top of the enterprise who could show off his university degree- although he was already prepared with the most necessary things. Overall, Michael was in a rather bad mood, thinking about his pre-planed life. At least they agreed on paying a dancing teacher to come here just to provide him with his ballet lessons, access to a free room for it included. On the whole, this school was not too  bad- the beautiful noble would be part of the Scarlet Fox-house (he did find it to be quite ridiculous to divide into different houses according to personality) and he knew that some of his friends or relatives of friends would be there, so it was not half as bad. "Excuse me.." He approached a boy who looked like he was his age. "But where is the assembly hall?" Michael was definitely much older than the majority of the new students - he had been homeschooled until now and would not have minded if it just continued that way.  

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"I guess that is true," Walter admitted as much, shifting his weight from one leg to the other, not quite making his mind up. Now can I go yet?

Cold fingers with a little tremor gratefully closed over the cloth edge. Relief that he had got it back without much trouble, and relief also that neither he nor it suffered as much -- though he was almost sure he would have nightmares in the ensuing days, fragmented, contorted versions of experience repeating themselves.

"Er yes -- yes, of course. I understand completely." He didn't at all doubt Dien was capable of carrying out that threat.

The book faded into view, just adjacent to the man’s shoulder. He casually reached over for it. “I didn’t take you for a teacher, with that uniform, of course you’re a student.” Dien leaned forward with the book and pressed its spine against Walter’s neck. Now to part with ‘good’ grace, he had his fill.

"Here is your book, boy. Any word to your peers or to anyone about our meeting- well, you don’t like fire I recall you saying." He smiled and started again. "Say any word to your peers or to anyone about our meeting, and I will make sure that the Sapphire Owl dormitory drowns in fire." 

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I feel absolutely horrid for leaving Walter alone for so long. I promise I'll do replies on Saturday.

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I don’t know that there is a process, as such. It’s all a bit of a mess until it’s done, and then I have to make up a story about how I got there.

Jon McGregor, on the writing process (via chapter221b)

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BASICS:

Genres:

Alternate World: A setting that is not our world, but may be similar. This includes “portal fantasies” in which characters find an alternative world through their own. An example would be The Chronicles of Narnia.

Arabian: Fantasy that is based on the Middle East and North Africa.

Arthurian: Set in Camelot and deals with Arthurian mythology and legends.

Bangsian: Set in the afterlife or deals heavily with the afterlife. It most often deals with famous and historical people as characters. An example could be The Lovely Bones.

Celtic: Fantasy that is based on the Celtic people, most often the Irish.

Christian: This genre has Christian themes and elements.

Classical: Based on Roman and Greek myths.

Contemporary: This genre takes place in modern society in which paranormal and magical creatures live among us. An example would be the Harry Potter series.

Dark: This genre combines fantasy and horror elements. The tone or feel of dark fantasy is often gloomy, bleak, and gothic.

Epic: This genre is long and, as the name says, epic. Epic is similar to high fantasy, but has more importance, meaning, or depth. Epic fantasy is most often in a medieval setting.

Gaslamp: Also known as gaslight, this genre has a Victorian or Edwardian setting.

Gunpowder: Gunpowder crosses epic or high fantasy with “rifles and railroads”, but the technology remains realistic unlike the similar genre of steampunk.

Heroic: Centers on one or more heroes who start out as humble, unlikely heroes thrown into a plot that challenges them.

High: This is considered the “classic” fantasy genre. High fantasy contains the general fantasy elements and is set in a fictional world.

Historical: The setting in this genre is any time period within our world that has fantasy elements added.

Medieval: Set between ancient times and the industrial era. Often set in Europe and involves knights. (medieval references)

Mythic: Fantasy involving or based on myths, folklore, and fairy tales.

Portal: Involves a portal, doorway, or other entryway that leads the protagonist from the “normal world” to the “magical world”.

Quest: As the name suggests, the protagonist in this genre sets out on a quest. The protagonist most frequently searches for an object of importance and returns home with it.

Sword and Sorcery: Pseudomedieval settings in which the characters use swords and engage in action-packed plots. Magic is also an element, as is romance.

Urban: Has a modern or urban setting in which magic and paranormal creatures exist, often in secret.

Wuxia: A genre in which the protagonist learns a martial art and follows a code. This genre is popular in Chinese speaking areas.

Word Counts:

Word counts for fantasy are longer than other genres because of the need for world building. Even in fantasy that takes place in our world, there is a need for the introduction of the fantasy aspect.

Word counts for established authors with a fan base can run higher because publishers are willing to take a higher chance on those authors. First-time authors (who have little to no fan base) will most likely not publish a longer book through traditional publishing. Established authors may also have better luck with publishing a novel far shorter than that genre’s expected or desired word count, though first-time authors may achieve this as well.

A general rule of thumb for first-time authors is to stay under 100k and probably under 110k for fantasy.

Other exceptions to word count guidelines would be for short fiction (novellas, novelettes, short stories, etc.) and that one great author who shows up every few years with a perfect 200k manuscript.

But why are there word count guidelines? For young readers, it’s pretty obvious why books should be shorter. For other age groups, it comes down to the editor’s preference, shelf space in book stores, and the cost of publishing a book. The bigger the book, the more expensive it is to publish.

General Fantasy: 75k - 110k

Epic Fantasy: 90k - 120k

Contemporary Fantasy: 90k - 120k

Urban Fantasy: 80k - 100k

Middle Grade: 45k - 70k

YA: 75k - 120k (depending on sub-genre)

Adult: 80k - 120k (depending on sub-genre)

WORLD BUILDING:

A pseudo-European medieval setting is fine, but it’s overdone. And it’s always full of white men and white women in disguise as white men because around 85% (ignore my guess/exaggeration, I only put it there for emphasis) of fantasy writers seem to have trouble letting go of patriarchal societies. 

Guys. It’s fantasy. You can do whatever you want. You can write a fantasy that takes place in a jungle. Or in a desert. Or in a prairie. The people can be extremely diverse in one region and less diverse in another. The cultures should differ. Different voices should be heard. Queer people exist. People of color exist. Not everyone has two arms or two legs or the ability to hear.

As for the fantasy elements, you also make up the rules. Don’t go searching around about how a certain magic spell is done, just make it up. Magic can be whatever color you want. It can be no color at all. You can use as much or as little magic as you want.

Keep track of what you put into your world and stick to the rules. There should be limits, laws, cultures, climates, disputes, and everything else that exists in our world. However, you don’t have to go over every subject when writing your story.

World Building:

Fantasy World Building Questionnaire

Magical World Builder’s Guide

Creating Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds

Creating Religions

Quick and Dirty World Building

World Building Links

Fantasy World Building Questions

The Seed of Government (2)

Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy

Fantasy Worlds and Race

Water Geography

Alternate Medieval Fantasy Story

Writing Magic

Types of Magic

When Magic Goes Wrong

Magic-Like Psychic Abilities

Science and Magic

Creative Uses of Magic

Thoughts on Creating Magic Systems

Defining the Sources, Effects, and Costs of Magic

World Building Basics

Mythology Master Post

Fantasy Religions

Setting the Fantastic in the Everyday World

Making Histories

Matching Your Money to Your World

Building a Better Beast

A Man in Beast’s Clothing

Creating and Using Fictional Languages

Creating a Language

Creating Fictional Holidays

Creating Holidays

Weather and World Building 101

Describing Fantastic Creatures

Medieval Technology

Music For Your Fantasy World

A heterogeneous World

Articles on World Building

Cliches:

Grand List of Fantasy Cliches (most of this can be debated)

Fantasy Cliches Discussion

Ten Fantasy Cliches That Should Be Put to Rest

Seven Fantasy Cliches That Need to Disappear

Avoiding Fantasy Cliches 101

Avoiding Fantasy Cliches

Fantasy Cliches

Fantasy Cliche Meter: The Bad Guys

Fantasy Novelist’s Exam

Mary Sue Race Test

Note: Species (like elves and dwarves) are not cliches. The way they are executed are cliches.

CHARACTERS

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