Editing Fantasy Novels

Avoid Cliches:
When editing fantasy, the grammar rules that govern all good prose apply.

One point to keep in mind for the fantasy genre, more than most others, is the risk of cliche or colloquialism.

If you create a world of swords and sorcery, (in a fantastic setting,) using contemporary slang and colloquialisms can jar your reader.

Create new terms to make your fantasy world unique and colourful. There are sites online that generate names. The closing credits for foreign films can give you an assortment of interesting names for fantasy characters and places.

When designing creatures, it isn't necessary to give your reader an in depth knowledge of the creature's heritage, background or ecology. It is important though, that you as the author, know exactly what makes the creature function.

If you use creatures from myth and legend, know the history behind them. Although you are writing fiction, mainstream publishers, self publishing, or ebook publishing you must avoid using creations straight from the pages of famous authors.

Plagiarism is the illegal use of another author's ideas, plot, character or in contemporary fantasy, creature. This is the reason copyright is so important. To protect you and other writers from having their work stolen.

Editing and the Creation of Your Fantasy World

1)Ask yourself these questions regarding any new race, landscape, or species you create.

2)If you must use characters from books or films you have enjoyed, adapt them to your world.

3)How does your landscape effect each day on your world?

4)Consider your world's terrain, climate, hours in each day, number of moons, length of season, flora and fauna.

5)If you create a species, how have they changed to live in the environment you have designed?

6)How long do they live?

7)How do they find a mate? Are they egg laying or bare live young? How many?

8)How does the land support them?

9)Do they have predators, or are they prey? What adaptations have they developed for hunting, or hiding?

10)Describe them, for your own reference. The way they move, eat, reproduce, sleep, how any specific skills came about.

Even if you don't use all of this information while you write, knowing it will enrich your descriptions of the characters/creatures. When you are self editing, ensure the continuity of your descriptions.