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Learn How to Write
Fantasy Stories
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Fantasy World Schools Part 2
In Fantasy World Schools and Education Part 1, we
learned how to define culture in a developing fantasy
world by looking at the educational system. We looked at
the importance of determining how schools function, their
purpose, and such cultural issues as who can attend. Now
we'll move to what they learn, what it costs and how they
get there.
What Do Fantasy Pupils Learn
Writing fantasy opens the opportunity to include
elements of magic within the learning process. Pupils
who learn magical chants, reading and writing of a
mythical or ancient language, and rituals relevant to how
the magic of the world works are provided with the
knowledge and special training necessary to survive the
emerging quest breaking forth in the plot of your story.
Other than subjects like grammar, history and numbers,
students can study subjects like philosophy, magic,
oratory and logic. In the fantasy story Sky High students
learned to control their super powers and in the process
they were tested and sectioned into two groups-Superhero
or Sidekick. In fantasy, students enrolled in magical
classes may be broken into categories for ability rather
than age.
Apprentice Class - Those new to learning magic but
ready to learn.
Novice Class - Students have some training magic but
have never competed with others in the use of their
powers.
Magician, Wizard, Sorcery (or whatever you title your
magical people) Class - These pupils have proven their
magical abilities through competition but are still
learning magical abilities.
Order (Provide appropriate name for your fantasy
culture) Class - Just like religions separate their
clerics into different orders, magic does the same. Once
characters join an order they have competed and proven
they have a higher understanding and command of magic. If
you don't want to use terms such as apprentice and novice,
numbered levels also make distinctions readers understand
without lengthy description. Just make it clear if level 1
is the expert level or a group for beginners.
What Does It Cost?
To keep the plot interesting, education in the fantasy
world must have a cost. In your fantasy realm is tuition
charged to attend school? Is running the school a
profitable business? If so, who profits? Is it a corrupt
business? If your fantasy world has poor villages, do the
parents in these smaller towns have to scrimp and save to
see their children receive an education? Is it even an
option? Do farmers or craftsmen work extra hours so a son
might attend school? Or do they have to give up their
first born to allow the rest of their children to receive
an education? If a son or daughter receives an education
will they be able to rise in the world and have an easier
life than their parents?
Do the females in your fantasy world have the same
opportunity for education? Long ago, girls received
schooling at nunneries, but the teaching received was
useful for religious life. For the most part, non-church
schools didn't admit girls. Instead, girls' learned to
manage the household, to sing, play an instrument, dance,
and also learned crafts like needlework. Care of the sick
was also included in household duties. In medieval times,
a girl knew more than her brothers about healing and the
medicinal powers of certain herbs. In Jo Hall's fantasy
novel Hierath, even though she came from a lowly
family Lydia learned to be a healer, a talent that came in
handy as war tore the kingdom apart.
How Do Fantasy Characters Get to School
For fantasy writers, transportation to and from a
magical school can be as mundane as a school bus ride, or
as exciting as flying by some magical means to a secret
location free from mortal intrusion. If magical methods
transport fantasy students to school, be sure to keep
abilities consistent with what has been established. Even
when it's magic, it must make sense to the reader.
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when
Harry Potter heads straight for the brick wall at King's
Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express from platform
9 ¾, readers know he can pass through the wall. When the
bus in Sky High picks students up, it's no surprise when
it leaves the ground. Whatever mode of transportation you
choose, make it relevant to the rest of the story.
How to Build a Fantasy World
Costume, Combat and Culture
Create a Pre-Modern Fantasy World
Logic and Consistency
Primitive Fantasy World Amenities
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