Do you want to start writing but don't want your story to be chock full of old-fashioned things? Follow these instructions and you'll be well on your way to writing a compelling story!
Steps
Step 1. Avoiding stereotypes can be very difficult
Remember that using a couple of the ones listed below is not bad, especially if they are important to the development of your story. Just try not to overdo it, or no one will be interested in your story and you will eventually forget about it.
Step 2. Make your protagonist have a realistic family
As a general rule, female characters usually only have a father, and male characters have only a mother. Try to deviate from this rule, so your characters will have a more interesting context.
Step 3. Don't create stereotypical characters
Many female characters have a bossy, rude and "know it all" personality, which you should avoid. Another female stereotype (usually for the protagonists) is an unnecessary shyness. The best friend is generally perfect, beautiful, charming, successful with the opposite sex etc. - all to create contrast with the protagonist - but it doesn't work very well, so avoid it. Create characters that are nice, realistic and people like. You should also avoid damsels in distress - create independent yet likable female characters who are role models and don't necessarily have to rely on a guy to rescue or help them. The "beautiful, good and good" are very annoying: give your characters some nuances and don't make them happy even though their life is miserable. Do your best with male characters too: don't make them fall in love with the heroine at first sight; do not let them be orphans from the sad life that are targeted by bullies at school; don't make them friendless until they find out they're heroes. Avoid phrases such as "the heroine had silky, shiny raven hair that swayed sinuously" when describing characters, all of which can be really annoying to read.
Step 4. Read
This may seem like the exact opposite of what you should be doing, but it will teach you which mechanisms to avoid. Make a list of the most disliked stereotypes, if that helps.
Step 5. Create your own characters
In medieval scenarios fairies, goblins, dwarves, elves are extremely obvious, as well as male characters who are born on earth and end up in fantastic worlds without a logical reason. If you are really writing the story of a normal character who finds himself in a fantasy world, try to make it realistic. Don't just "appear there" or "go through a portal".
Step 6. Make your characters different ages
Fantasy characters are usually between 11 and 16 years old; it is not wrong that they are teenagers, but try to create side characters that are of other ages.
Step 7. Design an original weapon
Swords, guns and wands are all too common in fantasy, and by creating your own custom weapon, you will create something fun and original.
Step 8. Avoid the "chosen one"
Again, remember that you are creating a realistic, compelling and well-rounded character. The more interesting your characters are, the more successful they will be. The "chosen one", on the other hand, can make history boring because we know that only a hero can save the world from evil, and nothing will change that.
Step 9. If you want to insert a love story into the story, don't make it gooey and too dramatic
Stay away from the male lead who rescues the heroine and does everything for her, even if he has only known her for 5 seconds. Create a tender and realistic love story. The two characters in love should get to know each other before it all happens, and they shouldn't fall in love for no reason. For example: They can fight for three chapters and then suddenly kiss, just because you want to have a love in your story. You have to make it as if it is happening in reality, even if it is fiction, but by creating flat and boring stories, you will make your story worse.
Step 10. The "bad father" should also be avoided
Step 11. Bad guys can also be normal
Many stories have extremely good or extremely bad villains. Try to mix things up a bit.
Step 12. Children stronger than heroes?
Absolutely not to create an annoying child who hunts down the protagonist, asking him to join the group, challenging and beating him in practically every fight. These characters are obnoxious and make your story irritating.
Step 13. The "sad character"
There will always be a dark and depressed character who has no friends but who, magically, at the end of the story learns to interact with people. It is usually a long, dark-haired boy, or a girl of about 18 with a sad life who has become the leader of a group, to give the impression of being "tough".
Step 14. The "helpless princess"
She does not help the hero in any way and does nothing but wait to be saved.
Step 15. Legends and prophecies that always come true
This would NEVER happen in real life or even in a fantasy world.
Step 16. The fake deaths
This is very common: a main character, usually the heroine the hero is in love with, has apparently died, only to discover that she is alive but very injured.
Step 17. The villain is finally dead
.. or not?. Another cliché: the protagonist seems to have finally killed the villain / monster, and while everyone is celebrating, the latter comes back to life.
Step 18. It happened thousands of years ago
… The villain is generally cast out thousands of years earlier by a mysterious hero who then simply disappears, and returns years later to try to destroy the earth again. The second hero is usually related to the first.
Advice
- Don't create your book along the lines of the latest blockbusters. Publishers are looking for new and original ideas.
- Write about things that really interest you, and others will likely find it interesting too.
- Not all fantasy stories have to be set on a mysterious planet.
- Avoid things that are too popular. Fads pass quickly, and your story about the wizard or the dragon rider will be totally ignored.
