Margaret Atwood is well-known for her novel The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian first published in 1985. Her novel covers the story of a handmaid living in what’s known as the Republic of Gilead. The catch?
Most every, if not all, major plot points were written based on reality. I imagine this was a large contributor in making Atwood’s novel a TV show. Why?
It was relatable.
The Republic of Gilead is not a real place, although to readers, it might seem to be. The same is true of your work in progress. Whatever country you create is not real, but it can seem real to readers when you create it using details that aren’t fiction.
When building your fantasy world, pull details from existing countries.
One of my first novels takes place in a country much like Australia — but only in shape and location. I mixed the layout of Australia with the topography of the US. I haven’t lived in Australia, but I have lived in the US. I know the US. And as the old adage goes, write what you know.
Secondly, I incorporated aspects of US history into my story, but pulled different aspects of Australian government into my fantasy government. This way the reader will never say, “Oh, this world is based on the history of the United States but set in Australia.” Pieces are pulled from both countries, but it’s not based on either.
Use details of historic figures to put skin on your characters.
When researching my characters, I looked up many historic people who’d had a big impact on either their country or the world. I pulled details of their personality and made them characteristics of my own characters.
Readers know names like Frederick Douglass, Mary I, Joan of Arc, and Adolf Hitler. It’s likely they also know more about them then they may remember learning in high school history. Pulling different details from each, a hair style, a personality trait, a character flaw, etc., then combining them to create one specific character, adds the ring of truth.
Mix customs.
If your book does well, you will likely have readers from around the country and possibly the world. Part of the fun of writing fantasy and science-fiction is the freedom to make things up. When it comes to the customs of the characters in your world, this freedom continues.
However, to really make your world come alive, research customs from centuries ago to present day. After you have ten to thirty customs, assign several to each of your characters. This will round out your characters, provide you with centuries of backstory to draw from, and use reality to strengthen your fantasy.
Don’t forget to add your own creative ideas to the mix. After all, that’s what writing fantasy and sci-fi is all about. Happy writing!
Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.
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