This week I want to continue the discussion of the art of crafting a gripping fantasy quest.

We discussed points one through three last week and today we look at points four through six. 

4. Plot twists and turns: keeping the quest engaging and unpredictable.

5. The role of magic and mythology in enriching the quest's storyline.

6. Balancing action-packed scenes with moments of introspection and character development.

Point four is Plot twists and turns: keeping the quest engaging and unpredictable.

The goal of our fantasy quest is to keep the story engaging to maintain reader interest. To do that, we add unexpected plot twists to make the story memorable. A reader that has read several action adventure fantasy novels will expect certain things to happen at specific times in the story. That is both desirable and a problem. It's a problem because then every story is the same. What's the point of reading? But when the author makes it look like she has followed the stereotypical path of the genre, but then adds an unexpected plot twist, it brings the reader back to the story. Where is the writer planning to take the narrative now?

What techniques might the author use to keep the reader on her toes?

They start with foreshadowing. They will plant subtle clues or hints throughout the story that hint at the possibility of a plot twist. Foreshadowing builds anticipation and intrigue, making the eventual twist feel earned and satisfying rather than coming out of nowhere. However, be careful not to make the foreshadowing too obvious, as you want the twist to still be surprising. Nothing worse than knowing the path of a story. 

The writer hints that something is different about the quest, and the reader suspects a twist, but with a deft hand, the author subverts the reader's expectations. This can involve revealing a character's true motivations, turning allies into enemies or vice versa, or upending the protagonist's goals and beliefs. By defying predictability, you keep readers on their toes and make the story more interesting.

Does the writer do this only to add the plot twist? No, there's more to it than that. They'll use plot twists as opportunities for character growth and transformation. A well-executed twist should challenge characters' beliefs, motivations, and relationships, forcing them to confront their flaws and evolve in unexpected ways. By tying twists to character arcs, we dive deeper into the character's emotional elements and add layers of complexity to the narrative.

The author times the pacing of the plot twists to maximize their impact. With deft craftmanship, they build tension gradually leading up to the twist, then deliver it at a strategic moment when readers least expect it. This could be during a climactic action scene, a moment of emotional vulnerability, or a pivotal decision point for the protagonist. By carefully controlling the pacing, they amplify the shock value and resonance of the twist.

When the author clicks the trap, we can now dig deeper into how the twist affects the characters, their relationships, and the trajectory of the story. By delving into the fallout of the twist and its ripple effects on the narrative, the story stakes deepen and keep readers invested in the story's outcome.

By incorporating these strategies, a master of the art of writing can create plot twists that are not only surprising and unexpected but also emotionally resonant, thematically rich, and integral to the overall narrative arc of your story. The writer's manipulation of the story can leave the reader crying, surprised, confused, or smiling.

In point Number Five, we examine the role of magic and mythology in enriching the quest's storyline.

Including magic and mythology in a quest storyline can significantly enrich the narrative in several ways:

• Sense of Wonder
• Expanding the World
• Conflict and Obstacles
• Character Development
• Themes and Symbolism

A well-crafted fantasy magic system can produce a sense of wonder in the reader. By introducing magical elements and mythical creatures, the writer brings forth a sense of wonder and awe. She captivates readers by immersing them in their fantastical world. The discovery of ancient spells, enchanted artifacts, or legendary beings adds excitement and intrigue to the quest, driving the protagonists forward in their journey.

When I read stories by Preston and Childs, I'm always amazed at how well they define the world building, so I feel like I'm part of the scene participating in the story itself. By expanding the world using magic and mythology, an epic fantasy provides a look at unique cultures, belief systems, and cosmologies that shape the characters' understanding of their world. A writer wouldn't necessarily add different forms of magic such as elemental magic, necromancy, and divine magic, all in the first book of a series. But they might tease a little out with each book of a series. By adding features and creatures like wraiths, undead, and monsters to the fantasy realm it gives an opportunity for new possibilities and challenges for the quest.

In my Mountain King fantasy action adventure series, in the first book my protagonist is learning to use magic. He can master one aspect of magic, but he is far from an expert. Then, in book two, he faces wraiths and a shapeshifter. In book three, he must go through the multi-dimensional Phantasmal Moors. The reader doesn't get bored with the story, because there is always some new magic or monster that is introduced.

Magic and mythology can serve as sources of conflict and obstacles for the protagonists to overcome on their quest. Whether contending with malevolent sorcerers, cursed relics, or ancient prophecies. Magical forces introduce challenges that require creative solutions, strategic thinking, and moral dilemmas, adding layers of complexity to the storyline.

What will the character do when she is facing a mythological creature or a person from out of the story's legends? Initially, she might feel surprised, but the mythological creature or person from out of the story's legends can sometimes appear overwhelming and create conflict for the protagonist. If the person takes actions that were appropriate when the legendary person lived, they might not be appropriate in today's world, forcing the protagonist into situations and placing obstacles in her path just by that person being there. 

That leads to character development. Our heroine's character development is most evident when external forces or her own internal struggles put her under pressure. Interacting with magical beings or delving into ancient myths and legends can catalyze character development and growth for the protagonists. Confronting their beliefs, fears, and desires in the face of magical phenomena forces characters to confront their inner demons and grow in unexpected ways, deepening their arcs and relationships with one another.

Themes of destiny, sacrifice, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil resonate through the lens of magical lore, providing opportunities for philosophical reflection and emotional resonance with readers. Maybe the writer uses the protagonist's experience with the legend to compare two themes subtly, without coming right out and saying it. The writer should evoke reflection and emotional resonance in the reader without directly lecturing on a moral issue.

The story of King David and Bathsheba in the Bible is a perfect example of how King David is humbled. His advisor tells the story of a poor family's lamb that is taken from them by a powerful king who wants to entertain a visiting dignitary. The king had hundreds of sheep of his own he could have used for the meal, yet he takes this family's pet for his meal. David realizes he has done the same thing to win Bathsheba and weeps at his arrogance. 

By integrating magic and mythology into the quest's storyline, writers can create a richer, more immersive narrative experience that sparks the imagination, challenges the characters, and explores timeless themes of human nature and the mysteries of the unknown.

Finally, in point number six, we learn to balance action-packed scenes with moments of introspection and character development.

• Strategic Scene Placement
• Internal Monologue
• Flashbacks and Memories
• Dialogue and Interaction
• Setting and Atmosphere
• Foreshadowing and Suspense
• Character Growth and Arcs

The master storyteller knows how to weave action-packed scenes with moments of introspection and character development, which is an essential tool for creating a dynamic and engaging fantasy action-adventure novel. She must take time out of the action scenes to let us see the character thinking about the mistakes he has made to this point and what effect they have on his goals up to this point in life. Like an artist working a clay wheel, the writer uses techniques to slow the narrative without losing the story's momentum using these techniques. 

Robert Jordan would place his characters in dangerous situations. They would barely survive and then find safety behind a village's walls. Then, the characters would eat and dance, leaving behind the fears and struggles of the last couple of days. But he didn't leave it boring. They were continuing to think of their experiences and we were learning character backgrounds and still seeing conflict between characters.

My developmental editor is constantly telling me to add more internal monologue to provide insight into the characters' thoughts, emotions, and motivations during lulls in the action. Something big has just happened to the character. What is she thinking? These moments of introspection allow readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level, enhancing empathy and investment in their journey. 

A character's self-talk gives us insight into the character. We might learn some backstory or things or people they fear. It allows us to see what they think of other people they are interacting with. Internal thoughts help us dig deeper into the protagonist's character and beliefs.

The writer Incorporates flashbacks, memories, or dreams to reveal backstory and character depth during slower moments in the narrative. Flashbacks during a fight scene just are realistic. The protagonist has to concentrate on not being killed. So we let the story slow down and give more information to the reader in an effort to understand why she can't kill the person she is fighting. Or why she is afraid of a person we haven't been introduced to yet. 

I was watching the TV version of Robinson Crusoe last night and this is a perfect opportunity to talk about the show in relation to flashbacks. The writers have leaked out information about Crusoe's back story each episode. We don't see the entire story, just little snippets that give us just enough information to want more, but not so much to forget the current story line.

Last night's episode gave us back story about Crusoe's fellow castaway, Friday. Friday had to go through a series of challenges as a child in order to prove his worthiness as a man. Unfortunately, fear of a giant alligator that ate other participants kept Friday from doing the last task. Though his father never explicitly expressed disappointment that Friday didn't complete the challenges, Friday could sense his father's dissatisfaction with his son. 

The back story helped us understand the last scene when Friday had to jump into the water and wrestle a crocodile to save his friend. 

These narrative devices provide opportunities for exposition and character development without interrupting the flow of the main storyline.

Dialogue and interaction between characters helps to explore themes, conflicts, and relationships during quieter scenes. Engaging a bard or storyteller into the story might let the bard showcase a story that compares the hero's life in the story with our protagonist's struggles. How might the hero solve a problem compared to the concerns our protagonist might have in a similar struggle?

Does the author take the time to show us the antagonist's issues and how the choices the antagonist makes are different than the main character's decisions? That's an excellent strategy to explore themes of good and evil or moral choices. 

Engaging conversations reveal character dynamics, add depth to the world-building, and advance the plot in a more subtle and nuanced way than exposition or action.

In the Wheel of Time series, the mentor or Aes Sedai, has opportunities to explain things about the world they live in. Through internal thoughts, we see that the protagonist had it all wrong. The reader learns new information about the world, because the POV character we were following turns out to be an unreliable witness. 

Though Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels aren't action adventure fantasy, the fantasy authors still have a task to complete. They must leverage the setting and atmosphere to create mood and tension during slower moments in the narrative. Child's use of adding tension for his main character is what has made his books best sellers. 

My favorite scene is when Jack Reacher has broken into the bad guy's building and beaten up a couple of them and then begins searching for something he hopes is there. Early in the chapter, it's the most reasonable expectation of the character. He came for something and he's going to spend some time looking for it. 

All is well until his partner speaks. "Come on, Reacher. They'll be here any minute."

Tension increases.

Reacher keeps searching. The author gives us a detailed analysis of where Reacher is searching, but not explicitly what he is seeking. He searches the lockers and the desk drawers. He doesn't find it.

His partner speaks, again. "Hurry, Reacher. You know they're on the way."

The tension ramps up once again.

But Reacher isn't hurrying. He knows how important this object is to him solving the mystery. Reacher checks another room. He doesn't find it. 

The reader is now shouting at the book they hold in their hand, "Get out of there, Reacher! They're coming."

The tension increases as Reacher looks in the trunk of a car.

A lesser author would have let their character search one location. They wouldn't find it on the first go round, but they would let her find it the second place they looked. Then off they would go. Not Child. He ramps up tension. Although it's a slow moment, the author makes sure not to waste any moment.

Descriptive prose can evoke a sense of place, immersing readers in the story's world and heightening anticipation for the next action-packed sequence. Use quiet moments to foreshadow future events, plant seeds of intrigue, and build suspense for upcoming action scenes. Hint at looming threats, unresolved conflicts, or hidden agendas to keep readers hooked and eager to see how events unfold.

By skillfully balancing action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and character development, a good fantasy action-adventure novel maintains momentum, depth, and resonance, ensuring a compelling and satisfying reading experience from start to finish.

Image is from Jay Bhadreshwara on Unsplash