1. Introduction
2. What is Hard Fantasy?
   1. Examples of Hard Fantasy
3. Exploring Soft Fantasy
   1. Examples of Soft Fantasy
4. A quick note on magic systems
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In this world, everything is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, from the beings that inhabit it to the food they consume. Magicians, witches, enchanted substances, and mystical creatures. Fantasy is a genre known for its tropes, cliches, and taking protagonists on abnormal adventures to achieve great things. While the sub-genres within Fantasy are as countless as the stars in Sci-Fi novels, we’re going to focus on an overarching view of the Fantasy Genre this year. So let’s start with a quick definition of fantasy as a literary genre.

What is Hard Fantasy?

“Hard Fantasy is essentially a genre in which the story follows its own constructed rules with convincing results; hence the fantasy.” -Tor.com

As a writer of Hard Fantasy, it’s essential to maintain consistency and coherence throughout the book or series. Hard Fantasy differs from Soft Fantasy because it adheres to established rules and principles governing the world and its magic. By doing so, the story becomes believable and immersive, captivating readers and holding their interest. The challenge lies in creating original ideas while respecting the established rules.

Writing Hard Fantasy requires skill in blending fantastical elements, crafting the story and characters, and allowing personal growth. Meticulous world-building is crucial, requiring careful planning, attention to detail, and a profound understanding’s themes. Overall, Hard Fantasy writing calls for imagination, storytelling mastery, and a strong focus on evolving fantastical elements that propel the narrative. World-building in this genre is a delicate balance that adds depth and enchantment, transporting readers to extraordinary realms.

Examples of Hard Fantasy

• “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss: This book is considered hard fantasy due to its intricate and detailed world-building, complex magic system, and attention to realistic details within the setting. The story is grounded in a well-defined and consistent magical framework, making it a prime example of hard fantasy.
• “The Blade Itself” by Joe Abercrombie: Known for its gritty and unapologetically realistic portrayal of characters and their struggles, this book falls into the hard fantasy category. The world is harsh and unforgiving, and the application of magic is limited and follows strict rules, adding to its classification as hard fantasy.
• “The Way of Kings” by Brandon Sanderson: This book is a notable example of hard fantasy due to its meticulous magic system, intricate world-building, and the in-depth exploration of scientific principles behind the magic. Sanderson’s rigorous attention to the rules and limitations of magic solidifies its classification as hard fantasy.

Exploring Soft Fantasy

I define Soft Fantasy as a fantasy world where the fantastical elements are not well explained. Many times the readers are introduced to the world how it is, and are expected to take the author at their word. There may be a lot of debates about the exact definition of soft fantasy. In my searches to verify how I defined Soft Fantasy, I found four or five variations on that definition. If you have any references you prefer to use for this definition, then comment below. Otherwise, we’ll work off the belief that Soft Fantasy is much like Soft Sci-Fi because it uses fantastical elements in the story, but it does not depend on how the magic works for the story to follow its arc.

The subgenre of Soft Fantasy, known for its emphasis on imagination, magic, and whimsy in storytelling, creates a unique and enchanting experience for readers. Authors of Soft Fantasy intertwine elements of the fantastical with the mundane, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. This subgenre often appeals to readers who relish exploring mystical worlds and magical realms, where the rules of the ordinary world are bent, and where magical forces play a significant role in shaping the narrative. Soft Fantasy often portrays intricate and mesmerizing settings, drawing readers into wondrous and dreamlike landscapes where unexpected adventures and captivating characters await at every turn. With its ability to transport readers to enchanting and extraordinary realms, Soft Fantasy continues to captivate audiences with its imaginative and magical storytelling.

Examples of Soft Fantasy

• “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones: This novel follows the story of a young woman named Sophie who encounters a magical castle and its mysterious owner, Howl. Filled with enchanting elements and endearing characters, this tale brings whimsy and charm to the forefront.
• “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman: This enchanting tale tells the story of a young man, Tristan, who ventures into the magical realm of Faerie to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved. Filled with magical creatures and captivating settings, “Stardust” masterfully weaves together elements of fantasy and romance.
• “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern: This mesmerizing novel unfolds the tale of a mysterious and magical circus that appears without warning, captivating audiences with its enchanting performances and mystical allure. The narrative immerses readers in a world of illusion and wonder, where magic permeates every aspect of the story.

A quick note on magic systems

The level of development of a magic system is a massive undertaking. For this post I’m going to do a quick summary of rigid versus undefined magic systems, but please subscribe to gain access to the post Hard Vs. Soft Magic Systems to better understand the full depth.

In Hard Fantasy, the Magic system used is more than likely a Hard Magic system. This means a rigid set of rules is in place for all magic users. Little room is left for finagling loopholes to get a character out of a tight situation.

The concept of Soft Fantasy is characterized by a flexible and approachable magic system that is not overly defined or restricted. It offers a more inclusive and relatable experience by weaving magical elements into everyday life, allowing for a sense of wonder and possibility without the constraints of more structured magic systems. This fluidity and accessibility make Soft Fantasy unique and inviting to a wide audience.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to write hard or soft fantasy comes down to preference and storytelling goals. Hard fantasy creates intricately built worlds with rigorous magic systems, captivating readers’ imaginations while maintaining plausibility. In contrast, soft fantasy emphasizes whimsy, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy to transport readers to enchanting realms. Both genres have merits, allowing writers to choose the approach that best fits their narrative vision. Whichever style you select, consistency and coherence remain vital to crafting an immersive fantasy world. With meticulous world-building and skillful storytelling, writers can achieve success in either the gritty realism of hard fantasy or the ethereal charm of soft fantasy.

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