A genre that has been growing and continues to find new fan bases is dark fantasy. Unfortunately, not all writers who want to capitalize on this hot market are doing it justice. In fact, they’re getting it all wrong.
It’s easy to think that hardship, struggle, and well, murder, make for a dark fantasy story but that’s far from the truth.
To uncover how to write in this subgenre and actually get it right, read on.
We’ll be covering:
What is dark fantasy?
Dark fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that combines the magical elements of traditional fantasy with horror’s eerie, unsettling, and often grim atmosphere and themes. You’ll find the darker sides of human nature, often getting into themes of death, madness, and moral ambiguity.
But keep in mind that simply having murder and gore in your fantasy novel doesn’t make it “dark”.
Unlike typical fantasy, where good battles evil in a clear-cut manner, a dark fantasy series thrives in the gray areas, where heroes are flawed, villains are relatable, and the world may be a character that opposes all.
What are the elements of dark fantasy?
Since you can’t rely solely on death and gore to categorize this subgenre, what else should you look for?
Think about these elements when crafting a good dark fantasy:
- Moral ambiguity: Characters in dark fantasy are rarely purely good or evil. They often operate in shades of gray, making choices that blur the lines between hero and villain. Think about The Witcher, for example.
- Dark themes: This genre frequently tackles themes like death, despair, madness, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. You’ll find these elements woven into the narrative, making the story compelling and often unsettling.
- Atmosphere and setting: The world of dark fantasy is often bleak, oppressive, and filled with danger. The setting may include gothic castles, haunted forests, or decaying cities, all contributing to a sense of foreboding. Get creative with this aspect of the worldbuilding, as it can lend a lot to its genre. You can even come up with some fun fantasy world names.
- Supernatural elements: While traditional fantasy features magic and mythical creatures, dark fantasy often incorporates supernatural elements with a malevolent twist. Ghosts, demons, and curses are common, adding to the sense of unease, and so are fantasy monsters of some kind. Dark fantasy doesn’t have vampires that sparkle. They have ones that melt disgustingly.
- Complex characters: Characters in dark fantasy are deeply flawed, often battling inner demons or struggling with traumatic pasts. These complexities make them relatable, yet unpredictable. They rarely follow what you think they’ll do, which is why they create a lot of tension in dark fantasy.
- Existential despair: A common theme in dark fantasy is the sense of existential despair, where characters confront the meaningless or brutal nature of the universe, often leading to dark and tragic outcomes. It’s why death is often common, but it’s not the only way to explore this theme, so think about how you can create something original.
- Black leather attire, apparently: Kidding, sort of! But it is common to find the clothing to be of a dark nature in this subgenre as well. Many main characters happen to be the sort who wear dark—often beat up and distressed—leather, like in the example from Dark Tower below.
Of course, every author has their own flavor of what they consider “dark”. Some might not even categorize their book in this subgenre themselves. But you can expect most books in this subgenre to have at least some of these dark fantasy elements.
Examples of REAL dark fantasy to learn from
You’re going to learn the most by reading. Once you’ve read at least a few dark fantasy novels (or series), you’ll easily be able to pick apart what’s different from the others. And in this difference, you’ll find the ways to write fantasy in this subgenre.
To get a better grasp of dark fantasy, it’s useful to explore some classic and modern works that exemplify the genre:
- The Dark Tower series by Stephen King: Blending horror, western, and fantasy, this series delves into themes of obsession, the nature of evil, and the fragility of reality.
- The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie: Known for its gritty realism, this series features morally ambiguous characters and a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
- A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: While often categorized as epic fantasy, the series’ dark themes, complex characters, and the brutal, unforgiving world align closely with dark fantasy.
- The Black Company by Glen Cook: This series offers a soldier’s-eye view of a world steeped in darkness, where mercenaries fight for survival amidst morally complex conflicts.
- The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski: You can also give this one a watch on Netflix! With its grim world, morally gray characters, and exploration of the consequences of power, The Witcher straddles the line between fantasy and dark fantasy, though it does get really dark at times.
If you want to learn to write in this genre, you’ll likely enjoy reading these! Take notes and pinpoint areas where you think these books differ from your standard fantasy.
Dark fantasy writing tips to develop your story
It’s time to dig in! By now you have a pretty good idea of what to include in your story, but it’s time you actually put that knowledge to the test.
These tips will help you stay focused on this subgenre specifically.
1. Focus on the theme
When crafting a dark fantasy story, it’s crucial to establish your central theme early on. Whether it’s about the corrupting influence of power, the inevitability of death, or the struggle between free will and destiny, your theme should permeate every aspect of your story.
This will give your narrative depth and cohesion, making it more impactful.
Remember that the theme plays into the conflict. Making your main character work against their moral compass is a huge part of what makes this subgenre work so well. Don’t be afraid to torture your characters. In fact, it’s wise if you do!
2. Focus on the setting
The setting of your story should not just be a backdrop but an integral part of the dark fantasy experience. Think about how the environment affects your characters and the plot.
A desolate wasteland can mirror a character’s internal despair, while a cursed forest might symbolize the danger that lurks in every shadow. Use your setting to enhance the atmosphere and reinforce your themes.
Plus, putting your book in an environment that creates a weird mood as well as unpredictability will make it all the easier to scare and affect your readers emotionally. Take The Witcher for example:
Yes, the blood on him lends itself nicely to displaying what this subgenre actually is, but look at his clothes and the backdrop as well.
Obviously, this is a show and it’s easier to see, but the book describes these elements that add to the setting:
- Gray
- Foggy
- Monotone in color
- Dirty
- Unkempt
These descriptions will go a long way to helping your reader picture a setting that’s easy to identify as dark fantasy.
3. Don’t use too much blood and gore
While dark fantasy often includes violence, it’s important not to rely on excessive blood and gore to create tension or fear.
Instead, focus on the psychological horror and the emotional toll that violence takes on your characters. Subtlety can be more effective than shock value, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.
Of course you can and probably will include this stuff. What I advise is not relying on the elements to be the sole driver of making your story belong in this subgenre. Even Harry Potter has death and blood and gore. It’s not considered dark fantasy though.
4. Make your characters gray
Dark fantasy thrives on morally ambiguous characters.
Avoid clear-cut heroes and villains; instead, create characters with complex motivations, flaws, and internal conflicts. A protagonist who makes questionable decisions or a villain with relatable goals can add layers of intrigue to your story.
More than anything, a character who creates their own misery in the decisions they make set your story up for the kind of dark twists expected.
5. Keep the reader guessing
Unpredictability is a key element of dark fantasy. Avoid clichés and predictable plot twists. Keep your readers on their toes by introducing unexpected developments, shifting alliances, and moral dilemmas that challenge your characters’ beliefs and decisions.
Here’s how you can create tension without overly relying on blood and gore to keep readers guessing:
- Avoid predictable tropes: Subvert common fantasy clichés to surprise your readers.
- Introduce unreliable narrators: Use characters whose perspectives may be skewed or deceptive like tricksters.
- Incorporate misdirection: Lead readers down one path, then reveal a different truth.
- Use ambiguous morality: Keep characters’ motives and loyalties unclear.
- Build tension with secrets: Withhold key information from both characters and readers.
- Create complex characters: Make characters’ actions and decisions unpredictable.
- Employ unexpected betrayals: Have trusted allies turn against the protagonist at crucial moments.
6. Make your own tropes
While dark fantasy has its conventions, don’t be afraid to subvert or reinvent them. Create your own unique take on traditional fantasy tropes. For example, instead of a noble quest, your characters might be forced into a journey of survival. By playing with expectations, you can make your story stand out.
A great way to go about this is to find out what market is selling hot in other fantasy subgenres and take a trope from there. You’ll just have to tweak it until it’s dark. You’ll find a lot of success writing to market this way.
7. Keep the stakes high
In dark fantasy, the stakes should always feel significant. Whether it’s the fate of a kingdom or a character’s soul, ensure that the consequences of failure are dire. This keeps the tension high and the reader invested in the outcome.
If you need more tips for writing dark fantasy that keeps the stakes high, here are a few things to think about:
- Threaten core values: Endanger what the characters value most, such as loved ones, freedom, or morality.
- Introduce escalating consequences: Ensure each decision or failure leads to increasingly dire outcomes.
- Limit resources: Create scarcity of vital supplies, allies, or time, heightening desperation.
- Present unstoppable forces: Introduce powerful, seemingly unbeatable antagonists or threats.
- Impose personal sacrifices: Force characters to make painful choices that cost them dearly.
- Maintain a sense of urgency: Keep the clock ticking with looming deadlines or imminent disasters.
- Blur the line between success and failure: Make victories feel bittersweet or come at significant costs.
Basically, allow your character to make messy progress. This means they do have success at various points, but it’s always with a cost or a catch.
8. Remember narrative voice
The tone and narrative voice of your story should reflect the dark, ominous atmosphere you’re creating. Whether you choose a first-person perspective that delves into the character’s psyche or an omniscient narrator that captures the bleakness of the world, ensure that your voice enhances the story’s mood.
9. Include glimmers of hope
Contrast is a powerful tool to create tone and establish depth.
Dark fantasy doesn’t have to be relentlessly bleak. Including moments of hope or kindness can create powerful contrasts, making the darker elements even more impactful. These glimmers of light can also deepen character development and give your readers something to root for.
You’ll often do this by:
- Creating intimacy and connection between characters only for it to be interrupted with brutality;
- Add jokes and humor to lighten the tone, particularly in difficult scenes;
- Let them win or have success in one area, only to lose big in another right after.
The juxtaposition of these elements helps to remind the reader that all is not well in this world and this subgenre.
10. Maintain inner and outer conflict
Both internal and external conflicts are essential in dark fantasy. Your characters should struggle not only against external forces—whether they be monsters, enemies, or fate—but also against their own fears, doubts, and desires.
This dual layer of conflict adds depth to your narrative and keeps the story dynamic.
You may write a character winning a physical battle, but losing an addiction they’re slowly succumbing to, for example.
In The Witcher (mild spoiler) he does end up finding his “law of surprise” but only when he loses the woman he loves.
The above also serves as a good example of creating glimmers of hope. Two for one!
11. Keep the plot progressing
With a dark theme, it’s easy to write a plot where your main character is consistently losing. While this will obviously happen, you still have to move the plot forward.
Even in the darkest tales, the plot must continue to move forward. Avoid letting your story get bogged down in despair or introspection. Ensure that each chapter brings new developments, challenges, or revelations that push your characters—and the reader—toward the story’s resolution.
This is how dark fantasy works. Pick and choose a few core elements to focus on in your story, and do them justice! Get creative and expand beyond what’s been done before.
