How to write romantasy

What is the course about?

This lively, interactive one-day course combines the epic storytelling of fantasy fiction with the intimacy of romance, the budding genre of romantasy places love and sex at the heart of its characters’ adventures. 

Using a mix of exercises and close textual readings, this course will help you to define the central relationships that propel your characters’ journey through magical, fantastical worlds.

Bring your writing materials and a sense of adventure.

What will we cover?

• Identifying emotional stakes
• Speculative worldbuilding
• Crafting character dynamics
• Writing romantic scenes with varying level of spice

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• List some basic principles of the romantasy genre.
• Write a scene that works to establish a compelling character dynamic and contributes to a longer piece of fiction (novel or short story).

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for all levels, and for those with an interest in speculative genres in fiction. You will need a good grasp of written and spoken English to participate in this course.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Through presentation, tutor-led group discussion, small-group discussions, and some short writing exercises done in class followed by feedback from the tutor and other members of the class.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional costs. Please bring a pen and paper, and a laptop if you prefer to type.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Want to develop your writing further? Choose one of our intermediate fiction workshops, Writing fiction or Developing your creative writing. Or, you can hone specific elements of your fiction by choosing a course from our Craft Focus series on character, plotting, voice and more. Check out our prospectus for more information.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.