Creating Immersive Worlds in Historical Fantasy with Tasha Kazanjian

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Tasha Kazanjian joins Dominic to discuss the process of creating immersive settings in historical fantasy novels. Tasha, who is working on a historical fantasy novel set in 1960s London, shares her experience and insights into the research required to build a believable world.

We chat about topics such as the difference between historical fiction and historical fantasy, the importance of attention to detail, and the impact of small details on character development.

Tasha also recommends some notable historical fantasy novels and discusses the emergence of historical fantasy as a genre. Tasha's is dedicated to meticulous research and attention to detail, which adds credibility and authenticity to her writing.

This approach creates a sense of trust and immersion for readers, making us feel like we are truly experiencing the world she has created.

Key Points/Highlights:

1. The difference between historical fiction and historical fantasy: Historical fiction aims for realism, while historical fantasy combines a grounded historical setting with magical elements.

2. Tasha's novel, "A Trick of Spades," is a high fantasy with a heavily inspired 1960s London setting, following two teenagers on a mission to rescue their aunt from a crime lord.

3. Notable historical fantasy novels recommended by Tasha: "The Apothecary" by Maile Meloy and the "Leviathan" series by Scott Westerfeld.

4. The recent emergence of historical fantasy as a genre and the need for new labels to categorize diverse genres within the fantasy genre.

5. The importance of small details in creating an immersive world and building trust with readers.

6. The impact of an author's knowledge of their character's environment on character development.

7. The question of how far back in the past a story needs to be set to be considered historical fantasy.

8. Research methods, including using Google, Google Earth, and travelogues to find specific details about historical settings.

Notable Quotes:

• "I love putting these little details in there just to give the reader that sense of really being able to visualize the world of that setting."

• "Small details or one line that came from a lot of research can create a realistic world."

• "Knowing your character's environment well helps you know your characters better."