Worldbuilding for Urban Fantasy: A Quick Writer’s Guide

Worldbuilding for urban fantasy is the perfect opportunity for writers to explore the mix of the mundane and the magical. It involves crafting a universe where the impossible becomes possible, yet is grounded within the familiar settings of our own world. This requires a delicate balance—immersing readers in the fantastical without breaking the spell of believability. Here are some essential tips on worldbuilding for urban fantasy writers.

Understanding urban fantasy

Before delving into building your urban fantasy world, it’s crucial to understand what sets this subgenre apart from other forms of fantasy.

Recognise the defining traits of urban fantasy, which typically include a contemporary setting combined with supernatural elements.
Familiarise yourself with the genre’s common tropes and themes, like hidden magical societies, the coexistence of magical and non-magical beings, and the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Critically read successful urban fantasy novels to see how other authors have balanced the real and the fantastical.
Consider reader expectations for the genre, and the flexibility it has for innovation and subversion of norms.
Determine the tone and mood you want for your setting, as this will influence all other aspects of your worldbuilding.

Creating your magical systems

The magical systems in your urban fantasy will offer a unique flavour to your world, determining the capabilities of your characters and the challenges they face.

Where does the magic in your world come from—is it drawn from nature, ancient artefacts, parallel dimensions, or something else?
Decide if magic is commonly known or if it’s a secret kept from the general populace. If it’s a secret, why? And what are the consequences if it becomes known?
Develop the limitations and costs of magic, as these constraints can drive conflict and plot development.
Invent magical organisations, guilds, or societies, detailing their roles, influence, and how they operate in your story world.
Create distinct magical phenomena that occur within your urban setting, which can become landmarks or points of interest in your narrative.
Consider how technology and magic interact; do they coexist harmoniously, or are they in constant contention?

Creating realism in your urban setting

Realism in urban fantasy is about making the reader recognise and connect with the world you have created as something that is both other and familiar.

Include lots of real-world details, including accurate descriptions of city life, technology, and culture. Make sure you research for accuracy.
Use sensory details to make the urban environment come alive—smells, sounds, textures, and tastes that the reader can relate to.
Include social and political issues that resonate with contemporary society, allowing readers to draw parallels with their own experiences.
Develop a diverse cast of characters whose life experiences and backgrounds reflect the complexity of a modern urban society.
Integrate authentic dialogue that mirrors the way people communicate in modern life, including local slang and mannerisms, both real-world accurate and unique to your setting.
Consider the logistics of an urban environment, like transportation, law enforcement, and the economy, and how these are affected by the presence of magic.

Character development in an urban fantasy

Characters are the heart of your story, and the way they react to fantasy elements in their real-world environments will drive a lot of your narrative.

Create protagonists and antagonists whose motivations are shaped by the intersection of the real and the magical in their lives.
Develop backstories for your characters that explain their relationship to the urban setting and the magical elements within it.
Design character arcs that reflect the challenges and growth that come with living in a world where fantasy is reality.
Introduce secondary characters that highlight the diversity of the urban fantasy landscape, from magical creatures to human allies and adversaries.
Explore the psychological impact of a dual-world existence on your characters, including the strain of keeping secrets and the wonder of discovering magic.
Use character relationships to explore the nuances and complexities of your urban fantasy world.

Plotting your urban fantasy

Your plot is the vehicle through which readers experience your story world. Urban fantasy requires careful attention to pacing to give both elements equal weight.

Construct a plot that intertwines the urban and the fantastical, using the unique aspects of your setting to drive the story forward, rather than relying on the mundane.
Introduce conflicts that arise from the overlap of the magical and the mundane, be they societal, personal, or existential.
Use the setting itself as a character, with its own moods, secrets, and evolving role in the narrative.
Create set pieces that showcase the extraordinary within the ordinary—magical battles on the rooftops, secret meetings in subways, or enchanted parks hidden in plain sight.
Develop a pace that balances the exploration of your urban world with the unfolding of magical elements and plot progression.
Consider the use of multiple viewpoints to give a broader perspective on how the urban fantasy elements affect different characters and society at large.

Blending the real and magical

The key to urban fantasy is making the reader believe that magic could exist in their own world, interwoven with the everyday.

Introduce the fantastic elements gradually, allowing the real world to serve as an anchor for the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
Develop a set of rules for how magic operates in your world to maintain consistency and a sense of order.
Use recognisable landmarks and urban elements as grounding points, then twist them with your fantasy elements.
Establish the history of magic in your world and how (or if) it has shaped society and its infrastructure.
Consider the impact of magical events or beings on the everyday lives of both your characters and the city’s unsuspecting inhabitants.
Intertwine the real and the fantastic so that they feel inseparable, each substantiating the other’s existence.