Fiction is a delicate dance between reality and imagination. On one hand, readers want stories that feel real—characters they can relate to, worlds that make sense, and emotions that ring true. On the other hand, they also crave escape—a chance to step into a world that’s bigger, bolder, and more exciting than their own. Striking the right balance between realism and escapism is key to creating a story that’s both believable and captivating. Here’s how to do it.
Ground Your Story in Relatable Emotions
No matter how fantastical your world or plot, the emotions should feel real. Readers connect with characters who experience joy, fear, love, and loss in ways that resonate with their own lives. Even if your protagonist is a dragon-slaying knight or a space-faring explorer, their struggles and triumphs should mirror the human experience. Ask yourself: What universal emotions can I tap into? How can I make my characters’ feelings relatable, even if their circumstances aren’t?
Build a Believable World
Whether your story is set in a small town or a distant galaxy, the world needs to feel consistent and believable. This doesn’t mean it has to be realistic—just that it needs to follow its own rules. If magic exists in your world, how does it work? If your characters live in a futuristic society, how does it function? The more thought you put into your world-building, the more immersive it will feel.
Use Realistic Details to Anchor the Fantastical
Even in the most fantastical stories, small, realistic details can make the world feel grounded. For example, in Harry Potter, the magical world is filled with whimsical elements, but it’s also grounded in everyday details like homework, friendships, and family drama. These relatable moments make the magical elements feel more believable.
Let Characters Drive the Story
No matter how extraordinary your plot, it’s the characters who make it matter. Readers want to see characters who feel real—flawed, complex, and human. Give your characters relatable motivations, struggles, and growth arcs. Even if they’re saving the world, their personal journey should feel authentic.
Balance High Stakes with Personal Stakes
Escapism often involves high-stakes scenarios—battles, heists, quests, and more. But to keep readers invested, you also need personal stakes. What does the character stand to lose on an emotional level? How will their relationships, beliefs, or sense of self be affected by the events of the story? Balancing the epic with the intimate creates a story that’s both thrilling and meaningful.
Avoid Overloading on Information
One of the quickest ways to break the spell of escapism is to overwhelm readers with too much information. Whether it’s excessive world-building, technical jargon, or backstory, too much detail can pull readers out of the story. Instead, reveal information gradually, through action, dialogue, and character interactions.
Use Realistic Dialogue
Even in a fantastical world, dialogue should feel natural and authentic. Avoid overly formal or stilted language unless it serves a specific purpose. Pay attention to how people really talk—the pauses, the interruptions, the subtext—and use that to inform your characters’ conversations.
Embrace the “What If”
Escapism often begins with a “what if” question. What if magic was real? What if we could travel to other planets? What if history had taken a different turn? These questions allow you to explore imaginative possibilities while still grounding your story in relatable themes. The key is to take the “what if” seriously—explore its implications and consequences in a way that feels real.
Know When to Bend the Rules
While realism is important, fiction also gives you the freedom to bend—or even break—the rules. Maybe your characters can defy gravity, or maybe your world operates on dream logic. The key is to establish these rules early and stick to them. Readers will accept almost anything as long as it’s consistent.
Examples of Balancing Realism and Escapism
Still not sure how to pull it off? Here are a few examples of stories that balance realism and escapism beautifully:
- The Hunger Games: A dystopian world with high-stakes action, grounded in relatable themes of survival, sacrifice, and rebellion.
- The Lord of the Rings: A fantastical world filled with magic and mythical creatures, anchored by relatable characters and universal themes of friendship and courage.
- The Martian: A scientifically accurate portrayal of space travel, combined with a witty, relatable protagonist and a story of resilience and ingenuity.
These stories work because they balance the extraordinary with the relatable, creating worlds that feel both immersive and believable.
Balancing realism and escapism is about finding the sweet spot between the familiar and the fantastical. By grounding your story in relatable emotions, building a believable world, and letting your characters drive the plot, you can create a story that’s both captivating and authentic. So embrace the “what if,” but don’t forget the “what is.” The best stories are the ones that feel real, even when they take us far beyond reality.
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