Mar 11, 2025
7 min read
A single idea. A spark of imagination. A world that feels like reality: with rich lore, catchy characters, and funny (or dark) adventures. All fantasy novels start out the same pretty much. But turning that idea into a full-fledged novel is where the real work begins.
How to write a fantasy novel? Not so tricky. But what’s the secret to writing a bestseller one? That’s the topic for today.
Writing a fantasy book is similar to being an architect and an explorer. On one hand, you plan a world with its history, rules, and magic. On the other hand, you follow your story as it leads you. This is a careful balance between control and creativity.
So, it’s not enough to know that your story will contain unicorns and dragons. You need a concept that drives the entire narrative. Some writers start a book with a main idea, a clear picture of the main characters, and a general sense of what the story will say in the end. Other people have great thoughts, but it’s not new enough to be a real story, so you have to add to it. This means you have to go back and change some details in your “perfect” story. Overall, it’s still a concept.
What are the key elements of the concept?
Fantasy comes in all flavors, with its own style and storytelling traditions. Some of them:
Subgenres usually have some things in common, and sometimes one work can be put into a few different subgenres. But picking the right subgenre can help you set the tone, setting, and structure of your story.
Instead of trying to reinvent the genre, focus on what makes your story unique:
Know all the details? If yes, you know, how long does it take to write a fantasy novel in your case.
If you ever find that your creative juices are dry, Talefy can help. This fantasy story generator has artificial intelligence-generated stories and customizable features to find new ideas for characters, plots, and worlds.
Whether you want to dive into common characters or create your own, Talefy offers in one place. That can help you get past the blank page and into the flow of writing.
Readers want to feel like they’ve traveled to a real location, even if it is filled with magic and mythical creatures.
You should know (or guess) how the environment shapes daily life, what political or magical systems govern the land, and what myths or legends drive its people. Small details—unique traditions, dialects, and aesthetics—add authenticity.
Tip: Create a map! Even a quick sketch will help you picture the world and keep track of where everything is.
First rule: create characters that readers will remember long after they’ve turned the last page. Remember your world? So create a perfect hero for it: with motivation, own voice, and depth.
Perfect heroes aren’t as cool as characters with real struggles. A character who’s brave but afraid, or a villain who believes they’re doing the right thing, feels more human and relatable.
Lastly, think about relationships. No character exists in a vacuum. How do they interact with others? Do they have unique phrases, greetings, or slang? The more details, the better.
We hope that after the last sections, you’ve got a handle on the characters, the universe, and the lore. So, how do you put all that down on paper (or on a laptop)?
A prologue isn’t just an intro. Maybe it’s your chance to get the reader hooked and set the stage for what’s to come. It just has to do its job, though, just like anything you write.
Your prologue is the best place to set up the history of your world, including prophecies and legendary figures. Just be careful not to give too much information all at once.
A great prologue often leaves readers asking questions. You want them to feel like they’ve just been given a glimpse of something bigger, something important, without giving it all away. Leave them wanting more so they can’t help but turn the page.
Your prologue should reflect the tone of your novel. Is it dark and mysterious? Lighthearted and adventurous? Or something in between? Show it. Add juicy details and force readers to feel them all.
While fantasy novels can take many forms, many successful ones follow the traditional three-act structure. This includes:
|
Act 1 |
Setup |
So, first you need to set up your characters, the world they live in, and the thing that gets your main character into the main conflict. |
|
Act 2 |
Rising Action |
The bulk of your story. The hero faces challenges, makes alliances, and deals with the consequences of their actions. |
|
Act 3 |
Climax and Resolution |
This is where the final battle or decision happens. This is where you must answer ‘How to write a fantasy novel outline?’ The main character deals with their biggest challenge and ideally overcomes it (or fails in a way that leads to personal growth or unexpected developments). This is the emotional payoff for everything that has happened before. |
In fantasy, though, you can play around with this structure. Fantasy lets you add subplots, mysteries, or world-specific rules. You can break traditional structures while still keeping the plot compelling.
As a fantasy writer, you can feel overwhelmed by the need to be perfect the first time you write a draft. But see it: first drafts are meant to be messy. It’s okay and common to change your plan or add new ideas. Just do it as you think of them.
After you finish the first draft, start editing it. This process can be broken into stages:
Pro tip: Get some feedback. Use beta readers (people who read your text before it’s published). Choose readers who are familiar with fantasy and whose opinions you trust.
Ready? Publish it! But do not expect so much, if you are a small author. To reach readers, you need a strong marketing strategy. Start building an online presence. Do this by creating a social media presence, a website as an author, and a website to promote your book.
