How to Write a Fantasy Novel (+ Worldbuilding Template)

For writers who long to create epic stories, unforgettable characters, and sprawling imaginary lands, there’s no better genre choice than fantasy. Particularly for those who have always loved reading fantasy, writing your own novel could be the culmination of all those magical adventures!

And who better to guide you through the process than some of the best fantasy writers and editors in the industry? For this post, we’ve consulted masters of the realm (so to speak) who have worked with George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, James Dashner, and more.

How to write a fantasy novel from start to finish:

1. Read all the fantasy you can

If you’re looking to write in this genre, you’ve likely read quite a bit of it already. But in order to succeed in your quest, you’ll have to read (or reread) even more!

Chersti Nieveen, an editor who has worked with bestselling authors like Brandon Sanderson, suggests picking 5 to 10 of your favorite fantasy books and tackling them with an eye for their strongest elements. This will help you absorb ideas not only for plot and character, but also for structure, descriptive techniques, dialogue, and more.

“Read the books that are classics. They are classics for a reason,” Chersti advises. “But also read the books that are bestsellers and the books that are award winners. Read and read and read, and you'll start to see your own writing improve.”

Focus on your niche

Need help narrowing down your reading list? Try reading only within your own subgenre of fantasy for a spell (no pun intended)!

For example, if you’re writing a “sword and sorcery” fantasy, you might study Michael Moorcock’s Elric sequence, Karl Edward Wagner’s Kane series, and Charles R. Saunders’ Imaro. Or if you want to write a “portal” fantasy in which characters are transported to another world, you might revisit classics such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia to mull over how that magic works.

For even more subgenre-specific recommendations, check out these posts:

• 26 Grimdark Books to Make You Shiver
• 20 Highly Addictive Urban Fantasy Books
• 25 Steampunk Titles That Define the Genre
• 30 Best YA Fantasy Books for Teens

2. Build your book’s fantasy world

A strong setting is crucial to any good work of fiction, and perhaps in fantasy most of all. It must be distinctive enough to draw readers into the story, but not so elaborate as to confuse them.

The first thing to consider is whether your novel will take place in our world (often referred to as “low fantasy”) or in a different world (“high fantasy”). The Harry Potter series, for example, takes place in a version of our world: witches, wizards, and magical creatures exist alongside Muggles like ourselves. The Lord of the Rings, meanwhile, is set in an entirely separate world with its own made-up lands, languages, and more.

Figure out what sets your world apart

After all that reading, you should have plenty of worldbuilding inspiration — but you also don’t want your book to read like a copy of someone else’s.

“You want to be original, so ask yourself: what sets my world apart?” says Alex Foster, a Reedsy ghostwriter who’s penned eight bestsellers.

To get you started, think about the following aspects of your world:

• How did this world come to be, both historically and in its current form?
• What are the limitations of its magic — physical, moral, or otherwise?
• Purely in terms of aesthetics, what do its various settings look like?

For even more thought-provoking prompts to help flesh out your fantasy world, download our ultimate worldbuilding template below!

Write down your rules

With the creation of a new world also comes the creation of all its internal logic and magic systems. True, fantasy should serve as an escape from dreary bureaucracy — but you still need to lay down the law about your world, otherwise people won’t take it seriously.

“I often see first-time fantasy writers breaking their own rules, and it really takes the reader out of the story,” says Jenny Bowman, a Reedsy editor who worked on Robert Beatty’s MG fantasy novel Serafina and the Black Cloak.

To combat this, she suggests writing down a reference list of rules so you don’t forget them: “When do the suns come up? Can only children under the age of 10 fly? When casting a spell, does it transform the object or create an object from nothing?”

“Know the rules of your world (what we call physics in the real world) when you're writing fantasy and don’t break them — unless you’ve thought a great deal and it’s intentional.”

3. Create series-worthy characters

Now that your world is established, it’s time to populate it with sparkling characters (perhaps literally, depending on your lore). No matter how great your world is, don’t just throw in some stock characters and call it a day!

Dynamic characters with clear goals

“The best characters are complex and original,” notes ghostwriter Alex Foster. “They possess realistic motives and weaknesses, and they change over time due to events and supporting characters in the story.”

In other words, great characters — and certainly great protagonists — should be dynamic, meaning they undergo internal change as the story progresses. This is typically an evolution in their beliefs and values, often to the extent that their whole perspective shifts.

What sets them on this journey? A clear set of character motivations: whether related to their personal growth, resolving external conflicts, or saving the world. In fantasy, “big” character motivations tend to fall into that last category — but make sure to give your characters “small” motivations as well to keep them well-rounded and move the story along!

The character development process

As with worldbuilding, the more deeply you contemplate your character(s) at the outset, the stronger they will be in your novel.

Alex suggests “interviewing” your main character as a useful tactic. “What do they fear most? What are their goals? What are they willing to do to achieve these goals? Do this with all your characters when you're writing fantasy: craft a questionnaire and get your answers from them.”

Editor Jenny Bowman actually encourages writers to develop characters through short stories first. This process of working out the details, she says, “gives you the freedom to create a new universe with no boundaries.”

Regardless of your methods, you should have a good amount of material for your world and characters before moving on to the next step: the plot.

4. Plot a story that comments on the real world

As you outline the beats of your novel, remember that great fantasy plots don’t just deliver dramatic twists, but also draw compelling parallels to the real world. Take an epic political fantasy like A Song of Ice and Fire, or even a short story like “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin — at the core of these plots is some kind of real-world issue.

Think about issues that are important to you

According to Rebecca Heyman, a Reedsy editor who has worked with popular fantasy authors such as Elise Kova, writing fantasy can be a great outlet. “Your concerns about politics, culture, the environment, technology, violence, racism, misogyny — these issues can be explored in inventive, eye-opening ways while writing fantasy.” 

“Carry On by Rainbow Rowell does this brilliantly. There are undercurrents of identity politics explored there, with deep characterization that merges meaningfully with the fantastical elements of the text.”

Indeed, the next step of the plotting process is to…

Intertwine key plot points with fantasy

Next, you’ll determine exactly how magic will play into your book’s plot — then use it to build out those crucial parallels.

For example, in The Lord of the Rings, the One Ring symbolizes the hypnotic, destructive influence of power. While Tolkien denied that the story was an allegory for anything specific, the plot speaks for itself as a metaphor for power, showing how absolute power can corrupt absolutely.

To sample a few plot points from The Fellowship of the Ring:

• Frodo inherits the magical One Ring. Gandalf, who has been around long enough to understand its danger, tells him to remove it from the Shire.
• On their journey, Frodo and his friends are pursued by the wraithlike Black Riders. These riders are later revealed to be men who used the other Rings of Power to gain immortality but now find themselves helplessly enslaved.
• After Frodo falls under the Ring’s spell, he uses it to turn invisible and flee. Sam, who remains pure of heart and intention, follows him… in part to ensure that the Ring does not overtake Frodo entirely.

These key beats — and the One Ring’s role within them — demonstrate how you might connect fantasy and reality in your own story.

5. Write a draft full of compelling detail

Another classic Tolkien move is to spare no detail in your writing. But don’t forget that vibrant, in-the-moment details are just as important (if not more so) as backstory!

Ground readers with sensory details

Reedsy editor Erin Young, who worked on James Riley’s Story Thieves series and James Dashner’s Maze Runner series, reminds authors that they should show, not tell in a fantasy draft. “Don't just tell your reader the basics of your world. Instead, give them scenery when it relates to the story by getting your characters to interact with their surroundings.”

Michelle Hope, an editor who has worked with George R. R. Martin and Blake Crouch, couldn’t agree more — and notes that Martin is particularly skilled at this tactic.

“Crisp air, hooves clattering on ironwood planks, a warm tongue, women’s perfume, summerwine, soft fur. [Martin’s] writing is full of these concrete, real-life details… and when a reader can viscerally inhabit your world, they won’t question it when you introduce the fantastical into your story. They’ll just take your word for it.”

Don’t info-dump

Some of the greatest fantasy writers of the 20th century were occasionally guilty of info-dumping. As editor Chersti Nieveen notes, with readers’ attention spans getting shorter and shorter, it’s best to avoid expositional overload if possible.

“Fantasy writers often try to introduce too many characters on one page, or there’s an info dump to reveal how the magic system works. Pages and pages before they even introduce the story… and you end up dropping readers that way.”

6. Get feedback from fantasy experts

If you’ve completed a draft full of brilliant worldbuilding, dynamic characters, and insightful commentary, well done! However, seeking a second opinion at this point can also be very helpful.

Seek casual test readers first

Sometimes the best beta readers are the people you already know — family, friends, and acquaintances who enjoy fantasy and are willing to give your novel a look.

If you’re not sure whom to ask, you could always check out a fantasy-friendly writing community or critique circle, like the online SFF Chronicles forums or the Critters workshop run by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.

Work with an experienced fantasy editor

That said, if you’re serious about improving your novel, you should really be working with a professional fantasy editor. An editor can offer incisive, experience-based feedback that will bolster not only your writing, but potentially your book sales as well.

7. Publish your fantasy masterpiece

Having edited your book into its best possible form, there’s only one thing left to do: get it traditionally published, or publish it yourself on a platform like Amazon KDP.

The wonderful thing about fantasy is that its readers have a nearly infinite appetite for the genre, so you can’t really go wrong either way. The previously linked posts are detailed, step-by-step guides on traditional publishing and self-publishing, but here are a few more resources to help:

• 100+ Literary Agents Seeking Fantasy Submissions
• The Ultimate Fantasy Book Title Generator
• Fantasy Name Generator for Elves, Dragons & More
• The Best Fantasy Book Publishing Companies

Best of luck on your hero’s journey — and remember to avoid cursed jewelry at all costs! 💍