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How to write a fantasy book is a journey filled with imagination, wonder, and discovery. It starts with a small idea and slowly grows into a rich world filled with heroes, magic, and memorable yet unforgettable moments. This genre is growing fast, and the demand means readers are always looking for fresh and real stories.
According to Statista, science fiction and fantasy book sales in the USA more than doubled between 2012 and 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing fiction categories today.
In this blog, we will now explore the vital elements of world-building and character creation. You need to find practical steps to outline your plot and create a magic system that makes sense. We even cover tips on pacing and dialogue unique to the genre. Later, we offer a clear roadmap for editing and publishing your manuscript. By the end of this blog, you will get a clear, actionable roadmap to transform your daydream into a manuscript ready for the shelf.
Every great story starts with a “What if?” question. It is the seed that you sow from which your entire universe will grow. Unlike other genres rooted in reality, fantasy demands that you ask several questions that break the laws of physics or society.
Consider brainstorming core concepts like “What if the sun never set?” or “What if magic cost you your memories?” These questions quickly establish stakes and setting. Finding out this core question is the first issue in learning how to start a fantasy novel. Once you have your question, you may start to understand the consequences, which naturally lead to plot points and character motivations. If you are struggling to find that initial spark, services such as Estorytellers’ ghostwriting and outlining can help you refine your brainstorming process.
In 2023 alone, fantasy and sci-fi books generated over $590 million in U.S. sales, according to Publishers Weekly, driven by strong demand in print, eBooks, and audiobooks.
Fantasy isn’t just about dragons, elves, or sword fights; it’s about power, redemption, survival, or love. A strong theme anchors your world-building so it doesn’t feel like “fluff.” Without a central theme, your cool magic system is just a list of rules, and your epic map is just geography.
As J.R.R. Tolkien famously noted, “Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory… it goes to the deep places.”
Your theme is the “deep place” your story goes to. It connects the fantastical elements to human truth. If your theme is “the corruption of power,” then your magic system should probably tempt its users, and your political landscape should be filled with betrayal. When you focus on theme, you ensure that every fireball thrown or dragon ridden serves the story’s emotional core.
Writing a novel requires patience and steady progress. Here is a detailed breakdown of the writing process to guide you through the wilderness of your first draft.
Read widely within the genre. This is vital when learning how to write a fantasy novel for beginners; you must know the tropes to break them. Read the classics to know the foundations, but also read modern bestsellers to see what current audiences are craving.
There are two main types of writers: “pantsers” (who fly by the seat of their pants) and plotters. For fantasy, a little plotting goes a long way. Suggest a loose outline to keep the narrative moving and ensure that you don’t get lost in your own world-building.
This is your “logline” or “pitch.” It helps you stay focused on what your story is actually about.
Example (Harry Potter): An orphan boy discovers he is a wizard and enrolls in a school of magic, only to find he is the only one who can stop a dark lord.
Fantasy is a massive umbrella. Knowing your niche is vital for those asking how to write a fantasy novel step by step. Understanding your subgenre may help you market your book later and manage reader expectations now.
| Sub-Genre | Key Characteristics | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High Fantasy | Epic stakes, entirely new worlds, and complex magic systems. | The Lord of the Rings, The Stormlight Archive |
| Urban Fantasy | Magic exists in a recognizable modern world (often hidden). | The Dresden Files, City of Bones |
| Grimdark | Morally gray characters, gritty realism, cynical tone. | A Song of Ice and Fire, The First Law |
| Magical Realism | Magic is a subtle, accepted part of a mundane reality. | One Hundred Years of Solitude, Beloved |
Focus on the very popular “iceberg theory”: readers only see 10% of the world you build, but the author must know the other 90% for the story to feel authentic. You need to understand the magic systems, geography, and politics, even if they don’t all make it onto the page. For a deep dive into structured magic, look into Sanderson’s Laws of Magic to ensure your system has got an internal logic.
If you want to know how to start writing a fantasy book, begin with characters the reader cares about. Cool monsters won’t save a boring protagonist or supporter. Difference between archetypes (the Wise Mentor, the Chosen One) and stereotypes. Archetypes are useful tools; stereotypes are lazy writing. Give your characters conflicting wants, desires, and flaws that impact the plot.
Structure is your friend. You can use the Hero’s Journey (monomyth) or the Three-Act Structure as it applies to fantasy.
Act I: The Call to Adventure and crossing the threshold into the magical world.
Act II: Tests, allies, enemies, and the approach to the inmost cave.
Act III: The ordeal, the reward, and the road back changed.
Create a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of points. This makes the manuscript manageable. Rather than writing a “book,” you are just writing “Chapter 4.” It is much less intimidating.
Encourage the “vomit draft,” getting words on paper without any perfection. Your first draft is just you telling the story to yourself. Real writing happens while you are rewriting. Do not stop to fix a plot hole; make a note and keep on moving.
Professional editing is non-negotiable for fantasy due to complex continuity. You need someone to catch that; your character’s sword changed hands three times in one scene, or the moon phase doesn’t match the timeline. Estorytellers’ Professional Book Editing Services may polish your manuscript, ensuring your world rules are consistent and your prose shines.
How to Write a Fantasy Book Series vs. Standalone
Many authors wonder how to write a fantasy series compared to a single novel. The approach is essentially different.
If you are writing a standalone, you should close all your major plot loops by the end. The villain is defeated, the character arc is complete, and the world is saved (or not). Fantasy performs especially well in a series format. The audiobook market, which is growing at over 25% per year, favors long, immersive stories.
If you are writing a series, you should plan arcs that span multiple books. You need a “series arc” (the overarching problem, like defeating Sauron) and “book arcs” (the specific problem of this volume, like getting the Ring to Rivendell). While you’re learning how to write fantasy fiction in the context of serialized storytelling, ensure each book feels satisfying on its own, even if the larger war isn’t won yet.
Writing a fantasy book is a journey from an initial “What if” question to the final edit of a 100,000-word manuscript. It will need patience, imagination, and a lot of coffee. But the reward, building a new world and inviting readers to live in it, is unmatched.
All set to bring your world to life? If you are stuck on the outline or ready for publication, Estorytellers is your partner in the process. From expert ghostwriting to publishing and marketing, we help you turn your fantasy idea into a bestseller. Contact us today to start your journey!
Fantasy novels are longer than other genres to accommodate world-building. Industry standards typically sit between 90,000 and 120,000 words for adult fantasy. Anything over 150,000 words becomes harder to sell as a debut author.
It helps to have the basics, but you don’t need to know the export tax rate of the southern colonies unless it’s relevant to the plot. Balance is key. Too much planning leads to “world-builder’s disease,” where you never actually write the story.
Focus on limitations and costs. What can’t the magic do? What does it cost the user? Magic that solves every problem is boring. Magic that requires sacrifice creates tension.
Yes. This guide on how to start writing a fantasy novel is designed exactly for you. Every expert was once a beginner.
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