Writing fantasy is arguably one of the hardest types of creative writing you can choose to do. What many people fail to appreciate is that in many cases you have to create a whole new setting as well as the core elements of the story.
I’ve been a fantasy author for around ten years now and I’ve experienced the headaches and frustrations that every writer goes through. To save you going through those same woes, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to fantasy writing, as well as scores of supporting guides on specific subjects like creating a fantasy map and designing weapons and armor.
So, if you’re:
This guide is for you! Let’s dive in.
What Is The Fantasy Genre?
Fantasy writing is the act of creating fictional stories that are distinguished by their unusual settings or magical elements.
It’s perhaps the secondary worlds that fantasy writers create that’s the most remarkable feature. Just look at Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings, for example, or Westeros from Game of Thrones as another. These places feel as real and alive as our own. Readers don’t want to leave. They want to explore. Worldbuilding, therefore, plays a big role in fantasy writing.
Another key element to the fantasy genre are magic systems, or magical beasts, like dragons. So often we see wizards, witches, enchanted weapons and armor, or creatures like ents. All of these aspects help remove us from our own mundane world and transport us to new and exciting ones.
Fantasy is an expansive genre full of exciting and diverse storytelling possibilities. Let’s explore some popular fantasy sub-genres and what makes each one unique:
Epic Fantasy: Think of grand adventures, sprawling worlds, and high stakes, as in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn or Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Urban Fantasy: Magic meets modern life, often set in contemporary cities, exemplified by Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files.
Dark Fantasy: Blending horror and fantasy elements, often with morally ambiguous characters, like Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy.
Historical Fantasy: Stories that intertwine fantasy elements with real historical settings, similar to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Sword and Sorcery: Action-packed tales focusing on personal stakes and heroism, famously represented by Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian.
YA Fantasy: Coming-of-age adventures focusing on younger protagonists, such as Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.
Grimdark: A gritty sub-genre known for morally gray characters and brutal worlds, such as George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
Mythic Fantasy: Stories deeply inspired by mythology and folklore, like Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.
Portal Fantasy: Characters journey from our world to magical realms, as seen in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia.
Romantic Fantasy or Romantasy: Blends fantasy with romance, with relationships central to the story, as seen in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Whatever sub-genre resonates with you, the beauty of fantasy is its boundless creativity. If you’d like to learn more about the sub-genres of fantasy and find examples of books from each, head here to see my dedicated guide.
Worldbuilding is the heart and soul of fantasy fiction. Brandon Sanderson advises starting small and building outward: create a village, then a region, and finally a whole continent.
When crafting your fantasy world:
Define the geography: Consider how landscapes influence culture and plot.
Establish history and lore: History shapes societies, influencing your story’s present.
Create social structures and cultures: Unique customs, religions, and political systems add depth.
Invent languages and names carefully: Authentic-sounding names enrich immersion, as Tolkien did with Middle-earth.
Remember Ursula K. Le Guin’s advice: “The world of your story should feel lived-in, believable, and consistent.”
To learn more about worldbuilding, just head here.
Magic should always serve your narrative, not overshadow it. Brandon Sanderson’s popular laws of magic can guide you here:
Hard Magic System: Clearly defined rules, limits, and consequences—like Sanderson’s Mistborn.
Soft Magic System: Mysterious, unpredictable, and more atmospheric—think Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
When building your magic system:
Define the rules early: Make them clear and consistent.
Limitations are key: Magic shouldn’t solve everything easily—limitations breed creativity.
Consider consequences: Great magic often comes with a cost, adding tension and depth.
Head here to read our in-depth guide on creating magic systems.
Fantasy tropes aren’t inherently negative—they’re storytelling tools and things we have come to love and associate closely with the genre. The trick is twisting them to surprise readers.
Common tropes include:
The Chosen One: Instead of making your hero perfect, give them meaningful flaws and believable challenges.
Prophecies: Subvert expectations or use ambiguous wording that surprises readers.
The Quest: Make sure the journey has emotional stakes or unforeseen consequences.
Dragons and Magical Creatures: Use them creatively, redefining traditional roles, like the dragons in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series.
I have an in-depth guide on fantasy tropes and cliches that you can read here. And to learn more about tropes, why not check out my dedicated podcast episode?
Great characters keep readers invested. George R.R. Martin advises focusing deeply on your characters’ inner conflicts and motivations.
Give them clear goals and desires: This drives their actions and the plot forward.
Develop strong backstories: Even if never fully shown, knowing their past shapes authentic decisions.
Ensure growth and change: Readers love characters who evolve, learn, and adapt.
Remember: Great characters resonate because they feel real and relatable. Head here to read my detailed guide on creating characters here.
Avoiding common pitfalls helps your fantasy story resonate deeply with readers. Here are some key missteps to steer clear of, along with practical ways to overcome them:
Excessive Exposition: Avoid overwhelming readers with lengthy passages of background detail or lore. Instead, integrate worldbuilding naturally through dialogue, character interactions, and subtle narrative hints. Patrick Rothfuss does this masterfully in The Name of the Wind, where every piece of lore enriches rather than disrupts the flow.
Overusing Clichés: Tropes aren’t inherently problematic, but relying too heavily on familiar clichés can make your story predictable. Instead, subvert expectations or blend multiple tropes creatively. For instance, if using a classic “chosen one” trope, add unique flaws, unexpected setbacks, or twist the trope altogether, as Brandon Sanderson often demonstrates in his works.
Flat Characters: Characters who lack depth, motivation, or growth can lose a reader’s interest quickly. Ensure your protagonists and antagonists have clear, relatable motivations, compelling backstories, and authentic emotions. Follow George R.R. Martin’s example: craft nuanced characters whose internal conflicts feel as important as external challenges.
Inconsistency in Rules: Readers quickly sense when authors break their own world or magic system rules, leading to lost trust. Clearly establish your magic system’s limitations and ensure they remain consistent throughout your story. Authors like J.K. Rowling emphasize clarity and consistency in magical rules, which helps readers suspend disbelief effortlessly.
Keeping these strategies in mind will greatly enhance your storytelling—earning loyalty and appreciation from your readers along the way.
This website has a wealth of information relating to writing fantasy, building worlds, crafting characters and much more. Here’s a handy list of all that you can find:
Below, you can find answers to the most common questions on writing fantasy:
Outline key events, but leave room for discovery. Bestselling author Robin Hobb advises focusing on character-driven plots, allowing their choices to shape your story.
Dialogue should reveal character, provide information naturally, and reflect your fantasy world’s culture and history. Read dialogue aloud to ensure authenticity.
Take breaks after writing to approach revisions objectively.
Focus on big-picture issues first—plot holes, pacing, and character arcs.
Lastly, tighten prose and eliminate redundant descriptions.
Consider submitting to fantasy literary magazines like Beneath Ceaseless Skies, or online platforms like Wattpad. Traditional publishing and self-publishing through Amazon Kindle are also excellent options.
Head here to see my list of fantasy novel publishers or here for my list of fantasy short story magazines.
Begin with compelling characters or an intriguing premise. You could even begin with an interesting concept for your fantasy world. Write consistently, even when inspired less, as Stephen King famously recommends.
Twist clichés by changing familiar outcomes, adding unexpected depth, or blending tropes creatively. Study writers who innovate, like Patrick Rothfuss or Leigh Bardugo.
Keep the plot focused.
Limit your cast of characters.
Introduce your fantasy elements efficiently.
Prioritize pacing to maintain reader engagement.
Absolutely! Communities offer feedback, support, and networking opportunities. Groups like Reddit’s r/fantasywriters and Discord writing servers provide invaluable peer critiques.
You can also join our writing group here!
