How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide

Photo by Alice Alinari from Unsplash

Fantasy has always been our way out of the real world's limitations. It's a space where magic is real, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. This genre is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to explore new worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all without leaving our homes.

But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the power to build worlds with your words. You can turn simple ink and paper into landscapes that readers can explore.

So, get ready for an adventure. This journey is not just about castles and wizards. It's also about the craft of writing. You'll learn to use language and imagination to make a rich, varied story. And who knows what unexplored realms you'll discover along the way?

Choosing Your Sub-genre

Deciding on a sub-genre for your fantasy novel is akin to choosing the landscape for an epic journey—it shapes everything that follows.

High Fantasy, for instance, usually catapults the reader into an entirely new universe teeming with unique cultures, social norms, and often, non-human species. Works like The Lord of the Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire are prime examples.

Low Fantasy, on the other hand, roots its stories in the mundane world, albeit spiced with dashes of the mystical—imagine magic schools tucked away in mountains or hidden realms of fairies and unicorns.

If modernity tinged with the supernatural intrigues you, Urban Fantasy might be your calling. Here, you can explore how magical elements disrupt or blend into contemporary settings. Think of wizards grappling with subway schedules in New York City or vampires helming Silicon Valley startups.

Creating a Unique Universe

Take your creative writing skills to the next level and start building a world where the fantasy novel is set. It starts with geography and politics, laying the framework for your story's conflicts and resolutions. These elements shape the challenges and paths your characters will encounter.

Next, consider magic systems. They need rules to make your world complex and to elevate the stakes. This is where constraints come in, adding depth and tension to your characters' journeys.

Culture and lore lend vibrancy to your world, infusing it with traditions, values, and history. Remember, every element should connect coherently to others, making your world not just a backdrop, but a living, breathing entity that engages readers on multiple levels.

For the Harry Potter fans, the novel series is a masterclass in effective world-building. It was conceived by J.K. Rowling with a level of detail that made the wizarding world as tangible as the characters who inhabit it. From the hidden alleys of Diagon Alley to the grandeur of Hogwarts Castle, every setting is imbued with purpose and meaning.

Unveiling Your Characters

Characters are the lifeblood of your narrative, the conduits through which readers connect to your story. They're more than mere figures on a page; they're complex entities with hopes, fears, strengths, and weaknesses.

Character development starts with archetypes but doesn't stop there. Yes, fantasy is replete with wizards, warriors, and damsels, but your characters should transcend these initial roles. Each character should undergo growth or change—whether it's a hero who becomes humbler or a villain who becomes more nefarious.

Backstories are pivotal but handle with care. These histories provide a rationale for actions and decisions, but a heavy-handed approach can swamp the narrative. The trick is to integrate backstory seamlessly, revealing pieces as they serve the plot.

Likewise, motivations must be clear and believable. Whether it's the quest for a magical artifact or the desperate attempt to save a kidnapped sibling, these drives push your story forward. Varied motivations add layers of complexity, enabling multiple storylines to coexist and enrich each other.

Developing the Plot

Pacing and conflict are the dual engines propelling your plot. Managing the ebb and flow of action and introspection keeps the reader hooked, while conflict—be it internal or external—elevates stakes and fuels character development.

Subplots weave extra layers into your narrative, serving various purposes like tension-building or character exploration. However, they should always be relevant, converging with or enriching the main story arc.

Lastly, steer clear of deus ex machina, the sudden twist that resolves issues without any build-up. This narrative shortcut undermines the emotional journey, leaving your audience less than satisfied. All resolutions should arise naturally from established elements, offering a gratifying climax.

Crafting Your Narrative Voice

Language and style form the essence of your fantasy novel's narrative voice, setting the tone and pacing for your storytelling. Your choice of words, sentence structures, and literary devices shapes not only what is being told, but how it is received.

Firstly, vocabulary matters. Rich and precise word choices can paint vivid pictures, setting scenes and moods with greater impact. Opt for specific verbs and descriptive adjectives to create more evocative imagery. For example, a character doesn't just walk into a room; perhaps they saunter, stride, or stumble.

Dialogue offers another dimension to your stylistic approach. Each character's speech patterns should be unique and reflect their background, personality, and emotional state. This contributes to a richer, more believable world. Varying dialogue tags and interspersing action within the conversation can also add dynamism to these exchanges.

Sentence length and structure play their own roles in setting the rhythm of your narrative. Short sentences can speed up the action or highlight important points, while longer, complex sentences can be used for deeper reflection or exposition. This allows for emotional highs and lows, keeping the reader engaged through the varying pace.

Lastly, literary devices like metaphor, symbolism, and foreshadowing can deepen the thematic elements of your story. Used wisely, they enhance the reader's understanding and enjoyment, offering additional layers of meaning for those who wish to delve deeper.

Polishing Your Gem

Once you've spewed forth the raw material of your fantasy opus, the equally critical phase of revision awaits. This process isn't merely about correcting grammatical errors or eliminating typos, but about refining your storytelling at its core.

Begin by scrutinizing the structure. Do your chapters flow naturally? Are pacing and tension maintained throughout? Look for incongruities or loopholes in your plot that may leave readers puzzled or dissatisfied. Go back and check if your characters remain true to their motivations, and whether their arcs culminate in satisfying ways.

Dialogue is another area that benefits from meticulous review. Fine-tune conversations to make sure they don't just fill space but actually contribute to character development or plot advancement. Eliminate redundancies and ensure that each line serves a purpose, be it in delivering information, revealing character traits, or heightening tension.

Lastly, circle back to your themes and motifs. Ensure that they're woven seamlessly into the narrative without overwhelming it. Do they enrich the story and enhance its impact, or do they bog it down? Fine-tuning these elements can transform your tale from good to unforgettable.

Wrapping Up

Photo by Anthony Tran from [1]

Writing a fantasy novel is akin to casting a spell. When done correctly, it transcends the sum of its parts to become an enchanting experience for the reader. But remember, the true magic lies not just in fantastical realms or mythical creatures, but in your ability to captivate and inspire. The ink on your pages is but a medium; your true wand is your imagination.