How to Write Fantasy Fiction

Have you ever imagined a world with flying cities, talking trees, or fire-breathing cats?
That’s fantasy fiction.

Fantasy gives us the freedom to escape reality, build entire universes, and let our imaginations run wild. But writing fantasy isn’t just about magic and dragons. It’s about crafting believable characters, solid plots, and immersive worlds that feel real even if they’re totally made up.

In this guide, I’ll break down how to write fantasy fiction step by step, in a simple and realistic way. If you’ve been dreaming of writing your own magical story, this one’s for you.

Table of Contents

What Is Fantasy Fiction?

Fantasy is a genre where the rules of the real world don’t always apply. Magic exists. Different species walk the land. Entire kingdoms rise and fall. But even in fantasy, stories still need emotional depth, clear logic, and characters that feel human.

Step 1: Start With “What If?”

Fantasy always begins with one question:
What if the world wasn’t like ours?

This is where you let your imagination take over. Some examples:

What if people could speak to shadows?
What if books grew on trees and whispered their stories?
What if a city floated above a cursed desert?

This “what if” becomes the seed of your fantasy world. Don’t try to plan everything just focus on one magical idea to begin.

Step 2: Build a Believable Fantasy World

World-building is important, but it’s easy to overdo it. You don’t need to create 5 continents and 3 languages before writing chapter one.

Focus on what matters for your story:

How does magic work?
Who’s in charge kings, councils, gods?
What’s daily life like?
What kinds of creatures exist?
What are the beliefs, fears, and values of the people?

Start with what your character will see, hear, and experience in the story. Add more details as you go.

Step 3: Create Realistic Characters

Just because your world is magical doesn’t mean your characters shouldn’t feel real.

Good fantasy characters:

Have clear goals and motivations
Struggle with flaws or internal conflict
Change or grow by the end of the story

You can have elves, witches, or shape-shifting ravens but readers should still understand what your characters feel, fear, or desire.

Here’s a tip: focus on emotions before powers.

Step 4: Develop a Story, Not Just a World

Some writers get so caught up in their world, they forget to tell a story. Your fantasy still needs a structure.

Try this simple framework:

Introduce the world and main character
A conflict or challenge appears
The character sets off on a journey (physical or emotional)
They face trials, enemies, or personal choices
A major decision, battle, or sacrifice happens (climax)
The world or character changes by the end

Your plot doesn’t need to be huge at first. Focus on one character’s journey inside the world you’ve created.

Step 5: Make Magic Feel Real (With Rules)

Magic should feel like a real part of the world, not just a quick solution to problems.

Ask yourself:

Who can use magic and who can’t?
What does it cost? Time? Energy? Pain?
Can magic go wrong or have consequences?

Readers love magic systems that are well-thought-out. It adds tension and creativity when characters have limits or must make difficult choices.

Step 6: Avoid Info Dumping

One of the biggest mistakes in fantasy writing is dumping too much information at once.

Don’t write 3 pages explaining the history of an ancient war right at the start. Let your world unfold naturally, through scenes, dialogue, or character action.

Let readers discover your world piece by piece. That’s what keeps them curious.

Step 7: Show Conflict in Every Chapter

In fantasy, conflict doesn’t always mean sword fights. It can be:

A character facing a moral dilemma
A disagreement between friends
A ticking clock (save someone before time runs out)
A fear they must overcome

Each chapter should have some tension. Without it, your story may feel flat, no matter how magical your world is.

Step 8: Use Language That Matches the World

Fantasy doesn’t always mean “old English” style writing. But your word choices should match the tone of your world.

If your world is medieval, avoid modern slang. If it’s a mix of ancient and modern magic, your language can reflect that balance.

Also, be consistent. If you invent a word or title (like “Shadow Keeper” or “Fireborn”), stick with it and explain it when needed.

Step 9: Plan Your Villain or Opponent

A strong fantasy story needs strong opposition. Your main character needs someone or something to push against.

Your villain doesn’t have to be evil. They just need to believe they’re right.

Ask:

What does your villain want?
Why do they think they deserve it?
How are they similar to your hero?

Complex villains make stories memorable.

Step 10: Don’t Wait to Start Writing

Many new writers wait until their world is “perfect” before writing the first chapter. But honestly, the best world-building happens while you write.

Start with a basic idea. Write a scene. Explore your world through your character’s eyes.

You can always revise, change, or expand later.

Bonus Tips

Keep character names pronounceable. You don’t need to name them Xx’yrrthul to sound unique.
Mix real-world inspiration with your imagination cultures, history, landscapes.
Read other fantasy authors to learn what works but don’t copy them.
Use dialogue to reveal your world, not just long descriptions.
Remember: emotional stakes matter more than magical ones.

Conclusion

Fantasy fiction is a beautiful mix of imagination, emotion, and meaning. It lets us explore deep human truths in magical ways. But at its heart, fantasy is still about people their fears, dreams, struggles, and choices.

If you’ve been putting off writing your fantasy story, don’t wait any longer. Start with one “what if,” one character, or one magical moment and see where it takes you.

You don’t need to write the next Lord of the Rings.
You just need to write the next chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fantasy Fiction Writing

How do I start a fantasy fiction story?

The best way to start a fantasy story is to begin with one unusual idea or moment that hints at the world and introduces a character in action.
Here are three ways to begin:
Start with a moment of conflict or change.
Example: “The sky cracked open the moment Mira turned sixteen.”
Introduce a character with a goal or secret.
Example: “No one in Eldra knew that Eli could read minds—not even Eli.”
Drop readers straight into the world, but keep it clear.
Example: “In the city of glass towers, magic was illegal, and I was full of it.”
Avoid long descriptions or backstory at the beginning. Show something happening. That’s what hooks readers.

Is fantasy hard to write?

Fantasy can feel overwhelming at first because you’re creating a new world and telling a story inside it. But it’s not hard if you take it step by step.
Here’s why people think it’s hard:
There’s a lot of world-building.
You need to explain magic without boring the reader.
You have to balance imagination with logic.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need to plan everything perfectly. Start with one idea, one character, and one problem. Let the world unfold as you write. Fantasy becomes easier when you stop trying to be perfect and just start writing.

How do I write fiction as a beginner?

If you’re completely new to fiction writing, here’s a simple process to follow:
Start with a main character – give them a name, a goal, and a problem.
Give them a setting – it can be magical or realistic.
Create a small conflict – something goes wrong or changes suddenly.
Write one scene at a time – don’t worry about the whole plot in the beginning.
Focus on emotion and decisions – what your character feels and chooses to do.
Keep writing until they reach a decision, victory, or failure.
You don’t need fancy words or a huge plot to begin. Just tell a story, honestly and clearly. And read other fiction too it helps you learn naturally.

Is fantasy writing profitable?

Yes, it can be but not instantly.
Fantasy writing can become profitable if you:
Finish a book and publish it (self-publishing or traditional).
Build a reader base through blogs, social media, or platforms like Wattpad or Kindle.
Turn your fantasy world into a book series (series usually sell better).
Offer fantasy writing services (like ghostwriting or world-building for games).
Popular fantasy authors like Brandon Sanderson, Sarah J. Maas, and V.E. Schwab make a full-time living from it but they also spent years building their craft and audience.
In short:
Fantasy writing can make money, but like any creative career, it needs patience, persistence, and consistent writing.