If you want to escape the real world and master the art of fantasy storytelling, writing a fantasy novel can be a great idea to start. A fantasy novel will transport your readers to a new fictional reality where everything is possible in a new way.
But before you sit down to start writing a fictional story that is in your mind, the best approach is to learn from bestsellers in your industry. Then, take time to plan your story, understand the history of your characters, and know the world you’re creating.
To help you with these aspects and much more, we have outlined some important tips by fantasy novel bestsellers.
1.Read Work in Your Genre
When most people think about writing fantasy, they think about creating an entirely new world with its own set of rules and regulations. But the best way to start writing fantasy is actually first to read other people’s work in your genre.
By reading other fantasy novels, especially bestsellers, you’ll get a feel for the genre and what readers expect. You’ll also get some great ideas for your own work. Of course, you don’t want to copy other authors’ work. But by reading other fantasy novels, you can get a better sense of what works and what doesn’t.
You can also see how other authors have constructed their worlds and created their characters. This will all be helpful when you start writing your own fantasy novel.
2.Start with a Great Idea for Your Book Cover
According to bestselling authors, a book cover is what can make or break your book. That’s why it’s important to invest your time and money in the research and come up with a great book cover idea that will engage users at first glance.
After proper research and brainstorming, a book cover will help you come up with a great title, story, and characters, which is the real essence of a fantasy novel. If you are unable to design a book cover, you can always take help from professional designers available online.
There are several fantasy book cover designers out there who can help you with designing an awesome book cover that will capture the attention of potential readers.
3.Create a Unique and Descriptive World
Writers of fantasy fiction often create detailed fictional worlds that readers can immerse themselves in. This is the best practice you can undertake as a novice fiction writer. Yes, it can be somewhat difficult, but there are some easy ways you can go about it.
Just don’t think about doing all of this at once. You can start small and build up your world as you go. Start by answering questions like what kind of climate your world has. What kind of beings live there? And what are the major political factors?
Once you have these details in mind, you can start fleshing out your world and create a more detailed picture of your imagination.
4.Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Writing a fantasy novel can be a lot of fun, so don’t get too bogged down in the details. Just let your imagination go with the flow and see where the story takes you. You may be surprised at how quickly the words start flowing once you get going.
The fantasy novel is a genre where anything is possible, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries. Of course, there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind, such as creating believable characters and worlds. But other than that, the sky’s the limit.
Just make sure you stay to your genre and keep your characters related to your fantasy world.
5.Don’t Forget to Add Real World Elements
It may sound counterintuitive, considering the fantasy genre, but it really works. Just remember that no matter how much fantasy you’re including, and even if your story is full of magic and mystery, it should still feel grounded in reality.
This can be done by adding real-world elements to your fantasy world. For example, you could include elements of history, geography, or even pop culture. By doing this, you can create a fantasy world that feels real and believable, even if it is filled with fantastical creatures and magical spells.
Another way to ground your story is to add believable details about the world you’ve created. Instead of just making up random names for things, research real-world cultures and histories to base your fantasy world on.
6.Think about How Many Characters You Need
The number of characters in your story will determine the plot, world-building, and pacing of the story. The best approach is to think about how many POV (point of view) characters you need. A good rule of thumb is to have one POV character for every major plotline.
So, if you have a story with three main plotlines, you’ll want to have at least three POV characters. This will give your readers enough to follow without overwhelming them. Once you’ve decided on the number of POV characters you need, the next step is to start fleshing them out and build their personalities, motivations, and histories.
7.Incorporate Rules in Your Universe
Well, you have created a perfect universe for your characters that is both unique and descriptive. But you also can’t forget to create rules and laws to make your universe a perfect one. It will be useful when you are explaining the plot and transitioning from one chapter to another.
This will eventually create an exciting story that takes place within those rules and boundaries. Of course, you don’t need to be too rigid with your rules. After all, this is your fantasy world, and you can make it whatever you want.
However, having a few guidelines to help you along the way can make the process of writing a fantasy novel much easier and more fun.
By keeping these useful tips in mind, you can write your first fantasy novel like a pro and no one will be able to tell if you have done it for the first time.
