By Jed Herne. I’ve edited a lot of fantasy novels this year – here’s the most common plot mistakes I find.
Writing a Great Fantasy Novel
These are the key points for writing a compelling fantasy novel:
Worldbuilding
Create a unique and immersive world with consistent rules and logic
Develop distinctive cultures, histories, and traditions
Balance worldbuilding details with story progression
Consider how magic/supernatural elements function and their limitations
Characters
Craft multidimensional protagonists with clear motivations and flaws
Design memorable antagonists with understandable goals
Develop a supporting cast that enhances the main storyline
Allow characters to grow and evolve throughout the narrative
Plot Structure
Begin with a compelling hook that introduces the world and characters
Establish clear stakes and conflicts that drive the story forward
Create rising tension leading to a meaningful climax
Balance action with quieter character development moments
Magic Systems
Design magic with consistent rules and meaningful limitations
Consider the consequences of magic on society and characters
Use magic to enhance the story rather than solve all problems
Balance wonder with practicality
Themes
Explore universal themes through fantastical elements
Use the fantasy setting to examine real-world issues from fresh perspectives
Consider what your story says about human nature, power, or society
Maintain thematic consistency throughout the narrative
The ONLY Way to Plot a Novel
by Alyssa Matesic. Plotting is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a novel. Some writers are meticulous plotters who map out each scene of their novel, while others are pantsers that allow the story to come to them as they write. Learning how to plot a novel successfully will take your story to new heights and strengthen your abilities as a writer, so in this video I reveal the best way to approach your plotting strategy.