Checklist for Writing a Fantasy Novel (10 Steps)
Writing a fantasy novel is one part epic adventure and one part chaotic scroll of never-ending to-dos. There’s the plot, the characters, the magic systems, the map you will obsess over for nine days straight… it’s a lot.
And if you’re anything like me when I started writing my fantasy novel, you’ve probably got two dozen tabs open at all times, several Google Docs filled with plot points and brain dumps, and a vague sense that you’ve forgotten something important.
That’s why I put together this checklist for writing a fantasy novel—a no-fluff, practical guide to help you go from that first glimmer of an idea to a fully fleshed-out story.
Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been stuck in the weeds for months, this post will help you get organized and stay on track.
🌟 P.S. If you prefer the PDF version of the fantasy writing checklist, download it here ↓
Step 1: Nail your big idea (before you get lost in the details)
Before you deep-dive into naming your elf clans or sketching your continent, ask yourself: what’s this story really about?
Is it a rebellion?
A coming-of-age tale wrapped in magic and monsters?
A cursed kingdom waiting to be restored?
Having a clear central concept—what I like to call the “story heartbeat”—makes everything else easier. Think of it as your story’s North Star.
💡Not sure where to start? Check out this post on Fantasy Writing Template for Planning Your First Novel to help you sketch your big-picture ideas before you spiral into worldbuilding.
Step 2: Create a compelling protagonist
No pressure, but your main character is kind of a big deal.
They’re the emotional anchor of your story, the lens through which we experience the world—and most importantly, they need a goal, a flaw, and something to lose. Here’s a quick fantasy writing checklist for building a protagonist that readers will root for:
Do they want something deeply personal? (Not just “defeat the villain,” but “prove they’re worthy,” “save someone they love,” etc.)
Are they flawed or conflicted in a way that creates internal tension?
Do they grow or change by the end?
Need help fleshing them out? My Complete Fantasy Writing Bundle includes a full character profile template designed for fantasy authors (plus magical artifacts and worldbuilding tools).
Step 3: Define the genre and tone
Not all fantasy is created equal. Are you writing a gritty low-fantasy novel full of morally gray mercenaries? Or a whimsical cozy fantasy with talking cats and enchanted tea shops?
Clarifying your subgenre and tone early will help guide your choices down the road—especially when it comes to things like magic rules, worldbuilding details, and even your writing style.
Here are a few genre/tone combos to consider:
Epic fantasy + serious tone (e.g., The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon)
Urban fantasy + snarky tone (e.g., Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas)
Romantic fantasy + lyrical tone (e.g., The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern)
Gothic fantasy + eerie, atmospheric tone (e.g., One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig)
Heist fantasy + fast-paced tone (e.g., Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson)
These choices will shape how you approach each step in your checklist for writing a fantasy novel.
Step 4: Build a world worth getting lost in
Worldbuilding is where fantasy really shines—but it’s also where many writers (hi, it’s me) get stuck.
The secret? Don’t try to build everything at once. Focus on what’s relevant to the story and build outward from there.
Your checklist for writing a fantasy novel should include these worldbuilding essentials:
Government & power structure (who’s in charge and why?)
Geography (how does the land shape culture and conflict?)
Religion, mythology, or belief systems
Magic systems (rules, costs, limitations)
Language, names, and cultural quirks
Want to go deeper? I made a Notion Worldbuilding Template to help you organize all your lore in one clean hub.
Step 5: Develop your plot (not just your world)
Here’s a common trap: building an amazing world and then having no clue what actually happens in it.
Plot and worldbuilding should work together. Your plot should put pressure on your characters, force hard decisions, and be impossible to solve without engaging with the world you’ve created.
Some plotting tips:
Start with a question: “What if…?”
Use a beat sheet to lay out your major story turns. I explain how in What Is a Beat Sheet and How to Use it to Plot Your Fantasy Novel.
Make sure your plot escalates. Bigger stakes. Tougher choices.
Remember, fantasy doesn’t mean slow. Even the chunkiest books need momentum.
Step 6: Outline your scenes (or don’t)
I know some people love a rigid scene-by-scene outline. Others break out in hives just thinking about it.
Whatever your style, here’s a flexible fantasy writing checklist to keep in mind when planning scenes:
Does this scene move the plot forward?
Does it reveal something about the character?
Does it raise a question or create tension?
Is there something only you could write—something uniquely yours?
If you're more of a discovery writer, keep your outline loose and update it as you go. (I’m a hardcore planner, in case you were wondering).
Step 7: Write messy first drafts
Your first draft will be bad. Let it be bad.
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Your job isn’t to write a flawless fantasy novel on the first try—it’s to get the bones of the story down so you can shape it later.
What helped me:
Set a daily or weekly word goal (even 200 words counts!)
Use placeholders like “[cool sword name]” instead of pausing to worldbuild mid-draft
Keep a running “fix it later” list so you don’t derail your writing sessions
Create a cozy writing ritual—tea, playlist, candle, whatever gets you in the zone
Write out of order if you’re stuck (start with that scene you want to write)
Sprint with a timer (20–30 minutes, no distractions, then take a break)
Forgive bad writing days. Progress is progress, even if it’s one sentence.
Remember: no one has to see the first draft but you
P.S. If you need more motivation, check out 10 Fantasy Writing Motivation Hacks to Finish Your Novel
Step 8: Revisions are where the real magic happens
The editing phase is where you turn that messy draft into a real story. It’s also where most writers get overwhelmed. So here’s how I approach it:
Big picture pass first: Plot holes, pacing issues, character arcs
Scene-level edit next: Is each scene doing its job?
Line edits last: Clean up clunky sentences, fix typos
At some point—usually by the second or third draft—you’ll stop being able to see the flaws. That’s when bringing in a professional editor can be a game-changer.
Look for someone who specializes in fantasy and has experience with developmental editing (story, structure, pacing) or line editing (voice, flow, sentence-level craft), depending on what you need.
You don’t have to spend a fortune, either. I found my fantasy editor through Reddit recommendations, and you can also check out platforms like Reedsy, where you can browse vetted editors by genre.
Step 9: Polish your prose before (or after) professional edits
Whether you’re prepping your manuscript to send to an editor, or doing a final pass after getting feedback, this is where you fine-tune your language and style.
Think of it as the phase where you make your writing sound like you.
Here are a few tips I swear by:
Cut filler words (just, that, really—your manuscript doesn’t need them)
Read your dialogue out loud to make sure it sounds natural
Vary sentence length for rhythm, especially in action scenes
Replace vague descriptions with something concrete and specific
Highlight passive voice and see if it can be rewritten stronger (“the sword was dropped” → “he dropped the sword”)
Watch out for word echoes—repeated words or phrases that sneak in unnoticed
Step 10: Prepare for publishing (traditional or indie)
Once you’ve got a solid draft, you can start thinking about your publishing path. A few quick tips for both:
Traditional publishing
Research agents who represent fantasy
Write a killer query letter (Lauren Kay is a genius at breaking this down for you)
Polish your first pages until they pack a punch
Self-publishing
Budget for professional editing and cover design
Start building an audience early (email lists + social media > this webinar recording hosted by ProWritingAid is great for this)
Don’t rush the launch. A great book deserves a thoughtful release.
No matter which route you take, having a plan will help you stay grounded in the chaos.
Final thoughts: Writing fantasy is a marathon, not a sprint
Writing a fantasy novel takes time. A LOT of it. And that’s okay.
There will be days you hate your book. Days you think it’s the best thing ever. Both are normal.
This checklist for writing a fantasy novel isn’t meant to be a rigid set of rules. It’s a guide. A torch to help you find your way through the dark forest of story-making.
Use what works. Toss what doesn’t. And keep going.
And if you want a shortcut? My Complete Fantasy Writing Bundle includes templates, beat sheets, and a full character-building workbook to make your writing life way easier.
Frequently asked questions about writing a fantasy novel
How long should a fantasy novel be for a first-time author?
There’s no perfect word count, but most traditional fantasy novels fall between 90,000–120,000 words. That said, if you're writing your first book, don’t stress about hitting a specific number. Focus on telling a complete story. You can always trim (or expand) later during revisions.
Do I need a map for my fantasy novel to be taken seriously?
Not necessarily. A map can help readers visualize your world—and let’s be honest, they’re fun to make—but it's not required. What matters more is that your world feels coherent and lived-in. If a map helps you keep track of where everything is, go for it. If not, skip it. No fantasy police here.
What’s the best way to stay consistent with all my worldbuilding details?
Honestly? Write them down somewhere you’ll actually use. I created my Notion Worldbuilding Template for this exact reason—so I could stop digging through old documents trying to remember how many moons my world had. Whether you use Notion, a spreadsheet, or a pile of sticky notes, the key is centralizing it.
