Fantasy Writing Template for Planning Your First Novel
Let me guess: you’ve got a spark of an idea—a thief with a secret past, a crumbling kingdom, a magical blade—but every time you sit down to write, your brain screams, “Where do I even start?”
Been there. More than once.
When I was working on my first fantasy novel, I had worldbuilding docs, character notes, and random plot beats scattered across like five different folders.
It was chaos.
And worse? It totally killed my momentum. That’s when I realized I didn’t need more ideas—I needed a structure.
Enter the fantasy writing template.
If you’re struggling to turn your epic idea into an actual story, this guide’s for you. I’ll walk you through what a fantasy writing template is, why it’s ridiculously helpful, and how to actually use one to get your novel out of your head and onto the page.
What even is a fantasy writing template?
A fantasy writing template is basically your story’s skeleton. It’s a structured guide that helps you plan and organize all the messy, magical pieces of your novel—your world, your plot, your characters, your magic system—so everything works together.
It’s not about forcing your creativity into a box. It’s about giving it a solid foundation to stand on.
Here’s what a good one usually includes:
A story structure or beat sheet to outline your plot
Worldbuilding frameworks to flesh out your setting and lore
Character profile templates to develop believable, complex people
Magic system and artifact prompts to keep things consistent
Optional trope worksheets (like enemies-to-lovers, chosen one, etc.)
And if you’re anything like me when I started, you probably need all of the above.
If you want a peek at what this can look like in practice, I break it all down inside my Complete Fantasy Writing Templates Bundle, which includes five ready-to-use templates that I still use for my own projects.
Why a fantasy writing template helps (especially for beginner writers)
Fantasy is a beast of a genre. You’re not just writing a story—you’re building an entire world with its own rules, history, power structures, politics, people, creatures… you get it.
Without a plan, it’s easy to get stuck in “idea soup”—a bunch of half-developed concepts that never quite come together.
Here’s why a fantasy writing template is a total game-changer:
It keeps you focused. Instead of falling down a lore rabbit hole, you know exactly what to work on next.
It makes connections easier. You’ll see how your characters, plot, and world interact—and spot gaps before you’re 20,000 words in.
It saves you from burnout. Having structure makes it easier to build momentum and keep writing, even on the messy days.
It helps you actually finish your book. Seriously. Templates take you from “this could be cool” to “chapter one, let’s go.”
How to use a fantasy writing template (step-by-step)
You don’t have to fill it all out in one sitting. In fact, please don’t. Let your story breathe while still giving it structure.
Here’s how I usually work through mine:
Step 1 – Start with the world
Even if your story is super character-driven, your world will shape how people live, what they believe, and what they want.
Start with broad strokes:
What’s the setting? A kingdom? A desert wasteland? A floating city?
What kinds of people live there?
What’s the biggest threat to stability?
Then zoom in:
How does the magic system work?
What’s the political structure?
Are there unique creatures, customs, or tech?
Need help thinking it through? I put together a list of 160+ worldbuilding questions that’s perfect for this stage.
Step 2 – Build your characters
A good fantasy novel lives and dies by its characters. You want them to feel real—flawed, layered, and motivated.
This is where a character profile template comes in handy. Mine includes prompts like:
What’s their greatest fear?
What do they want vs. what do they need?
Who or what do they trust?
What’s a secret they’re hiding?
You don’t need to overdo it, but giving your main cast some depth early on will save you from mid-draft rewrites later. If you’re stuck, check out this guide on Writing Multi-dimensional Fantasy Characters.
Step 3 – Outline your plot
Now that you’ve got your world and characters, it’s time to plot. This is where writing templates for fantasy authors really shine.
I use a beat sheet structure broken into three acts, with major turning points like:
The catalyst (the event that kicks off the story)
The midpoint (when things shift dramatically)
The climax (when everything comes to a head)
If you’re just starting out and want a DIY version, I also wrote a post on How to Write a Fantasy Novel Outline (with Free Template).
Step 4 – Layer in your magic system and tropes
Now’s the time to sprinkle in the details that make your story fantasy.
How does magic work in your world?
Is it limited by class, training, birthright, or something else?
Are there magical artifacts? What do they do? Who wants them?
What are its limitations? What happens if it’s over/misused?
For a deeper dive into crafting unique magic systems, check out 15 Magic System Ideas You’ve Likely Never Thought About.
Common mistakes to avoid when using a fantasy writing template
Templates are amazing tools, but they’re not magic wands. (I wish.) Here are a few mistakes I’ve made—or seen others make—when using them:
Mistake 1: Trying to fill it out perfectly from the start
This one gets a lot of people stuck. Your first pass doesn’t have to be polished or even complete. Use placeholders. Leave blanks. Scribble notes. The goal is progress, not perfection.
Mistake 2: Overplanning to avoid writing
Guilty. I once spent two months filling out every corner of a worldbuilding template... and wrote zero words of actual story. Templates are a launchpad, not a replacement for writing. Don’t get stuck in prep mode forever.
Mistake 3: Getting stuck in the weeds
You don’t need to know the name of every god before you start your first draft. Focus on what you need now to tell the story. You can always flesh out more later.
Mistake 4: Treating the template like gospel
If something stops working halfway through your draft—change it. A template is a tool, not a set of unbreakable rules. Let your story breathe and adapt as you go.
Pro tips for getting the most out of your template
Don’t try to fill everything out at once. Templates should guide you—not overwhelm you.
Use placeholders. Stuck on a name? Write [dragon guy] and keep going.
Customize as you go. Your story may evolve. So should your template.
Keep everything in one place. Whether you’re a Notion fan, PDF lover, or a paper-and-pen person, don’t scatter your info.
If you're looking for an all-in-one digital system, this Notion Worldbuilding Template is super helpful for staying organized digitally.
What’s inside my complete fantasy writing template bundle
If you want to skip the overwhelm and grab a plug-and-play toolkit, here’s what’s inside the bundle I’ve used for my own novels:
Fantasy Worldbuilding Workbook (40 pages): Build immersive settings, cultures, and lore.
Fantasy Character Profile Template (15 pages): Create layered, believable characters with guided prompts.
Enemies-to-Lovers Workbook (32 pages): Explore relationship arcs with structure and style.
Magic Systems and Artifacts Workbook (22 pages): Nail down the logic and limits of your magic.
Fantasy Beat Sheet Template: Plan your plot with clarity. Includes examples from popular books.
It’s designed to walk you through how to plan a fantasy novel—from idea to outline—with room to make it your own.
You can check it out here: Complete Fantasy Writing Template Bundle
Final thoughts: Start messy, then shape it with structure
If you’re just starting your fantasy novel, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But you don’t have to wing it.
A fantasy writing template won’t write the story for you—but it will make sure you’re not reinventing the wheel on every page.
Start small. Get organized. And let your story grow with structure beneath it.
Happy writing!
Frequently asked questions about fantasy writing templates
Can I modify a fantasy writing template to fit my unique story ideas?
Absolutely! Think of a fantasy writing template as a flexible framework, not a rigid mold. Tailor it to suit your narrative's specific needs, ensuring it complements your creative vision rather than constrains it.
How detailed should my worldbuilding be when using a template?
While it's tempting to delve into every minutiae, focus on details that directly impact your plot and characters. Overloading your template can lead to unnecessary complexity. Prioritize elements that enhance your story's depth and coherence.
Is it advisable to create my own magic system within the template?
Definitely! Crafting a unique magic system can set your story apart. Ensure it's consistent and has defined rules and limitations. This adds believability and prevents plot holes. Consider how magic influences your world's culture, politics, and daily life.
