How to Write a Fantasy Novel Outline (with Free Template!)
So you’ve got a brilliant fantasy story idea rattling around in your head, complete with epic battles, ancient prophecies, and a protagonist with just the right amount of unresolved trauma. Now what?
Before you dive headfirst into writing, let’s talk about how to write a fantasy novel outline.
I know, I know—some writers hear “outline” and immediately think of dry, soul-sucking spreadsheets that zap all the magic out of storytelling. But hear me out: a solid outline can turn your chaotic jumble of ideas into a coherent, unputdownable fantasy novel.
And the best part? It doesn’t have to be painful.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to write a fantasy novel outline in a way that works for you—whether you're a meticulous planner or someone who prefers a bit of creative chaos.
Plus, I’ve got a free fantasy novel outline template to help you get started.
Let’s go!
Why you need an outline (even if you hate outlining)
Fantasy novels tend to be big, sprawling beasts—especially if you’re building an entire world from scratch. Without an outline, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds, forget crucial plot points, or end up with a meandering story that doesn’t quite stick the landing.
If you’ve ever wondered how to write a fantasy novel outline that keeps your plot on track while allowing creativity, you’re in the right place.
Here’s what an outline can do for you:
Prevent plot holes and inconsistencies – A clear structure helps you track your world’s rules, character motivations, and magic systems so you don’t accidentally contradict yourself.
Keep you on track – Ever hit the dreaded middle-of-the-book slump? An outline keeps your momentum going by giving you a roadmap.
Make revisions easier – It’s way easier to tweak an outline than to rewrite 100,000 words because you realized your climax doesn’t make sense.
Help you finish the damn book – Writers who outline tend to finish their books faster. That’s just science. (Okay, not officially, but you know what I mean.)
How to write a fantasy novel outline
Step 1: Choose your outlining method
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to outlining. Some writers like a bulletproof plan; others prefer a loose framework. No matter your style, learning how to write a fantasy novel outline that fits your creative process can save you time and frustration when drafting.
Here are a few popular methods to consider:
The classic Three-Act Structure
Best for: Writers who like traditional storytelling beats.
The three-act structure is one of the most widely used storytelling frameworks, offering a clear beginning, middle, and end while allowing for flexibility in pacing and plot development.
Act 1: Setup (The beginning)
Introduce your protagonist – Establish who they are, what they want, and their current situation.
Set up the world – Whether it’s a medieval kingdom, a dystopian empire, or a floating city in the clouds, this is where you lay the groundwork for your world’s rules, magic, and politics.
Introduce the central conflict – Something disrupts the status quo, forcing the protagonist to make a choice. This is often the inciting incident, the moment that sets the story into motion.
Act 2: Confrontation (The middle)
Things go sideways – The protagonist is thrust into new situations, facing obstacles, enemies, and unexpected twists.
Protagonist struggles, fails, learns, and grows – This act is all about character development as the protagonist gains skills, forms alliances, and faces their inner demons.
Midpoint twist – A game-changing event occurs, shifting the stakes. Maybe an ally betrays them, a hidden truth is revealed, or they suffer a major setback.
Rising tension – The protagonist is pushed to their limit as conflicts intensify, leading to their darkest moment, where all seems lost.
Act 3: Resolution (The end)
The big showdown – The protagonist faces their greatest challenge, whether a battle, a final confrontation with the antagonist, or a defining moment of self-realization.
Climax – The ultimate test of everything the protagonist has learned, determining whether they win or lose.
Loose ends get tied up (or left dangling for sequels) – The story reaches its resolution. If it’s a standalone, character arcs conclude. If it’s part of a series, hints of future challenges can be woven in.
The Hero’s Journey
Best for: Writers who love character-driven stories.
The Hero’s Journey is one of the most well-known story structures, guiding the protagonist through transformation, challenge, and growth.
The Ordinary World – We meet the protagonist in their normal life before their adventure begins. This is where you establish their strengths, weaknesses, and what’s missing from their life.
Call to Adventure – Something shakes up their world. This could be a threat, an opportunity, or an external force that pushes them toward change.
Refusal of the Call – The protagonist resists, hesitates, or outright rejects the journey, usually due to fear or doubt.
Meeting the Mentor – A guide, teacher, or wise figure offers wisdom, training, or encouragement to help them face what’s ahead.
Crossing the First Threshold – The protagonist commits to the adventure, stepping out of their comfort zone and into the unknown.
Tests, Allies, Enemies – Along the way, they face trials, meet new allies, and encounter enemies that shape their journey. This phase builds tension and expands the world.
Approach to the Inmost Cave – The protagonist gets closer to their goal, but danger looms. They prepare for a major challenge ahead.
Ordeal – The hero faces their greatest test yet—often a life-or-death moment or a deep internal struggle. This is a defining point in their transformation.
Reward (Seizing the Sword) – The hero emerges victorious, gaining a key reward, whether it’s knowledge, an artifact, or a newfound sense of self.
The Road Back – They begin their journey home, but the challenges aren’t over. The antagonist may strike back, or the hero may face doubt about returning.
Resurrection – The final hurdle. The protagonist faces one last test, often requiring them to prove they’ve truly changed.
Return with the Elixir – They return home, transformed, bringing back wisdom, power, or a physical reward that benefits them and their world.
The Snowflake method
Best for: Writers who like to start small and expand outward.
This method, developed by author and physicist Randy Ingermanson, allows you to gradually build your novel from a simple idea into a fully structured outline.
Start with a one-sentence summary – Capture the essence of your novel in a single sentence that conveys the protagonist, their goal, and the stakes involved. This acts as your story’s core premise.
Expand to a one-paragraph summary – Flesh out your story into five key sentences that include the setup, three major turning points (or disasters), and the climax/resolution.
Write a one-page synopsis – Expand each sentence from the previous step into a full paragraph, creating a short summary of your novel's progression from beginning to end.
Develop character summaries – For each major character, write a short profile that outlines their appearance, motivation, goals, internal and external conflicts, and how they change throughout the story.
Expand the synopsis into a four-page summary – Take your one-page synopsis and build it out, adding subplots, character arcs, and deeper conflicts. This helps you spot plot holes before you begin drafting.
Deepen character development – Go beyond surface details by mapping out each major character’s full arc, including their emotional journey and how they evolve.
Create a scene list – Break your story into scenes, writing a one-line summary for each and noting which character’s point of view the scene is from.
Build a detailed outline – Expand each scene summary into a multi-paragraph description that includes key conflicts, emotions, and even snippets of dialogue if they come to mind.
Review and refine – Analyze your outline to ensure each scene moves the story forward and maintains tension. Adjust pacing, reorder events, or strengthen character arcs as needed.
P.S. Check out this guide on the snowflake method for a deeper dive.
The skeletal outline
Best for: Writers who like flexibility.
The skeletal outline is a loose, adaptable way to structure your novel while leaving room for discovery.
List your major plot points – Start by jotting down the critical moments in your story, such as the inciting incident, midpoint twist, and climax. You don’t need all the details yet—just the major beats that define the direction of your novel.
Identify your protagonist’s arc – Even if you don’t fully outline every scene, having a clear sense of your protagonist’s transformation (how they change from beginning to end) will keep your story grounded.
Sketch out major conflicts – Note any significant conflicts, whether internal (character struggles) or external (battles, betrayals, mysteries). These will help guide your scenes.
Leave space for surprises – Unlike detailed outlines, the skeletal outline doesn’t force you to plan everything in advance. This method works well if you enjoy organic storytelling and discovering twists as you write.
Expand as you go – Once you start drafting, use the skeletal outline as a flexible roadmap. You can add scenes, shift events, or introduce new subplots while keeping the overall structure intact.
The story beats method (Save the Cat! meets classic beats)
Best for: Writers who want a clear roadmap but still want flexibility.
This method combines classic story beats with the Save the Cat! structure to provide a strong, engaging outline while keeping the pacing tight.
(Fun fact: This is the method I chose to go with for my fantasy novel outline).
Opening image – A snapshot of the protagonist’s world before the story begins.
Hook – Introduce something intriguing to draw readers in.
Inciting incident – The event that kicks off the story’s conflict.
Debate – The protagonist resists change or doubts their path.
Break into act 2 – The protagonist makes a decision and takes action.
B story – A subplot or secondary character development begins.
Fun and games – The heart of the story, where the premise delivers on its promise.
Midpoint twist – A major shift that changes everything (a false victory or crushing loss).
Bad guys close in – Things start going south for the protagonist.
Dark night of the soul – The lowest point before the climax.
Break into act 3 – The protagonist finds new strength or insight.
Climax – The final, make-or-break moment where everything is on the line.
Final image – A snapshot of how the protagonist’s world has changed.
Step 2: Build your world (but don’t get stuck there)
Fantasy writers, myself included, love worldbuilding. But trust me when I say it’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of creating elaborate histories and never actually writing the book.
Instead of spending months designing currency systems and ancient languages, focus on what actually impacts your story. Ask yourself:
What unique aspects of my world affect my protagonist’s journey?
How does magic work, and what are its limitations?
What conflicts—political, social, or supernatural—shape the story?
Step 3: Flesh out characters and subplots
An engaging fantasy novel isn’t just about a great plot—it’s also about the characters who drive it. As you outline, consider:
What’s your protagonist’s goal, motivation, and internal conflict?
What supporting characters will help—or hinder—them?
How do subplots tie into the main story?
Keeping track of these elements in your outline ensures that no character feels like an afterthought.
Step 5: Use my free fantasy novel outline template
Feeling overwhelmed? I’ve got you covered.
I put together a free fantasy novel outline template (below) that walks you through all these steps in an easy-to-use format. Plus it has a Hero’s Journey template built in.
Fill out the form below to grab it ⬇️
Fantasy Novel Outline Template
Fill out the form below to download your template.
Final thoughts
Learning how to write a fantasy novel outline doesn’t have to be a soul-sucking experience. Whether you go full spreadsheet mode or keep it loose with sticky notes, the key is to find a method that works for you.
And remember: your fantasy novel outline isn’t set in stone. As you write, you’ll discover new twists, characters will misbehave, and ideas will evolve.
That’s part of the magic.
Frequently asked questions about how to write a fantasy novel outline
Do I need to follow my outline exactly while writing?
Not at all! An outline is a guide, not a rulebook. It’s there to keep you on track, but you should feel free to tweak things as your story evolves. If a new subplot pops up or a character takes an unexpected turn, adjust your outline accordingly. Think of it as a flexible roadmap rather than a rigid contract.
How detailed should my fantasy novel outline be?
That depends on your writing style. Some authors swear by scene-by-scene breakdowns, while others prefer a loose structure with just major plot points. If you tend to get overwhelmed, start with a broad framework (beginning, middle, end) and fill in details as you go. If you love planning, go all out with character arcs, worldbuilding notes, and scene descriptions.
What if I start outlining and realize my story idea isn’t working?
That’s actually a good thing—it means you caught a problem before writing 50,000 words and having to scrap them. Outlining helps you test your story’s structure early, so if something feels off, adjust it now rather than mid-draft. Sometimes, switching to a different outlining method (like moving from the Three-Act Structure to the Hero’s Journey) can help you see things from a new angle.
