How to Write an Epic Fantasy (with Tips + Examples)
So you want to know how to write an epic fantasy?
Welcome to the most thrilling (and sometimes chaotic) creative rabbit hole you’ll ever fall down.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve written a few fantasy stories already, this guide is for anyone who wants to tell sweeping, high-stakes stories set in rich, immersive worlds.
We’ll talk about what makes a fantasy "epic," break down the key ingredients, and give you actionable tips (plus examples) to actually write the thing.
I’ll also share a few lessons I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
• Start with a spark—an idea that could ripple into world-shifting stakes
• Build a rich, immersive world with its own rules, cultures, and conflicts
• Create flawed, emotionally-driven characters with clear goals
• Develop a consistent magic system (with limits!)
• Choose a story structure like the Hero’s Journey to guide your plot
• Avoid info-dumps—reveal your lore through action and dialogue
• Ground the epic in personal stakes and emotional moments
• Layer in deeper themes like power, identity, or sacrifice
• Most importantly? Write the story you can’t stop thinking about
What is epic fantasy, really?
Before we get into how to write an epic fantasy novel, let’s get clear on what makes a fantasy story epic.
Epic fantasy usually features:
A vast, often invented world with complex cultures, histories, and geography
A huge cast of characters (think armies, guilds, empires, royal families)
High stakes (like saving the world or restoring balance to magic)
Themes of good vs. evil, destiny, sacrifice, and power
A journey or quest, often with multiple POVs
Think The Lord of the Rings, The Priory of the Orange Tree, The Wheel of Time, or Throne of Glass. These stories span kingdoms. They often include magical systems, ancient prophecies, and wars that have been brewing for centuries.
P.S. You can check out this Ultimate Fantasy Worldbuilding Guide to dive deeper into creating epic fantasy worlds.
Step 1: Start with the spark
Most epic fantasy stories start with a little spark—a moment, a feeling, or a "what if" question. Maybe it’s a pit fighter bound by a life debt who sets out on a perilous quest across continents and kingdoms to earn her freedom… and save the realm. (yes, that one’s mine.)
Write that spark down. Then ask:
Where could this lead?
What’s at stake?
Who would this affect beyond one person?
Epic fantasy is all about the ripple effect. Start with something small, and think about how it could expand into a world-shifting event.
Step 2: Know your world inside and out
You don’t need to have every blade of grass named, but you do need to understand the rules of your world. What makes it different from ours? What tensions shape your societies?
Some worldbuilding questions to consider:
What is the role of magic (if any)? Who can access it?
How do governments work? Are there monarchies, empires, clans?
What are the major conflicts shaping this world?
What resources are scarce or valuable, and how does that impact power dynamics?
What cultural beliefs, rituals, or taboos define your societies?
Tip 1: Only include what the reader needs to know to understand the story. Save your deep lore notes for the appendices.
Tip 2: Check out this post on 160+ Worldbuilding Questions for more inspiration.
Step 3: Create complex characters with conflicting goals
Even though your world might be full of dragons and ancient curses, your readers will stay for the characters. They need to feel real, flawed, and deeply human.
Here’s what to think about:
Motivations: What do they want more than anything?
Fears: What’s holding them back?
Backstory: How did they become the person they are?
Relationships: Who do they trust or betray?
Your protagonist should have a personal arc and a role in the epic conflict. Bonus points if their internal journey mirrors the external one.
Step 4: Build your magic system (but make it make sense)
If magic is in your world, it needs rules. Readers love magic systems that are clever, surprising, and consistent (like Allomancy in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn).
Ask yourself:
What powers exist, and who controls them?
What does it cost to use magic?
What can’t magic do?
How is magic learned, inherited, or discovered?
How does the existence of magic shape society, politics, or everyday life?
Want to create a non-boring magic system? Check out Magic System Ideas You’ve Likely Never Thought About.
Step 5: Choose your structure (and stick to it)
Writing an epic fantasy is a marathon, not a sprint. A solid story structure will help you stay on track.
Popular options include:
The Hero’s Journey (ideal for chosen-one or quest stories)
The Three-Act Structure (for character-driven arcs)
Multiple POVs with interwoven storylines
No matter what you choose, make sure each character has:
Clear goals
High stakes
Obstacles to overcome
Growth by the end
P.S. This Notion Worldbuilding Hub comes with a 3-act story beat sheet, scene planner, chapter planner, and a heck of a lot more to help you map out your entire story.
Step 6: Start with action, not exposition
Resist the urge to front-load your novel with history lessons. Instead, start with something happening: a skirmish, a coronation, a betrayal.
Drop readers into a moment that matters.
But here’s the trick—your opener also needs to ground the reader. Show them the world through the character’s eyes, not through a narrator’s info dump.
Let us feel the grit of the arena sand as your character wipes blood from her jaw.
Reveal class systems through how people speak to each other.
Show how magic works by making it interrupt an otherwise normal moment.
Step 7: Think big, but ground it in emotion
Your epic fantasy might span continents and centuries, but the emotional core is what keeps people reading.
Readers want:
Characters they care about
Moments of quiet amid the chaos
Emotional payoffs that feel earned
Ask yourself:
Why should readers root for these people?
What’s the real cost of failure?
Step 8: Layer in theme and symbolism
Good epic fantasy often explores deeper ideas: power, faith, identity, sacrifice, good vs. evil.
You don’t need to plan every symbol in advance, but be intentional. Maybe your magic system reflects inequality. Maybe a shattered sword represents a lost legacy.
Your fantasy religion can also support your themes. I go into detail in 5 Steps to Creating a Religion for a Fantasy World.
Common pitfalls to avoid when writing an epic fantasy novel
When figuring out how to write epic fantasy novel, keep an eye out for these traps:
Info-dumping: Sprinkle lore, don’t pour. Trust the reader to pick things up through context.
Overly powerful characters: If nothing can hurt them, nothing feels earned. Vulnerability = tension.
Weak stakes: The world ending doesn’t mean much if we don’t care about who’s in it. Make it personal.
Pacing problems: Balance action scenes with character moments—or your epic will feel exhausting.
Unclear rules of magic: If readers don’t understand what magic can and can’t do, they won’t feel the tension.
Forgetting character arcs: Worldbuilding is great, but your plot needs emotional payoff. Characters must change.
Tone inconsistency: Shifting between grimdark and whimsical without a clear throughline can jar your readers.
Using tropes without twists: Chosen ones, ancient prophecies, and dark lords are fine—but add your own spin.
P.S. Check out this video by authors (and sisters) Kate and Abbie Emmons to learn more about how to write an epic fantasy novel ⬇️
Final tip: Write the story you can’t stop thinking about
If you’re still wondering how to write an epic fantasy, remember this: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
That weird scene you keep imagining? Write it. That twist that makes you cackle like a villain? Keep it. That broken character who won't leave your brain? Build the whole story around them.
Your passion is what makes your story epic.
Btw, if you want step-by-step support from idea to final draft, the Notion Worldbuilding Hub has everything you need: beat sheets, scene + chapter planner, character profiles, worldbuilding guides, magic system builder, writing tracker…the works!
Frequently asked questions about how to write an epic fantasy
How long should an epic fantasy novel be?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but most epic fantasies clock in at 100,000–150,000 words. If you’re writing a series, your first book should be tight enough to stand alone while still leaving room to expand. Don’t pad it just to hit a word count—make every chapter earn its place.
Do I need to plan my entire world before I start writing?
Nope. You just need enough to start confidently. Get clear on the aspects that impact your plot and characters (like politics, geography, and magic rules). The rest can be fleshed out as you write. My Notion Worldbuilding Template is great for organizing it all without getting overwhelmed.
Can I write epic fantasy without magic?
Technically, yes—but readers often expect some kind of mystical or supernatural element. If you’re skipping magic, you’ll need other “epic” elements: huge stakes, rich worldbuilding, and emotionally driven conflict. Think sprawling kingdoms, ancient rivalries, or forbidden histories.
Is it okay to write multiple POVs in epic fantasy?
Absolutely. Epic fantasy often thrives on multiple points of view—it gives readers a panoramic view of your world. Just make sure each POV character has a unique voice, a clear arc, and a reason to be in the story. Don’t switch heads just for the sake of it.
How do I keep track of all my lore and characters?
Short answer: systems. Long answer: create a system that works for you. Whether it’s color-coded notebooks, a spreadsheet, or a fully linked Notion dashboard (like the one I offer), organizing your world will save your sanity—especially by book two or three.
