How to Write Romantasy in 5 Steps (with Examples)
Knowing how to write romantasy isn't about sprinkling a dragon here and a passionate kiss there and calling it a day (although those can definitely be woven into your story).
It's about creating a love story and a fantasy world that are so intertwined they couldn't exist without each other. You want readers to swoon over the romance and gasp at the magic—all in the same breath.
Before we get into how to write romantasy your readers will swoon over, let’s give clarify what romantasy actually is.
What is romantasy?
Romantasy vs. fantasy with romance
Romantasy and fantasy with romance might sound similar, but they’re not the same. In romantasy, the romance is just as essential as the fantasy elements. The love story and the magical world are tightly intertwined, so one can’t exist without the other. Fantasy with romance, on the other hand, prioritizes the fantasy plot—romance is more of a subplot or a nice-to-have.
💡Tips:
Ask yourself what drives the story. Is the romance essential to the main conflict, or could the story exist without it? If it’s the latter, you’re writing fantasy with romance.
Look at the ending. In romantasy, the resolution of the romance is often just as critical as the resolution of the fantasy plot.
Example: In romantasy, the heroine might need to save the magical realm and fight for her love—both arcs are equally important. In fantasy with romance, the heroine’s main goal would be to save the magical realm, and the romance would provide emotional support or tension along the way.
Popular examples of romantasy books include Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Penn Cole's Spark of the Everflame series, and Helen Scheuerer’s The Legends of Thesmarr series (yes, these are three of my personal favourites. Yes, I recommend you read as many romantasy books as you possibly can before writing your own).
How to write romantasy in 5 steps
Step 1: Build a fantasy world that serves the romance
Romance thrives on tension and stakes, and your fantasy world is the perfect place to amplify both. Think about how the setting—whether it’s a sprawling magical kingdom or a dystopian wasteland—can enhance the relationship between your characters.
💡Tips:
Define magical or cultural conflicts. Are your characters from opposing factions, like a witch and a witch hunter? This can create natural obstacles for their love story.
Add environmental stakes. Does their love defy the laws of magic or upset the gods? Maybe a prophecy warns against their union, raising the tension.
Tie the romance to the plot. For example, the protagonist’s quest to retrieve a magical artifact might force them to team up with—or against—their love interest.
Example: In your fantasy world, imagine a heroine who’s sworn to protect the magical gates to another realm, but the hero’s tribe believes these gates must be destroyed. Their love grows even as their missions clash, setting up an epic push-and-pull dynamic. Understanding how to write romantasy often begins with creating these kinds of rich conflicts.
Step 2: Create characters readers will root for
Your characters are the heart of your romantasy. If readers don’t care about them, they won’t care about the romance—no matter how spectacular your worldbuilding is.
💡Tips:
Flesh out your characters’ motivations. What drives them outside of the romance? A vengeful sorceress seeking justice or a reluctant prince burdened by duty are far more engaging than generic love interests.
Give them flaws and vulnerabilities. No one likes a perfect protagonist. Show us their scars—both literal and emotional.
Build sizzling chemistry. This is especially important if you’re leaning into tropes like enemies-to-lovers. How do they challenge, infuriate, or complement each other?
Example: Picture a stoic assassin who’s tasked with eliminating a rebel leader—only to discover the rebel leader’s passion and idealism spark something they never thought they could feel.
P.S. If you’re tackling enemies-to-lovers, my Enemies-to-Lovers Workbook (below ↓) can guide you through this dynamic! Learning how to write romantasy means delving deep into these layered relationships.
Step 3: Blend romance and fantasy seamlessly
The key to writing a successful romantasy is balance. If the romance feels tacked on, readers won’t buy into it. Likewise, if the fantasy elements take a backseat, it won’t feel like a true romantasy.
💡Tips:
Intertwine personal stakes with world stakes. The romance should have consequences for the broader world. For example, will the heroine’s love for the hero jeopardize an alliance that could save their kingdom?
Use fantasy elements to deepen the romance. Magical bonds, shared visions, or enchanted artifacts can tie your characters together in unique ways.
Avoid info-dumping. Introduce your fantasy world organically through your characters’ interactions and experiences.
Example: In your story, maybe a cursed necklace binds the two protagonists together, forcing them to cooperate—even as they try to deny their feelings. When considering how to write romantasy, think about how the magical elements of your world can enhance emotional tension.
Step 4: Use tropes wisely
Tropes are your best friend in romantasy—but only if you use them thoughtfully. Familiar tropes like forbidden love, slow burn, or the chosen one can be powerful tools to hook readers when done well.
💡Tips:
Put a twist on familiar tropes. What if your chosen one doesn’t want to be saved by their love interest? Or what if the slow-burn romance gets sped up due to magical circumstances?
Pair tropes for extra tension. Combine enemies-to-lovers with a forced proximity scenario (hello, trapped in a magical cave together!).
Make it personal. Tropes only work if they resonate with your characters’ unique backstories and motivations.
Example: The “enemies” in your enemies-to-lovers story could be childhood friends who betrayed each other—adding an emotional layer that makes their eventual romance even more satisfying.
(Don’t forget to check out my post, How to Write Enemies to Lovers in Fantasy, for more tips!)
Step 5: Keep the pacing tight
Romantasy often spans epic storylines with complex plots and subplots. But if your romance drags or gets overshadowed by the fantasy elements, readers will lose interest.
💡Tips:
Alternate romantic and plot-driven scenes. Keep the story dynamic by weaving together moments of romantic tension with action or adventure.
Use cliffhangers strategically. End chapters with questions that push the romance or fantasy plot forward.
Plan your arc. Use a three-act structure to ensure both the romance and fantasy arcs build toward a satisfying climax.
Example: In the first act, the protagonists might distrust each other. By the second, they’re reluctantly working together. The third act could deliver a heart-pounding climax where they must choose between their love and their duty. This structure is key when learning how to write romantasy.
Step 6: Deliver an unforgettable ending
The ending of your romantasy is where all those carefully laid threads come together. Whether it’s a triumphant happily-ever-after or a bittersweet farewell, make sure your readers walk away feeling satisfied.
💡Tips:
Tie up loose ends. Don’t leave readers wondering what happened to major plot points.
Deliver emotional payoff. The protagonists’ relationship should feel earned after all the challenges they’ve faced.
Leave room for wonder. Even if you’re wrapping up the romance, leave your readers with a sense of the magical world they’ve come to love.
Example: Imagine your protagonists’ love shattering a centuries-old curse, but at the cost of one of them losing their powers. It’s bittersweet, but their love endures. When you know how to write romantasy, endings like this can leave a lasting impression.
Mistakes to avoid while writing romantasy
Overloading the worldbuilding: While an immersive fantasy world is important, too much focus on intricate details can overshadow the romance. Readers want a balance—enough fantasy to set the scene without losing sight of the emotional core.
Making the romance feel forced: If the romantic relationship doesn’t develop naturally or feels out of place within the story’s context, it will lose impact. Build chemistry between your characters through meaningful interactions.
Neglecting the fantasy stakes: A romantasy isn’t just a romance with a sprinkle of magic. The fantasy elements should drive the plot just as much as the romance, creating a story where both are deeply intertwined.
Falling into trope traps: Tropes like forbidden love or enemies-to-lovers can be powerful, but relying on clichés without adding a fresh twist will make your story predictable.
Ignoring pacing: Romantasy often spans epic tales, but dragging out the romance or the plot can frustrate readers. Balance action, tension, and emotional beats to keep the story engaging.
Your romantasy journey starts here
When learning how to write romantasy, just remember to keep your world immersive (enough), your characters compelling, and your romance integral to the plot.
Need a little extra help crafting those tension-filled relationships? Check out my Enemies-to-Lovers Workbook for prompts and examples to spark your imagination ⬇️.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes a romantasy different from a traditional romance novel?
A romantasy combines a romance storyline with a fantastical setting. While a traditional romance novel focuses solely on the romantic relationship, a romantasy weaves the romance into a larger fantasy plot with magical elements, epic stakes, and unique worlds.
Can a romantasy work without a happily-ever-after ending?
Yes, romantasy doesn’t always require a perfect happy ending. A bittersweet or open-ended conclusion can still resonate deeply with readers if the characters’ journeys and the romance are emotionally satisfying.
Do I need to invent a completely new world to write a romantasy?
Not necessarily. While unique worldbuilding can enhance your story, you can also use familiar fantasy settings with your own twist or even weave fantastical elements into a real-world setting. The key is making the world feel immersive and integral to the romance.
