67 Fantasy Writing Ideas You Haven’t Thought Of Yet
It seems like fantasy writing ideas should come easily. I mean, this is fantasy . Anything could be anything.
You could write about a nation of sentient toothbrushes. Your heroine could be a dragon witch who teaches preschool. Want to set your novel in a tiny groove on a pebble on the surface of the moon?
You can do it. You can do all of it. Reality is not running this show, you are. Sweet freedom!
Or so you’d think.
There’s something about all that freedom that can really freeze the brain.
And there’s definitely something about the blank page that stops the flow of genius.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help you get unstuck . Here are 67 fantasy writing ideas you can use to inspire your next great novel.
Let’s jump in.
When and How to Use These Fantasy Writing Ideas
Use these ideas whenever you need them and however you wish.
If you know you want to write a fantasy novel but have no idea what you want that novel to be about, you can use this list. If you’ve already started planning your novel but you’re stuck on worldbuilding or character development , these ideas can help you get the wheels turning.
You can even come to the idea well if you’ve already finished a draft but just know something’s missing.
None of these fantasy writing ideas are meant to be rigid. If an idea speaks to you but doesn’t fit perfectly in your vision, tweak it! If tweaking it won’t work, play with it by writing a scene around that idea—a scene that has nothing to do with your novel.
Sometimes exploring an intriguing thought helps us understand why it intrigues us. That understanding might spark a new idea that is right for your book.
Worst case scenario: it sparks an idea for the next book. In which case, write it down and then forget it until you finish what you started.
Okay, here we go. Sixty-seven fantasy writing ideas coming your way.
Fantasy Story Ideas
- A chronic people-pleaser discovers a beautiful fantasy world they can only enter by following their own bliss.
- A sorcerer/sorceress cast a protective spell over a village centuries ago. Now, for reasons they are not able to divulge, they must release the spell and leave the village vulnerable to the dangers beyond their little utopia. Why? And what are the dangers?
- After accepting a great job opportunity in Germany and moving into a beautiful little cottage, your protagonist finds themselves living with a kobold .
- Design a utopia based on your values. Then create a protagonist who fights against it. Why are they right? What justification is there for destroying this society? Let your own internal debate inspire the protagonist’s internal conflict .
- Zeus hides in plain sight as a hedge fund manager on Wall Street.
- An elected leader claims authoritarian control by casting a spell that forces citizens to “make better choices.” Roads change direction, doors slam shut, apologies and requests spring involuntarily from people’s mouths. Your protagonist is determined to restore free will.
- A perfectionist can’t stop using magic to travel to the future and make sure they’re making the best possible choices today.
- A person who believes they have the perfect life discovers that they are actually a social media influencer’s online persona.
- A family enjoying the lazy river at their vacation resort soon finds that the river never loops back and the current becomes stronger when they try to swim against it. They’re trapped on the river, winding through bizarre places and running into unfamiliar dangers.
- The most powerful archangel has been tasked with guarding some witless, accident-prone nobody. It’s unclear why.
- The leader of a rebellion gets drunk on fame and ends up creating a cult.
For more story inspiration, check out these fantasy conflict ideas.
Fantasy Character Ideas
- Farmer whose fingernails hold healing powers
- Pixie who lives for drama
- Former queen living in exile
- Imagine: (A)Your best friend as wanderer without a home. (B) Your parent as a poltergeist (C) A childhood nemesis as a benevolent healer (D) Your favorite teacher as a powerful wizard.
- The only being in the entire universe of your novel who has zero magical powers
- Talking chicken who dreams of becoming a dragon and lives by the philosophy “fake it til you make it.”
- Spiritual leader who never meant to be a spiritual leader
- Fairy in love with an ogre
- A passionate historian who doesn’t necessarily love all the horrors that accompany the collapse of civilization but does giddily geek out on looking back to see how all historical events inevitably led to this moment
- Child who shows up out of nowhere, doesn’t (won’t?) speak, and can make the earth rattle by whistling
- Fortune teller who is also a people-pleaser and regularly sugarcoats bad news
- Tortoise mayor in a non-tortoise town
- Your favorite fairy tale villain reimagined as a sympathetic protagonist .
- Your favorite fairy tale protagonist reimagined as a villain
- A fairy tale side character reimagined with a complex inner life and their own character arc .
- A lovestruck ghost
Want more character ideas? Check out these other Dabble articles:
A Giant Pile of Character Ideas to Jump-Start Your Brain
Character Development Questions That Aren’t About Eye Color
20 Original Character Questions (This Might Get Weird)
101 Character Goals That Don’t Involve Anyone’s Dead Wife
Character Flaws—The Traits You Totally Don’t See in Yourself
Fantasy World Ideas
If you’re out looking for fantasy writing ideas, you’re probably looking for ideas to inspire the world of your story. I’ve separated these fantasy world ideas into physical and cultural categories.
If you’d like even more inspiration, this worldbuilding guide gives you some elements to consider and questions to spark more fantasy writing ideas as you go.
Physical World
- There is a precious stone that has the power to cure emotional suffering. It can only be found in a river that runs through a small village. How does the presence of this resource define the society? What threats or opportunities does it create?
- In this fantasy world, anyone can earn the power to fly, instantly heal their own wounds, and charm animals. But they can only gain these powers by giving up the one natural talent that makes them unique.
- The physical world responds to the mood of its inhabitants. Contentment brings beauty, healthy crops, and perfect weather. Anger brings storms. Sadness causes drought.
- Human beings (or whatever species you’re using in your story) were never meant to inhabit this world. The land, flora, fauna, and climate constantly try to drive them out.
- The land loves its inhabitants. Trees shift to protect them from danger. Blossoms fall like confetti when there’s something to celebrate. The fruit is always ripe.
- The universe is a giant tree. There are civilizations on leaves, branches, and roots. Nobody knows much about the root people, because the trunk is too far to travel. (Until now…)
- It’s the year 408 in the Philippines and shapeshifting is real.
- It’s 1920 in Scotland, and Nessie is real.
- An enchanted freight train hopped by American teenagers looking for work during the Great Depression.
- When someone is about to die, the air hums.
- The land is spongy and living creatures are made of granite.
- The floor is lava.
Cultural World
- Two religions are constantly at odds with one another. Both religions began as a result of an ancient war. One was founded by the losers, the other by the winners.
- The colors green, purple, yellow, and orange have been outlawed. Why? And how does it influence daily life?
- Your hometown has become a dystopia. What would that look like and how did it happen?
- Your hometown has become a utopia. What would that look like and how did it happen?
- In this society, schedules are sacred. “Good people” do things on a universal timeline, from eating lunch at exactly 12:00 p.m. to giving birth to their first child at exactly 26 years and twelve days old.
- Borrow from family structures in the animal kingdom. For example:
- A mama rabbit stays away from her babies except to feed them out of fear that her strong scent will attract predators.
- African wild dogs are hardcore about taking care of one another. They feed their young first and regurgitate their own food for elderly and injured adults. Also, they make group decisions by sneezing .
- Dwarf mongoose families are led by a matriarch who is the first to eat and the only female permitted to mate. Her man is monogamous. Her death breaks the family up, but they still keep in touch.
- Take inspiration from trees . They release chemicals to warn others about invasions, share resources through root fungi, and even pass on their nutrients when they know they’re dying. Design a species who communicates and shares through non-verbal systems.
- Six hundred years ago, thirty people secluded themselves in the mountain to escape a plague. How has that history influenced the way this isolated society functions today?
- A boarding school where all the students are animagi
- Babies are considered holy. There is a yearly festival celebrating infants and asking them to bless the community.
- Everybody here wears clothing made of giant flower petals.
- The people are governed by a sacred text they are forbidden from reading for themselves.
- A nomadic people journeys according to the guidance of the wind.
- Bugs rule over humans.
Fantasy Theme Ideas
- Power is addictive.
- Good ultimately prevails over evil.
- Freedom of thought is more important than perfection.
- Knowledge is power.
- Love conquers all (for your fantasy romance or your romantic fantasy).
- Blind commitment to tradition is dangerous.
- The things that set us apart are the things that make us powerful.
- A life governed by fear is a life half lived.
- Common people can do incredible things when they work together.
- We are responsible for creating the world we want.
- Love cannot survive where pride rules.
- Pride cannot survive where love rules.
- There is no joy in perfection.
- There is no joy in power.
To spark a few fantasy theme ideas of your own, explore the questions Doug presents in this article on common themes .
Other Places to Find Fantasy Writing Ideas
The animal kingdom. I’ve dropped this hint already, but I cannot stress the value of this resource enough. Google “unusual animals” or “otherworldly animals” or “fascinating animal behavior” and you’ll find hecka inspiration, from new species to social structures to communication habits.
Natural environments offer a gold mine, too. Here are some incredible landscapes that are sure to inspire a new fantasy world.
It’s also fun to play the Google game with “abandoned places.” What stories do these photos tell?
You can even find inspiration just by looking at the world around you through a new lens. Try it literally. Take ultra close-up photos of your houseplant, your cat’s eye, or your spouse’s one pointy ear. Look at them in a week. What do you see? An alien landscape? A new species?
And don’t forget: mythology, theology, folklore, and fairytales are outstanding sources of fantasy writing ideas. Borrow their characters, themes, or locations. Or try a retelling.
Turn Your Fantasy Writing Ideas Into an Actual Novel
Once those fantasy ideas start flowing, you’re going to want a system for capturing and organizing them.
This article on how to write fantasy gives excellent guidance for turning your wildest ideas into an engaging narrative.
You can also snag this free ebook, Let’s Write a Book . Trust me: this is not the kind of free ebook you’re thinking about. This thing has over 100 pages and covers everything you need to know to nail your first novel.
And Dabble itself is a great tool for organizing your fantasy writing ideas and drafting your novel. Story Notes double as a worldbuilding bible. The Plot Grid helps you see that epic storyline at a glance. All these things are right at your fingertips as you pound out that first draft.
Check it out for free for fourteen days. You don’t even need a credit card to snag your free trial. Just click and begin.
Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.
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Book marketing. Those two innocuous words instill fear and loathing into the hearts of so many writers. You just want to write your books and have them sell themselves. Why do you have to tell people about it? Well, Susan, because you do. I know you want to write, but if your goal is to write, publish, and make money from your books, then you’re going to have to find a way to make them visible. Thousands of new titles are uploaded to Amazon every single day. Millions of books are being published every year, and no matter how good your story is, without marketing, there’s not much chance very many people will find it.
What kind of writer are you? Are you the sort who writes a meticulous outline that tips into the five digits or the type who sits down in front of a blank sheet of paper and lets the words pour out of you like a runaway train? Did you know there are specific terms for this kind of writing? Writers will come up with words for anything, I swear. Plotters are the first type of writer. They like to have detailed outlines that tell them exactly where their story is going. Pantsers are the other type of writer, which is kind of a weird name, but the term was coined by Stephen King (a famous pantser) to describe writing by the seat of your pants. Cute, eh? There is no right or wrong way to write your book, and I’m going to repeat this so many times. The right way is the way that works for you.
Dystopian fiction is one of the darker subgenres of science fiction and fantasy. It takes us into dark, foreboding worlds, where oppression and bleak landscapes are the norm. Books like 1984 by George Orwell, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley have become classics that shine a light on political corruption, environmental disaster, and societal collapse.Why do we love these stories? Maybe it's because dystopian fiction allows us to explore worst-case scenarios, to grapple with the idea that the world we know and love could be lost forever. It's a way for us to confront our fears and anxieties about the future, to see what could happen if we continue down a certain path.
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42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas
These 42 fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas are waiting for you to write them into your next big novel, screenplay, short story.
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Need a good story idea quick? These fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas can be used as inspiration to write your next epic tale. You can use these story ideas and prompts for all types of creative works, whether it be a novel, screen play or other fictional short stories.
The Magic World of Writing Fantastical, Epic Tales
I’ve always loved writing fantasy, simply because in fantasy you can leave all your worries about the real world behind. Fantasy writing is your chance to explore your imagination and discover all sorts of magical and mysterious things.
One of the biggest perks of fantasy writing is unlike realistic fiction, there needs to be no logical sequence for how things happen. You can finally use magic as a reasonable and acceptable explanation for everything.
Like all of our writing prompts , these fantasy fiction prompts and plot ideas are varied on a number of different subjects that can fit into the fantasy genre. Many of these fiction writing prompts can be used for sub-genres of fantasy, such as paranormal romance, urban fantasy, magic realism and more.
Not a fan of the subject? Prefer to stick to medieval times? Any of these epic story ideas can be adapted easily simply by substituting the suggested character with your mythological creature of choice.
Don’t forget, if you like some aspects of a prompt you can always change it for your own needs and what interests you most. The possibilities are endless, and I know there is a book idea here waiting for you to write and publish it .
Even if you don’t have any intentions of writing a fantasy novel, there are many benefits of practicing creative writing with these fantasy writing prompts. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let your imagination run wild with one of these prompts – you never know where it may take you.
Fantasy Writing Prompts for Creative Fiction, Novels, Short Stories, Screenplays and More
These writing prompts are open to your own interpretation and imagination. Many are purposely open-ended to give you a lot of flexibility for the way they are used. Ready? Let the writing begin!
1. The Snow Dragon: You are in the mountain forest when you come face to face with the snow dragon: an adorable, furry, and surprisingly tiny creature who breathes fire.
2. Street Signs: After a young man is killed as an innocent bystander in the cross-fires of gang violence, you notice a mysterious symbol appear on the side of a building.
3. Lilies of the Valley: As the new housekeeper for a prominent wealthy family, one of your tasks is to water all of the house plants. You are watering the lilies in the entry way when one of the plants starts talking to warn you of a dark family secret.
4. The Coin Dealer: You are at a Coin Show when you meet a coin dealer who specializes in collecting mythical currencies.
5. The Fairies Next Door: Being new in town, you decided to introduce yourself to the neighbors. When you knock on the door, you are greeted by a small army of fairies who take you captive.
6. Water Vs. Dirt: There are two major groups of people who live on the planet. The water people, who use water for everything, and the dirt people, who use dirt for everything. Can they learn to co-exist peacefully, or will their entire world become mud?
7. Potions, Inc. : After centuries of a small occult family developing successful potions for love, fortune, and health, the oldest son decides to launch the family business of magic into the corporate world.
8. If Walls Could Talk: After moving to a new town, the Smith Family thinks they found the perfect home. That is, until the walls begin to talk and they learn the house is cursed.
9. Empire of Misfits: A secret society of misfits decides to take over the world, learning to use their greatest flaws as super powers to succeed.
10. The Invisible Castle: A group of friends decide to climb a tower near their home when they discover it leads to an invisible castle in the air that no one else knows exists.
11. Ghost Pirates: Legends claim a notorious pirate buried his treasure along the rocky shores of the cove. James and his girlfriend are at the beach one night when the ghost ship sails in.
12. Photographic Travel: You stare at the man in the photo and wonder what his life might have been like. Next thing you know, you and the person in the photograph have swapped places.
13. The Benevolent Beast: On the edge of town is a giant and fierce looking beast but is actually quite friendly. When strange occurrences start happening in the town, the beast is a prime suspect. Can you protect the beast and clear its name?
14. Gilbert The Giant Goldfish: Life in the koi pond only appears to be peaceful…
15. The Magic Key: After failing in his career and marriage, Will discovers a magic key that unlocks doors that open into a new world.
16. Island in the Clouds: The Great War left the people of her kingdom stranded on a tethered island in the clouds…
17. Dancing Fever : As the townspeople are overcome with a feverish desire to dance, it’s up to you to find the cause and cure.
18. Paranormal Detective : He has a knack for solving mysteries with the help of a ghost who gives him clues.
19. Darkness Made Daily: The factory you work at is frequently rated “Top 10 Places to Work” across the country. Workers have wonderful health benefits, generous salaries, and plenty of paid vacation time. When your co-worker at the assembly line mysteriously vanishes, it’s up to you to uncover the evil truth of what the factory is manufacturing and put a stop to it.
20. The Arctic Mermaid: Living deep in the icy waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean are the arctic mermaids, who rescue a child being held captive on a ship.
21. Ring of Storms : “It’s just one those silly mood rings…” or is it?
22. No Words: Mike makes a promise to a mysterious vagrant on the street that leaves his wife speechless.
23. The Psychic Hospital : After being involuntarily committed into the psych ward for being delusional, a patient must somehow convince the doctors all she experiences is real. She is not crazy – and neither are the other patients.
24. Forever Beautiful : You are a cosmetologist at a local gossip-filled beauty salon when you accidentally stumble across a map that outlines the path to the legendary fountain of youth.
25. Out of Paradise: You just got kicked out of heaven. Now what?
26. The Crossing Guards: The crossing guards at a busy intersection of the city do more than just help the living humans walk across the street.
27. Second Chance at Life: At a hospital on one stormy night, the souls of two patients agree to swap places when it becomes obvious neither one will ever be able to return to the life they once knew.
28. The Cowboy and The Witch : He is an outlaw from the wild, wild west and she’s a witch from the Old Country.
29. The False Light Gods: A group of evil entities attempt to trick people into believing they are the good guys by disguising themselves as saints, angels, gods, and goddesses.
30. Utopian Anarchist Society : Tired of the kingdom’s latest . It’s time to do something about it and so you begin your plans for creating the perfect utopian anarchist society.
31. Spirit Radio: After a few too many songs come on the radio at random coincidence, you realize you have a gift to communicate with spirits through music.
32. Flying Cupcakes: A little girl is visiting a busy bakery with her nanny when she enters the enchanted kitchen and is whisked away into the land of cupcakes.
33. Cosmic Address: You discover there’s a reason the address of your childhood home is 382 Orion Way.
34. The Perfect People: On the outside, they appear to be perfect. Of course, things are never as they actually appear…
35. Soul Fragments: When something tragic happens, it’s often said we lose a piece of ourselves. Your task is to travel through different lifetimes to find these lost parts of self to be whole again.
36. The VooDoo Queen: The fraudulent fortune teller makes her living by conning the local superstitious government officials. When they start to become suspicious, she decides to make a run for it through the bayou where she encounters the ghost of the real VooDoo Queen.
37. Ghost Train : Every night, you are awakened by the sound of a train, but the railroad closed down years ago.
38. Trash to Treasure: While exploring an abandoned trash dump location off the coast, a young boy discovers an ancient sword.
39. Planet of Sorrows : It is a place of suffering, brokenness and despair.
40. Reading the Heavens : Each person has a designated star in the sky above. When the stars align, they will be lifted to go home to their true planet.
41. Miners Cove: After a mining village is swallowed by a sinkhole, all traces on the surface disappear, but the civilization continues on in secret for centuries. When modern day explorers come to claim and develop the land, the underground colony must do what they can to protect themselves and their secret world.
42. The Mirror, Cup, and Candle : Legend has it, if you stand in front of a mirror holding a cup and a candle you can jump between dimensions.
Need Some Help Writing? You May Also Like:
- How to Write a Novel in 4 Steps
- How to Outline a Novel
- How to Write Over 2,500+ Words a Day
- List Character Development Questions
Looking for even more writing prompts? Don’t forget to check these out:
- 365 Creative Writing Prompts ,
- 101 Poetry Prompts
- 300 Kids Writing Prompts
I hope these fantasy writing prompts helped spark your imagination. Whether you are looking for a different and unique style of creative writing exercises or are looking for the elusive perfect novel idea, this list will hopefully get your creativity flowing. And don’t forget – National Novel Writing Month is November!
Do you have any other ideas for fantasy writing prompts not included here? Share your fantasy story writing prompts or plot ideas in the comments section below – you never know who you might inspire to get writing.
And as always if you do write anything using these prompts, we would love to know about it! Tell us where we can find your stories in the comments below, link to this list from your own blog, or use the hashtag #thinkwritten on social media.
Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.
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80 comments.
I plan on writing about one of these ideas for one week every night, thank you for sharing these ideas!
You’re welcome! I’m glad it inspires you to write!
Keep writing! My life depends on it!
I’m not really what you would call a writer. But I plan on becoming an author one day, and I believe these ideas will help me along that path. Thank you so much.
That`s actually a good idea.
Thank you for these awesome ideas. They make me feel so enthusiastic.
Glad you enjoyed them!
Wow thanks now I can begin my own series and add more to the story
I have an Idea for a prompt… A girl named Summer is born on The Summer Solstice of 2003, the date that a hero from a prophecy is supposed to be born. When Summer turns 16, Mordred, King Arthur’s supposedly dead nephew, rises, and attempts to take over the world, Summer must team up with Iclyn, A girl born on the winter solstice, with winter powers (summer had summery powers) Lily, a girl with powers born on the spring equinox, and Autumn, a girl with powers born on the fall equinox. The girls train to be knights to defeat the mighty Mordred, before the alignment of the planets, when he will become too powerful to fight.
This one is really good for a fantasy novel
That’s sounds like an awesome story and i would love to read it when its finished😊
I would love to use this prompt of yours! It’s really inspiring.
Wow that’s so awesome ur idea is so cool, keep on writing ur gonna be really great author at this rate👏🔥💯👍
I really like that story and if you just finished it and published it,i think that story would go viral!
That sound awesome!
This idea is amazing! You’re a great author and this will make a super cool fantasy book! (like you said, Shreya)
These Ideas are gold! I plan to use a few of them! You are awesome.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them!
“Cliche” medieval settings? Ouch. 😔
I’ve been using these for my weekly 200’s at school and they’re really awesome!
I have written 7 books so far but, and yes, it’s a big BUT, none have managed to catch a big publishers eyes or be the word out there for it to reach the masses. Looking for a big publisher for my 8th manuscript. Shaida mehrban
Hi Shaida, have you considered working with an agent? Sometimes they can help you find a publisher and may be able to give you some feedback on what might make your books marketable. Hope that helps and hopefully you will be able to publish one of your books soon!
I think that some of these are very good, such as the patients that are thought of as crazy story, and the candle in front of the mirror, but others are a bit childish.
I’m glad you were able to find a couple that intrigued you!
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” – Madeleine L’Engle
HI, I have a question? Can I get permission to use the ideas in my stories!
Hi Monica, you are welcome to use any of these ideas in your stories. If you publish anything online, we would love it if you could cite our website as inspiration and share this page so it can help inspire others! Thank you for asking and let us know if you write something, we’d love to check it out. 🙂
Hi just to double-check!!! I can have permission to use your story ideas If I later decide to publish books! And become an Author and get pay, IF I could get permission!!!
Ten years after being abandoned to the care of her alcoholic father, the eldest of a pair of identical twin sisters tries to track down her estranged mom. The problem is: the only person who has a clue to her whereabouts is a young boy she hasn’t seen in nearly twelve years. But, he’s not really a boy. He’s a centuries-old fairy who appears mostly human. Except for the fifteen feet raven wings sprouting from his back. What really happened on the night the girl’s mother disappeared, and why does it feel like she isn’t being told the entire truth about her.
Thanks for sharing your plot idea H.R.!
Novel ideas to rejuvenate our creativity
I have so many story ideas and I did wrote some out but threw them away (oops) I did write a story but lost interest in it cause so much stuff was happening and now, I’m trying to focus on 1 but don’t know where to begin or how to write it :< I really like fantasy and your ideas are cool ^^
Glad they inspired you!
Story Idea you meet Jesus Christ in person no one believes that’s him !! what would you do?
I need help writing a plot for my stories about mermaids and fairy in a school setting???/
Story Idea a beautiful women uses her charm and beauty to get out of poverty and uses people to get what she wants because she thinks she deserves the best, in the end everything comes back to her. Story Idea Two sisters exasperated a birth one rich one poor meet again and switched lives one goes to replaces the others life and lives a lavish lifestyles the bad sister while the other takes care of the other family the good sister!
this is a nice idea and i would really like to see what u have got.
I was thinking about an idea for a novel and I was wondering if you had any thoughts on it.
Eren Hawkings wakes up from a coma after a dangerous car crash. During his Coma, he has strange visions that show to him the future of the world. And Eren’s entire life layed out before his eyes. During these he finds out that he will find true love. However, his love will die at a very early age to a rare virus. He will not pass through college, becoming a victim of a school shooting. His friends leave him to survive on his own in the world. How will he handle these visions, and will he be able to stop these visions from becoming reality.
(I’m only 13 and still learning the steps to becoming an author)
There’s really no such thing as a bad idea for a book – it’s all in how the story is told and how it develops. I was 14 when I wrote my first novel – it’s simultaneously the worst and best thing I’ve ever written. The worst because I was a beginner and its badly written. The plot is a disaster, the characters are cliche, the grammar is painful.
And yet, it’s still one of the best things I’ve ever written. Writing something badly is what helped me become a good writer. {And writing things badly is actually the entire premise of the book I’m currently publishing!}
The best way to learn is by doing. Start writing! You can always edit/revise/write a different story later.
Story idea: There are four ancient tribes in a feud. Little do they know, a darker force than them all intends to get rid of them. Four girls from each tribe, intend to find out why the feud started in the first for the sake of saving there tribes.
It is somewhat like Hunger Games
Good ideas, guys!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great Ideas, thinkwritten! They’re really inspiring!
i am doing a fantasy book for kids for school and i need ideas
Hi I just want to repost my idea. A girl wakes up and she has no idea where she is. Soon, she realizes that she is trapped in a laboratory/maze inhabited by a crazy alchemist or somewhat. The reason she’s captured is because in her past life, she had a terrible secret that he needs to know. But she refuses to tell him the secret after she communicates with the ghost of her past life. eventually, she escapes and defeats him and saves her past life and her present one. Except, she is unaware that since she doesn’t tell him the secret, there is a terrible cost about to destroy her utterly.
I kinda changed it.
I love that idea. Thank you!!
I’m planning a DnD campaign with a general, really loose idea, using these to fill in some gaps and make it more interesting.
Heyo! This was very useful, thanks yours so much 🙂
I’ve been trying to write a really good story for a while but I’m stuck. Can you give me any ideas including the following? Thanks in advance. (I will be checking my email every day for your reply 🙂
Fantasy Elements Jars Mystical Creatures
Hi. I have an ideas but I get writer’s block. I can’t write properly. My idea to develop is the Ghost Train or The Snow Dragon 🙂 can you please help me write a story and help get rid of my writer’s block 🙂
thanks a lot i’m behind lots of essays and you saved my life thanks a lot I will come here if i need any more ideas. – See you later
Story Idea: Nora Redford has grown up without a mother. When one magical Christmas Eve she is given a wish, she asks to see her mother. Nora is given a map to the Island of The Dead and she goes on an adventure through different worlds to find her mother.
This would be a good book
if anyone publish stories on these concepts will u remove that particular concept???
Possibly, maybe. Depends if you follow my original open source licencing model.
Oooh I really like it!Is it okay if I use it?
Every time i go over to our grandmas my cousins and i all play these games based on fantasy and Mid evil. Lately we have run out of ideas, so i am for sure book marking this also my parents tell me to write so this will make it a lot more fun!
Here’s my idea:
In Northern England, a gang of teenage girls discover a magical jewel that belonged to the Romans. The Romans used that Jewel to put a curse on their newly conquered land, a curse that would turn all teenage girls there into boys. When the Romans left Britain, the curse was revoked and they destroyed any evidence: expect for that one jewel. They buried it and made a sign reading “Non tangere” (do not touch) next to it. the teenage girls ,manged to get it and horribly pronounced the magic Latin spell next to it, awaking the curse.
This has been really helpful. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much!!! My english teacher assigned me a homework of writing a novel in a month.. These plot ideas are so cool and helpful!! By the way, isn’t the ‘soul fragment ” plot similar to Voldemort’s in the Harry Potter series? And, I have another problem..I just can’t think of a really rare female character name. Could someone please suggest me some names?
Perhaps, Rivera, Eve, or even Coral?
Well, one more thing that people could write at the end of the story is that it was all a dream!
Hi, there! I want to write a story of the Nutcracker but I am stuck tight! I’ve written several attempts on the story but every time, I bump into a wall. Something’s just not coming out the right way. Need some help here!
Hi Mary Ann, did you create an outline? That can help you identify a roadmap for the story so that when you hit a wall you know which direction to go. Keep trying, I know you can do it!
Very well-written! Thanks for sharing this great article Chelle.. Writing Fantasy Fiction doesn’t have to be daunting and difficult. Thank you!
Dren kind of works; I’ve used it for a character who’s transfluid, but I don’t know what you’re swinging for :P.
There’s also Feven, which looks weird but it’s pronouned like Raven but with an F, so it’s pronouned Fay-ven, or Fae-ven. The spelling is also changeable, since it’s your character! Do what fits.
Farah, which I just think is pretty. :>
Nimah, which I also find pretty. (I find a lot of things pretty XD)
Leyra, which is also changeable, Laerah, Leira, do what you feel is right.
Kioni, (pronounced key-o’-knee; funny spelling huh?) I had a friend named Kioni, and I just thought the name was pretty unique.
Soriah; (pronounced as it is, so-rye-ah, and the spelling can be changed!) my older sister was going to be named this, but at the last minute she was called Christa instead. (Christa is just a variation of Krista, as my name, Jayda, is a variation of Jada.)
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use my middle name, Zaharra. Or Zara if you want it shorter.
That’s all from me! Hope I could help!
So uhh this is my short story that I made for the first one. The Snow Dragon. It’s kind of long so if you don’t want to read it then it’s fine but I saw other people doing this so I thought why not? I trek up the mountain, putting one foot in front of the other, determined to finally get to the top this time, while the sky falls in tiny crystal balls around me. Soon the snow starts plummeting down in sheets, blocking my path and covering everything, the trees, the grass, and the ground in a sheet of white. Trying to escape the gloomy weather, I look for a cave. I remember finding it the last time I was exploring the woods and mountains near my house. The truth is, I live in the middle of nowhere and it gets quite lonely when you are the only person your age around. It’s just my mother and father, who are faithful farmers. My father goes to the village nearest here every other week in our only carriage to trade food for clothes and other necessities. If I remember correctly, the cave is somewhere around the clearing a few meters ahead. After searching more thoroughly, I find it carved inside the edge of a hill covered by the shade of trees and bushes. The gentle snow seems to have turned into a storm in the last few minutes. I step inside and take off my scarf that was covering my face and finally breathe freely. I rub my hands together to create some heat. After I have made myself comfortable, I finally take in my surroundings. The cave is dark and covered with jagged rocks everywhere I look. Every nook and cranny is sharp and the shadows dance in the changing weather, taunting me to come to them. There are a few insects scuttling around on the floors. I see a spider web on the rocks. A flea is stuck on it. I walk in deeper, ready to investigate the strange cave further. As I trudge along, I see something that makes me freeze. Something big and alive. There is some sort of creature in the furthest corners of the cave. And it seems to be sleeping. As I walk closer to it, I make sure to keep my footsteps light. Now I am standing right on top of it. I think that it is an animal. It’s skin is white, it’s head is tucked into itself and it is curled into a ball. Definitely sleeping. The creature’s white tail is flipping back and forth as if it is having a pleasant dream. No, wait, that’s not skin. That’s scales. The entire animal is covered in scales. Strange. I have never seen something like this before. Only small animals like snakes and reptiles have scales. I reach my hand down to touch it, now only centimeters away. The tip of my finger brushes what I’m assuming is the head. The tiny creature whips it’s head around and a growl arouses from its throat. I stumble back in surprise and fall back on my behind. The animal stands up on all fours and shakes its head, letting out a small blast of fire in the process. You see, the white scaled creature isn’t an animal at all. It’s a dragon.
These are the best writing prompts I have ever seen! I love this site and your writing! Thank You! #Never Stop Writing!
Hi, I am having trouble with writing a book. I have writer’s block and I need ideas for a story about people from a different planet looking for people with the same birthstone to tell their secrets but I have no clue where to start. I been wanting to write stories but I am 14 and have no clue where to start.
I meant people from a different planet going to Earth in a disguise looking for a person that believes in fantasy place. Then the people from the different planets will reveal their true identity only to them if they tell any one the people from the different planet fade in color and turn gray. I need names for these creatures and a way how to do it. I don’t know if I want to do a comic book, chapter book,or picture book.
I need help writing this story. I would be happy if help me with a story starter for this story.
I need title ideas. Something fantasy-wise. Thanks -Book Worm
I´m writing something with the four basic elements and how these four teenagers have powers. So far, I have Flare, Aura, Wade, and Sten. Flare has fire, Wade has water, Aura has air, and Sten has earth abilities. They live in different realms. I would like to hear your ideas.(If you guys have any)
These are amazing ideas can i use one
Of course, that is why they are here!
They are great.
what a good idea i love the second one
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50 Compelling Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas for an Epic Story
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For the creative writer with a strong imagination, writing fantasy stories is a great joy. It allows us to stretch the realm of what is possible and create worlds completely unlike our own, for better or for worse. If you or your writing students need help getting started with your fantasy story, here are 50 exciting fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas to get you started.
If you’re looking for a fantasy plot idea for your fantasy novel or short story, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve pulled together 50 of our best fantasy story ideas for you in this post so you can get started right away writing your new story.
The fantasy genre is an exciting one for both readers and writers, as it opens new doors that we may be unable to open with other genres of fiction. From superheroes to wizards, witches to dragons, fairies to queens, fantasy worlds are filled with memorable characters who take amazing–and often devastating–actions.
But it’s not just the characters who make these stories come alive. The settings are just as vivid, often taking on a role just as important as those of the characters. Whether the story is set in an entirely fictional world or the writer has written magical elements into life on earth, readers love getting lost in a place that is different from anything they’ve ever known.
Once you’ve looked through the following list of fiction writing prompts for fantasy stories, you may also want to check out these other resources we offer:
- Plan out your story using our Story Planner
- Check out this Writing Prompt Generator for both fiction and non-fiction writing prompts
- Find more Creative Writing Prompts here
Types of Fantasy
If you’re a long-time fantasy fan, you are probably familiar with the various sub-genres that exist, but for those who are new to the worlds of mythical creatures and magical beings, here is a quick rundown of a few of the more common fantasy styles. The number of subgenres varies widely depending on who you ask, and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, merely an overview.
The nice thing about fantasy prompts is that you can take them in any direction you want. For example, you could combine elements of a fairy tale with dark fantasy writing prompts to produce a dark twist on a formerly cheery tale. Or you can take an epic fantasy writing prompt and cross it with a medieval story prompt and create a magical world filled with castles, nights, and battles. The only thing limiting you is your imagination.
Dark or Grimdark Fantasy
- Written in a foreboding tone
- Frightening and disturbing themes
- Elements of horror that evoke a feeling of dread
- Usually set in supernatural worlds with a gloomy atmosphere
Epic or High Fantasy
- Settings are vast (or epic)
- Tons of characters
- Set in new worlds
- Massive event or quest (the fate of the entire world is usually at stake)
- Typically centers on one main character
- Often written as a series
Fables, Fairy Tales, and Folklore
- Relies heavily on motifs and plots from folklore
- New spins on timeless tales
- Often feature morals and lessons, which may be a reversal of those taught in the original tales
Historical Fantasy
- Set in a real historical time period, usually before the 20th century
- Factual events blended with supernatural elements
- May be set in the real world or in a fictional world
Low Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy
- Set in the real world or something like it
- Magical elements occur in an otherwise-normal world
- Supernatural characters dealing with everyday life
- Urban fantasy takes place in a predominantly urban—not rural—setting
- Contemporary fantasy is set in the present day (or the time in which it was written)
Magical Realism
- Touches of magic are incorporated into the real world
- Blurs the lines between fantasy and reality
Medieval Fantasy
- A subgenre of historical fantasy
- Set in the Middle Ages
- Includes elements of medieval European culture such as castles and knights
- Also includes fantasy elements such as dragons, sorcerers with superpowers, and mythical beings
- Includes the subset, Arthurian fantasy, which brings in references to the knights of the round table
Paranormal Fantasy
- Set in the modern world
- Mythical creatures such as vampires, werewolves
- Can overlap with urban fantasy
- Includes the paranormal romance sub-genre, which usually has a love story between a human and a mythical being
Science Fantasy
- Presents fantasy elements as hard science, even though the science is not real
Superhero Fantasy
- Follows heroes with supernatural powers and the villains they oppose
- There’s often a scientific explanation for the superpowers
Sword and Sorcery
- Heroes with swords on big adventures
- Character-driven, focuses on personal matters
- Usually in a secondary world
Now that you probably have a clear idea of the type of fantasy story you’d like to write, let’s jump into the writing prompts.
50 Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas
- One day in the marketplace, you meet a scatterbrained magician who can’t seem to keep his thoughts straight, but then out of nowhere, he solves a marketplace crime. You try to distance yourself from him, but he convinces you to become his partner.
- What if you had x-ray vision?
- Write a story about a dryad (a tree nymph) who adopts a human child she finds in the woods and with whom she must work together to save her forest from deforestation.
- Write a story about a wizard who finds a potion that brings his best friend back to life.
- Write a story where someone has invented shoes that enable people to fly, but the shoes are extraordinarily expensive.
- Write a story about a yeti whose village is melting.
- Write a story about two kingdoms in a fantasy world who are at war with each other over a scarce resource (like water or fuel, or something completely unknown in our world).
- You’re visiting some relatives when your three-year-old cousin floods the bathroom. You try to dry it up but the water level keeps rising. You and the kids jump into the bathtub just as it begins its transformation into a beautiful boat.
- Imagine that a child discovered they could time travel using old coins–whatever year and country the coin was minted in, that’s where they can travel to. Write about their adventures.
- Your great-great-aunt, whom you met only once when you were still too young to form memories, has died and left you her ancient typewriter. You’re planning to use it as a doorstop, but after having it for one night, you realize it types out beautiful masterpieces while you are sleeping.
- Write about a regular child who realizes they have magical powers, which they must immediately put into use to protect a community of people who are in imminent danger.
- What if you received a special watch as a gift and it kept talking to you?
- Write a story about King Arthur who time travels to the present day and tries to take on the British royal family.
- What if unicorns existed and lived on an isolated island but were now considering an attempt at world domination?
- You open the mailbox one day and find a strange letter addressed to you. The time has come to fulfill your destiny, it reads. The world is counting on you. Come quickly, and bring your secret sketchbook.
- Write about a priest who takes in a child abandoned on his doorstep, only to learn sometime later that the baby was not fully human.
- Sleep and pray. Get me out of here. The door creaks open and a withered hand tosses in a gray wool blanket. “Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.” The soft voice filters into the cell and wraps itself around me like a warm hug. And just like that, I know what I have to do.
- You discover a book in your parents’ bedroom that describes everything you’ve ever said and done. But the book is a hundred years old, and you’re just twelve. Or so you thought.
- What if you suddenly realized that your life story mirrored the plot of a Shakespearean play?
- Write a story where there are two earths, 100 miles apart only one is inhabited by people and the other is inhabited by dragons.
- You wake up to find your room mysteriously clean and a paper bag sitting on your desk. You open it up and an angry-looking brownie jumps out. “It’s about time!” he yells. “My brother locked me in there hours ago. We’ve got to find him!”
- You find an ancient text etched into a wall in your basement. Translating it, you realize it’s an escape plan. Just as you’re muttering to yourself about how much time you’ve wasted, the door to the basement slams shut and the stairs melt away.
- It’s all over the news. Random events are taking place. What if someone discovers that they’re my dreams coming true, literally? What will they do to me? I have to find…
- What if your mother told you you had to go to Peru and fight a monster you’d thought was a legend?
- What if you created a magical potion that caused everything it touched to grow exponentially?
- Write about a girl who lives in pre-industrial times who finds a twenty-first-century smartphone that has all its modern capabilities, including those provided by WiFi, which of course, nobody in her time knows anything about.
- Write a story about a man-eating dragon who falls in love with a human and goes on a quest to become human too.
- Write about a team of young wizards who communicate with each other through telekinesis, and who must find a way to stop the evil villain–one of their professors–from infiltrating their thoughts and stealing secret spells for his/her own purposes.
- What if your best friend got trapped inside a book?
- What if you were canoeing in an inlet when a pod of whales came up underneath your boat and lifted you out of the water, at which point your boat took to the air?
- Write about a group of people who find flying carpets and decide to race them.
- What if you traveled back in time to ancient Egypt and discovered that their world was even more modernized than ours and included more advanced technology but that they’d destroyed all evidence of these advances in an effort to protect future generations from making the same devastating decisions that they had?
- Jack glanced around furtively, making sure no one could see him. Then he ducked down the alley. He had taken no more than two steps when he was pulled into a nearly invisible hole in the wall. He was met with rancid breath and a hairy hand around his throat. “Where is it?” said the young man. “Where is my…?”
- Write a story about someone who discovers a secret castle from the Middle Ages and learns that a whole other world exists inside it.
- Write about a guitar that plays itself and accidentally makes an accountant into a popular musician.
- What if you were babysitting a kid who went to the kitchen to get a snack and came back as a gnome?
- What if you were a jester in a medieval castle and you had to keep the king entertained all the time?
- You’re sitting on a bench outside the library when a dog approaches you with no leash on. He climbs up on the bench, looks you right in the eyes, and says, “I heard you have the spell for turning dogs into people. Help me, please!”
- An enchantress creeps into a room unseen, her cloak of invisibility her only protection. She just needs to get the book and get out of there. She shutters as she hears a loud rip. Her cloak is caught on the door!
- I walked through the market timidly, unsure of what I was looking for, but certain I would find it here. A flash of light flickered almost imperceptibly to my right, and instinctively I turned toward the stall that I’d just passed, but it was gone. In its place…
- What if every character you wrote automatically came to life and a foreign government was after you to create spies for them?
- You’re sitting by a pond. You lean over to touch the water and realize you have no reflection. It’s disappeared. It turns out you’ve accidentally become invisible.
- You and your friend happen upon a mysterious underground society that is trying to bring dragons back to the world. But dragons never existed. Did they?
- What if you discovered that certain garments could be unraveled and the threads woven into gold?
- Your aunt shows up at your house unannounced and declares she is taking you on yet another quest. “Grab your bike, your bearded dragon, and your book of incantations. The rest of the club members are waiting.”
- After your grandmother passes away, you learn that the baby blanket she knitted for you when you were born has secrets from the past woven into it. When it begins whispering stories to you at night, you realize there’s a family mystery you need to solve.
- Write a story about a centuries-long war that’s stopped by a couple of rebels riding on highland cows.
- Write a story about a teacher who can read the thoughts of their students, but can’t tell anybody their secret.
- The pirate bound my hands and stuffed a gag into my mouth. I kicked him in the shins. “Ow!” he said, glaring at me as he pulled the rope tighter. “Now, tell us where the gold is, or I’ll…”
- A disease is spreading through your town, but it’s not passed on in the usual ways. It is only transferred from one person to another when an infected person teaches someone something.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas. I can’t wait to hear about the short stories and novels you come up with. Leave a comment below to tell us what fantasy fiction writing prompts you’re using and what you’re working on.
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71 Fantastical Fantasy Story Ideas to Inspire Your Writing
By: Author Paul Jenkins
Posted on August 29, 2022
Categories Writing , Creativity , Filmmaking , Inspiration , Storytelling
Do you love writing fantasy stories? Are you looking for some inspiration for your next creative writing project? If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will discuss 71 fantastical story ideas that will get your creative juices flowing. Whether you’re looking to write a fantasy novel or screenplay or just develop some new ideas for your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, these story prompts will help get you started. So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming today!
71 Fantasy Story Ideas
When writing a fantasy story, there are endless possibilities to consider. Whether you’re looking to write about a group of adventurers who go on a quest to save the world or a young girl who discovers her magical powers and must stop an evil wizard from taking over the kingdom, the sky is the limit.
If you’re stuck for ideas, here are 71 fantastical writing prompts that will get your creative juices flowing:
- A young girl discovers that she has magical powers and must use them to stop a dark wizard from conquering the kingdom.
- A group of friends finds themselves transported to a world of magic and adventure, where they must save the kingdom from destruction.
- A group of rebels fights against an evil empire that has enslaved their people.
- A young boy must find the courage to save his family from a dragon that has been terrorizing their village.
- A group of adventurers travels to a remote island searching for treasure, only to find themselves fighting for their lives against monstrous creatures.
- An epic battle between good and evil occurs in a world of floating castles and magical creatures.
- A princess must journey to a faraway land to rescue her kidnapped brother from a tyrannical sorcerer.
- A group of mercenaries is hired to protect a kingdom from an impending invasion by an army of monsters.
- A wizard must embark on a quest to find three magical objects that have been stolen from the kingdom’s archives.
- A small village is threatened by an evil force sucking the life out of the land, leaving it barren and desolate.
- A young girl discovers that she has the power to heal others with her touch.
- A group of friends finds a mysterious box that grants them magical powers.
- A kingdom is threatened by a powerful dark wizard who can control the people’s minds.
- A group of friends stumbles upon a hidden world full of magical creatures and monsters.
- A young man discovers that he is the descendant of a powerful dragon slayer.
- A group of kids must stop an evil sorcerer from taking over their town.
- A girl discovers she is a fairy princess kidnapped by humans years ago.
- A group of friends discovers a secret passage that leads to a lost city filled with treasure and adventure.
- A boy must stop an evil warlock from taking over his kingdom and enslaving the people.
- A group of kids finds a magical ring that turns them into superheroes
- A young farm girl discovers that she has the power to heal others with her touch.
- A group of adventurers stumbles upon a lost city made entirely of gold.
- A wizard creates a potion that turns everyone in the kingdom into animals.
- A princess is forced to marry a dragon to save her kingdom.
- A group of children finds a secret passage that leads to a magical world hidden inside the Earth.
- A young girl discovers that she is a fairy and must protect the magical creatures of her world from humans who want to destroy them.
- An evil sorcerer steals the magic from all the sorcerers in the kingdom, leaving them powerless.
- A group of friends discovers that they are magical creatures who have been transformed into humans by a curse.
- A group of people is transported to a world where they must compete in deadly gladiator games to survive.
- A young girl is chosen to be the new queen of her kingdom, but she must first pass a series of tests to prove her worthiness.
- A young farmer discovers that he has the power to heal others with his touch.
- A group of adventurers finds a magical sword that grants them superhuman strength.
- A wizard travels back in time and meets her younger self.
- A young girl discovers that she can transform into a dragon.
- A group of thieves stumbles upon a treasure map leading to a hidden city of gold.
- A princess is kidnapped and held for ransom by a band of pirates.
- A group of mercenaries is hired to protect a shipment of magical crystals.
- A kingdom is beset by a curse that turns its citizens into animals.
- A wizard must enter into a deadly Competition to win back his freedom.
- A group of kids finds themselves trapped in a haunted amusement park overnight.
- A young girl discovers she has the power to heal others with her touch.
- A group of friends must journey into a dark forest to rescue their kidnapped loved ones.
- A wizard must find a way to stop an evil sorcerer from taking over the kingdom.
- A band of rebels fights against an oppressive dictatorship.
- A group of strangers is drawn together to protect a mystical object from falling into the wrong hands.
- A young man discovers he is the heir to a powerful throne but must first overcome many obstacles to claim it.
- A team of scientists works to perfect a serum that will grant immortality.
- Adventurers travel to a mysterious island, searching for hidden treasure.
- A group of people is suddenly transported to a world where magic is commonplace.
- An elf must find a way to free her people from enslavement by the humans who have conquered their land.
- A group of adventurers finds a treasure map that leads them to a hidden city of gold.
- A musician discovers she has the power to control the minds of others with her music.
- A wizard goes on a quest to find the six magical items that will unlock the power of the elements.
- A group of friends must prevent an ancient evil from rising from the dead and taking over the world.
- A group of strangers is drawn together by fate to save a kingdom from a dark curse.
- A group of refugees fleeing a war-torn country find themselves in a strange and magical land.
- A young girl is chosen to become the next Queen of Faerie and must protect her people from an evil sorcerer.
- An orphaned boy is taken in by a group of outlaws who teach him how to fight and steal to survive in the harsh world outside the law.
- A group of friends must unite to stop an ancient evil from awakening.
- A young girl discovers she has magical powers and must stop an evil wizard from taking over the kingdom.
- A group of strangers is drawn together by fate to save the world from destruction.
- A team of superheroes fights to keep the world safe from villains.
- A group of refugees must journey across a dangerous landscape to find safety.
- A band of outlaws searches for treasure to save their home from being destroyed.
- A group of unlikely heroes must work together to defeat a powerful enemy.
- A young wizard goes on a dangerous quest to find the answers he seeks.
- An elf must leave her home behind to save her people from certain destruction.
- A group of adventurers travels through time and space to battle ancient monsters bent on destroying the world as we know it.
- A group of people with special abilities band together to take down a corrupt government.
- A young girl discovers she has the power to transform into animals.
Classic Examples of Fantasy Stories
Fantasy stories are a genre of fiction that typically involve magical creatures, spells, and otherworldly settings. They can be set in any period or location and often feature a young protagonist who must learn to harness their powers and save the world from evil. Fantasy stories can be written for children or adults, ranging from light-hearted adventures to dark, complex epics.
Some of the most famous fantasy stories include J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings , C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia , George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
The Main Elements of a Typical Fantasy Story
A typical fantasy story usually follows a young protagonist thrust into a dangerous world full of strange creatures and magical powers. This person must then learn how to navigate this new world and complete various tasks and challenges to save the day. Along the way, they typically meet colorful allies and enemies, all of whom help to shape them into the hero they were always meant to be.
A typical fantasy story typically involves characters who are either “mundane” or “magical.” Mundane characters are just your average, everyday people with no extraordinary abilities, while magical characters have powers that set them apart from the rest of the world.
In most cases, the story will follow the magical characters as they journey to find some sort of magical artifact or complete a quest that will save the world from destruction. Along the way, they will face many challenges and obstacles, but with enough courage and determination, they will eventually succeed.
The story usually takes place in a fantastical setting, such as a medieval kingdom or a faraway land of dragons and wizards. The story’s goal is for the heroes to vanquish the evil enemy and restore peace to the land.
What Should Your Fantasy Story Be About?
If you’re looking to write a fantasy story, you first need to develop a premise or concept you want to explore. Are you interested in exploring the high stakes of war between kingdoms? Or perhaps you want to focus on the magical creatures that inhabit a fantastical world? Whatever your interest, focus on grounding your story in a strong, well-defined world.
One of the best ways to do this is by creating a detailed map of your world. This can help you come up with ideas for new locations, characters, and plot points. It can also help you visualize the world and its various inhabitants.
Once you have a good idea for your story, it’s time to start writing! Be sure to focus on creating believable characters and tense action scenes. And don’t forget the all-important element of magic! Make sure your magic system is well-defined and consistent and that it adds something unique to your story.
Above all, have fun with your story! Let your imagination run wild and explore all the possibilities your fantastical world offers.
How To Write a Fantasy Character
First and foremost, your character should be believable within the story’s context. They should also be interesting and likable so the reader will want to follow their journey.
One of the best ways to create a believable and compelling fantasy character is to start with a strong archetype. There are many different archetypes, so you should pick one that best fits your story and writing style. Some of the most popular archetypes include the rebel, the rebel without a cause, the lost soul, the orphan, and the outcast.
Once you’ve chosen an archetype, you need to give your character a backstory. This backstory will help define who they are and why they do what they do. It should also be consistent with the archetype you’ve chosen. For example, if your character is an orphan, their backstory should involve being abandoned or orphaned at a young age.
Your character’s physical appearance is also important. You should describe them in detail so that the reader can picture them in their mind. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, you can use online resources like Pinterest to get inspired.
Finally, you’ll need to develop a personality for your character. What makes them tick? What motivates them? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Again, ensuring that these aspects of their personality are consistent with the archetype you’ve chosen is important.
Once you’ve got all of this figured out, it’s time to start writing! Make sure to give your readers plenty of insight into your character’s thoughts and feelings so they can connect with them personally. The more invested they are in your character’s story, the more enjoyable the reading experience will be.
What Makes a Good Fantasy World
Many elements come into play, but some of the most important include:
- A rich history and mythology : A good fantasy world should have a rich history and mythology that helps readers understand the world they are reading about. This can include anything from legends and folklore to the backstory of the characters and creatures in your story.
- Vivid setting : The setting is one of the most important aspects of any story, especially fantasy stories. The world should be immersive and evocative, drawing readers into the story and immersing them in the experience.
- Interesting and diverse characters : One of the best things about fantasy worlds is that they offer a wide range of possibilities for character development. Characters can be anything from brave knights to cunning wizards, and it’s up to you to create an interesting and relatable cast.
- Exciting plot : For a fantasy story to work, it needs an exciting plot that will keep readers hooked until the end. This could include anything from epic battles to daring rescues or even a quest to save the world from destruction.
Creating a good fantasy world is not easy, but it’s worth it if you want to write an amazing story. By focusing on these key elements, you can create a world in which your readers will love getting lost.
Why Fantasy Is So Popular
First and foremost, fantasy allows us to explore new worlds and experience different cultures without having to leave our homes. It’s a way to escape from the mundane realities of our everyday lives and enter into a magical realm where anything is possible.
It allows us to tap into our inner creativity and imagination. Without worrying about real-world consequences, we can become heroes, villains, mages, warriors, and more.
Fantasy is a genre that is ripe with possibilities. There are endless storylines and plot arcs that can be explored, which is why it continues to be one of the most popular genres in literature and entertainment.
Taking Fables and Myths in a Different Direction
Fables and myths are some of the oldest storytelling devices in the world. They can be used to explore timeless truths about humanity or to inspire new and exciting adventures. However, sometimes it can be fun to take these old stories in a new direction.
Here are 10 ideas for doing just that:
- What if the heroes of ancient myths were villains?
- What if the monsters in the fables were misunderstood creatures?
- What if a fable or myth’s ending completely differed from what we know?
- What if the characters in a fable or myth were based on real people?
- What if the events of a fable or myth happened in the present day?
- What if the setting of a fable or myth was changed to a different time or place?
- What if the characters in a fable or myth had modern-day problems and concerns?
- What if the interpretation of a fable or myth was changed?
- What if the story of a fable or myth was told from a different point of view?
- What if the events of a fable or myth were retold in a more contemporary style?
The Most Popular Type of Fantasy
Some popular types include adventure stories, epic fantasies, and supernatural horror stories.
- Adventure fantasy stories usually involve a group of heroes who quest to save the world from a great evil. These stories can be very exciting and action-packed, often including mystery and suspense.
- Epic fantasies are long, sweeping stories that follow the adventures of a hero or group of heroes as they journey across a vast landscape. These stories can often be quite complex, with many different characters and subplots. Epic fantasy is one of the most complex genres.
- Supernatural horror fantasies are based on the premise that the world is haunted by ghosts, witches, monsters, and other supernatural creatures. These stories often combine elements of horror and suspense with fantasy tropes such as magic and mythical creatures.
Other fantasy types include:
- Dark Fantasy
- Urban Fantasy
- Magical Realism
- Fairy Tales
- High Fantasy
- Modern Fantasy
Popular Fantasy Authors
- Terry Pratchett
- Brandon Sanderson
- JRR Tolkien
- Neil Gaiman
- George RR Martin
How Fantasy Differs From Science Fiction
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that typically features supernatural or magical elements. On the other hand, science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically features futuristic or imaginary concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life. In movies, Star Wars is a classic example.
Fantasy is generally more focused on worlds and characters than science or social commentary. In contrast, science fiction is more interested in exploring the implications of scientific ideas and technologies. Fantasy also tends to be more optimistic and idealistic than science fiction, which can often be dark and dystopian. Additionally, fantasy is often seen as more accessible and entertaining than science fiction, which can sometimes be dense and complex.
Ultimately, the distinction between fantasy and science fiction comes down to what each genre tries to achieve. Fantasy aims to create a world different from our own, while science fiction uses futuristic concepts to explore the world we live in today.
Elements of fantasy: Writing a more magical story
What makes a fantasy story? Our first instinct might be to answer ‘magic’ – spells, mythical beasts, potions. Yet fantasy contains multiple key elements. Read the following simple breakdown of elements of the fantasy genre and tips to write magical, fantastical tales:
- Post author By Jordan
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What makes a fantasy story? Our first instinct might be to answer ‘magic’ – spells, mythical beasts, potions. Yet fantasy contains multiple key elements. Read the following simple breakdown of elements of the fantasy genre and tips to write magical, fantastical tales:
What are the main elements of fantasy?
Fantasy is (according to The Oxford Dictionary ‘s definition ):
‘A genre of imaginative fiction involving magic and adventure, especially in a setting other than the real world.’
Many fantasy novels involve adventure as a key feature. Characters may discover portals to other worlds or discover hidden magic, wonder and surprise in our own world.
Novels from C.S. Lewis’s classic Chronicles of Narnia series to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series populate imaginary worlds with mythical beasts, power-seeking tyrants and more.
Characters adventure through worlds where the impossible is possible. Exploring the ‘impossible’ is another common element in fantasy. Magical wands may weave spells that defy the laws of physics as we know them.
Other times magic is spoken, chanted, or ripples through land and landscape.
Let’s explore individual elements of fantasy, with examples from books that suggest how to use each well:
5 elements of fantasy to consider:
- Struggle for mastery
- Subgenre and types
- Place/setting and worldbuilding
The word magic comes from the Greek magikos , from magos . This means ‘one of the members of the learned and priestly class’. This explains how magic, in fantasy, is often associated with learning, with complex books and rituals.
Magic has its roots in the idea of arcane knowledge the ordinary person cannot access. We can also trace the word back to the Old Persian magush , meaning ‘to be able, to have power’. Tweet This
Thus ideas of ‘learning’ and ‘power’ supplement its modern definition:
‘The power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.’ ( OED )
Magic in great books takes many forms. The apprentice wizards in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter duel with wands. In C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series, a witch casts a spell over the Kingdom of Narnia, plunging it into eternal winter. She also destroys a secondary world by speaking ‘the Deplorable Word’. This shows an important element of fantasy : Words have power. It ties back to the idea of priestly learning, of the idea that magic is a wonderful (yet potentially deadly) knowledge.
Practical ideas for using this element of fantasy
How do you use magic in a fantasy story ? Think about how your story could show the following:
- The cost of magic: Just like using a car requires the ‘magic’ of fuel combustion (or electrical/solar power), magic can’t come from nowhere . Often magic is something that can be depleted and must be replenished. Giving magic in your world finite supply explains why not all problems can be overcome using spells. It makes its power seem greater, due to its cost, too.
- The danger of magic: Fantasy novels are full of the dangers of magic. In Harry Potter , the prime villain uses a banned/forbidden killing spell that rebounds on himself. This also suggests the volatility in magic. The idea that ‘having power’ (in the Old Persian sense of the word) also comes with risk and danger.
- The wonder, delight or joy of magic: This is something J.K. Rowling captures so well in her series, earning her millions of loyal readers. Her books are filled with surprising uses of magic, from witches’ broomsticks re-imagined as sports equipment to all kinds of mythical beasts and plants. How can you create a sense in your reader that there is a new surprise, a mystery, around each corner?
Find fantasy writing prompts on the cost of magic, primary and secondary worlds and more with 200 and counting fantasy starters.
2. Adventure
Adventure in fantasy is common, from bands of travelling, questing heroes (like Frodo and friends in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings ) to girls who fall down magical rabbit holes ( Alice in Wonderland ).
Adventure in fantasy often features another meaning of magic:
‘A quality of being beautiful and delightful in a way that seems remote from daily life.’
Fantasy does indeed often take us to places that seem remote from daily life, full of new joys and discoveries (or dangers). In Frodo’s adventures, he finds both the dazzling land of the elves, Lothlorien, and the foul, stinking lands of Mordor where the story’s villain resides.
Adventure means ‘an unusual and exciting or daring experience’, as well as ‘excitement associated with danger or the taking of risks.’ [You can brainstorm a profile of an adventurer or other character in the ‘Character section of Now Novel.]
Fantasy is full of these elements. Characters take new risks, whether it be riding into battle to confront a mysterious, supernatural foe, or simply trying a magical delicacy in a fantastical sweet shop.
- Show the dangers of adventure: Fantasy is full of moments of tension and conflict that arise from characters venturing into the unknown. When your character falls down the metaphorical rabbit hole, what dangers and risks do they meet? Alice, in Alice in Wonderland , comes face to face with the Queen of Hearts, for example, who yells about chopping off people’s heads.
- Show the joys of adventure: Venturing far from your comfort zone is a great opportunity for personal growth, new friendships (and romances) . How do your characters’ adventures bring them closer to others?
- Show the gains and losses of change: Adventure in fantasy is full of states of change. In David Eddings’ Belgariad , the protagonist Garion grows from a child in Book I to a groom in the final novel, Enchanter’s End Game . In Tolkien’s famous fantasy cycle, characters return to The Shire to find industrialization threatening the old ways of life.
Develop your fantasy story
Work with a coach or editor who understands your genre and can help make your story shine.
3. Struggle for mastery
Themes of struggle and mastery are found in many forms throughout many fantasy novels. Part of this is due to fantasy’s origins in ideas of arcane, ‘special’, yet volatile and dangerous knowledge. The initiate often must learn to control the unpredictable surges of ‘wild’ magic, to trace or utter the ‘right’ thing to achieve the desired effect.
This process of struggle and mastery is often shown in character development. Sometimes characters use power irresponsibly. For example, a character tries to ruin a magical game of the airborne sport Quidditch in Rowling’s fantasy series. Struggle in fantasy fiction includes:
- Struggle for mastery of self: Understanding and using one’s own power effectively or wisely
- Conflict between those who use their own magical mastery for positive or destructive ends: We see this in classic ‘hero vs villain’ fantasy conflicts
Think about how you can use struggle to develop interesting character arcs and developments:
- Show characters’ unique abilities: How is this character’s abilities (or strengths in a particular subset of abilities, such as healing or raising the dead) useful? How do they need to develop?
- Show characters’ distinct limitations: Just as characters may excel in some areas, they might be woefully terrible in others. Neville Longbottom, in Rowling’s series, for example, is a hopeless student generally. Yet he has a natural knack for handling magical plants.
- Show the origins of struggles great and small: Rowling shows us her main villain’s youth over the the course of her series, where he went wrong. C.S. Lewis gives us a brief history of Jadis the White Witch’s misdeeds. In each case, we develop a sense of what motivates how characters choose to wield their magical power . Why does the tyrant crave world domination, and why does a hero agree to a task they know could prove fatal?
4. Subgenres and types
As with many other large genres of fiction, fantasy has many subgenres and types. You could describe Sir Terry Pratchett’s inventive Discworld series as ‘comic fantasy’ since rather than focusing on dangerous quests only it pokes fun at our world as well as well as genre tendencies. For example, the trope of lavish fantasy world-building. In Discworld, the world is a disc supported by four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle swimming through space.
Popular fantasy subgenres
- Epic fantasy: Typically explores plots and themes that are ‘epic’ and sweeping, such as conflicts between good and evil lasting ages
- Dark fantasy: Stories that incorporate horror elements, such as many of Stephen King’s books that blend the supernatural, the magical and the macarbre
- Contemporary fantasy: Stories set in our real world that involve magic or other supernatural elements ( Harry Potter has this blend of mundane aspects of contemporary life and the magical)
- Urban fantasy: Fantasy fiction where the urban, modern city is the typical setting, rather than a pastoral setting or medieval world of kings and horseback
These are just some of fantasy’s popular subgenres. Within each of these subgenres, magic and parallel worlds function in many different ways.
Different types of fantasy
There are also different ways the magical element of fantasy functions. In her book Rhetorics of Fantasy , Farah Mendelsohn defines four core types of fantasy, based on how the non-realistic element of the story appears:
- Portal fantasy: Like in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Alice in Wonderland , characters enter a fantastical world through a portal. In C.S. Lewis’ series, the portals are magical pools in a wood that lies between worlds, at first. Children are teleported to this world when they try on rings created by a main character’s uncle in The Magician’s Nephew.
- Immersive fantasy: The reader sees the magical world through the eyes of the protagonist, for whom the world is the only known world. In other words, there is not the note of discovery but rather, we discover through the character’s eyes a magical world that’s natural to them. Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series is an example.
- Intrusion fantasy: The fantastical or magical aspect intrudes on characters’ worlds, and we see how characters navigate this supernatural ‘breach’. These stories tend to describe the magical intrusion, rendering its strangeness to the reader. The tales of H.P. Lovecraft are an example.
- Liminal fantasy: This rarer form is where a fantastical element enters characters lives, yet they accept it as completely natural. For example, if a character were to turn into a rhinoceros (like in Eugene Ionesco’s play Rhinoceros , in which the inhabitants of a small town turn into rhinoceroses one by one except for one man).
Practical ideas for using subgenres and fantasy types
Subgenres and types of fantasy fiction can supply rich ideas. Read different subgenres and types and use your growing knowledge to:
- Subvert expectations: Readers may have particular expectations of a subgenre or fantasy story type. For example, that a portal is a magic transport between two worlds. What if a portal stops working? Or turns out to not be a portal at all, but a myth to explain a darker truth the rulers of a land want to conceal at all costs?
- Find inspiration: Read in many subgenres and across many types, even if you have favourites. The better you know the fantasy genre, the more you can draw on different elements of fantasy from each.
- Find subplots: Perhaps your story is a portal fantasy, involving travel between worlds. Could their also be an intrusion element? In Narnia, for example, in the first chronological book in the series, one of the main characters accidentally transports the tyrant Jadis back to Earth, to the ‘real’ world, when she clutches onto him as he goes through a portal.
A fifth key element of fantasy is ‘place’ or ‘setting’: The mythical, magical or miraculous landscape where the action takes place:
5. Place/Setting and worldbuilding
Because of its exploration of the otherworldly and the supernatural, place is a key aspect of many fantasy novels . Some places are created through magic. The lion Aslan sings the Kingdom of Narnia into being in C.S. Lewis’ lore. (A Christian mythology parallel to the Creation in the Bible.) By contrast, Jadis, the White Witch, destroys a whole world by speaking a powerful word.
In fantasy, we often strongly experience both characters’ effects on their world, and their worlds effects and influence on them.
Tolkien, in his fantasy cycle, gives each place its distinctive character. The land of the elves is full of majesty and a timeless sense of peace. The Shire, the home of the hobbits, is full of family histories, pranks and merriment (at the story’s start). It’s a typical example of intimate, community-based rural life. Mordor is full of volcanic, dark rocks and treacherous terrain.
In fantasy, world-building is an important process, particularly if you want to make your world believable to the reader . Rowling, for example, spares us no detail, from where Wizards buy their wands and do their banking, to how mail is delivered to magic students.
Yet each of these world details is also woven in so that it is relevant to whatever characters are experiencing at the time. Harry’s delivery owl Hedwig is a companion to him while adjusting to the strangeness and occasional loneliness of his new surrounds, for example.
How can you use place in your fantasy to make your story truly magical?
Practical ideas for using place in fantasy
To make place in your fantasy immersive:
- Add relevant detail: What fauna and flora are there in your world? What do characters have to do manually because magic can’t solve every problem? Think about the small details along with the big things.
- Give places different levels and sources of tension and intrigue: Authors like Rowling use place well because some places are full of discoveries waiting to be made (such as Hogwarts castle, the wizards’ school), while others are drab, mundane, yet intriguing by contrast to this world (such as Harry’s aunt and uncle’s home).
- Know the rules of place in your world: Understanding what characters can and can’t do in certain settings, where they may and may not go, helps to place some limits. For example, Rowling creates the Ministry of Magic that penalizes wizards for displays of magic around ordinary, non-magical people (called ‘muggles’).
There are many more elements of fantasy, yet the above gives a basic overview of common features. Think about power, learning, adventure, and conflict. Give place its own intriguing character. And remember to give your reader reasons to wish, wonder and marvel.
Need help writing a compelling fantasy story or series? Join Now Novel to brainstorm details . Get constructive feedback and work with a writing coach to stay motivated and progress.
I knew my writing wasn’t good enough to be traditionally published. I needed a mentor to help me reach the next level. I found Now Novel in a Google search and felt its coaching program was a good fit. I worked with Fiona for a year and now have a workable manuscript that I’m happy with. With Fiona’s honest feedback, my writing is at a new level. — Grayson
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- Tags elements of fantasy , fantasy writing
Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.
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BRYN DONOVAN
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50 Fantasy Writing Prompts and Fantasy Plot Ideas
I get a lot of questions about how to plot a fantasy novel, so I thought this list of fantasy story ideas would come in handy. It’s basically a fantasy plot generator in list form!
Most of these are epic fantasy writing prompts, but depending on how you handle them, some of them could be used for paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or dark fantasy story ideas as well. I imagined them as long story ideas, but you might find inspiration for a short story, too.
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A writer could take any of these fantasy writing prompts and master plots in countless different directions. After all, the Earthsea trilogy , Harry Potter , The Name of the Wind , and The Magicians are all about schools of magic, and they’re all imaginative and quite different from one another.
A few of these are rooted in history, fairy tales, or real-life occurrences. They could give you inspiration for a small detail in a novel or a whole story.
Be sure to pin or bookmark the list for future reference! And if you’re also interested in writing scifi, check out the companion list of 50 Plot Ideas and Writing Prompts for Science Fiction .
1. A counterfeiter’s coins or a forger’s fake works of art have magical properties.
2. A neglected god or goddess attempts to reclaim his or her former glory.
3. People are spontaneously combusting.
4. People are committing surprising acts in their sleep.
5. This might cure the current plague—if it can be found.
6. A smuggler, mercenary, or thief takes down or helps take down an oppressive ruler or regime.
7. An attempt to rescue a friend, family member, or lover will put a larger mission or cause in jeopardy.
8. A peasant girl, who may be good or evil, believes that a divine figure in a vision told her to lead an army to victory.
9. The ones who live in the bottom of the ocean come to the surface.
10. Someone can bring a person back to life by taking his or her place in the underworld.[spacer height=”20px”]
11. A musician can kill or resurrect people with his or her music.
12. A warrior defects to the other side in hopes of a speedier resolution.
13. Anything becomes true if enough people believe in it deeply enough.
14. A person has been turned into an object by magic.
15. To open the door, a person must use a key whittled out of one of his or her own bones.
16. A person doesn’t know why he or she has stopped aging.
17. After an archaeologist digs up a treasure, the original owner shows up to take it back.
18. Two allies or two factions of the same army are tricked into attacking one another.
19. Miners discover stone spheres with strange markings.
20. Soldiers take souvenirs from their fallen enemies, which proves to be their downfall.
21. A woman or a group of women plot an escape or revolt against a forced marriage or a whole system of forced marriage.
22, His magical powers don’t work when he’s drunk.[spacer height=”20px”]
23. Flowers from this garden are the most precious commodities in the realm…for a very good reason.[spacer height=”20px”]
24. For this race of beings, the sense of smell is more important than vision or hearing.[spacer height=”20px”]
25. The crops really do wither unless there’s a sacrifice.[spacer height=”20px”]
26. She made a noble sacrifice, and now, as a ghost, she resents it.[spacer height=”20px”]
27. They live on an island in the middle of a lava lake. It has advantages and disadvantages.[spacer height=”20px”]
28. The bite of a particular animal may kill you, or it may give you new powers.[spacer height=”20px”]
29. For this society, battle is a religious observance.
30. This is the most pitiful excuse for a castle in all the land.
31. This so-called magical sword has turned out to be a piece of junk.
32. A beautiful unmanned ship sails itself into the harbor.
33. The crowd of evil spirits flying into the village looks like a flock of birds.
34. So many birds or butterflies migrate across this land that for days, it darkens the skies.
35. The land has been cursed to permanent darkness, daytime, fog, wind, or lightning strikes.
36. The changeling thought she was human, but now she’s been returned to her own kind.
37. At this auction, people are bidding a lot more than money.
38. The queen’s twin sister was supposed to have been drowned at birth.
39. The artist gives people tattoos that determine their fates.
40. The muse inspires artists, writers, and musicians to great work, but when she leaves them, they become so despondent they sometimes die.
41. A worker learns that the tower they are building will serve a much different purpose than what they were all told.
42. Each person’s spirit is connected to a particular tree in the forest.
43. This supernatural horse race will decide their people’s fate.
44. He’s been hiding in the catacombs for years.
45. The archeologist finds a fossil of a creature assumed to be mythical.
46. Lightning strikes a person and leaves mysterious words or a map burned onto her or his skin.
47. A spirit possesses a human or animal body and is then unable to get out of it.
48. The river has a spirit of its own.
49. The king ran away and is living under an assumed name.
50. They fought long and hard to bring this new king to the throne, and it turns out he’s totally incompetent.
I hope you like the list! My list of mythical creatures and beings might also be a good fantasy plot generator.
And if you want more story ideas, please check out my book 5,000 Writing Prompts ! It has 100 more fantasy writing prompts in addition to the ones on this list, plus hundreds of other master plots by genre, dialogue and character prompts, and much more.
If you don’t want to miss future writing posts, make sure to subscribe to the blog — you can sign up below. Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
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60 thoughts on “ 50 fantasy writing prompts and fantasy plot ideas ”.
Thanks for sharing, Bryn! I’ll share a link to your list during my next Write it Wednesday — it’s already queued up.
Yay! Thank you so much!
#8. Now where have I heard that story before . . .
Hahaha! As a kid, I was fascinated by it. And as an adult, I think it’s such a weird story.
Great list! Thanks. I wish I had more time. I want to write a bunch of short stories now.
Go ahead. Take any few minutes you have. You don’t need whole hours set aside. Write on the train, in your coffee break, when the kids are having a nap, plot your story while walking the dog or at the gym. Write in longhand in a notebook if you’ve not got your computer with you. Just go ahead and do it. You’ll be surprised where you can find a few minutes.
I’m always wishing there were more time to write! Thanks, Earl! 🙂
I love this!
I just wrote a scene involving spontaneous human combustion the other day. Researching it was sure hair-raising and gruesome.
Oh man, this almost sent me down a googling rabbit hole! I’m resisting! I think it’s so fascinating, though!
This is great, Bryn. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne
great post – gave me some ideas thank you so much
There are some awesome prompts here! Thank you! I’ve been stuck in a rut for a while and a couple of these are sparking now. 🙂
Hi, Jenna! Yay, I’m so glad you liked it!
Hello ms. Author, I was looking for an idea for a trait and a plot for a story Ive re written 3 times, and then I saw 11. It was pretty similar to my story In a way that only in my story, the music creates a road of some sort and guide the character somehow, I had some ither ideas, but this ine seemed more interesting. So, I was wondering if maybe you can suggest a way that could be useful and just maybe, it sparks something in me.. thx:))
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This gave me a great way to start a story that’s been stuck without a beginning for too long
Great ideas, thanks so much for sharing 🙂
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these are all so good,, (but #50 pretty much just describes america now lmao)
Some excellent ideas here! I’m going to check out your other lists right now. Thanks for this!
Thanks, CJ! I hope you like the other ones, too!
what is the process to write a perfect book
I’d tell you if I knew, Alan. 🙂
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#22 gave me a fun character idea, only I switched it around. Instead of his powers not working when he’s drunk, it turns out that the more drunk he is, the more potent his powers. But, being drunk, he’s a lot worse at using them
Hi Bryn! Thanks for compiling this list. I really love it. I’m featuring five of these prompts on my instagram account (tizzlovesrowdy) to round out my “100-hours in 3 months” first draft challenge. I started on Dec 5th during NaNo and wanted to keep the momentum going. I’m saving your site. Great job! =)
Hi, Niki! Oh wow, that challenge sounds amazing. Good for you for keeping the momentum going after NaNo! So glad the site is helpful!
Thank you, my daughter had major imagination block and your ideas provided a great stimulus
I like number 8 and I live in France just near the family home of Jeanne d’Arc !
Thanks for this list. Some of them are now rattling around in my head asking to be let out as stories or novels.
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This was extremely useful! I am in the midst of a large writers’ block, and this has given me some inspiration. I appreciate it!
So glad it was helpful! Happy writing. 🙂
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i like #36! very awesome novel idea! thnx Bryn!! 😀
Aw yay, so glad you like it!
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Thank you so much, there are so many handy plots I can use for my books. I love num. 10. Thank you. You helpen me so much. (I’m 11)
Hi there! I’m so glad you like them. Thank you! Have fun writing!
I’m not certain I’ll ever finish it, but you’ve inspired a story I’ve been waiting to write. When I was 13, I made a character I loved. I drew her all over my homework and tests. When I first started tinkering with writing, I wanted to write her story and could never think of anything. The prompt involving magic and the old stone in a cave finally gave it hold. You see, I’ve been wanting to create a comic with her for years and now I think I might finally do it. Than you very much for what may have just been a list of prompts to you, but a world to me.
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I’m here because I need a plot for a fantasy RPG game I’m making, and this was actually pretty helpful (not that I didn’t expect it to be :D). Thanks!! Now I just need to make a character… hmm.
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Thank you so much Bryn! Now i’m feeling inspired, lots of love
I did a review of my Wolf series and I used several of your prompts, (without knowing,) as parts of the story. My point is more than one idea can be used in the telling of a story. Here is a list of your prompts used and how I used them.
Someone can bring a person back to life by taking his or her place in the underworld. // The staff of life Wolf is bound to will kill him if he tries to heal someone who has passed. A person has been turned into an object by magic.// Sir Whisperblade sacrifices herself to start the growth of the new first tree. Miners discover stone spheres with strange markings. // Archeologists discover funerary pots one of which has an image of a female warrior. A woman or a group of women plot an escape or revolt against a forced marriage or a whole system of forced marriage. // Grace offers to take the place of a woman in a forced marriage but plans to defeat her new husband. They live on an island in the middle of a lava lake. It has advantages and disadvantages. // The Kaniwa tribe lives in isolation in the Amazon, but are threatened by gold prospectors. The bite of a particular animal may kill you, or it may give you new powers. // Touching the First Tree will either turn you into a part of it or give you a staff of life. An artist gives people tattoos that determine their fates. // Tattoos are given by tribal tradition and have a deep effect on the tattooed, who join the tribe or affects their perception in the modern world.
OMG THAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH AN AWESOME STORY !!
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wow I’m really inspired to write a fantasy story with these amazing plots! Keep writing <3
This is incredible, because 7 of these prompts are things I’ve already written in two of my stories xD I’m vibing with this entire list tbh. Thank you for writing it!
Hi Emily! Haha, great minds! That is so awesome. I’m glad you’re digging the list! Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Great ideas and much appreciated!
This was stupid no fucking help at all
so fucking useless never going to use this again.
Hi I have a book I want to write but I don’t know what should happen next so far it’s about a girl who falls into a hole in the sand at Kryptonite lake and ends up in a rebellion hideout for the fantasy creatures she had only read about in books. She is friends with a wolf and the wolf kenigh saw her fall down the hole and followed her but a centaur attempts to shot him but not before she jumps in front of the arrow she then realizes she is imune to the type of silver the arrow was made out of the rebellion (I need a name for it) believes she found their hideout for a purpose and that she has some special talent to help them like their newest member a human boy she noticed when she first came .I don’t know what should happen next or the reason for rebellion I want it to be unlike any other book and have lots of action and plot twists.Can anyone help me or give me advice about this ?
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Thank you very much, Bryn et al! I need thisa!
Okay, it’s late and I don’t know what I was writing in the previous comment. Sorry.
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Home / Book Writing / Fantasy Writing Prompts: 150+ Ideas to Get Started
Fantasy Writing Prompts: 150+ Ideas to Get Started
Fantasy is one of the biggest genres out there, with a huge variety of sub genres and sub-sub genres.
Fantasy is also great because it can be combined with almost any other genre, whether it be romance, thriller, science fiction, and even literary books.
But because fantasy is so imaginative, it can sometimes be difficult to come up with all of the ideas you need to create a compelling fantasy story. With that in mind, here are a variety of fantasy writing prompts that you can use get your creative juices flowing.
- Recipes for a great fantasy story
- Overarching fantasy tropes
- A list of fantasy story ideas
Table of contents
- What Makes a Good Fantasy?
- Common Fantasy Genre Tropes
- Genre Matchup Prompts
- Portal Fantasy Prompts
- Urban Fantasy Prompts
- Epic Fantasy Prompts
- Supernatural Prompts
- Setting Prompts
- World Building Prompts
- Fantasy Character Prompts
- Fantasy Romance Prompts
- Test Your Fantasy Novel for Viability
Before we dive into the fantasy story prompts, let's talk about what makes a good fantasy book. This is difficult, because there is such variety to the type of fantasy story you could have, but most fantasy stories do tend to have certain elements:
- Some type of magic, often a detailed magic system
- A fantastical world
- Huge stakes and conflicts
- Extensive world building
Additionally, a good fantasy book is determined by elements that make up any good book, period. These can include:
- Well-developed characters
- A clear theme
- A personal connection with the reader
- Clever dialogue
- Epic pacing and a satisfying conclusion
Get these down, and you are likely to have a very successful fantasy book, regardless of your magic or world building.
As I already mentioned, fantasy can be combined with almost any other genre, but there are specific tropes that are unique to fantasy, and if any of these show up in your book, it is likely a fantasy book.
Note that not all of these tropes are used in fantasy books, but they can be common, and when used well, they can be a huge help:
- The chosen one
- A Dark Lord
- Good vs. evil
- Some type of magic
- The mentor figure
- Different fantasy races
- An ancient (often medieval) setting
- Magical items
- A heroic quest
- Magical schools
- Portals that open to a fantasy world
- “The myths are real”
- A secret magical world coexisting with ours (urban fantasy)
These are just a sample of the different tropes out there, and you should look at your specific sub genre for a better understanding of what tropes you should use. For example, an urban fantasy will have very different tropes from an epic fantasy.
With all that in mind, let's get into the prompts.
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Fantasy Writing Prompts
I've tried to categorize these ideas as best I can, though there will obviously be some overlap.
- Take a fantasy trope and subvert it.
- Write Robinson Crusoe but with fantasy elements.
- Robots team up with wizards.
- Someone learns how to harness magic in technology, leading to huge innovations.
- What would a legal drama look like in an epic fantasy world?
- Write a romance between a regular human and some kind of fantastical race/creature.
- Write a heist in a fantasy setting.
- Write an underdog sports story in a fantasy setting.
- Write a revenge narrative in a fantasy setting.
- What if aliens invaded a fantasy world?
- What if Cthulhu awoke on a fantasy world?
- Imagine a political thriller with a fantasy government.
- Write a psychological thriller, where the character doesn't know if they are hallucinating the fantasy world or not.
- Write a mystery set in an epic fantasy world, incorporating the magic system.
- Pick a public domain story and turn it into a fantasy.
- A character from another world escapes into ours.
- Your character finds a magic portal in the basement.
- Dreaming is actually the real world.
- Your dreams start to come true.
- A painting comes to life.
- You discover a library where the books can come to life.
- The character mutters gibberish to themselves, only to discover they were speaking a magical language.
- Memory Lane is real.
- A reality TV show featuring magical creatures.
- You arrive in the underworld sooner than expected.
- You discover a world that is the mirror opposite of hours.
- You discover a door in your attic that wasn't there before.
- A gamer discovers that the character he controls is actually a real person in a fantasy world.
- Your world is actually the fantasy world, and electricity is magic.
- Open world RPG
- First-person shooter
- A Mario-world-type game
- A dark fantasy
- A side scroller
- A top-down strategy game
- A fantasy MMO
- A melee fighting game
- A survival game
- An astronaut discovers another world that is eerily similar to ours.
- While out hiking, you discover a cave that leads to another world.
- There is a world where our world is the stuff of myths and legends.
- A huge fan of [insert fandom here], discovers that it's not fiction.
- A rich uncle dies and leaves you his magical castle.
- You go to a theme park, only for characters to come to life.
- You enter a theme park ride, and it transports you to another world.
- You discover that you are the dream of someone else.
- You meet someone in real life who has the same dreams as you, and you can enter this dreamworld together.
- Our reality is actually an advanced version of the Sims.
- A young child and their parents get sucked into a children's book.
- A Dungeons & Dragons game eventually becomes real.
- An artist is able to escape into their paintings.
- Write about someone with an average job, but in a world of magic or with magical elements.
- You look up into the sky and see the two moons.
- Your food starts to speak to you.
- Two members of a classic fantasy the race (elf, dwarf, etc.) move in next door.
- Your garden gnomes are actually real gnomes.
- You somehow magically created a friend, and are constantly scared you'll make them disappear.
- As a joke, you put on a tinfoil hat, but then something happens.
- You wake up in a busy city, only to find that there is complete silence.
- You discover a pet that is not of this earth in the pet store.
- A photographer who specializes in photographing the supernatural.
- A child is discovered to be immune to vampirism.
- The gods from a [insert mythological pantheon here] return to earth.
- You move into a supper inhabited entirely by ghosts.
- Turns out, if you curse someone, that curse comes true.
- There is a wizard in every town protecting us.
- Turns out, you are Santa's grandchild.
- Turns out, your nanny is actually a witch.
- While on vacation, you discover a magical artifact out of mythology (i.e. Excalibur, Pandora's box, Thor's hammer, etc.).
- An ancient Viking suddenly appears in modern-day London.
- Deceased soldiers from an old war, suddenly come back to life.
- Dragons return to earth after many years gone.
- Turns out unicorns are real.
- Scientists uncovers the science behind magic.
- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
- The Greek pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
- The Norse pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
- The Egyptian pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
- A DNA archaeologist discovers that mythical creatures did exist.
- Your character owns a magical shop in some important niche.
- A tattoo artist is able to imbue their subject with magical abilities.
- Write a story about Gods over a specific element like water, fire, etc.
- A world where dragons are forced to fight each other, fight club style.
- A child wishes that a family member will return from the dead, and it works.
- A long-lost shipwreck is found, completely intact.
- Society is built around epic, arena-like games.
- Anything can become true if enough people believe it, and the villain exploits this fact.
- A bounty hunter and an epic fantasy world, hunting warlocks, witches, and monsters.
- Sherlock Holmes, but in an epic fantasy world.
- Pick an ancient Earth culture that is not medieval England, and develop an epic fantasy around that.
- Develop a culture over a huge timeline, from primitive beginnings, to the space-age.
- What if the humans on a fantasy world had no idea that any other fantasy race existed, until they appeared for the first time.
- Indiana Jones, but in an epic fantasy setting.
- Your characters develop spiritual connections with a specific animal.
- The trees have spirits, and only you can hear them.
- The character is appointed as a bodyguard for a royal prince/princess.
- A prince/princess discovers that they have a long lost twin, who was not raised in privilege.
- Take an ordinary piece of modern-day technology, and postulate how a medieval society would react to it.
- Write about someone who has a relationship (platonic or romantic) with a ghost.
- Ghosts/werewolves/vampires are actually super nice, and it's the fairies/elves/dwarves that are mean.
- You sit down to read your favorite book, only to find it has changed.
- You write a book, only to discover that it comes true.
- Here character decides to have a conversation with the author of the book.
- An angel walks on earth for a month.
- An angel and a demon switch places for a week.
- I monster is terrified of the child that sleeps above his bed.
- Humans are actually giants, and there are micro-human races beneath us.
- The giant emerges from the ocean.
- A child is transported into the past, into the teenage body of their mother or father.
- You go to a new high school, only to discover that everyone is a vampire.
- The Titanic mysteriously arrives in New York as if nothing had happened, with all passengers accounted for.
- A boating accident leads to the character being saved by mermaids.
- A deck of tarot cards accurately predicts the future for a group of friends.
- All of the figures in a wax museum become real.
- A ghost is having difficulty finding a place to haunt.
- A writer discovers that God is also a writer, and our reality is his book.
- It is discovered the zombies are actually very intelligent.
- Set your story in a fortuneteller's parlor.
- What if the sun suddenly didn't rise.
- What if the sun suddenly rose in the West instead of the east.
- Write a fantasy story in the wild West setting.
- A new continent is discovered.
- You discover the fountain of youth, but it turns out it only sends you forward in time.
- A retirement home for superheroes.
- A history teacher can take their students to any time or place in history.
- Area 51 protects a gateway to another dimension.
- Area 51 protects a gateway to hell.
- Use a currency that isn't money, and build your world from there.
- Luck is not random, but is an inherited genetic trait, or a skill that can be learned.
- I day in the life of a magical creature.
- Someone with the power of alchemy, but can only change a material into something useless.
- Snow falls one morning, but it isn't white.
- A character can only live three times in their lifetime.
- There is a river that will wipe your memory if you drink from it.
- You can buy bottled emotions.
- Develop a magic system based on self-help principles
- Develop a magic system based on biology
- Develop a magic system based on computer programming
- Develop a magic system based on commonplace social customs like shaking hands
- The story is set within a character's mind.
- A character wakes up in a past life.
- A character wakes up in a future reincarnation of themself.
- A character spends their whole life faking that they have magic, then suddenly discover they do.
- Your character is destined to do something they don't want.
- Your character becomes aware that they are a work of fiction.
- Write a story from the perspective of an orc.
- One of your parents is a werewolf, the other a vampire.
- People thought you were the chosen one, but turns out they were mistaken. Now what?
- A doctor claims to know how you can get someone to fall in love with you.
- You are immortal, married to a mortal, and you decide to tell them.
- Your character can suddenly read minds.
- A social outcast finds that they are actually the prince/princess of a distant world.
- Your character gains the ability to make any wish come true.
- A character can turn into any animal by wishing it.
- Your character receives a new superpower every day, losing the previous one.
- The ghost of a parent helps a young child through difficult times.
- A character is mute, but can talk to animals.
- Someone is hunted by their alternate universe twin.
- A monster, generally feared by all, is actually a gentle giant.
- Write a romance between one superpowered individual and one who doesn't have powers.
- Write a romance between an elf and an orc, or two other diametrically opposed races.
- A romance between an angel and a demon.
- Sirens usually kill humans, until one falls in love.
Hopefully, the creative juices are flowing now. But before you start writing your book, it's a good idea to see if there's a market for the type of fantasy you're looking to write . Since romance is such a competitive genre, a little research goes a long way. And the easiest way to get this research done is with Publisher Rocket.
You can think of the information you get from Publisher Rocket as the foundation for your fantasy writing career. You get insights directly from Amazon on:
- Keywords – Metadata to position your book on Amazon.
- Competition – Allowing you to see what's selling and how stiff the competition is.
- Categories – So you know where people who are looking for books like yours go to find them.
- Amazon Ads – Helps you quickly configure a list of profitable keywords for running ads.
Check out Publisher Rocket here to get started.
Jason Hamilton
When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.
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The Ultimate Guide To Writing A Fantasy Novel
You just finished reading a fantasy series that has left you reeling.
You’re satisfied with the way things turned out, but the thought of saying goodbye to those characters just hurts.
You want to keep the magic going.
So now you’re looking for the best guide on how to write a fantasy novel — because you want to be the kind of writer who can work that kind of magic.
Who knew fantasy fiction could be so transformative?
Fantasy Writing Tips
Fantasy plots, how to write a fantasy novel outline, how to start a fantasy story, 1. develop your characters., 2. develop your (story’s) world., 3. develop your backstory., 4. craft an interesting and believable plot for your characters., 5. decide how your story will begin., 6. write the first chapter., 7. decide on your story’s climactic event., 8. keep writing chapters until you reach the end., 9. print out your first draft and take a break., 10. self-edit., 11. revise your self-edited draft., 12. edit your draft., 13. revise your professionally-edited draft., 14. get your novel ready for publication., writing fantasy.
Writing a fantasy novel presents some unique challenges to the storyteller. For one, you’re expected to know about the magical elements you use in your story.
For example, if your story involves werewolves or vampires, you’ll need to research all the folklore related to both in order to portray them in a way that will build trust with your reader.
Making things up as you go when there’s already known folklore or mythology in place will irritate knowledgeable readers and likely earn you some scathing reviews.
Second, fantasy fiction usually involves an imaginary world created by the author.
Research is important here, too, since some magical creatures are associated with particular environments.
And just because it’s a made-up world doesn’t mean you have to defy every expectation.
The sky doesn’t have to be a different color unless that detail adds an essential something to your story.
But you should know this world as well as the one you live in (when you’re not writing).
Also, some — if not all — your fantasy characters will be magical or mythical beings, humanoid or otherwise.
And the more you know the mythology surrounding them, the more convincing your character building will be to your readers.
As with your setting, you should know these characters as well as you know the people in your closest circle — recognizing all the while, of course, that they can still surprise you.
If you want to know how to write a good fantasy story, learn from those who’ve written before you.
Many of them are only too happy to help fellow writers with their story crafting.
For all they know, you could be the next Rick Riordan or J.K. Rowling.
So, helping you write better stories is in everyone’s best interests. To that end, consider the following tips for writing a fantasy novel:
- Become a voracious reader of fantasy novels — especially the kind you want to write.
- Research the folklore and mythology related to any magical elements you want in your story.
- Research potential markets and marketing strategies for your book based on genres that are currently selling well.
- Choose the perspective and point of view for your story’s narrator.
- Get into your fantasy characters’ heads.
- Sketch out a timeline for your story’s events and key moments.
- Get acquainted with every detail of the made-up world where your story happens.
As one of the ten key parts of your story , your plot is what gives your story its overall shape and direction.
To more clearly see how it does this, we can follow Gustav Freytag’s lead and break down your plot into the following five elements:
With fantasy plots, these elements often tie into the stages of the hero’s journey — a universal story structure based on Joseph Campbell’s monomyth.
It’s because the hero archetype resonates within the psyche of every individual that the most memorable and endearing stories follow this structure.
Check out this Authority Pub post for more information on the ten key parts of writing your story.
And read on to learn how to write one of your own.
How to Write A Fantasy Novel
The writer’s journey in writing a book is similar to the hero’s journey just mentioned.
Like the hero in your story, you’re going on a journey of your own — though at first there’s some reticence to go any deeper than your comfort level will allow.
At some point, though, like Bilbo as he listened to the dwarves’ song about the Lonely Mountains, you feel pulled out of your cozy bubble into a new and sometimes terrifying world.
And, like Bilbo, you find you have more courage in you than you thought you had.
Good thing, too. Writing an unforgettable story takes courage. No one breaks new ground when they don’t venture beyond what they know.
Outlining your fantasy novel will be similar to any outline you’ve created in the past — for other books or your English Lit class.
The key difference here is thinking ahead to determine whether or not your fantasy book will be a standalone or part of a trilogy or tetralogy.
If your book is standalone, you will need to compress the introduction of your characters and the fantasy world you create to fit into one book. So consider this when developing your outline.
For a series, you’ll have more time to unravel your characters and develop the magical world in which they reside.
You don’t have to outline all of your books initially, but if you choose a series, just be sure you leave enough action and character development for future books.
Try to think ahead about plot progression and the struggles your characters will face throughout the series.
Either way, your first book is the key to hooking readers into loving your characters and story and wanting more.
In your outline, be sure you include a cliffhanger at the end to ensure your readers can’t wait to buy the next book.
Getting started looks different for everyone. If you’re a plotter, you know that an outline helps you sort out your ideas so you can tackle the actual writing with a clearer head — one idea at a time.
See this Authority Pub post for more information on getting started with your novel.
If you’re a pantser, you might think outlines are “too stodgy” or that you won’t follow it anyway.
But even writing a bulleted list of the main things you want to happen in your story can help you write with a better sense of direction.
The following tips and questions can help you create an outline that comes to life even before you start writing your story:
- Interview your fantasy characters. Get to know them at their deepest level so you can speak and act as they would.
- Get clear on your character’s arcs. How will the events in this story change them?
- Give old tropes a dash of something new . Think of how J.K. Rowling reinvented the witch’s broomstick.
- Get clear on your story’s main events and defining moments.
- Write a draft of the final chapter — detailing the outcome for each character.
Think of this step as simply jotting down the main elements of the plot or character that made you want to write this story in the first place.
You can also start with an elevator pitch. Tell me what will happen in your story in 30 seconds or less.
See if it makes sense to you when you articulate it out loud.
Then, nail down those critical details and leave the rest to your imagination.
How to Write A Fantasy Novel Step by Step
Once you’ve created your outline, follow these steps to write a fantasy novel your readers will tell all their friends about:
Interview them. Do some voice-journaling for them. Create character profiles.
Do whatever helps you get into their heads and make them real people to you.
The more they come to life for you, the more they’ll do the same for your reader.
The more real this world seems to you, the more easily your readers will step into and lose themselves in it.
Make it a place they won’t want to leave. And make every detail matter.
What made your characters and your world as they are now? What details from the past are essential to the story you’re telling.
Get clear on what happened in the past that created the reality of your story’s present.
Give them a problem and show how they recognize and deal with it. Show how it changes them. Show us what they want most and how far they’ll go to get it.
Show what’s at stake – what they could gain and what they have to lose.
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What inciting event will challenge your main character? What will your main character reveal in the first minute?
What will pull your reader right into the heart of your story and make them want to stick around?
You have to start somewhere. Sometimes, the only way to get started on your story is to just start writing and see what comes out?
Maybe that’ll be your first chapter. Or maybe it’ll be your prologue (we don’t hate those, but they do have to earn their place).
If you don’t have a clear idea of your book’s climax, at least work on a vague idea until it becomes clearer or moves aside for something better.
You can either write these as a pantser or start with a bullet-point list of the main things that should happen.
I mean it. Take a break from your book baby. I know it’s hard, but you need this. And you’ve earned it.
Go through it with a red pen and make corrections, write down comments and ideas, and generally bleed all over it.
Sometimes, it hurts. Sometimes, it’s so much fun, you’ll forget to eat. Bring snacks.
Make the necessary changes to your story and rewrite what needs to be rewritten. Then take a shorter break and go over it again.
At this point, it’s best (for your story and your readers) to find a professional editor — preferably one with experience editing fantasy fiction.
See if you can find one recommended by fellow fantasy authors.
Make the changes you and your editor agree upon. Once your story is at its best yet, find some beta readers — ideally those that enjoy reading fantasy fiction.
If they’re also authors, you can return the favor by beta-reading their books.
Hire a professional formatter for your novel’s interior and a cover designer for its exterior.
Make your novel as irresistible to the eye as your story will be to your reader’s imagination.
Ready to write your fantasy story?
Now that you know how to write a fantasy novel, does a particular work in progress come to mind? And is this a new idea — or one you’ve set aside for a while?
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how long the idea has been percolating in your head.
The real magic happens when you get down to the business of writing your story.
That’s when your brain gets the message, “We’re doing this.” When you keep showing up, the muse knows where to find you.
The key is to open the faucet before you expect the water to flow. Let the air out. And by that, I mean just let your ideas flow out as they are before you expect to make sense of them.
Before long, you’ll be sorting out that beautiful mess and creating a fantasy story your readers will never forget.
101 Fantastical Fantasy Story Prompts
Do you want to write in the fantasy genre but need help conjuring compelling stories and concepts? Sometimes reading simple story prompts is the easiest way to get those creative juices flowing .
We get our ideas from many sources — news headlines, novels, television shows, movies, our lives, our fears, our phobias, etc. They can come from a scene or moment in a film that wasn’t fully explored. They can come from a single visual that entices the creative mind — a seed that continues to grow and grow until the writer is forced to finally put it to paper or screen.
They may inspire screenplays, novels, short stories, or even smaller moments that you can include in what stories you are already writing.
Common Elements in the Fantasy Genre
The fantasy genre typically involves magical or supernatural elements (sometimes in conjunction with speculative science) within fictional worlds — or realistic worlds enhanced by magic and the supernatural.
- Mythology and folklore can come into play as starting points.
- History and natural laws of reality are often not needed for the story to be coherent.
- Fantasy story and character elements do not need to be scientifically possible.
Perfect examples of the fantasy genre and its various subgenres include:
- Lords of the Rings
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Marry Poppins
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Back to the Future
- Groundhog Day
- Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
- Harry Potter
- The Wizard of Oz
- MCU and DC movies
In the spirit of helping writers find those seeds, here we offer 101 originally conceived fantasy story prompts that you can use as inspiration for your next fantasy story.
Note: Because we’re all connected to the same pop culture, news headlines, and inspirations, any similarity to any past, present, or future screenplays, novels, short stories, television pilots, television series, plays, or any other creative works is purely coincidence. These story writing prompts were conceived on the fly without any research or Google search for inspiration.
'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'
1. What if a portal was opened that led to a mirror-opposite version of our world?
2. A young brother and sister find an old door in their basement that wasn't there before.
3. A man reads a novel, soon realizing that the story is his very own — and according to the book, a killer is looming.
4. A gamer realizes that the shooter game he plays is actually controlling real people in another world.
5. A gamer learns that the soldier he is controlling is actually a real soldier in a real war.
6. An astronaut jettisoned into the cold of space in a mission gone wrong suddenly appears at the doorstep of his family.
7. The world's population is overtaken by vampires — all except one little child.
8. The Greek Gods have returned to claim Earth as their own.
9. A brother and sister new to the neighborhood realize that their parents have moved them to a town of witches.
10. An angel decides to walk the Earth as a human for a single week.
11. A demon and an angel challenge each other to walk in the other's shows for a single week.
12. A family moves into a suburb inhabited solely by ghosts.
13. While on a hike, a group of friends discovers a tunnel that leads into another world.
14. A child makes a wish that their recently deceased parents return from the dead.
15. During a bout of road rage, a woman puts a curse on a man that upends his life.
16. Characters from a little girl's short story she was forced to write for school begin to manifest in her town.
17. A little boy wishes Christmas could be every day — and his wish comes true.
18. An app developer discovers a way to email people from the past.
19. The world as we know it is actually the scary bedtime stories of a fairytale-like place.
20. Wizards exist in hiding in every town and are tasked with protecting us from Dark Lords.
'The Chronicles of Narnia'
21. A monster is terrified by the scary child who lives above his bed.
22. Humans on Earth are actually the giants of the world, with ant-sized humans living underground.
23. One day, dogs begin to speak English while humans are forced to bark to communicate.
24. An heir to a recently deceased man inherits a magical castle.
25. A giant human suddenly emerges from underneath the ocean.
26. Time is frozen — all but for 100 people throughout the world.
27. A Star Wars fan discovers that the Star Wars universe was not a figment of George Lucas's imagination.
28. During a family vacation, the worlds and characters of Disneyland come to life.
29. A theme park ride breaks down, stranding the people in the world of the ride.
30. A stay-at-home mother makes a wish that she could have four versions of herself to share the work — it comes true.
31. A boy is transported into the body of the boyhood version of his father.
32. A mother and father are transported into the bodies of their teenage twins.
33. Santa's grandchild returns to the North Pole for Christmas vacation, oblivious to her family history.
34. Siblings discover that their nanny is a witch.
35. Siblings discover that their nanny is actually the tooth fairy.
36. A boy on vacation with his family finds Excalibur stuck in the rock floor of a castle.
37. A naughty boy hiding from his parents under the water of their pool, resurfaces to find himself in the ocean waters amidst a deserted island.
38. The ceramic garden gnomes of a neighborhood come to life to terrorize the town.
39. A man discovers that his life is actually the dream of another.
40. A woman discovers that her life is actually the dream of her dream self.
'Back to the Future'
41. A man and woman share the same dream world — they eventually meet in person, shocked to see their dreams coming true.
42. When friends play Dungeons and Dragons, their campaign comes to life around them.
43. A woman discovers that our reality is actually a simulated game like The Sims.
44. A Viking warrior washes up on the shore of a New England town.
45. A man obsessed with the cartoons of his youth is whisked away into their worlds after his wife begrudgingly says he spends too much time watching them.
46. A successful stockbroker accused of insider trading claims to be from the future.
47. A boy that wishes he could be the strongest person alive turns into a towering giant.
48. A high school student believes that his classmates are vampires.
49. A high school student can suddenly read the minds of his peers.
50. Deceased soldiers return to their Civil War-era homes.
51. An 400-year-old shipwreck washes ashore in perfect condition.
52. An outcast nerd discovers that he's actually a revered prince from another planet, hidden by his royal family to escape an evil space lord.
53. A little girl has the power to make any wish she wants to come true — and her choices are terrorizing the neighborhood.
54. A history teacher has the power to take his students to any time and place in history.
55. A boy who wishes he could fly wakes up as a baby hawk.
56. A boy on a farm makes a scarecrow that comes alive.
57. The Peter Pan story is true.
58. When Dorothy was wisked away to Oz, someone from Oz was left in her place back in Kansas for her Aunt and Uncle to deal with.
59. When children die young, their spirits attend a boarding school that decides whether they become angels or demons.
60. Area 51 protects a gateway into hell.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
61. Area 51 hides a portal into another world.
62. A famous classic cartoon character finds a portal into our world.
63. A brother and sister fighting over who gets to play Fortnite are sucked into the game.
64. The biggest earthquake in history opens up an underground world of humanoids.
65. The Titanic suddenly reaches New York with all of the original passengers and crew members on board.
66. A family visiting a cabin are stuck inside during a terrible storm. To pass the time, they play classic board games and find themselves sucked into those worlds trying to win the games to survive.
67. A boy that torments the neighborhood pets wakes up in the body of a dog.
68. A single father and his son are sucked into the worlds of Dr. Seuss.
69. A disabled boy and an egotistical professional athlete switch bodies.
70. A prince in a fantasy land struggles to find his princess, only to fall in love with a wicked witch that lives in the haunted forest.
71. Dragons return to Earth after a prophecy is fulfilled.
72. A hunter discovers a unicorn deep within the woods.
73. A scientist discovers that magic is real.
74. After a night of creating Dungeons and Dragons characters, a group of friends awakens as the very characters they've created.
75. A runaway boy discovers a group of real-life trolls living under his town's bridge.
76. A teenage girl is told by a visiting elf that she is the heir to a magical kingdom.
77. A family vacationing on a yacht is saved by mermaids when it capsizes.
78. At a sleepover, a deck of tarot cards predicts the future of a group of friends, and everything comes true.
79. An artist has the ability to escape into the world of classic paintings.
80. Wax museum guests are sucked into the worlds of the displays.
'Enchanted'
81. A boy living in the inner city and fleeing its crime-riddled streets escapes into a library where the books are literal portals into fantastical worlds.
82. After moving into an old mansion, a young boy is the only one in his family that can see the ghosts that live there.
83. A man begins to read a book that tells his life story.
84. A woman sees a unicorn in the woods and becomes obsessed with finding it, even when her hometown ridicules her.
85. A woman whose son was kidnapped years ago is visited by a ghost that helps her find him alive and well.
86. A strange old man that has moved next door to a kid's family is actually that kid's older self that has time-traveled back in time to revisit his childhood before his death.
87. A teenager receives a new superpower every day, with the previous superpowers disappearing as each new one manifests.
88. An angel knows that the human boy he was assigned to protect is due to be a victim of a travesty, and they decide to do whatever they can to keep him safe — even if it means going against the boy's destiny.
89. A group of high school friends discovers portals to the past and future and uses them to ace their history and science exams.
90. Two versions of the same high school student from different parallel universes discover each other through a portal and decide to swap lives for one week before the portal closes for good.
91. The ghost of a father helps his son through difficult times.
92. A ghost searches a suburban neighborhood for the perfect house to haunt.
93. A writer discovers that God is actually a writer like himself.
94. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are magically transferred into the bodies of high school students.
95. An archeologist discovers ancient DNA samples that prove mythical creatures did exist.
96. A fallen angel falls from the heavens into the backyard of a young girl's house.
97. A Wall Street broker discovers that he's the heir of the real Robin Hood.
98. During a classic Universal Monster movie film festival, a young cinephile is transported into the worlds of those movies.
99. A woman falls in love with a historical figure and wills herself back in time to meet him.
100. A group of middle school friends ventures into the underground drainage tunnels of their town, only to discover a race of blind beings within the darkness.
101. A screenwriter reads a list of writing prompts and discovers that what they've read begins to come true in the real world.
Share this with your writing peers or anyone that loves a good fantasy story. Have some prompts of your own? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter !
Want More Prompts? Read 131 Sci-Fi Scripts That Screenwriters Can Download and Study !
Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout , starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, and the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed starring Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, Wesley Truman Daniel, Mickey O’Sullivan, John Victor Allen, and James Errico. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies
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59 KILLER Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas For Your Story That Nobody Would Think Of
Are you looking for some Fantasy writing prompts that nobody else would think of? If so, you've come to the right place!
In this blog post, we will provide 59 amazing prompts that will help you come up with creative and interesting story ideas.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, these prompts will help you get your creative juices flowing and come up with new and exciting storylines.
So what are you waiting for? Start reading and get inspired!
How To Use These Fantasy Writing Prompts Effectively
Some prompts can prompt other prompts, 59 fantasy writing prompts & plot ideas.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using fantasy writing prompts. First, it can be helpful to consider the subgenre of the prompt and make sure that your story fits.
For example, if the prompt is for a high fantasy story, it might not make sense to write a contemporary romance set in that world.
Second, it can be helpful to think about what elements of the prompt you want to use in your story - you don't have to use it all.
For instance, if the prompt includes a magical object, you don't have to use that object in exactly the way it is described. You could choose to use it as a plot device, or you could subvert expectations by having the characters use it in an unexpected way.
Finally, don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild with these prompts. They are meant to be a starting point for your story, not the endpoint. So go forth and create something beautiful and unique!
Be completely open to the idea of one of these prompts jolting your creativity and leading you down a path you never considered.
For example, if you're not interested in a prompt about a dragon egg, but it makes you think of another plot involving a baby dragon that's been abandoned, then go with that!
The important thing is to follow your muse and see where it takes you - that is why they are prompts! Some people take them too literally and then get discouraged when they can't make the prompt work for their story.
You can use these Fantasy writing prompts as a source of inspiration, but don't feel like you have to be limited by them.
Here are 59 Fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas to get your creativity flowing:
Wizards, Superheroes, Dragons & Fairies YA Fantasy Writing Prompts
1. A wizard must stop a powerful dragon from destroying the kingdom.
2. A superhero must protect a city from an evil villain. (cliche but always a good one!)
3. A fairy must help a young girl find her lost parents.
4. A wizard must find a way to stop an ancient prophecy from coming true.
5. A superhero suffers from a personal tragedy and must overcome it to save the city.
6. A fairy must help a young boy find his lost pet.
7. A wizard must prevent a war from breaking out between two rival kingdoms.
8. A league of rogue wizards are on a mission to destroy the sun.
Fantasy Worldbuilding & Magic Writing Prompts
9. A young woman discovers she has magic powers and must use them to save her village from a monster.
10. A wizard must help a young woman find her way home after she gets lost in a magical forest.
11. A group of friends must find a way to save their town from a curse.
12. A young woman discovers she is the reincarnation of a powerful witch and must use her powers to stop an evil warlock.
13. A wizard must help a young man find his true identity after he loses his memory.
14. A group of friends must stop an evil wizard from taking over the world.
15. A young woman must find a way to break a curse that has been placed on her.
16. A group of friends must save their town from a group of bandits.
17. A wizard must help a young woman find her true love.
High Fantasy & Sword & Sorcery Writing Prompts
18. A group of adventurers must stop an evil sorcerer from taking over the kingdom.
19. An exiled prince must find a way to reclaim his throne.
20. A group of friends must stop a war from breaking out between two kingdoms.
21. There is only one magical sword in the world, and it must be destroyed.
22. A group of friends must find a way to save their town from an evil wizard.
23. A young woman must find a way to break a curse that has been placed on her.
24. An orphaned girl discovers she is the heir to a kingdom.
25. In a land where behemoths roam the earth, a young woman must find a way to stop them from destroying her village.
Fantasy creatures & Objects Writing Prompts
26. A group of friends finds a magical object that grants them wishes. But they soon discover that the object has a dark past and comes with a price.
27. Only five golden emerals exist in the world, and whoever possesses all five will be granted one wish.
28. There is a magic artifact beneath a mountain that, if it gets into the wrong person's hands, will be used to control the world.
29. All of her life, she has been wearing a ring that her grandmother gave to her. But she never knew that the ring had magical powers.
30. A group of friends finds a box that can take them to any place in the world. But they soon discover that the box...
31. A school boy finds an old book in his attic that turns out to be a spell book. And he soon discovers that he has the power to cast spells.
32. A group of friends find a lamp in a cave that contains a genie. But they soon discover that the genie is not what she seems.
33. A girl moves to a new home and discovers a room that nobody else can see.
Enchanted Forests & Magical Places Writing Prompts
34. A broken-hearted girl finds a magical place in the woods that helps her heal.
35. A young woman discovers a secret garden that is home to a mischievous fairy.
36. A boy gets lost in the forest and stumbles upon a hidden village of elves.
37. A girl finds a mysterious black rose in the forest that grants her wishes.
38. A woman is transported to a Fantasy world when she walks through a secret door in the woods.
39. A man discovers a portal to another world in the trunk of an old tree.
40. A woman is cursed by a wicked witch and must find the magical ingredients for the antidote deep in the forest.
41. A group of friends go on a camping trip and discover a portal to a Fantasy world in the woods.
42. A girl gets lost in the forest and is taken in by a pack of wolves.
43. A boy finds a magical sword in the forest that he must use to save the kingdom.
44. An ancient tribe of people living in the forest with strange powers is discovered by a group of teens.
45. A girl finds a cauldron in the forest that can grant her any wish she desires.
46. A woman discovers a hidden world in the Forest where she is able to commune with nature spirits.
47. A man gets lost in the woods and stumbles upon a witch's cottage.
48. A girl finds an old book in the forest that tells the story of a lost kingdom.
49. A boy discovers a stone in the forest that has the power to control time.
50. A girl stuck in a time loop when you enters a forest just a few yards from her home.
51. A woman discovers a portal to another world that is hidden in the leaves of a tree.
52. A man finds a box in the forest that contains a genie who grants him three wishes.
53. A girl stumbles upon a magical fountain in the forest that can grant her any wish.
Retold Historical Events (In A Fantastical World!) Writing Prompts
54. The Battle of Gettysburg is fought between armies of witches and wizards.
55. The American Revolution is fought between humans and magical creatures.
56. Julius Caesar is assassinated by a dragon.
57. The Titanic sinks after hitting an iceberg that turns out to be a giant sea monster.
58. The Moon landing is interrupted by a giant alien spaceship.
59. The Battle of Waterloo is fought between humans and vampires.
I could get too carried away retelling historical events with a Fantasy twist! I'll stop there for now, but I hope you get the idea and can come up with your own amazing Fantasy story ideas from these prompts.
You might also find some of these writing prompts useful:
- How To Use Image Prompts: Writing A Story From A Picture
- 35 Unique OTP Writing Prompts and Ideas!
- 63 Fanfiction Writing Prompts to Spark Your Imagination
Have fun and happy writing! 🙂
There's Still So Much More To Learn! 👇☺️
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Last updated on Jul 08, 2022
How to Write a Fantasy Novel: Tips From Professional Fantasy Editors
Has there ever been a better time to be writing fantasy? Where once it was a fringe genre, now fantasy is everywhere in pop culture, from Harry Potter to the memes surrounding Jon Snow.
There’s also never been a more exciting time to write fantasy. The genre is changing daily, as authors such as Neil Gaiman , Susanna Clarke, and Patrick Rothfuss continue to interpret, subvert, and stretch it to attain new pinnacles . What’s more, the public can't seem to get enough of it, proving that there is a market for fantasy — and it’s a big one.
So, if you’re an author, where can you find a place for yourself in today’s talent-rich terrain?
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In our search for the finest writing tips in the realm , we spoke to seven of the top fantasy editors on our marketplace. They’ve worked with George R.R. Martin, James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, and many more of the brilliant authors who are re-defining the genre. Here’s what they said.
1. Start by researching the fantasy fiction market
If you don’t know your market, you’ve already made a mistake, says Erin Young , an agent for Dystel Goderich & Bourret, which represents authors such as James Dashner of Maze Runner fame.
“Oh, my market is fantasy,” you might say, waving your monthly subscription of Imagination And Me . But is your story steampunk , urban , or grimdark fantasy ? Is it for children or young adults ? Are there elves or tech? Is it set in the modern world, or is it a re-imagining of an alternate past? Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell , for instance, doesn’t target Discworld ’s readers, and no-one would instinctively group Harry Potter and Stephen King's The Dark Tower in the same category.
Indeed, “fantasy” is such a broad genre that you’ll need to dig deeper to find your niche — but it’s important as your subgenre not only informs your characters and setting, it also allows you to identify your competition and audience. As Young says: “If your characters are younger, you should be writing YA or MG, not adult.”
To get a better picture of the various subgenres within fantasy, check out this guide as well as this post on the evolution of fantasy since the 1900s.
2. Learn from the greatest fantasy novels
You should read good books, says Chersti Nieveen , a proofreader of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn , with an emphasis on good . Your writing’s only going to be as great as what you’re feeding it. So read.
“You’re absorbing ideas. You're absorbing grammar. You're absorbing sentence structure and rhythm and prose,” she says. “Read books with description or dialogue you admire. Read the books that are classics—they are classics for a reason—and read the books that are bestsellers and read the books that are award winners. Read and read and read, and you'll start to see your own writing improve.”
To take specific action, Nieveen suggests picking the 10 books that you most admire. Then, it's just a matter of re-reading them and noting strengths in their plot, dialogue, characters, and scene structure. Learn from the best — and then go forth and tilt the arena again yourself.
3. Define the setting of your novel
Sometimes writers get so caught up in their world that they write block paragraph after block paragraph (after block paragraph) of description. This is a mistake. “Don't tell your reader what your world appears to be,” says Young. “Give them scenery when it relates to the story by getting your characters to interact with their surroundings.”
Did we ever get an ultra-wide shot showing the whole of Middle Earth in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy? Absolutely not! That would be boring to the viewers, not to mention meaningless. Young observes: “Instead, cinematographers carefully plan each shot to give you a view of where the actors are. This is exactly the way you should show your world.”
Worldbuilding can be a daunting task. There's a lot to consider, from geography, to ecology, to economy — and that's before you get into any magic systems or fantastical elements! Luckily, we've built a worldbuilding roadmap to help navigate this all: our ultimate worldbuilding template.
FREE RESOURCE
The Ultimate Worldbuilding Template
130 questions to help create a world readers want to visit again and again.
4. Develop your fantasy world through short stories
Did you know that JRR Tolkien wrote a gazillion short stories about Middle-Earth before ever starting The Hobbit ?
He needed somewhere to begin. That’s exactly what Jenny Bowman , an editor who worked on Robert Beatty’s Serafina and the Black Cloak , advises: a good way to build your world is to write short stories that feature some of your characters. “Do this with the intention of excluding [these stories] from your book,” she says. “This gives you freedom to create a new universe with no boundaries.”
So if you can’t churn out the full-blown novel inside of you just yet, don’t sweat it. Dip your toe into the water through short stories , instead.
5. Create rules for your universe
To make a world feel real and functional, you also want to make sure that it’s grounded by rules — an internal rationale , so to speak. This should encompass everything from the workings of your society to, yes, your magic system (if your universe possesses magic).
Easier said than done, maybe. How to actually go about it? Nieveen advises you to read up on the basic and fundamental fields. “Become familiar with the basics of economics, politics, philosophy, and more, and you’ll create a believable world of your own,” she says.
Don’t know where to start with your magic system? Check out Brandon Sanderson's useful theories about magic systems, referred to as Sanderson's 3 Laws of Magic .
6. Obey your own worldbuilding laws
That said, these rules aren’t ones that are made just to be broken. “I often see first-time fantasy writers breaking their own rules, and it really takes the reader out of the story,” says Bowman.
Let’s say, for example, you’ve made it clear that using magic is supposed to sap energy. Well, then, don’t make your protagonist go rip magic spells left and right in the final battle without tiring at all.
Ultimately, this internal consistency matters much more than realism. To ensure this consistency, Bowman suggests that you always jot everything down. “When do the suns come up?” she asks. “Can only children under the age of 10 fly? When casting a spell, does it transform the object or create an object from nothing? Know the rules of your world (what we call physics!) when you're writing fantasy and don’t break them — unless, of course, it’s on purpose.”
Looking to read more fantasy before you write? Check out these 12 epic fantasy series , hot off the press.
7. Outline your story
Stories in the fantasy genre are often complex and epic — all the more reason to plot it out before. You don’t want to accidentally trip over all 99 of your storylines. And you don’t want to be that writer who gets to the end of the book and realizes they’ve forgotten to tie a knot in one part of the plot. Hello, darkness, my old friend.
That's why Young says to get a general sense of your plot before you start writing. “You’ll know your world so much better if you know your story first,” she says. “Then, once your story is plotted out, you can use the plot structure as a skeleton to show where you want to build your world, scene by scene.”
For more food for plotting thought, you can read up on narrative arcs here.
8. Craft a plot worthy of the world
Plot and worldbuilding should see eye-to-eye. “You want to be original, so ask yourself, what sets my world apart?” says Alex Foster , a ghostwriter who’s penned eight bestsellers. Importantly, a rich universe can be a major player in your plot — playing as big of a role as any other character.
“In A Song of Ice and Fire , George R. R. Martin uses the environment as a plot point when describing both summer and winter seasons — as winter brings dark, dead things that can wipe out the entire Realm,” says Foster. “He also adds architecture as a plot point in the form of the Wall, a massive ice edifice separating the North and the South. How fascinating that such a massive piece of plot centers around a single wall. Sounds simple, but you can see its complexity. Stephen King also does an expert job in Under the Dome , when a small town is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by a giant, transparent dome.”
9. Perfect your character development
Good character creation and development in fantasy is no different from fiction, or any other genre. Take a minute to think of your favorite characters of all time. Walter White. Jon Snow. Hermione Granger. Rowan Atkinson in Love Actually . What do they all share?
“The best characters are complex and original,” says Foster. “They possess very real motives and weaknesses, and they change over time due to events and supporting characters in the story. Take your character and interview them. What do they fear most? What are their ultimate goals, and where are they willing to go to achieve that goal? Do this with all your characters when you're writing fantasy: craft a questionnaire and get your answers from them. Your publisher will thank you.”
How to Develop Characters
In 10 days, learn to develop complex characters readers will love.
Looking for the definitive character questionnaire? We got you covered. Here are 8 Character Development Exercises That Will Help You Nail Your Character .
10. Use real-world themes in the fantasy genre
“Your concerns about politics, culture, the environment, technology, violence, racism, misogyny — these issues can be explored in inventive, eye-opening ways while writing fantasy,” says Rebecca Faith Heyman , an editor who worked on Elise Kova’s The Alchemists of Loom . “In this way, we want to return to our own existences with new perspectives, new solutions to old problems, or new awareness of what's at stake.”
Another way to put it: is anything, in particular, frustrating you in real life? You can explore it through your story, because the world’s your own. And, who knows, you might be speaking for other people out there in the world who read your book and share your perspectives.
“ Carry On by Rainbow Rowell does this brilliantly,” adds Heyman. “There are undercurrents of identity politics explored there, as well as a depth of characterization that merges meaningfully with the fantastical elements of the text. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, as well as the brilliant Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom , explore racial prejudice, ableism, identity politics, and more.”
Pro tip: Ever wanted to find out which book genre you are? Take our 1-minute quiz below to see!
Which book genre are you?
Find out here! Takes one minute.
11. Be specific about the elements of your writing
“What makes worldbuilding tick? Specific, sensory detail,” says Michelle Hope , who’s previously worked with George R.R. Martin and Blake Crouch. “So my advice for fantasy authors is, simply: you can be as inventive and magical as you want in your work if the writing is detailed enough to seem authentic.”
Take pop culture’s current fantasy darling, Game of Thrones . “Crisp air, hooves clattering on ironwood planks, a warm tongue, women’s perfume, summerwine, soft fur. The writing's full of these concrete details,” points out Hope. “So when the author expands the universe to include fantastical elements, we buy it. Dragons? Sure! Face-swapping assassins? Why not? Frozen zombies? Didn’t see that coming, but the author’s sensory style already established the world as believable, so we’re primed to accept anything thrown at us.”
That said, abstract clichés don’t count . No-one’s going to be impressed by your description of a man with piercing gray eyes that are the color of a storm.
Instead, use the senses to make the reader feel like they're there. “When a reader can viscerally inhabit your world, they won’t question it when you introduce the fantastical into your story,” says Hope. “They’ll take your word for it.”
12. But don’t overwhelm readers with details
Ever want a corkboard just to keep the characters in a fantasy book straight? The number of characters in many fantasy series are so infinite, it turns out to be a mad scramble to keep track of them all — especially when the reader’s still trying to differentiate between Boldon, the protagonist, and Bolgon, the shrewish elf from Book 2.
So don’t make it even tougher on the reader by dumping all your characters onto page two. It’s one of the most common mistakes that Nieveen sees.
“Fantasy writers try to introduce too many characters on one page, or there’s an info dump to reveal how the magic system works,” she says. “They make the reader sit and memorize their world or their characters before they actually introduce the story. But you end up dropping readers that way.”
Of course, fantasy readers do expect a certain amount of detail from the genre, so you'll still want to ensure you know your world and characters well! To help distinguish the useful information from the "fun but probably unnecessary", try filling out a character profile template to really dive deep. You can dump all your ideas there rather than in your first draft, so you can decide what's worth keeping, and what you can lose.
Reedsy’s Character Profile Template
A story is only as strong as its characters. Fill this out to develop yours.
13. Keep asking questions as the writer
And guess what? Your #1 most powerful weapon when you’re worldbuilding isn’t a sword — nor is it a pen, or even Daenerys’ fabulous dragons .
The most powerful tool in your world building arsenal is, instead… the question. “Where do big cities pop up?” wrote Patrick Rothfuss, author of the Kingkiller Chronicles , once. “At a confluence of trade routes. That’s influenced by rivers. Where do rivers come from? There’s aquifers and stuff. I ask these questions. I go, ‘Why, why, why, why, why?’”
This will make sure that everything is rationally thought-out. “Fantasy works when you can read it like it is real, if that makes sense,” says Kendall Davis , an associate editor at Penguin Random House. “You want readers to read the story knowing there are stories and adventures and a world that exists far beyond the story they are currently invested in.”
What are your tips for writing fantasy? Leave them in the comments below. You can also check out our list of the 100 best fantasy series ever for inspiration!
16 responses
T.L. Branson says:
01/09/2017 – 05:36
I'm doing #2 right now. I totally get it. Writing short stories has helped me tremendously in understanding some fuzzy characters who have been more in the background in my main novel. Writing their story out helps me mold them a little better and write a real person instead of just a cardboard cutout.
↪️ jennyb_writes replied:
05/09/2017 – 23:29
Awesome!! I have worked with authors who have taken this step and those who haven't - I can always tell the difference. Way to go!
Lady Adellandra Dratianos says:
03/09/2017 – 23:48
I started my series "Chronicles of the Dragon Nations" by introducing a lot of people at once in the very first drafts years ago. Now, I introduce wherever they show up, but once. If it's been twenty or so pages since the introduction, I summarize who they were, either by dialogue between two characters or by reiterating who they were. Another rule from above that I use is the "Don't break your own rules." i.e. In my books, those in the Mortal Realm cannot shift or fly, due to gravity and the laws of nature. I had to remind myself this when I had three characters from another land, shapeshifters from the Dragon Nations are able to shift. Once reading it over for edits, I remembered my Mortal Realm rule and changed it. Lady Adellandra www.amazon.com/author/ladyadellandra
05/09/2017 – 23:32
Don't break your own rules is a tricky one...way to go catching your mistake in rewrites! Sometimes those laws of nature are so subtle and it always pays to pay attention in rewrites and edits. Happy writing!
Omnipleuvre says:
16/01/2018 – 20:53
One thing I've seen a lot, even in published books, is the description featuring waaaaay too many names at once. I should be able to grasp the premise of your story without needing to know that Adriana, heir to the Kingdom of Tallyrand is about to cross the Wall of Gishegrunurman to search for the amulet of Kinscaer. Too many names all at once is almost as bad as an infodump I feel.
Jenna Hunter says:
27/03/2018 – 20:53
It was interesting to read that the environment can be a plot point in a fantasy book. I think that making a lot of detail in a book is really important. I love reading books that create an entire universe, especially full of dragons, dwarves and all kinds of mythical creatures. http://crimsonthedragon.com/
Rishabh Chaturvedi says:
31/05/2018 – 18:49
How do I make my world different from the ones that influenced me to write a fantasy novel??
Janice Swanson says:
28/11/2018 – 12:59
What a wonderful article! Once I dream about how to create its fantasy the world, write a large number of books about this world, and I hope that once on my books based the film. All of the above items are really important to know the novice writer. Point # 13 is especially important for me, because the idea to write a book came to me after I was inspired by the works of Tolkien and George Orwell. These writers have their own inimitable style, and each of their stories makes me think about a lot. I would really like to write a novel, and to get it in a new genre, it will be something between fantasy and anti-utopia novel. Thank you for sharing such interesting and useful articles.
25/02/2019 – 11:17
A very interesting article, I learned a lot of new things for myself, which I hadn’t thought about before, but unfortunately not all the tips are applicable at the moment to modern works. The market is overcrowded with a variety of short-growing love stories, psychology and other tinsel. Now there is not enough quality fiction, but what appears is read immediately and very quickly. I strongly advise you to read a series of books about the Witcher, insanely interesting books, I just could not tear myself away for several months. If you want to know more about fiction, then examine this link.
Someguy says:
31/05/2019 – 13:35
"...and no-one would instinctively group Harry Potter and Stephen King's The Dark Tower in the same category." FYI. A relic from Harry Potter's world actually appears in the Dark Tower. While not in the same category, it easily can convince a reader of Harry Potter to read The Dark Tower or vice versa. It's a bit of a unique relationship.
↪️ Nick replied:
17/06/2019 – 12:00
Also, bogarts are based on It/The Spider/whatever species it is. And while she(Pennywise is just one form and a female spider is its true form) only kind of appears in TDT, there's a character in the series that's the same species I do believe
17/06/2019 – 12:02
I absolutely hate short stories. I can't write that little!
Elijah says:
25/06/2019 – 21:24
I’ve been working on a 5 book story for about 15 years now. I took several writing classes and have become so self critical of my writing that it has been hard to progress. I also lost a lot of my original papers due to mice (I found it easier to write by hand). These tips definitely make me feel like I’m on the right path lately.
Joseph Smith says:
07/11/2019 – 07:30
I'm currently on the third chapter of a book that I hopefully will actually complete, and so far I have stuck to most of these rules (high fantasy, sword and sorcery/heroic fantasy with a touch of dark fantasy), with the only two I haven't done as of yet is re reading lotr and creating a character interview (I have made a DnD character sheet of him if that counts). The kind of story I'm going with (not going to go too far into it) is a paladin raised from the dead only to have magic that he doesn't understand return some form of life to him finds a new purpose in hunting down undead and returning them to the afterlife. Any advice I can get?
William Anthony Pitzer says:
07/11/2019 – 22:01
The issue I have with number 2 is that I generally hate short stories, so obviously I'll find it difficult to write them. If a story is too short, then it's impossible to flesh out characters and a world tremendously, which is the whole reason that I read fantasy to begin with.
Matthew R Bishop says:
14/02/2020 – 18:39
Thank you! Rewriting like eight books because of this article, ugh. But thank you ;)
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70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts (+ Free Printable)
Every writer has moments when their mind goes blank . It can be frustrating and annoying when you really want to write something, but just don’t know where to start. That’s where writing prompts come in handy. Since it is J.K Rowling’s birthday in July, I figured what better way to celebrate her birthday than writing your own fantasy stories . These 70+ fantasy writing prompts for kids are an amazing source of inspiration! Most of these fantasy writing prompts relate to magic and wizardry. Aparecium – turn that blank page into an unforgettable story!
You might also be interested in these 48 Harry Potter Writing Prompts .
Random Fantasy Prompt Generator
For more writing ideas, check out this list of 56 Dystopian writing prompts .
- Download your free 25+ fantasy writing prompts printable.
Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts
Sci-fi fantasy prompts, fantasy prompts about dragons, epic fantasy prompts, urban fantasy prompts, modern fantasy prompts, medieval fantasy ideas, animal fantasy prompts, low fantasy prompts, fantasy story starters, how to use these fantasy writing prompts:, fantasy writing resources.
70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts For Kids:
If you need inspiration for character names, see our list of fantasy characters (everything from humans to dragons and unicorns). Without further ado, here are our fantasy writing prompts:
- Your father is an evil sorcerer, you must stop him before he kills all humans.
- As you walk through a dark forest, trees whisper warnings “turn away now!” (Check out this magical forest name generator for forest name ideas.)
- You want to attend the best magic school in all of Macbury, but have no magical powers.
- You have been cursed to never speak again by an evil witch. If you need a name for your evil witch, take a look at our awesome witch name generator .
- You return from school one day to find a mysterious package in your room with an owl-shaped logo on it.
- You are the only witch in a religious neighbourhood. Everyone blames you for their misfortunes.
- The evil witch has stolen all your powers turning you into a human.
- A boy helps out an old lady, in return, he is given magical powers. Instead of using his powers for good, he uses it to destroy the world.
- Your Grandad is the owner of an old antique shop. One day while helping your Grandad you discover a strange book called “The Guide to All Evil.”
- For years you have been spending your Saturday evening in a library, every week you see the same old man sitting in the corner. One night you decide to speak to him…
- One night you are dragged into your favourite RPG computer game, where you play a knight trying to save the land Tribula from the evil powers of the dark king.
- You find a magical map in your attic. The map shows the location of a moving target. One day that target appears in your back yard.
- You have the ability to raise the dead for a few minutes and have spent the past few years hunting for the monsters that killed your parents.
- You were the personal assistant to a crazy, old wizard who has now passed away. Before his passing, he told you to hide a mysterious bag.
- You find a spellbook which gives you specific instructions on how to cast a body-swapping spell.
- You are a storyteller. One day you realise that the stories you’ve been telling are true and you have the ability to control the lives of others.
- You work part-time as a vet. One dark night, while you are closing your shop, a crazy woman barges past the doors with a strange creature in her arms.
- A war has been raging between the witches of the West and the witches of the East for over 100 years.
- You are preparing for the annual top magicians competition. For the past 5 years in a row, you were voted wizard of the year. However this year there’s a new wizard in town threatening your title.
- You are a young wizard on a school trip learning about the different magical beings that inhabit the swamps. While there you notice one by one, your fellow students start disappearing.
- You are troublesome child, everyone including your parents and teachers have had enough of your behaviour. You find that the witches are the only ones that will take you in and take care of you.
- You have been marked with the scar of deceit. On your 18 th Birthday, you will be summoned to the underworld.
Download your free 25+ fantasy writing prompts printable .
Dark fantasy is a combination of fantasy and horror. It’s filled with horrific creatures, nightmares and dark magic with deadly consequences. Here are some dark fantasy writing prompts to inspire you:
- After reading a forbidden book, the most horrific and disgusting creatures from hell crossover to Earth.
- After the death of her mother, Beth turns to dark magic to resurrect the dead.
- The toys you broke and abandoned come alive and go on a killing spree.
- Were you seeing ghosts or were you dead?
- Crystal was one of the most powerful witches of all-time. She defeated many evil warlocks and villains. But now she’s locked up in a mental institution. Is she really a witch or is she just crazy?
Sci-fi fantasy or science fantasy is the combination of science and fantasy elements. It takes something logical and scientific and then adds in some fantasy elements like magic or mythical creatures.
- After a discovery of a new planet, scientists and astronauts have to battle a mysterious race of aliens in space. For more Outerspace inspiration, check out our space writing prompts .
- Rumours of the loch ness monster, lead you and your team to discover a new island with mythical creatures.
- Scientists accidentally create a vaccine which gives humans super strength, along with other traits.
- Is magic real or just an illusion? Tell the story of an amateur party magician that becomes the world’s greatest sorcerer. His simple party tricks soon grow into magical abilities set out to destroy the world.
For more science fiction ideas, check out our mega list of 110 sci-fi writing prompts and story ideas .
When you think of a traditional fantasy story, dragons are one the most common fantasy elements people include. Dragons can be the centre of a storyline or just some background characters causing havoc. Here are some Fantasy prompts about dragons. You might also want to check out our awesome dragon name generator :
- There are so many dragons out there with their own powers. Fire dragons are the most popular breed, but there’s also ice, electricity, wind, earth and many others. Imagine that you’re a young dragon with no powers. Write a story of how you discovered your abilities.
- In a war between dragons and humans, one dragon chooses to side with the humans. Write a fantasy war story about this dragon.
- Not all dragons are huge fire breathers with wings. Some are the size of flies. They fly around whispering strange things into the ears of humans. And if they manage to get inside of you, you’ll slowly start turning into a huge, horrendous dragon based on your personality.
- Dragons rule the world and humans are their slaves. You work as a slave for the oldest, most legendary dragon in the land. Write a story from the point of view of this slave and how you manage to escape the prison you’re locked up in.
- You find a dragon egg in your backyard. After a while, it starts cracking and out comes a baby dragon. What will happen next?
Epic fantasy is also known as high-fantasy. This is when your story includes huge fantasy elements, such as a whole new world and new species of humans or creatures. The key to epic fantasy is that your storyline should impact the entire world with huge consequences.
- In the fantasy world of Gidor, giants treat humans like their pets. They teach humans to do tricks, sit, play and even enter them in competitions. It’s the annual top human competition, where giants from all over the kingdom compete in a series of events to prove their human is the best.
- Aqurilla is a world where 94% of the world is underwater. Merpeople or mermaids and mermen are the main race in this world. The 6% that is actual land is filled with a small population of trolls that hunt merpeople.
- Ants the size of buses. Elephants the size of marbles. The fastest creatures in the world are snails. And the slowest are cheetahs. The kingdom of Htrae is very twisted indeed, for any normal human anyway. Imagine life if everything was the opposite.
- An evil sorcerer has found a way to drain the magical abilities of all the top witches and wizards in the world, turning them into mortals. Write from the perspective of this evil sorcerer.
- Someone has unlocked the eye of Maldor, the dragon of pure darkness. Opening the world up to darkness and demons. You have to find a way to destroy the eye of Maldor before it’s too late.
Urban fantasy are fantasy stories which are set in heavily populated areas or in the city. They combine old-school fantasy elements with a modern or urban twist. Here are some cool urban fantasy prompts to get you started:
- An office worker learns that her boss is an evil sorcerer who has made his money by playing sneaking tricks on important people.
- A homeless person finds a magical orb in a dumpster behind a Chinese restaurant. When he rubs the orb, he can see the future.
- Charlotte, a mortal girl with no magical abilities falls in love with a magical elve.
- Humans and monsters work together in the city of Belcraz. It’s complete harmony. Both races accept each other for their differences. Until one day, a secret underground group stirs up trouble.
- Struggling to find a job and to get her life back on track, Mildrid resorts to dark magic to cheat her way through life.
Modern or contemporary fantasy are fantasy stories set in the present time. Take some ancient elements or beliefs from hundreds or thousands of years ago and then apply them to the current timezone. Here are modern fantasy prompts to help you out:
- Fairytale creatures start coming to life and wandering around your city. Not all of these fairytale characters have good intentions.
- Different universes begin to collide when an evil sorcerer escapes his realm and appears in your home.
- A songwriter uses an ancient spellbook as inspiration for her next single. Her song, based on an old fear spell, becomes a number one hit. Soon enough, anyone listening to her song starts to lose their minds, as fear takes over.
- You get a mysterious email from the Dark Magicians League to join them this Saturday at a dinner party for new recruits. Excited by this invite, you take up the offer with deadly consequences,
- Magixie is a new social media platform, where people show off their magical abilities and learn how to grow their powers. Jealous of the magical abilities of other witches and wizards on the platform, you plan to use the platform to steal their magical abilities.
Medieval fantasy is all about knights, wizards, dragons and princesses. Think of the knights of the round table, kings ruling kingdoms, assassins trying to steal the throne and fire-breathing dragons. Here are some medieval fantasy ideas:
- Everyone made fun of Yagul the Jester until one day he summoned a fire-breathing dragon to attack the kingdom.
- Rorik was the King’s top knight. He has fought for the kingdom in many battles and won. However, secretly he is working on a plan to kill the king and take his throne.
- Tired of being a poor maiden, Yvanna trains to be a secret assassin. In disguise, she manages to steal thousands in gold. For her final act, she will poison the king.
- The king of Thahold has made a new rule: Anyone who practices witchcraft and wizardry will be beheaded. Unknowingly the king is being brainwashed by an evil sorcerer, who wants to be the only powerful magician left in the kingdom.
Animal stories are always heartfelt. Combine them with fantasy elements and you have yourself a heartfelt and exciting story to grip your readers. Here are some exciting animal fantasy prompts to get you started:
- Some say that cats have nine lives, but it looks like your cat has a million lives! Nothing, not even old age can kill it.
- Isabella is a mute. While she can’t speak to humans, she can easily communicate with animals. Her magical ability means that she can have real conversations with animals and control them.
- There’s rumour of a dark horse named Sybris appearing in the woods when the full moon is out. If you are able to tame this horse, you will gain its ability to curse people with their own fears.
- A black cat befriends a hellhound and together they cause chaos around town. It’s all up to an old wizard’s wise old owl to save the town.
- At birth, every human is given a special animal that will act as their guardian. At age 18, the animal is allowed to retire, while their human slowly morphs into a guardian animal to protect other humans.
Low fantasy is when fantasy events happen in a real or normal world. Normally the main characters will all be normal humans (with no powers or magical abilities) and then suddenly something magical happens to them. Here are some low fantasy prompts to inspire you:
- Michael learns that his great grandfather was an ultimate wizard and that he has inherited some of his magical abilities.
- Your pet dog digs up a strange treasure chest in your backyard. Inside the treasure chest is the most beautiful necklace you’ve ever seen. When you wear this necklace you are able to control the earth with your mind.
- On a deep-sea expedition, something goes terribly wrong and you are lost at sea. Thankfully a mermaid-like creature saves you from the deep waters.
- For years there’s been a legend of a witch living deep in the forest. You and your friends decide to go and check if this legend is true.
- After a near-death experience, you are able to communicate with the dead.
Here are some exciting fantasy story starters to help you with your writing:
- The door creaked open and out jumped…
- I never thought I would end up here. In this strange place.
- “Abra Kadabra, turn this stick into a flying broom! Oh, why won’t it work!”, shrieked Annabelle.
- There was never a dull moment in Alecbra. Everyone was special in their own way.
- A beastly shadow covered the floor, as Michael lay there paralyzed.
- She felt the fire in her veins. It was all becoming too much. She could no longer tame the beast.
For more inspiration, check out this list of over 150 story starters .
Looking for more fantasy writing prompts? Take a look at this book, 500 fantasy writing prompts by Erica Blumenthal (Amazon affiliate link). This book covers all sorts of fantasy writing prompts, from young adult fantasy prompts to medieval and modern prompts:
Sit down and write for 10 or 20 minutes straight for a prompt of your choosing. You can even aim to write a short paragraph for all of these fantasy prompts. Pace yourself by doing one prompt a day. If you are struggling to write more about a prompt, then you can use the 5 W’s and 1 H technique (What, why, where, when, who and how). Ask yourself, when did this event happen or why did it happen? For example for prompt 1, you see a large opening in the tree. Think about who was present at the time you saw this, what day was it and how did you feel in this exact moment? Hopefully, the 5 W’s and 1 H technique will help you to expand your story and even motivate you to finish your story!
And if you need more inspiration, take a look at this awesome fantasy book title generator .
Need more inspiration for your fantasy story? Here are a couple of resources that we recommend. The first resource we recommend is an amazing book called, Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction: How To Create Out-Of-This-World Novels (Amazon Affiliate link). This book covers everything from generating ideas to writing detailed descriptions of fantasy worlds (and creatures). Its aimed towards more mature writers, but younger skilled writers may also find the tips useful.
Another great read for budding fantasy story writers is the Fantasy Fiction Formula book (Amazon Affiliate link). This book offers practical tips and techniques from writing fantasy stories from beginning to end. Again this book is geared towards the more mature or experienced writer.
Finally, we recommend, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook: The Complete Guide To Writing Fantasy (Amazon Affiliate link). This book is great for both beginners and more novice writers. It provides brilliant advice in a range of areas, such as character development , world-building, plot development and editing and publishing your book. We think this book is the ultimate ‘go-to’ for any budding fantasy writer:
For more writing prompts, visit our writing prompts page. Have these fantasy writing prompts inspired you to write your own story? Join our website and write a story online to share with your friends!
Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.
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A Classic of Golden Age Detective Fiction Turns 100
Dorothy L. Sayers dealt with emotional and financial instability by writing “Whose Body?,” the first of many to star the detective Lord Peter Wimsey.
Dorothy L. Sayers at the Detection Club, a society of crime writers that she helped establish. Credit... Popperfoto/Popperfoto, via Popperfoto Via Getty Images
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By Sarah Weinman
- May 21, 2023
In a 1937 essay , the English writer Dorothy L. Sayers explained the genesis of her most famous character and one of crime fiction’s most memorable detectives, Lord Peter Wimsey. “When in a lighthearted manner I set out, 15 years ago, to write the first ‘Lord Peter’ book,” she wrote, “it was with the avowed intention of producing something ‘less like a conventional detective story and more like a novel.’”
She would admit in this same essay that “Whose Body?” didn’t quite live up to her lofty expectations when it came out a century ago this month. This was her debut novel, and when Sayers looked back on it 15 years later, after she had published more substantial works like “The Nine Tailors” (1934) and “Gaudy Night” (1935), “Whose Body?” seemed, to her, like frippery. Sayers’s self-assessment does not take into account that the novel is pure pleasure to read, fulfilling a desire for escape — something readers want as much now as they did 100 years ago.
“Whose Body?” was published at a pivotal moment in the life of Dorothy Leigh Sayers. Nearing 30, she had recently started her first real job and was also finally ending an unhappy, protracted relationship with the writer John Cournos, who tried to convince her to sleep with him and embrace his commitment to “free love.” She refused.
Sayers dealt with her emotional and financial instability by deciding to write a novel. She conjured Lord Peter, a gentleman of the highest order and clearly something of a fantasy, aspirational and romantic. Rather than needing to work, Lord Peter was independently wealthy. Instead of being a cautious introvert, he was lively and charming, with a “long, amiable face.”
But like Sayers, Lord Peter possessed considerable intellectual powers, which he needed to solve the double mystery in “ Whose Body? ” — the murder of a “tall, stout man of about 50” discovered in a bathtub, naked but for a pair of gold pince-nez, and the disappearance of a wealthy financier. Lord Peter, with help from his manservant and a Scotland Yard detective, puzzled out the connections as mystery fiction readers demanded. What elevated Sayers’s debut to the upper ranks of the genre was the quality of her prose and the sense that her sleuth had more emotional heft than he displayed.
When “Whose Body?” was published 100 years ago, in May 1923, the reviews were largely favorable. “The best detective story we have read since we stopped regarding books purely as amusements,” The New York Herald declared. The New York Times judged there to be “no reason why the discerning, but by no means infallible, Lord Peter should not become one of the best-known and best-liked among the many amateur detectives of fiction.”
At the time, Sayers was one of relatively few women writing detective fiction. Agatha Christie’s “ The Mysterious Affair at Styles ,” which introduced Hercule Poirot, had appeared three years earlier. While Margery Allingham would go on to publish her debut, “ Black’erchief Dick ,” not long after “Whose Body?,” she wouldn’t create her own gentleman sleuth, Albert Campion, until 1929 — the same year that Josephine Tey’s first mystery, “The Man in the Queue,” came out. Ngaio Marsh didn’t publish her first novel, “A Man Lay Dead,” until 1934.
Sayers had the confidence to embark upon Lord Peter’s next adventure, “Clouds of Witness,” before “Whose Body?” was ever published. But her second novel would not be released until 1926, most likely because of the changed circumstances in her life.
After her relationship with Cournos ended, Sayers met a car salesman named Bill White and began a brief relationship that resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. When Sayers told him, White disappeared. The sense of shame she must have felt as an unmarried woman, let alone one with a First Class Honors degree from the University of Oxford and a burgeoning career as a novelist, would have been overwhelming.
She hid the pregnancy from her parents, took a month of sick leave from work to give birth in secret and gave the baby to a cousin to raise. Although Sayers would be a presence in her son’s life after his birth in January 1924, he did not learn the truth until after her death in 1957.
Whatever emotions she buried ended up fully sublimated in the subsequent Lord Peter novels, which, after 1926, emerged in near-annual bursts until Sayers gave up writing detective novels after “Busman’s Honeymoon” in 1937. By then, she felt she had exhausted the format, more interested in human behavior than in mystery plots.
Sayers stopped writing detective fiction to focus on religion and translating Dante’s trilogy into English. But she never strayed far from the mystery world. She was a co-founder of the crime-writer society the Detection Club and indulged a healthy interest in real-life crimes. More important, the genre never strayed far from Sayers, reconfiguring the gentleman detective of her imagination for fresh generations in need of escape, comfort and a desire to vanquish “jiggery-pokery” — a favorite phrase of hers, and one that I’d like to see back in regular circulation.
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Fantasy Character Ideas. Farmer whose fingernails hold healing powers. Pixie who lives for drama. Former queen living in exile. Imagine: (A)Your best friend as wanderer without a home. (B) Your parent as a poltergeist (C) A childhood nemesis as a benevolent healer (D) Your favorite teacher as a powerful wizard.
13) The Black and White Morality Theme. The battle between "good" and "evil" is such a prevalent theme in fantasy — and it's no wonder. When it strays to a cliché is when the line between good and evil is perceived as black and white, with no grey area. The good guys are purely good, and the bad guys are pure evil — end of story.
Here are our top ten fantasy writing prompts: Write a fairy tale about an outsider trying to fit in. Write about a mischievous pixie or trickster god. A day in the life of a genie who annoyingly keeps getting summoned by inept humans. Write a short story about the star-crossed love between an orc and an elf.
These fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas can be used as inspiration to write your next epic tale. You can use these story ideas and prompts for all types of creative works, whether it be a novel, screen play or other fictional short stories. The Magic World of Writing Fantastical, Epic Tales.
N J Simmonds (RONA shortlisted fantasy author and Jericho Writer's Head of Community & Editorial Commissions) shares her 140 fantasy book ideas and writing prompts to help get your creativity going and transport you to another world. These story prompts are divided into 7 different fantasy categories, with 20 suggestions for each: And don't ...
Timeless, dramatic themes. Fantasy is full of themes such as the battle of good versus evil, the power the individual has to overthrow tyranny, the value of friendship and loyalty, and more. These are timeless themes that stay relevant to modern life. The above give helpful insights into how to make a fantasy story appeal to lovers of the genre.
Fantasy writing ideas include elements not typical of recorded history — including mythical beings, magic, etc. The following prompts act as medieval fantasy story starters. 52. A Royal Pain. Thanks to your quick thinking during a crisis at the village market, you've been appointed as the bodyguard for the princess.
Write a story about a teacher who can read the thoughts of their students, but can't tell anybody their secret. The pirate bound my hands and stuffed a gag into my mouth. I kicked him in the shins. "Ow!" he said, glaring at me as he pulled the rope tighter. "Now, tell us where the gold is, or I'll…".
71 Fantasy Story Ideas. When writing a fantasy story, there are endless possibilities to consider. Whether you're looking to write about a group of adventurers who go on a quest to save the world or a young girl who discovers her magical powers and must stop an evil wizard from taking over the kingdom, the sky is the limit.
There are plenty of other fantasy plot generators and plot twist generators to provide more bursts of inspiration. Here are some of our favorite fantasy story generators on the Internet: Best Fantasy Short Story Ideas in 2019. Warpcore SF's Fantasy Plot Generator. Seventh Sanctum's Plot Twist Generator.
Fantasy prompts are ideas or scenarios that can inspire writers to create stories within the fantasy genre. These fantasy story ideas can help writers to develop unique and compelling characters, settings, and plotlines that transport readers to magical worlds filled with adventure, intrigue, and wonder.
A fifth key element of fantasy is 'place' or 'setting': The mythical, magical or miraculous landscape where the action takes place: 5. Place/Setting and worldbuilding. Because of its exploration of the otherworldly and the supernatural, place is a key aspect of many fantasy novels. Some places are created through magic.
Whether you've already started writing a book or are still developing your novel idea, these fiction prompts can serve as writing resources to get you started: 1. Your best friend pulls you aside at a party and says, "I have an epic secret to tell you.". He drunkenly explains that he's a werewolf and offers to turn you into a werewolf, too.
My list of mythical creatures and beings might also be a good fantasy plot generator. And if you want more story ideas, please check out my book 5,000 Writing Prompts! It has 100 more fantasy writing prompts in addition to the ones on this list, plus hundreds of other master plots by genre, dialogue and character prompts, and much more.
Fantasy Writing Prompts: 150+ Ideas to Get Started. Fantasy is one of the biggest genres out there, with a huge variety of sub genres and sub-sub genres. Fantasy is also great because it can be combined with almost any other genre, whether it be romance, thriller, science fiction, and even literary books. But because fantasy is so imaginative ...
The Ultimate Guide To Writing A Fantasy Novel. August 14, 2022 by Barrie Davenport. You just finished reading a fantasy series that has left you reeling. You're satisfied with the way things turned out, but the thought of saying goodbye to those characters just hurts. You want to keep the magic going.
Highlander. Toy Story. Groundhog Day. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Harry Potter. Twilight. The Wizard of Oz. MCU and DC movies. In the spirit of helping writers find those seeds, here we offer 101 originally conceived fantasy story prompts that you can use as inspiration for your next fantasy story.
Here are 59 Fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas to get your creativity flowing: Wizards, Superheroes, Dragons & Fairies YA Fantasy Writing Prompts. 1. A wizard must stop a powerful dragon from destroying the kingdom. 2. A superhero must protect a city from an evil villain. (cliche but always a good one!)
10. Use real-world themes in the fantasy genre. "Your concerns about politics, culture, the environment, technology, violence, racism, misogyny — these issues can be explored in inventive, eye-opening ways while writing fantasy," says Rebecca Faith Heyman, an editor who worked on Elise Kova's The Alchemists of Loom.
For more science fiction ideas, check out our mega list of 110 sci-fi writing prompts and story ideas. Fantasy Prompts About Dragons. When you think of a traditional fantasy story, dragons are one the most common fantasy elements people include. Dragons can be the centre of a storyline or just some background characters causing havoc.
At the time, Sayers was one of relatively few women writing detective fiction. Agatha Christie's "The Mysterious Affair at Styles," which introduced Hercule Poirot, had appeared three years ...