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A Complete Guide to novel fantasy
How to write a fantasy Novel: Fantasy novels have a unique power: they transport readers into worlds that exist beyond the ordinary. From sprawling kingdoms filled with dragons to enchanted forests brimming with hidden magic, the genre has captured imaginations for centuries. Unlike many other forms of storytelling, a novel fantasy is not limited by the rules of our everyday world. It invites readers into places where the impossible becomes possible, where heroes rise from humble beginnings, and where entire civilizations can be built from the imagination of a single writer.
At its heart, fantasy is about wonder. It allows us to ask questions such as: What if magic was real? What if animals could talk? What if time itself could be bent or broken? These “what if” scenarios are the seeds that grow into the most beloved stories—from children’s illustrations books that combine playful characters with hand-drawn art, to epic sagas that make the New York Times bestsellers list. Whether you dream of writing a children’s novel filled with whimsical creatures, or a darker, adult epic with complex politics and legendary battles, fantasy offers the freedom to tell stories on your own terms.
But this freedom can also feel overwhelming. With no limits, where do you begin? Should you start with worldbuilding, characters, or plot? How do you balance creativity with structure so your story feels magical without becoming confusing? These are the questions that every aspiring fantasy author faces, and this guide is designed to give you clear, practical answers. We’ll move step by step through the process of writing, showing you how to brainstorm ideas, develop believable characters, and create a world your readers will want to return to again and again.
Along the way, we’ll also highlight the role of visuals in storytelling. For children’s books especially, illustrations of a book are what make the story come alive—turning it into a “more than word book” that delights young readers and stays in their memories for years. We’ll explore how book illustration, styles of cartooning, and even editorial illustration can complement your writing. And because the first impression often comes from the outside, we’ll talk about the importance of book covers of children’s books and how the right design can help your story stand out in a crowded market.
By the end of this guide, you’ll not only know how to write a children’s novel or an adult fantasy epic, but also understand how to bring your story to life through design, artwork, and publishing essentials. Whether you want to self-publish, pitch to a traditional publisher, or simply write for the joy of it, you’ll have a roadmap to follow. Writing a fantasy novel is a challenge, but with the right steps, it can also become one of the most rewarding creative adventures you’ll ever undertake.
Every great fantasy novel begins with a deep understanding of the genre itself. Fantasy is vast, layered, and constantly evolving. To write well, you first need to see how the masters have done it before you. Immerse yourself in the worlds of classic epics and modern favorites alike. Read everything—from bestsellers NYTimes that have captured global attention to indie fantasy gems that experiment with fresh voices. Notice how each writer approaches themes, pacing, and the way they build their worlds.
One important distinction is between high fantasy and low fantasy. High fantasy usually takes place in completely invented realms, with rich histories, languages, and lore—think of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Low fantasy, on the other hand, brings magic into our everyday world, like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide. Understanding where your own story fits on this spectrum helps you decide how much detail to pour into your worldbuilding and how much to anchor in reality.
As you analyze other works, pay attention to key elements that make a novel fantasy unforgettable:
By studying the genre closely, you’ll gain insight into what works, what readers expect, and how you can bring something original to the tradition of fantasy storytelling.
>Every novel fantasy begins with a spark—something small that grows into a world worth exploring. That spark might come from a character who refuses to leave your imagination, a mysterious setting that begs to be described, or even a simple “what if” question. What if humans could speak to dragons? What if time itself was controlled by a hidden council? Questions like these can ignite stories that grow into unforgettable adventures.
When shaping your core idea, start by asking yourself a few key questions:
These questions help you discover the heart of your story. Remember, fantasy is as much about ideas as it is about execution. Readers aren’t just looking for dragons or spells; they’re searching for meaning and adventure woven into something new.
It’s also helpful to brainstorm visually. Many writers sketch simple maps, creatures, or symbols to capture their vision. Some even create hand drawing illustrations of characters or landscapes before a single chapter is written. These don’t need to be professional works of art—rough sketches are enough to anchor your imagination and make the world feel more tangible. Later, if you decide to invest in professional book illustration, those early drawings can serve as valuable references for illustrators for hire.
By developing a strong core idea, you set the foundation for everything else—your worldbuilding, your plot, and your characters. Without it, even the most beautiful writing or elaborate map will feel hollow. With it, your story has the power to grow into a fully realized novel fantasy that captivates readers from the first page.
Worldbuilding is the beating heart of any fantasy story. A reader might forgive a slow beginning or a flawed character, but if the world feels flat or inconsistent, the entire novel fantasy will collapse. A convincing world makes readers believe in dragons, magic, enchanted forests, and even impossible destinies. It’s the stage on which every triumph and tragedy of your characters will play out.
When building your world, think of it as a living, breathing place with its own logic. Here are some of the most important elements to consider:
As you develop these elements, remember that your fantasy world is more than just background—it’s an active force shaping your story. A harsh desert might test your hero’s endurance, while a sacred forest might offer both sanctuary and danger. Think of your world as a stage, and your characters as actors moving across it. The more detailed and consistent the stage, the more believable the performance.
Visual aids can also help during this stage. Many authors use sketches, storyboards, or even illustrations of a book draft to keep their vision consistent. For writers creating stories for younger readers, professional book illustration turns the imaginary into something children can see and connect with. In this way, your world becomes not just words on a page, but a “more than word book” that lingers in the reader’s imagination.
Imagine a land called Valoria, a kingdom built on floating islands that drift above stormy seas. The geography forces its people to master airships instead of horses. Their culture prizes freedom and sky exploration, but their history carries the scars of an ancient war that split the islands apart. Magic in Valoria is drawn from the winds themselves—rare, unpredictable, and dangerous. Only a few are born with the ability to “hear the storm,” and those who can are both revered and feared. From this foundation alone, countless stories could unfold: a young storm-hearer destined to reunite the islands, a warlord seeking to control the skies, or an explorer who discovers the sea below holds forgotten secrets.
A fantasy novel may be filled with magical lands, epic battles, and breathtaking scenery, but what truly keeps readers turning the pages are the characters. Readers don’t just want to see your world—they want to experience it through the eyes of people (or creatures) who feel alive, relatable, and unforgettable. That’s why character creation is one of the most important steps in writing a fantasy novel.
When developing your cast, think about more than just their role in the plot. Dig deeper into who they are, what they want, and what they fear. Characters with layers and contradictions feel real, and that realism creates an emotional bond with your audience.
If you’re writing a children’s novel, visual storytelling plays an even bigger role. In children’s illustration books, character design is just as important as the words on the page. The way a hero, creature, or villain is drawn can leave a lasting impression on young readers. Think of the most famous illustrations in children’s books—characters like the Cat in the Hat or Winnie-the-Pooh are remembered as much for their visual personality as for their stories. A strong collaboration between author and book illustrator ensures that characters not only read well but also look iconic on the page.
This is why many authors work closely with professional children’s book illustrators who can bring their characters to life. A carefully designed hero or sidekick can become a child’s lifelong favorite, turning your story into a classic that lives on in memory and imagination.
Whether you’re writing an epic fantasy saga or a simple children’s story, remember: characters are the heart of your novel fantasy. The more readers care about them, the more they will care about your world and your story.
There is no single formula for structuring a fantasy novel, but many authors find it helpful to work within familiar frameworks. One of the most popular is the Hero’s Journey, where a character leaves home, faces trials, and ultimately returns transformed by the experience. Another common structure is the quest narrative, in which the characters must achieve a goal—often by traveling through dangerous or unfamiliar lands. Some fantasy novels also lean heavily into political intrigue, where factions, shifting alliances, and power struggles drive the story forward.
To keep track of complex plots, writers often rely on tools like flowcharts, tables, or storyboards. These help organize scenes and ensure that the story flows smoothly. Some authors even collaborate with an illustration studio or hire freelance illustrators to visualize key moments. These early visual concepts can later evolve into book illustration covers or even marketing material that captures the spirit of the story.
The golden rule for any first draft is simple: do not overthink. First drafts are meant to be messy, and that’s part of the process. The most important thing at this stage is to keep the words flowing and to resist the urge to edit as you go. Perfection will come later, during revision.
To stay consistent, many writers set daily word count goals. Even 500 words a day adds up quickly when done regularly. Writing every day, even in small bursts, helps you build momentum and stay connected to your story. Remember, the goal of the first draft is progress, not polish.
If you are writing for children, pay special attention to simplicity and rhythm. Children’s books often rely on patterns, repetition, and a musical flow to hold attention. Also think about how your text will pair with editorial illustration or how the inside cover artwork will shape the reader’s first impression of your story.
Once your draft is complete, step away from it for a while before diving into revisions. Coming back with fresh eyes allows you to see the story more clearly and spot weaknesses you may have missed while writing. During revision, you can address issues such as clunky dialogue, slow pacing, or plot holes that weaken the story.
A useful revision checklist includes asking: Are the characters consistent in their actions and dialogue? Does every scene move the story forward or develop a character? Is the magic system clear and believable? And most importantly, does the story build toward a climax that feels satisfying to the reader?
At this stage, some writers also commission a freelance illustrator to create concept art. Seeing a key scene brought to life visually can reveal details that need tightening or expanding. It’s a powerful way to test how well your descriptions translate into imagery and to refine the worldbuilding before the final draft.
For children’s novels in particular, book illustration is not just decoration—it is central to how the story is experienced. Illustrations help transform a manuscript into a living, breathing story that resonates with young readers. For fantasy novels, the right design choices can set the tone, build atmosphere, and make the book unforgettable.
There are many styles of illustration that authors and publishers can explore. Hand-drawn illustrations provide a timeless and personal touch, often bringing warmth and intimacy to a story. Cartooning styles, with their playful exaggerations, are perfect for capturing humor, whimsy, and larger-than-life characters. Editorial illustrations, on the other hand, are clean, professional, and versatile, making them a great fit for both children’s and adult books.
Working with an illustration studio ensures visual consistency across your book, from the cover to the inside pages. A well-designed book cover illustration is especially important—it not only represents your story but also determines whether a reader picks it up or passes it by. Even in adult fantasy novels, where text often dominates, a striking cover illustration can capture the mood and genre instantly and spark a reader’s imagination before they even open the first page.
After all the hours of writing, editing, and polishing, you finally have a manuscript you’re proud of. If your story includes artwork or illustrations, make sure those are finalized as well. Now comes one of the biggest steps in your journey—publishing your fantasy novel. This is where your story makes the leap from a private dream to something readers can hold in their hands or download on their devices.
You have two main publishing paths:
If you’re planning to publish a children’s novel, illustrations are not optional—they’re essential. Parents and children often choose books based on the cover or the richness of the artwork inside. The book covers of children’s books often act as the deciding factor in whether a child picks up your story or walks past it.
Here are some practical steps to move forward:
Publishing is only half the journey. For your book to succeed, it needs to find its readers. This is where marketing comes in. A well-planned promotion strategy can turn your fantasy novel into a discovery for thousands of new fans.
Some proven marketing approaches include:
Visuals are a powerful tool in marketing. A striking book illustration cover can spark interest at first glance. Behind-the-scenes content, like how your illustrator designed a character, can engage your audience and make them feel part of the creative process. You can also create bonus material such as posters, bookmarks, or postcards featuring illustrations of a book—these not only promote your novel but also make wonderful keepsakes for readers.
No matter where you are in your writing journey, it’s always helpful to study the greats. Look at the bestsellers on the NYTimes list in the fantasy category. These books often set trends and reveal what resonates with readers at a global scale.
When analyzing them, ask yourself:
This doesn’t mean you should imitate them. Every author has a unique voice. The goal is to learn what works and then apply those lessons in a way that’s true to your own storytelling style.
Writing and publishing a fantasy novel is not a quick sprint—it’s a marathon. It demands creativity, patience, and discipline. It also requires collaboration with other creative professionals, like illustrators for hire, cover designers, and editors, who help bring your vision to life.
When you combine strong storytelling with powerful visuals—whether through children’s illustrations books, carefully designed book illustration covers, or interior illustrations of a book—you create something more than just a story. You create an experience. These layers of narrative and art together can transform your fantasy novel into a timeless work that captivates readers for years to come.
Writing a fantasy novel is more than just putting words on a page—it’s an adventure in itself. From the very first spark of an idea to the last round of edits, each stage of the process invites you to dive deeper into your imagination. Worldbuilding gives your readers a place to explore, characters offer them companions to journey with, and the story becomes a bridge between your vision and their hearts. It’s a creative path that demands dedication, but the reward is timeless: a story that can inspire, comfort, and entertain readers for generations.
Yet even the most powerful words deserve the right visuals to match. Illustration doesn’t just decorate a story—it breathes life into it. A well-crafted illustration can capture the wonder of your world, highlight the personalities of your characters, and make your book unforgettable on the shelf. Whether you’re inspired by the artistry of famous illustrations in children’s books or seeking a unique style that sets your story apart, thoughtful visuals elevate your novel far beyond text alone.
At Blueberry Illustrations, we’ve had the privilege of helping countless authors take their stories from rough manuscripts to published treasures. Our team specializes in creating everything from captivating book covers to enchanting inside illustrations that connect with both children and adults. With professional design, art that complements your narrative, and a collaborative process, we work to ensure your book feels every bit as magical as the story within.
If you’re ready to bring your fantasy novel to life—complete with vivid illustrations, polished design, and the care it deserves—we’d love to help transform your vision into a finished masterpiece that readers will cherish for years to come.
To explore more self publishing tips and resources that can guide you in writing, designing, and publishing your book, click on this link.
