How to Write Your First Fantasy Novel in 2025 (Full Guide)

If you’re writing a fantasy novel, there’s a good chance you’re making one of these nine critical worldbuilding mistakes — and the problem is that any one of these could ruin your story. I know that because after working with over 90 fantasy writers in my coaching programs, I see the same worldbuilding mistakes come up again and again — and from my own experience as an author, I’ve had to learn about these mistakes the hard way. But the good news is that once you know how to avoid them, you can instead craft a world that feels utterly captivating and immersive for your readers.***Get 'The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization' with a 10% discount: https://jedherne.com/rebuild (then use code JEDBOOK10). Thanks to Hungry Minds Publishing for sponsoring this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share my full step-by-step process for writing a great fantasy novel. After publishing four fantasy books (and after helping many other writers finish their own stories), I've got a lot of share when it comes to the craft of storytelling. This podcast compresses the most critical lessons I've learned from 12 years of experience so far. Enjoy!Join my accountability & support community for fantasy writers: https://bit.ly/fantasy-guildTimestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:45 - 1: PICKING YOUR IDEA00:01:23 - Finding inspiration00:04:34 - Trope brainstorm00:06:49 - Narrowing down to 1 idea00:08:34 - A harsh truth00:12:03 - Choosing your scope00:14:03 - Originality doesn’t exist00:15:28 - Ideas are cheap00:16:32 - 2: OUTLINING00:21:03 - The purpose of outlining00:23:38 - The Hourglass Method00:24:12 - Exploring the suburb00:26:01 - Finding your core (premise, theme)00:39:47 - Guiding principles document00:41:00 - Building character arcs00:51:36 - 9-Point Story Structure01:17:01 - Final thoughts on structure01:18:06 - 3: WRITING YOUR 1st DRAFT01:19:36 - The goal of a 1st draft01:24:10 - Building good writing habits01:29:23 - Track your word counts01:32:12 - Do this when you get stuck01:40:00 - More tips to make the 1st draft easier01:47:37 - 4: EDITING01:50:25 - Make notes on your 1st draft01:53:15 - The 2nd draft (big changes)01:54:43 - 3rd draft (specific passes)01:58:17 - Working with early readers02:04:29 - 4th draft (incorporate reader comments)02:05:19 - Hire a pro editor02:08:17 - The final draft02:10:54 - ‘Finishing’ a book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share a 7-step framework for writing interesting character relationships in your fantasy novel. If you would like my personal help to write a great fantasy novel, check out my Fantasy Outlining Bootcamp: https://jedherne.com/outline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jed Herne shares five principles to write better antagonists in your fantasy novel. Want to write better characters? Check out Jed's free 5-day course: https://jedherne.com/5-day-course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate my YouTube channel reaching over 100,000 subscribers, I'm answering 42 of your fantasy writing questions. Enjoy!Join my free 5-day course to write better fantasy characters: https://jedherne.com/5-day-courseJoin my First Chapter Mastery program: https://firstchaptermastery.com/Apply for my 7-week Fantasy Outlining Bootcamp: https://jedherne.com/outlineJoin my Easy Writing Habits course: https://easywritinghabits.com/Freewrite Traveller (distraction-free writing laptop): https://getfreewrite.com/?rstr=6485 - use my affiliate link for a 5% discount.ProWritingAid (great editing software): https://jedherne.com/prowritingaid - 10% discount with my affiliate link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I surveyed 367 fantasy readers to ask: what's the worst way to start a fantasy novel? In this episode, I share the top 10 most common responses - along with my tips for avoiding these bad opening mistakes. Want to write a great first chapter in your fantasy novel?Then check out my First Chapter Mastery program: https://firstchaptermastery.com/This program also includes the option to get my personal feedback on your writing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I cover seven principles that will make sure readers love your magic system. This is based on my experience of publishing four fantasy novels, and from critiquing hundreds of magic systems from other writers over the last few years. Get my 'Limitations, Weaknesses, & Consequences' inspiration resource: https://jedherne.com/magiclimits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share 15 advanced worldbuilding techniques I learned from publishing four fantasy books, along with my interactive fantasy novel, Siege of Treboulain. I consider these techniques ‘advanced’ because I don’t often hear them discussed. However, I have found them extremely powerful, so by the end of this podcast, you should have lots of inspiration for your own writing.Get my free 5-day character writing course: https://jedherne.com/5-day-courseGet ProWritingAid (10% discount with my affiliate link): https://jedherne.com/prowritingaid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I'll show you how to lengthen a fantasy novel that's too short, without making it feel boring or slow-paced. Join my free course on writing better fantasy characters: https://jedherne.com/5-day-courseWatch my 70-minute video on writing character arcs: https://youtu.be/wfoV-e7RMRo?si=sGnBX1m9HkyzEZ0E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s six huge mistakes that will kill your fantasy novel on page one. I know this because I’ve edited fantasy novels for 34 writers over the last year and half. Plus, I’ve read through hundreds of opening pages from other writers who have applied to work with me — and I see these same mistakes over and over again.I've also personally published four fantasy novels, and over the 12+ years I’ve been writing, I’ve had to learn about many of these mistakes the hard way.The good news? Once you know how to avoid these 6 errors, you’ll be able to instantly hook your readers on the first page and leave them no choice but to binge through the rest of your novel. Join my First Chapter Critique workshop: https://jedherne.com/character-workshop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.