Last year, I began my work-in-progress: a fantasy about a struggling actor who stumbles into a parallel world. Not only is the novel my first portal fantasy, but it has some typical fantasy tropes, such as taverns, lots of travel and quests, sorcerers and magics, were-people, etc. Unlike my previous novels, which fall more into the realm of light fantasy (i.e. in Eve and the Faders and Aya and the Alphas, there are superpowered people in the regular world), my work-in-progress comes a little closer to traditional or even “high fantasy.” While it has some fantasy beings and magic, it still veers away from many of the standard fantasy tropes (medieval settings, chosen one, dragons, etc.) because none of that appeals to me or fits my aesthetic. In fact, I swerved so far away from traditional fantasy tropes in my upcoming novel that there are even androids, right alongside sorcerers and were-people.

Ultimately, fantasy can take so many forms and can look quite different from author to author. Because the genre is so open for experimentation, writing fantasy can be particularly challenging. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, as I wrote the first draft of my work-in-progress and started revising it recently, I wondered, “what are some guidelines that can help me and other authors of fantasy create engaging and believable stories?” From there, I brainstormed and drafted a list.

Take these suggestions with a grain of salt (after all, this is just the perception of one indie fantasy author), but here are some of the most important things for fantasy authors to keep in mind (if you want avoid pulling out all your hair in frustration):

Unique and believable world

Fantasy stories take place in imaginary worlds with different rules, creatures, and cultures. Sometimes, these worlds look almost identical to the real world but with some key differences. No matter what, the world should be a fully-realized one that feels unique and believable, with consistent rules governing the actions of characters within it.

Clear but not rigid magic system

Fantasy stories don’t have to contain magic, but it is a common feature in the genre and it is essential to establish clear rules and limitations for how magic works. A well-developed magic system adds depth and richness to a fantasy world, making it more immersive. However, it’s important to avoid having too much rigidity in the magic system because it can begin to feel confining and simplistic. For example, it is always somewhat simplistic (and deeply troubling) to me that many fantasy writers create magic systems where only certain types of beings are capable of certain types of magic; such magic systems recreate existing rigid racial structures in a genre that should be an opportunity to think outside of real-world structures and ideas. Why not uplift magic systems where all kinds of magics can be learned, not just inherited?

Memorable characters

Like any good story, fantasy stories need well-developed characters that readers can care about and understand. Characters should be unique and have depth, with understandable motivations and conflicts that drive the story forward.

Clichés and overused tropes

Fantasy stories typically contain common tropes like chosen ones, magic swords, dragons, powerful ancient artifacts, medieval settings, and evil empires. While these can be useful storytelling tools, overusing them can make a story feel stale and unoriginal. (I’ll admit I’m utterly exhausted of medieval fantasy settings.) Try to avoid some of these or subvert expectations and create new twists on familiar ideas.

Information dumps

Folks love to harp on about “show, don’t tell,” and although I have a problem with this advice (that’s a topic for another article), it is actually critical in fantasy stories where the world and its inhabitants are unfamiliar to readers. Look, as novelists, we are ultimately storytellers (so there will and should be some “telling” in our stories), but a lot of telling can easily turn into “information dumps” in fantasy stories, dragging down the plot and disrupting character development. Instead of telling readers about the world or characters, show them through action and dialogue, allowing readers to discover and explore the world for themselves.

Also, an information chart (of characters or places) or a map at the beginning of the book might help relieve some of the need to information dump in the story. As someone with ADHD short-term memory issues and who can’t visualize well (aphantasia), I love books that include information charts and maps that I can refer to when I forget a character, place, or term.

Clear conflict and resolution

All good stories need a clear conflict and resolution, and this is especially true for fantasy stories. The conflict(s) can be internal or external, but it should be clear and have significant enough stakes that encourage readers to get invested. Notice I didn’t say the conflict has to have “high” stakes. I don’t think every fantasy novel needs to have “world-ending” stakes; this is why I appreciate the growth of the “cozy fantasy” subgenre, where the novel can feel more like a low-key and low-stakes slice-of-life story. In any case, the resolution should be satisfying and tie up most or all loose ends.

History and mythology

Building the history and/or mythology of the world is the fun part! Fantasy stories may involve ancient myths and legends. Or there may just be a history of particular magical or non-magical conflicts. For what it’s worth, I wrote a long historical timeline for my portal fantasy, and it helped me stay on track and consistent in the story. Establishing a sense of history and mythology in the world adds depth and richness, making it feel more real and lived-in.

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So there you have it: the fantasy guidelines I established for myself to help me through the revision of my upcoming portal fantasy novel (and not go bald in the process). Of course, there is no single “correct” way to write a fantasy story. The genre would be so boring if everyone wrote the same way! In the end, a good fantasy story should be engaging, immersive, and memorable…showcasing a world that readers don’t want to leave and filled with layered, intriguing characters.

Stay tuned for another article about some of the tools (i.e. map creation platforms, video game world creators/simulators, drawing, etc.) I used to help make sense of the world in my portal fantasy work-in-progress.