How to Write Epic Fantasy

• Jan 30, 2026
• 6 min read

• Tags: Fiction, Fiction Writing, Novel Writing, writing, Writing Tips

Do you love the fantasy genre and enjoy reading fantasy novels?

Do you plan to write a work of epic fantasy that you could perhaps expand into a series someday?

Well, you are in the right place! Our detailed guide on how to plan and write a work of epic fantasy is just what you need to get those creative juices flowing!

What is a fantasy novel?

A fantasy novel is one that deviates from real life in the sense that it has characters and elements that don’t exist in the real world. Whether magical powers (like the ability to fly or go invisible) or supernatural beings (like witches, wizards, and goblins), anything is possible in the realm of fantasy! 

Some great examples of works of epic fantasy are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by Sarah J. Maas.

Features of epic fantasy

Before you get started, here are some basic features of epic fantasy that you need to know:

1. The ‘chosen one’

The protagonist must be the ‘chosen one’. Whether a demigod or an ordinary person, the protagonist must have been ‘chosen’ for a special purpose, whether by supernatural powers or by fate. Whether they possess special magical abilities or are simply braver, kinder, or more determined than their peers, they need to have some quality that sets them apart and makes them the perfect candidate to fulfill the role given to them.

2. An important journey

Next, it is important that the protagonist goes on a journey. Whether this is an actual physical journey to a particular place or an internal emotional journey, the protagonist must traverse a certain path and overcome certain hurdles to achieve their destiny.

3. A vast cast

Epic fantasy novels usually have a vast cast of characters. From the protagonist to their friends or sidekicks, to their guides, to the villain, there are several characters that need to be well fleshed out to build a convincing narrative.

4. Worldbuilding

Worldbuilding plays an important role in epic fantasy. Often, fantasy narratives are set in a medieval or modern world that differs considerably from real life. Whether you are inspired by Tolkien’s Middle-earth, Maas’s Prythian, or George R.R. Martin’s Westeros, Essos, and Sothoryos, create a detailed fantasy world with supernatural or magical elements that absorbs your readers! 

5. Coming-of-age

Works of epic fantasy usually have bildungsroman or coming-of-age elements. At the end of their journey, the protagonist must be a transformed individual, ideally one who is wiser and has a better understanding of their world and powers.

6. Good vs evil

There should be a battle between good and evil. This is a classic element of epic fantasy, from the time of the ancient Greek and Indian epics. Pit the protagonist against a dastardly villain who plots destruction, and build up to an epic battle that defines the fate of the protagonist’s world!

How to plot your story

Now that you know the elements of epic fantasy, here’s how to go about plotting your novel. It would be a good idea to maintain a notebook or an online spreadsheet for better clarity of thought.

1. Flesh out your protagonist 

Who are they from, what is their background, what makes them special? This is the character you are planning to send on a journey of self-discovery as well, so plot out how the events they face shape their personality and perception of their world.

2. What does your fantasy world currently look like? 

Is it a utopian world destined for destruction at the hands of a villain, or is it a deserted dystopia that the protagonist aims to rebuild? Think about the landscape, flora and fauna, different kinds of people who live there, their language and dressing style, powers, if any, currency, food habits, and so on. Build an immersive and relatable world that your story can be securely situated in. For tips, check out Panem, a dystopian version of North America, created by Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games series.

3. Plot out your protagonist’s journey 

Plot their journey on a chapter-wise basis, ideally using your notebook or spreadsheet. Describe in brief the events of each chapter and expand on them when you actually start writing.

4. The clash in the climax

What is the clash between good and evil that you have planned for the climax? Make sure the events of the previous chapters lead up to this event, and plan an epic climax for your protagonist and the villain or their forces to take part in!

5. How to turn your novel into a series

If you would like to turn your novel into a series, you will have to plot out the events on a larger scale. While each individual novel in the series should have an introduction, a series of events, and a climax, each novel should serve as a building block on a larger scale, culminating in an epic climax and resolution that would take place in the last book of the series. A good example of this is the journey Harry and his friends go through in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Stock fantasy characters

Now that you know how to plot and write your novel, here is a list of some stock characters that are generally noted to appear in epic fantasy novels:

1. The underdog: 

The protagonist is usually the underdog, the unexpected one against whom the odds are stacked. It is human nature for readers to empathise with such a character and root for their victory. Eg. Harry Potter from the eponymous series and Katniss Everdeen from Hunger Games.

2. The sidekick(s): 

This person is usually the protagonist’s best friend who loyally stands by them and helps them on their journey or mission. They are also often a source of comic relief. Eg, Ron Weasley from Harry Potter and Grover from Percy Jackson.

3. The love interest: 

This person usually starts off as a friend or companion, and eventually becomes the protagonist’s love interest. The budding relationship and will-they-won’t-they angle add dimension and depth to the story. Eg, Jasmine from Deltora Quest and Annabeth from Percy Jackson.

4. The guide: 

This is a wiser, usually older person who guides the protagonist on their journey, usually appearing at strategic points to dispense essential information or wisdom. Eg, Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

5. The villain: 

This character is pivotal in your fantasy universe, as they are the one your protagonist is going to face off against. Whether a dastardly character who is evil to the bone, with seemingly no redeeming qualities, or a flawed character with hope for redemption, it is essential to flesh out the origin story of your villain so the readers understand their motivations. Eg, Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter and  President Coriolanus Snow from Hunger Games.

6. The turncoat: 

This is an extremely interesting character whose true motivations and intentions must be kept hidden till the climax. Whether a seemingly good, supportive character who turns out to be on the side of the villain, a grey character who makes the wrong choices and eventually crosses over to the ‘dark’ side, or a seemingly villainous persona who turns out to have been helping the protagonist all along, this character adds a great deal of depth and nuance to your story. Eg, Severus Snape from Harry Potter, Gale Hawthorne from Hunger Games.

Now that you have all the details you need to flesh out your epic fantasy novel or series, it’s time to put on your thinking cap and get to work! We wish you the very best with your writing journey!

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.