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

Here's everything I've learned from publishing my fantasy novels.
Join my accountability & support community for fantasy writers: https://jedherne.com/guild?video=o0uu...

⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:45 - 1: PICKING YOUR IDEA
00:01:23 - Finding inspiration
00:04:34 - Trope brainstorm
00:06:49 - Narrowing down to 1 idea
00:08:34 - A harsh truth
00:12:03 - Choosing your scope
00:14:03 - Originality doesn’t exist
00:15:28 - Ideas are cheap
00:16:32 - 2: OUTLINING
00:21:03 - The purpose of outlining
00:23:38 - The Hourglass Method
00:24:12 - Exploring the suburb
00:26:01 - Finding your core (premise, theme)
00:39:47 - Guiding principles document
00:41:00 - Building character arcs
00:51:36 - 9-Point Story Structure
01:17:01 - Final thoughts on structure
01:18:06 - 3: WRITING YOUR 1st DRAFT
01:19:36 - The goal of a 1st draft
01:24:10 - Building good writing habits
01:29:23 - Track your word counts
01:32:12 - Do this when you get stuck
01:40:00 - More tips to make the 1st draft easier
01:47:37 - 4: EDITING
01:50:25 - Make notes on your 1st draft
01:53:15 - The 2nd draft (big changes)
01:54:43 - 3rd draft (specific passes)
01:58:17 - Working with early readers
02:04:29 - 4th draft (incorporate reader comments)
02:05:19 - Hire a pro editor
02:08:17 - The final draft
02:10:54 - ‘Finishing’ a book


📙 MY BOOKS:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokens...
The Thunder Heist: https://jedherne.com/thethunderheist/
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead
Kingdom of Dragons: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

🎮 MY VIDEO GAME:
Siege of Treboulain: https://jedherne.com/siege-of-treboul...

🔨 USEFUL WRITING TOOLS:
ProWritingAid (great editing software): https://jedherne.com/prowritingaid - 10% discount with my affiliate link.