How to Create a Fantasy Novel Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

So you’re writing a fantasy novel. You think it’s a series. Before you run too deep into those dark and draft-y woods, let’s have a conversation. I’m going to tell you things that I wish someone would have told me when I sat down to write what will be my debut novel. 

Last year I started the big-backed rough draft of my passion project. A science fiction/fantasy mashup with a huge cast, tender revelations, and a hard magic system that demands a price from its users. I had it all mapped out—star precise. I banged out that initial draft in a little over a 100 days! The process was exciting, emotional and made me feel like I was the Hemingway of my generation. But what I really had was no plot structure, no defined character arcs, no plan. Just a bullet point list of scenes I wanted to hit and a ton of vibes. 

250,000+ words later I had written myself into a disaster—a pit that there seemed no conceivable way out of. The story was complete but it was also a complete mess. After reading all those words back, I didn’t know where to start the triage. The middle was hemorrhaging and the ending was missing vital organs. The project needed so much work. The beginning had a very delayed inciting incident; the first act alone was over 35,000 words!

I had beta readers go through, and I got a lot of compliments, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Once I got a very trusted pair of eyes on my document (thank you O.G.), I was able to see (with their feedback) all the places I’d gone wrong. And there were many. There was so much to be done to revive the project that it needed an entire rewrite. That is where I am in the process right now. Remastering this thick sister. 

Truthfully, I have wanted to scrap the book and move on to something else—something easier. Now that I’ve taken time to learn structure, my drafting process has gotten a much needed makeover.  But I also have invested too much time and money (in this tanking economy) into Rise of the Demon Gods, I feel that I have no choice but to backtrack and give these characters the love and tender care they deserve. If you want to follow that journey be sure to sign up for my newsletter. All my updates go there first. Plus I will be releasing an exclusive gothic romantic fantasy very soon. 

Outlining a fantasy novel isn’t just about plotting; it’s about world-building, character arcs, magic systems, and multi-threaded storylines. A strong outline will help you manage the complexity and keep your narrative focused. That was what I was missing in my initial draft of Rise of the Demon Gods One. So to make sure you don’t make that same catastrophic mistake, I’m condensing nearly a year of deep research and study. 

 

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Step 1: Define Your Core Idea & Theme

What’s the heart of your story?

– Is it a hero’s journey?

– A rebellion against a tyrant?

– A tale of forbidden magic?

– A quiet tale of self discovery?

Something to try:

Write a one-sentence summary of your story.

Identify the core theme (Power? Identity? Freedom? Sacrifice?).

Example:

A young blacksmith’s apprentice discovers she’s the reincarnation of a forgotten goddess and must stop an ancient evil from consuming the world.

 

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Step 2: Build Your World

Fantasy novels live and die by their world-building.

You don’t need to figure out every detail now, but outlining key aspects will help structure your plot.

World Elements to Outline:

– Geography: Key locations (kingdoms, cities, magical realms)

– Magic System: Rules, limitations, costs, dangers

– Races/Species: Humans, elves, dragons, etc.

– Politics & Factions: Empires, guilds, rebels

– Religion & Mythology: Gods, legends, prophecies

– Technology Level: Medieval, steampunk, dark ages, etc.

Something to try: Create a World-Building Doc or worksheet.

 

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Step 3: Develop Key Characters & Arcs

Your characters will shape your outline.

For each main character, note:

– Name & Role

– Backstory

– Motivations & Goals

– Flaws & Fears

– Growth Arc

Optional: Map their arcs alongside major plot beats.

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Step 4: Choose an Outline Structure

Fantasy lends itself well to classic structures. Pick one:

Hero’s Journey (Good for epic quests)

1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Trials & Allies
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward
10. Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with Elixir

Three-Act Structure (Good for political/character-driven fantasy)

– Act I: Set up the world, characters, inciting incident.

– Act II: Rising conflict, complications, midpoint reversal.

– Act III: Climax, resolution, aftermath.

♥My personal favorite: Save the Cat.  You can find the  many Beat sheets online. But I have one you can download at the end. . 

 

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Step 5: Break Down Major Plot Points

Identify key events in your story:

– Inciting Incident: What kicks everything off?

– First Turning Point: When things change drastically.

– Midpoint: A major reveal or shift.

– Climax: The big battle, confrontation, or decision.

– Resolution: Loose ends tied, world changed.

Don’t forget: Include A, B, and C storylines — main plot, subplots, character arcs.

 

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Step 6: Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown (Optional but Powerful)

Once your main plot points are set, write a 1-3 sentence summary of what happens in each chapter. This is so helpful to me because then I can see the road map I detailed earlier with crystal clarity. It takes my star chart from skeletal to having its first layer of flesh. 

Pay attention to:

– Stakes escalation

– Pacing

– Alternating character POVs (if you have multiple viewpoint characters)

– Subplot progression

Example:

Chapter 3: Kael discovers the prophecy in an old library. Meanwhile, the Queen’s assassins track the rebels’ location.

 

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Step 7: Weave in World & Character Details

Now it’s time to go back through your outline. Yes, outlines get edited too. It’s work but its work better done earlier when there are only a few words on the page and not hundreds of thousands. Speaking from experience again. So during this backtrack keep an eye out for the following:  

– Sprinkle in bits of world-building without info-dumping.

– Make sure character decisions drive the plot.

– Plan when to reveal key pieces of lore or magic rules (Here you are considering pacing and how import these tidbits are to the character’s current circumstances and world view).

 

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Step 8: Include Foreshadowing, Themes & Symbols

Fantasy often thrives on prophecies, hidden lineages, magical artifacts, and callbacks. I ADORE a good “we were secretly twins all along” reveal. If that fits what you’ve planned for your novel, make sure those reveals, items, prophecies are not only mentioned once they conveniently appear for your character. The goal is to make all this seem natural and plausible for the reader.

You should be including:

– Early seeds (prophecy, visions, hints).

– Repeat key imagery/symbolism.

– Tie the ending back to themes introduced early on.

 

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Step 9: Review for Flow, Conflict & Stakes

Checklist:

• Do your characters have clear arcs?  
•  Does each act escalate tension?  
• Are world-building details integrated naturally?  
• Do subplots support or contrast the main story?  
• Is the ending earned and satisfying?

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Bonus: Template Outline (Starter)

This is a very basic three act structure. I tend to use Save the Cat for projects longer than 10,000 words but this one is a great place to start if you are intimidated by plotting. Be sure to have fun with this stage. You are shaping your story, but it’s not set in stone. 

Title:

Theme:

Vibes: 

Comp Titles: 

One-Sentence Pitch: 

Blurb:

Main Character(s):

• Wants: 
• Needs: 
• Fatal Flaw
• The lie they believe:
• The ghost:

Magic System Summary:

World Setting:

Research:

 ACT I:

– Opening Scene:

– Inciting Incident:

– First Turning Point:

 ACT II:

– Rising Conflict:

– Midpoint Twist:

– Subplots/Character Arcs:

 ACT III:

– Climax:

– Resolution:

– Final Image/Hook for Sequel:

 

Final Tip:

Your outline is a living document. As you draft, the story will grow and evolve — let it.  

A flexible, clear outline is a map, not a cage and will take you so much further than trying to force pieces together that no longer fit. 

 

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I hope these tips help you do better than I did on my novel attempt. Once I figured out that structure doesn’t equate to dry, lifeless stories, I was really able to grow as a writer. Good luck on your writing journey. Every month I drop more writerly tips on my blog. 

Here is downloadable file for Tonja’s Fantasy Novel Outline (Template).