10 BEST Tips for Writing FANTASY

[@BrankoVT]

"Fantasy isn't just about wizards and silly wands. It's about seeing the world from new directions." -Terry Pratchett

[@wenwen_art]

thanks bro, noted.

[@MrParkerman6]

A whole new world! -Jasmine and Aladdin

[@firefury4524]

Wow, so deep...

[@banana8480]

ha your me but capital

[@jayanti3112]

Harry potter fans: Offended noises 😂

[@trashpanda684]

Jenna: "Portal fantasy" Me: "Isekai"

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

I see you're a man of culture as well 😀

[@sxwriter8569]

Is it weird I don't hate isekai. And how common is portal fantasy in the west anyways? Feels like I never hear about any of them.

[@cherivyyy]

HAHA SAME!

[@Amaiguri]

I don't hate the genre but there is a lot of harem trash...

[@AndrewHalliwell]

@@sxwriter8569 I've seen quite a few. Think they were more popular in the 80s. I could name five without even trying... Fionavar Tapestry Spellsinger Thomas Covenant Joel Rosenberg's Warrior series... Narnia Mythago wood Magic kingdom for sale. (Sold) Mordant's need The talisman Pliocene exile series (many coloured land) There's a few more i can't remember the names of too

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Important note about Tolkien: He also made it up as he went along. He invented the backstory of the world after/while writing Lord of the Rings. His early drafts are almost completely different from the final and he discovery wrote the whole thing.

[@TimRG]

Actually, Tolkien worked on The Silmarillion as far back as 1917. It wasn't published until after his death by his son. It became the world he set The Hobbit in and then years later Lord of the Rings.

[@jakerockznoodles]

@@TimRG Worked on, not completed. He'd been tinkering and changing for a long time.

[@ninjablack4347]

yup, he said so in the preface. His famous phrase "The tale grew in the telling"

[@delusionaldreamer8332]

There's nothing bad about discovery writing. I'll have a general idea and put it together, but when I actually write something down is when I really flesh it out.

[@idkijustwrite07]

That's exactly how my book is going😅

[@fullmetaltheorist]

"Fantasy is not the genre to pants." George. R. R. Martin : How dare you say something so controversial but so true.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

lol, yeah... I'd say think about Dark Tower too.

[@abbiepancakeeater52]

Im completely pantsing my fantasy novel haha. Outlining kills my motivation to write. I have a super basic plot structure in my head and the rest is yet to be discovered :) To me, the excitement comes from not knowing exactly what happens next

[@NAME-yg8sl]

@@abbiepancakeeater52 I feel you. When I was I pants a fantasy story now I am trying to plot one for school and I can't think of anything.

[@alisonrose8911]

@@NAME-yg8sl I wrote the entire story first for most of my school projects and worked the outline around it. I only did this for creative writing; I love outlines for articles and stuff it keeps it nice and tight.

[@Caz_Hamilton]

@@abbiepancakeeater52 same, I have started outlining and planning my fantasy book, and now I don't even want to write it.

[@TheJoyster]

Just submitted the first draft of my fantasy novel to my publisher this week. The end does appear my friends. Keep chugging because you've got this.

[@mister6599]

How'd it go?

[@crazycompilations8278]

Did u make it

[@TheJoyster]

@@crazycompilations8278 so I had been working with a hybrid publisher and realized that while it would not have been a horrible option for me, it was going to limit my book in multiple ways that would be a disservice to me, so I left them and have continued to work on my own. I am currently planning on having my book publication ready by the end of the summer and then self publishing it. Thank you for asking

[@gautamidevidas7024]

@@TheJoyster all the best🤎

[@praesidium4278]

How did it go friend?

[@Batmanitha_Anne]

My brother thinks writing a book is the simplest thing in the world..... so when do i kill him😂😂😂 I should also point out he hates reading😂

[@secret..m7237]

As soon as possible is my answer.

[@Eluzian86]

Don't kill him immediately or he'll become a martyr for the non-bookworm and anti-writer populations. It needs to be like Winston in 1984 where you indoctrinate him into agreeing with you before you kill. Then he can't be a martyr. 😁

[@whateveryouhearditwasntme4109]

@@Eluzian86 And since he doesn’t like reading he won’t recognize the reference until it’s too late!

[@sxwriter8569]

Sis it is so not easy, tell him to try it.

[@ThrottleKitty]

The more ignorant someone is of a subject, the more convinced they are they understand it in it's entirety. The more educated someone is in a subject, the more convinced they are no one can understand it in it's entirety.

[@existentiallytired6730]

honestly... how does jenna have such great hair? i’m jealous-

[@marcelocapeljunior3579]

Don't let her fool you. She's a cyborg! That stuff is all artificial.

[@pianotm]

Most likely, she rolls camera within seconds of finishing doing her hair. I'd be surprised if it lasts much longer than filming.

[@existentiallytired6730]

@@pianotm nah she prolly just has great hair

[@lukasnovella9001]

“I’m going to be the next *Famous Author*”:Overused, Prideful, Be ready to be disappointed “I’m going to be the next *Your Name*”: Surprising, Fresh, Still Prideful but also builds confidence

[@Siplick]

For a second I stood here wondering what an anime movie could have to do with writing books

[@lukasnovella9001]

@@Siplick LMAO

[@shieldgenerator7]

Did you mean "I'm going to be the *first* Your Name"?

[@lukasnovella9001]

@@shieldgenerator7 oh hell yeah even better

[@RH-gm4ni]

I love this! :D

[@TDFuhringer]

I'm naturally a Pantser, but when writing Fantasy, I get around it by deciding my midpoint and resolution in advance. Gives me something to write towards without crippling my flow. But between the rough draft and first revision, I break the whole thing down and mega-outline, cutting all the excess stream of consciousness and navel-gazing crap that doesn't belong, and figuring out what new scenes, characters, or worldbuilding needs to be added. So, best of both worlds IMHO.

[@annaelisabethgeissler]

I somehow have to save this comment, this sounds like a method that would work for me as well. I'm a pantser and I have been procrastinating revising my first draft by writing book two, three and currently four... Anyway, have a nice day.

[@TDFuhringer]

@@annaelisabethgeissler Happy to help. :)

[@shanonymous3551]

i need to try this

[@alisonrose8911]

I was planning on that workflow as well. I think it's good to have a point to end up at, but sometimes it goes off course much like a D&D campaign and it's fun to see where it goes from there.

[@willparry530]

@@alisonrose8911 if it does go off course it's a good idea to rethink where the mid and end points will be from there.

[@corenlavolpe6143]

"Portal fantasy" Me, a weeb: you mean an isekai?!

[@lizzielogemann6422]

I just thought the same thing XD

[@Toriyamaus]

Had literally the exact same thought when I heard that. (The only difference I could discern was _usually_ they _die_ in an isekai where as portal fantasy seems to have them just straight up go through a portal _without_ dying.)

[@alexusramon4024]

@@lizzielogemann6422 LOL! Right!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Alias_Anybody]

@@Toriyamaus Actually, Isekai doesn't strictly require the MC to die at the beginning, it's just a major trend at the moment.

[@corenlavolpe6143]

@@Toriyamaus Yeah that's true. Though I've seen plenty of isekai stories that just have them summoned to the world and not die by doing that. 2 examples that come to mind are Rising of the Shield Hero and Re:Zero (the MC does die a lot but he didn't go to the fantasy world BY dying so it counts)

[@blusun.]

i was just writing a fantasy wattpad book- EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU JENNA

[@Saki_Ramen]

Same lol

[@synappl2479]

Sameee lmaooo 😭

[@felix9080]

same too lmao

[@overlordmae9090]

Task: Go back to writing. Difficulty: Too busy wasting time.

[@rsg3548]

If you're thinking of writing a fantasy novel, hit like!

[@2luTube]

Already wrote half the story but I need to polish it before I finish the story.

[@sabinaadnan510]

​@2luTube good luck!

[@TheStorybookSoul]

Already working on it 😝😊

[@karmapolice247]

I recently got the idea to write a low fantasy setting with only humans, no magic, no warfare, and on a stagnant lid planet that's just a polar desert. Story focuses on the logistics of reaching the North Pole.

[@J0VXE.]

​@@2luTubeI hope u don't quick

[@fabianthegreat10]

"Fantasy is not the genre to pants" Challenge accepted.

[@JulianGreystoke]

Mood!

[@CharlieHorse4363]

I’m discovery writing my entire dark fantasy series so... she can fight me on this 😂 a hell of a lot of writers have discovery written their successful fantasies - it can be done and done well. Just find the method that works for you and don’t force it. This is 100% a case of the ends justify the means (unless you plagiarize😂💀).

[@Percival917]

If you do pants it, you should probably also go back and edit it so that your world has some understandable rules that aren't broken.

[@fabianthegreat10]

@@Percival917 Of course xD Editing is the one thing everything needs

[@JulianGreystoke]

@@Percival917 I mean yeah. All writers edit. No one is saying we all get it exactly right the first time, silly.

[@loganmawhiney2613]

I’m a simple man. I see Jenna video, I click, (skip 3 minutes ahead) I watch

[@sanfransiscon]

"Guess where dragons and demons come from." My basement?

[@goldengaruda8935]

Yes

[@grukk4051]

There's plenty of folks out there imitating G.R.R. Martin out there in one key way. They're never getting round to finishing their next book

[@gary6754]

ok, epic style fantasies like tolkein, wheel of time, martin are my interests. and im a white male, I guess I should just quit writing my idea

[@PsychoSubSandwich]

I know plenty of fantasy pantsers. They're called Dungeon Masters. :)

[@ayajade6683]

That's because the stuff we've written including all the back up options gets thrown out the window by our party.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

You DO know what we call a Bad DM, right??? A novelist. ;o)

[@piratescribe]

DMs should be inviting their players to write the story with them.

[@jf5251]

Hey! We're not all like that . . . Maybe most of us but not all 😅

[@nicolaskiergras9322]

been ghosting this channel for about two months, and I must say.... This is indeed a topic I way dying for because I am extremely nervous about my first novel coming across nicely. Gotta add depth to my Elves, write Faeries as little demons (just came off off ACOTR and I have salt in my wounds), and emotionally break my main Protagonist, who is also Elf royalty. and I also gotta stop beating myself over the head every day for not quite reaching a very attainable (for me) word count. And that procrastination. All in all, though, I love this channel and it's been very helpful in my writing process. thx and love ya, darling.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

Personally I speculative biology the heck out of my fantasy races, so most of them have wound up deviating from cliches as a result. For instance, elvish archers are super rare in my setting, because elves are skinny little noodles without much upper body strength, and warbows require a massive amount of upper body strength to use.

[@nicolaskiergras9322]

@@Amy_the_Lizard oohh! that's actually very interesting, I do like that train of thought. Although my attempts to not 'Legolas' my Elves is by writing them as a very rather militarist civilization, based of their history with humans in my world. everyone is trained in the basics of combat with nearly every weapon available. However its difficult for me to do that with my main protagonist given the plot of the series I have worked out...And also the fact that I'm wrestling with the blonde hair. (Not to go on too long, but Sun elves have very light colored hair, blonde and silver-colors and such, so I'm unwilling to budge on that bit) With the traditional fantasy races(like gnomes, dwarfs and such), Elves are the only one's I've plucked.... i hope anyways, dunno how common Lizard and cat-like folk are with traditional Myths.

[@sscheek9243]

Id write new creatures if i were you

[@abbiepancakeeater52]

I like your description of faeries haha. Im also writing about faeries and while theyre certainly not evil, they have incredibly questionable morals that humans would be appalled by. Nothing close to stuff like Tinkerbell. Still debating whether they even have wings or not because then Id have to shape the world around having wings.

[@nicolaskiergras9322]

@@abbiepancakeeater52 well they're not quite evil but they're usually malicious when they live in "the wild" Ones that hang around Elvish settlement tend to be friendlier *debatably* Oh so much more plannings been done since I first made this comment

[@zing_zippers]

I liked this a lot, very useful. My fantasy story has been evolving since I was 8. The only thing that hasn't changed is a couple of the names.

[@LeChaunce]

I'll echo the importance of outlining -- I always thought I was a discovery writer until I read The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne, and while it's mostly about editing, boy did it open my eyes and make me realize the reason I wasn't finishing anything I started was because I wasn't planning things out enough. Sure, I had an ending plan, and scenes in mind, but that book really helped me understand the structure of storytelling way more than any English composition or creative writing class ever did.

[@purplepolarbear5052]

“a lot of aspiring writers spend years building their world before they even touch their plot and that is a big mistake, ya done fcked up” JK Rowling when she spent 5 years making just the world of Harry Potter: *sweats*

[@j.f.fisher5318]

to me, plots emerge from the world. I'm constantly seeing ways that some feature of the world that I just created because I thought it up suddenly clicks with the plot in awesome ways. Then again I've been working on that world for fun without any plans to write for 3 decades, and if I'd been starting out with the goal of writing it would definitely not have been the most efficient way to get into writing.

[@RespectedGamer72]

Rowling had still outlined/already started writing before she went all-in with her world, though. She at least had written the first chapter of the first book.

[@susanscott8653]

World building is also a really handy way to avoid actually writing. 😉 Just in case no one else mentioned it.

[@shel8968]

Just when I need motivation to start a fantasy story. Thanks, Jenna!

[@sxwriter8569]

Me: All I write is either realistic fiction, urban fantasy, hybrids, romance, and action on wattpad stories no one ever reads (anyone want my link?) Jenna: This includes Urban Fantasy. Me: Thank you Jenna!

[@hoominbeeing]

Link pls

[@PureMagma]

That's a lot of writing!!! Even if you aren't proud of it, you should be proud that you are polishing your craft and forming an amazing work ethic!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Your stories sound fantastic!

[@sxwriter8569]

​@@PureMagma I'm lazy, tired, and I can't focus on one story. I'm on a time limit, my only experience has been two and half years in college, and I have so many ideas, but even with time, my body can't get all my ideas out. Honestly I feel like I have worker than most people to even make it.

[@sxwriter8569]

@@AlyssaMatesic Thanks

[@loveoffthedamned]

Over the years I`ve come up with my own three criteria of the genre: 1. there is always some kind of mystical higher power in the world (magic, the Force, gods, whatever you wanna call it) 2. there is always some sort of feudal system (yes, urban fantasy also counts because all those secret vampires and faeries in New York always have lords, and queens, and shit despite co-existing with a democratic society) 3. the plot is always looking into the past (I don`t mean here that a large chunk of the genre is medieval-ish, but rather that usually in fantasy conflict is something that has been set up long-long time before the main events: the Dark Lord forged an evil Ring, some wizard did something bad and now king Uther is genociding magic, etc) And yes, by my definition Star Wars is fantasy and I shall die on this hill.

[@stephr5914]

technically it's a space opera lol. which does overlap with fantasy given the obvious mystical elements.

[@ZaxorVonSkyler]

I read some call Star Wars a space western!

[@Casedilla73]

Actually it’s all of those, a science fantasy, space opera, and western

[@ValeVin]

I feel like the harder the writing task, the more the discovery writer/outliner divide comes out. I get panicked just thinking about outlining a fantasy series instead of discovery writing it, but I can see how someone might feel otherwise if they were a hardcore outliner.

[@JulianGreystoke]

Pantsing isn't really different from plotting. We do the same things, plotters just do it before they draft and we do it while we draft!

[@kasfilms]

10 TIPS + TIME STAMPS: #1: 2:33 "DO YOU" #2: 3:42 "WHAT IS FANTASY?" #3: 4:46 "SUBGENRES" #4: 5:52 "MAGIC" #5: 7:00 "WORLDBUILDING: #6: 8:08 "WORLD + PLOT" #7: 8:55 "CHARACTER VS PLOT DRIVEN" #8: 9:58 "CHARACTERS MATTER" #9: 11:17 "BE ORIGINAL" #10: 12:13 "I'M NOT SORRY"

[@mello.1483]

Thanks

[@Isabel.loves.animals]

Thanks :)

[@shearadominguez2398]

Thank you, we need more people like you

[@kasfilms]

@@shearadominguez2398 aw

[@FPChris]

For real 2:30 minutes of yapping. Get to it.

[@summerghost6551]

I live in a 3rd world country, in n a one-bedroom house and I live with my family of five siblings and (sometimes) abusive parents and I share a room with three of my other family members. I can not afford to travel abroad (never even travelled nationwide). But with reading, writing and the internet, I am thankful to be gifted a phone and to be interested in novel writing because it enables me to travel outside of my house. Writing to me is not just a hobby, not just a passion, but my portal to somewhere, for at least a little while, I do not live in a poor country in a poor house with my poor family.

[@prettytopia]

I live in a 3d world country too I hope we both make it out someday ❤

[@oceansands1737]

Would you be able to make a video on writing internal conflict and internal dialogue. Love from Ireland jenna

[@sharonefee1426]

I tried to plan, didn't work, and I wrote the next 16 chapters with no plan, and it worked. Best story in the world? No, but I think it was quite decent. No second book is planned. And I think sometimes pantsers can have a world building even if they don't outlining. And not every fantasy had million of characters.

[@8Kheelasalai]

You always seem to know what I'm struggling with and what to post about it!!

[@jadestephens3293]

I have been waiting on this all day oml so happy to watch :)

[@ojpaws]

I really needed to hear "build the world as you go" There's so much pressure to do lots of planning and world building beforehand

[@rheaprasad6127]

Yeah but I guess build as much as necessary. I used to be a full on pantser but now I just make sure I know the begging, bits of the middle and sort of what way I want the story to gravitate to. If you find out that much, then you can build out enough of the world to suit the somewhat outline. It can be really hard for a pantser to do this (I struggled so much with doing just this) but I can promise you, there will be less blood, sweat, and tears if you get this done at the very beginning.

[@ojpaws]

@@rheaprasad6127 I still mostly pants the story. I need to find the balance!

[@adamr.5544]

The bulk of fantasy writers right now: Fae Brando Sando: CRAB

[@woodnoteflute]

Please explain 😂

[@adamr.5544]

@@woodnoteflute Sanderson's current biggest series, Stormlight Archive, is about a planet where most of the native wildlife has shells, including plants. There is also a humanoid species, who have hard exoskeletons, so they're essentially crab people. Everything on that planet comes down to crabs in the end.

[@woodnoteflute]

@@adamr.5544 Ohh, that’s what you meant. I was so confused but I get it now. Ty!

[@storieswithc]

It's funny because his sci fi series, Skyward, also includes crab people 🦀!

[@metaltornado3457]

@@storieswithc Crab People, Crab People. Taste like crab, Talk like people.

[@SpaceOcelot4548]

I love that your sponsors are always relevant and helpful :)

[@conanedogawa4798]

Japanese style portal fantasy is mostly character driven. Same goes for western-written web-novels inspired by the Japanese web-novel tropes.

[@livetochange974]

Ya igboring the thousands of harem and male cringe dream fantasy world most of the authors shits on novels

[@BellMorrison]

Currently writing my debut fantasy novel. I watch your videos and they are an immense help, thank you!

[@felix9080]

I am currently writing a fantasy book. This helps me so much as I began, I had no idea what I was gonna write. Thanks for this💜💜💜

[@Papaya16]

The only ad I haven’t skipped through on KZbin, this is so useful!

[@JulianGreystoke]

Oops...I pantsed my fantasy book... but at least she admitted that pantsing works for some people. Even if she shades the heck out if it lol

[@EdItTrAsHLIVE]

I've been writing my contemporary fantasy since April and I just start writing the second draft. I really needed to see this!

[@CaptainSoftboy501]

I was given advice to do research on the genre I want to write, and now here you are with a video on the genre I want to write X'D thank you so much!!!

[@viktoravarkonyi4570]

the fantasy subgenres can get crazy specific. like there are hundreds of comics in the genre of: i reincarnated as the villainnes in a romance novel/ game where my character is supposed to die but somehow i make all the main characters love interests fall for me.

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

Jenna: I’m including all sub genres Me: Historical Fantasy?

[@harmonicamanrandy]

If my characters were out in the hot sands for a few days, they would need time to get rest and hydrate before going to the ball. I just hate it when I watch a movie or read a book where the characters spring back to life in a snap without a drop of sweat or fatigue. It would add to the struggle if these realistic processes in life were more recognized. < is that spelled right? Anyway, this gives a little more time for info-dumping while the characters sit and think. It's also the time for dialogue that's driven toward their next action step.

[@MrParkerman6]

That's cuz they secretly snort Coke offscreen.

[@pickle7185]

@@MrParkerman6 i-

[@lilithcrow6675]

I didn't relize I was writing portal fantasy until today

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Yes! I specialize in editing fantasy novels, and understanding the subgenres of fantasy is so helpful for world-building. Love this video!

[@superraegun2649]

Fun fact: Tolkien actually built a world with no story, but couldn't get it published. He then wrote "The Hobbit" for his children, and that got published. He then integrated his world into the Hobbit by writing a sequel, "The Lord of the Rings", and by that point people were compelled by the story to the extend that they started to care about the world. Same with George Martin's "World of Ice and Fire". It became popular after he wrote a compelling story. So once your story becomes popular, people begin to care about your world.

[@tabithadeskins1880]

I saved this video until I drafted 1500 words today! I just finished up. Thank you, Jenna, for an excellent reward!

[@xXHallowed_EveXx]

Rate my story plot A princess called Ella gets into an arranged marriage with a foreign prince because of an alliance deal . While she is at the Palace she ends up falling in love with the prince's sister .

[@Erosophany]

I feel like if you want to write a novel with a formula and style similar to Tolkien, you should be able to. Even if it doesn't sell as well, many people (like me) choose to write because we have stories we want to refine and perfect and share with others, even if those others are few.

[@Sneaky_Snail_Pie_02]

I've just started writing a fantasy story. I've been trying to prepare for writing this story for over a year and your videos have been a huge help. I've been wanting to find a site or apps to help keep stuff together, so I'm glad you talked about World Anvil.

[@mariavictoriaperez]

Thank you for this video, Jenna!!!! I'm writing a fantasy novel right now and these tips have arrived in the best moment!!!!

[@Jax_4200]

I really want to write a fantasy novel as a passion project, It’s probably going to be called something along the lines of "Dark Phoenix" , and it will be about two teenagers who are on different sides of a magic war, they fall in love while on an undercover mission without knowing the other person’s identity and they soon come to find out that they have opposite powers. Some kind of moral I want to get into the story is that just because things look black and white doesn’t mean they are, in reality everything is in different shades of gray.

[@SamekySantos]

I have never been THIS EARLY. I'm very proud of myself. I love your videos ❤️

[@raimavadhanam3275]

I subscribed a little while ago hoping you could help with my fantasy book, and THIS is the first video that I get notified you upload! Good job, Jenna.

[@tiffannytwo]

Who else wants to steal her gorgeous hair 💗

[@Liam19768]

In most sponsered videos the sponser has nothing to do with the video and people just skip ahead.I love how the sponser in this video actually is about the topic. I tyed out the anvil thing and i love it so much, Keep making videos like this and love yourself:)

[@arcticwolf2424]

I wrote a book and a play at the age of 7, it was a very creative fantasy novel and it’s created a foundation for my passion towards creativity. After many years, I’m actually thinking of officially writing it and publishing it.

[@summerkornelsen7345]

I have been in the process of character building off of my main character for 13 years now, and have been writing (and rewriting) my medieval, action adventure, romance, fantasy novel on and off for the past 10ish years, and have been working on my latest rewrite (I've decided on a series, and have been working on book one for the past year or so now). Coming up with story ideas, a completely new plot line and bringing in new characters to add a bit more life into the world. I have to say it is hard to not write myself into a corner or burnout every now and again, especially with the number of human and human-esk species that make up the world and the politics that lie within a multi-king/queendom ruled world. The recurring character cast is huge in retrospect to the amount of non recurring characters. I will have to give WorldAnvil a try and see if it can help me stay a bit more organized as I've become a bit of a perfectionist while working on development.😅

[@jamesmansfield67]

Love your videos! In my opinion, and as a pantser extraordinaire, I think you at least need to know where you’re going to end up. I haven’t found that it’s completely necessary to outline everything, but knowing where you’re ending will give you the ability to make the journey.

[@isaacmejia6065]

Jenna: I’m make dark fantasy Me: I make fantasy with a duck as a protagonist..

[@thepokemonprofessor1650]

I’m working on a Sci fi fantasy where the main character is a mutant fish. Honestly the other characters are pretty wild too

[@atheistapostate7019]

I’ve been running with ideas for years and finally created a world with an app I discovered. I was able to put my vision to the map and see it laid out better, and thanks to that I was able to start a plot that was more structured and easier to control by seeing what was in front of me map wise

[@juandiegoferreira889]

I'm on the process of making a history book for my future fantasy Novel. My idea is to organize the worlds history in this book and set up stuff which all culminate in the main novel. For people obsessed with world building I would recommend this. But here's the catch: the "History book" is for me only. It only serves the purpose for me to them build a story upon the foundations that i layers before and of course, it will be explained in far greater detail in the main novel. For example, say there is a pond of water that glows, the history book will have all the details I want and be an exposition dump about how the pond is, who discovered it, what's it's purpose, it's name in said world's language and why it glows and why it glowing is important. Then I'm my novel when the main character find the pound I already know what it does spots easier to know how much to tell the reader now and how much to say later.

[@cammieconn4013]

This was fantastic!! My YA Fantasy novel just won a Watty on Wattpad and I’ve been planning the sequel. I’ll definitely keep some of these tips in mind :)

[@mello.1483]

Ayyyyyyy congrats!! 🎉🎊 (Sorry I’m late lol)

[@just_a_randomyoutuber]

Congrats! What is it called? I would like to check it out ^^

[@jennabakos4689]

This is literally the video I needed right now! Thank you!

[@writersblock9995]

I love writing fantasy, it's what my whole channel is based on!

[@brotheroneholmes4547]

You should do a video for teen authors.

[@junjunjamore7735]

But don't all these apply to teen writers as well?

[@brotheroneholmes4547]

ya, but I want one specifically tips for teen authors.

[@TGorefiend]

Excellent list. I would add one more point - fantasy does not mean absence of logic and integrity. If you are constructing fantasy world, it has to function as a machine at least to some degree. The best test of this is the possibility of describing how one common day in that world look like. How do people measure time, how the changing of night and day works and so on. This does not need to be included in the story, but writer should have at least some concept of how the world works on daily basis.

[@Eldanogrande]

@Jenna Any chance we can get tips for writing sequels? Like how much do you re-exposit? How much do you assume the reader remembers? Character arcs over multiple installments? You’ve written one so I’m sure you could do a good video on it.

[@Topspotstop]

I’m what they call a plantser. I try my best to outline my novel, but I change course often when I think up better ideas. I create character charts and all that. Nothing is more annoying than forgetting who’s who & what their characteristics and attributes are.

[@lizabethhampton4537]

"Fantasy is not the genre to pants" So we're going for George RR Martin now huh

[@rexss90]

I haven't published anything yet but I feel the importance of the outline. I wrote half of an idea into a novel and got 100 pages done BEFORE I outlined, which really helped me get an idea of my writing strengths/weaknesses and where I wanted my main characters to go. I had an idea that was super basic and definitely wasn't going to be able to go on for more than a couple chapters. I improvised 6 more chapters after the original idea, then FINALLY got a good idea that I could build the rest of the world around. Literally I was at the beginning of another chapter and I was like "This is great, I love these characters, but where the hell is this going?" and as soon as I thought about it an idea hit that allowed me to write a very long outline detailing every chapter, along with what needs to be rewritten in order for better paced character development. Everyone is different. Sometimes it's just a really good idea to take a thought and write it until it clicks even if you know what you're writing will not be published due to lack of interesting development. Once the story really clicks, it flows out like a river from your mind onto the page. It's a very good and energetic feeling and it's a high you can ride for a while.

[@Philip-fr1sk]

You are giving off such a good vibe in all your videos thank you it makes me smile

[@michaelschweigart3517]

I love you (appropriately). Blessed Be!😀

[@youmarriedthispodcast]

Rule no.2 helped me finally categorize two books I've published over the last 4 years. In all that time, I'd always struggled with what genre my books fell under. Historical Fantasy, end of story! Thank you.

[@serge263]

I write primarily High Fantasy, but with more intergrated worldbuilding, where instead of giving infodumps, I include info in the story. I have a hard magic system that's highly intricate and I have an expansive world too. So I can write whatever I damn well please. Trying to build an overall living world.

[@easc9007]

In my childhood and teenage years I always used to be an on and off writer. I’d come up with certain ideas for plots and characters, devote myself to briefly writing them, and then shortly lose interest afterwards from my own constant criticism of my work. I still do write as a hobby during my free time when I’m not working at both my jobs. Recently though I’ve been a little more serious and have completely devoted a lot more of free time to actually finishing my own writings. When I write now I usually find it best that you’re pacing your stories. That can take a good amount of time with occupying the majority of the overall writing for the work. It is necessary though in order to not throw a ton of ideas on the reader, audience all at once and make them feel lost, or develop disinterest in the piece. It helps with further establishing the scenes, characters, and elements that you wish to incorporate into the story and make it enjoyable to the individual looking into. That, and it makes people gain a certain connection to a great amount of the aspects there in. I know that since I’ve been doing a bit of writing myself and have managed to publish two books, “Lost Case Encounters” and “Tales Of Alandria: Bridging Of Worlds”. Each time I devoted myself to writing out the scenes in each chapters for the books I always wanted to put great amount of meticulous detail into them to really flesh everything out for the readers, make them feel that the events are unfolding before their very eyes.

[@goodkarmawithkarmamarie1764]

Too good! While watching the video I went on Google and typed "What kind of genre is my fantasy book?" and the top result was this... "Fantasy is a genre that’s identified by the use of magic within it. Overall, fantasy is the genre of possibility. You can write in a little magic, like Jenna Moreci’s The Savior’s Champion or you can write a book where magic is the forefront of the plot, like with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Book Genres: 24+ Genres for Writing (With Guides)

[@neyarickman]

I'm translator and interpreter and time to time I'm thinking to creat my own language. Why not?

[@spareaccount1445]

“Ya done fcked up” Hun tell me something i dont know 😂

[@aurthurpendragon1015]

Regarding the outlining topic, I'm a discovery writer, (of epic fantasy), but even I'll say that I think everyone should try creating outlines at first, just to test it out, and see if it's for you. If it is, then keep doing it; if not, then move on.

[@ryanhosmer6840]

Love this Video. Thank you so much for your opinions and views on this topic.

[@midnightk.9836]

your videos just keeps inspiring me to write and learn new tips .thank you so much

[@datalich]

I used to pants write, but I never got past a few chapters. I hate outlining my book but it's coming along much faster than ever before.

[@augustlewis6679]

I just started writing my Fantasy l/Dystopian book and I’m 17! This video was so so so so so so so so so helpful! Thanks so much for making this!

[@crypticmac1359]

Your advice hits the spot omg

[@brokemomdiaries]

#10 Tip hit me hard... I ended up deleting my story that I've worked for almost 5 years, and I stopped writing fantasy for around seven years... now with this tips in mind I'm back on track :D Thanks to all your tips will continue my dream in writing a novel... *Fingers Crossed* Hoping it will get some recognition. hehe

[@LocalMemeFarmer]

I appreciate that this video came out now while I'm working harder on my fantasy idea than I have in a long while. I've condensed what I had as the whole story into act 1 after gutting six chapters worth of work for the sake of flow (sob) and I'm now moving on to the new material. Outlining has been absolutely key. Side note: Personal bug bear, I do love non-earth fantasy stories but please god give the characters modern plumbing.

[@kingjones20]

Ya done F'd up earned my like and subscription...as well as many badassery points!

[@BlackenedGold]

I just subscribed, looking forward to future content, thanks for the video.

[@Daphne1780]

Thank you! I'm planning to write a fantasy story, Percy Jackson style but with local mythology from where i live

[@nightbreed9305]

My favorite part of Fantasy is world building. Like I love adjusting a world to fit one element. Like how magic drastically would change the viewpoints of the people in the world.

[@TheGreatPanicker]

What about the sword & sorcery genre? That is my thing: the elder scrolls games, Conan, etc.

[@AllanRochez]

I’m gonna have to check out that anvil thing that seems like it could be extremely helpful tool thanks for sharing your knowledge love

[@chimminie]

I heard that portal fantasy is a « dead genre » but to what extend is that true ? If there are multiple worlds in which the hero travels, does that count ? I’m thinking about writing something along those lines but it’s still just a thought for now so I don’t want any « write what you like anyway » I’m aware of that. Thank you thank you

[@metaltornado3457]

I don't think portal fantasy is a dead genre. One of the major draws to portal fantasy is the main character usually comes from our world and the fantasy world is unfamiliar to them, making it easier for the audience to learn about the world along with the main character.

[@talia1628]

Have people read Saviors Champion? Can people tell me if it’s worth reading, I am a character driven reader!

[@SuperRussianGoddess]

I don't recommend it if you're a character driven reader. I DNF'd it at Chapter 2 because characters were dying that we didn't even get a chance to care about. Also, the tone is inconsistent and switches back and forth between old and modern.

[@banettenighmare8645]

I don’t recommend it if you are someone who wants a character driven story. I’d say it’s great for a “turn off your brain” read. Also if you read TSC I don’t recommend TSS all too much. :3

[@talia1628]

@@SuperRussianGoddess interesting, I do like death, I think I’ll give it to my sister to read lol

[@talia1628]

@@veronicadunrod6411 I do love badasses and morally grey characters!!

[@talia1628]

@@emmapierskalla7622 cool tysm for your input! I think I’m gonna get it and give it to my sis to read first lol

[@Skiddydebop]

I just discovered you today and you're amazing. Love the cute and gritty attitude, and the informative tips. Subbed!

[@ceinwenchandler4716]

Oh, yeah. I agree with you about the outlining. I used to discovery write my fantasy. The net result was usually a huge mess, half of which would've needed to be cut if I'd ever revised it because, halfway through the book, like clockwork, I would suddenly discover some crazy new element of the world or characters and realize that, now that THAT revelation had been had, the first 50,000 words I had written no longer made any sense in the context of the story. After a while, I got frustrated and started writing outlines. So far it seems to be going better. If nothing else, my current outlined fantasy story isn't going to need its first 50K words cut out.

[@darrellpidgeon6440]

Lord of the Rings will always be dear to me, but I know there is more to discover. I even read a few books in the Shannara series by Terry Brooks. The Xanth series was enjoyable, and often quite funny. I'm glad I signed up for Bookbub, because there are so many fantasy novels to consider. An added plus is that many of the books I find are free. Others are as little as 99 cents. My imagination is well-fed! Your tips are so valuable. Thanks.

[@rtmpregame1945]

I feel like Shannara gets a bad rap because of it’s similarities with Tolkien! I personally really enjoyed them! I wish more people would give them the chance