Have you ever read a fantasy novel and you were so captivated and inspired to write your own? You immediately went to Pinterest and started a new board of inspiration but when it came down to the part of actual writing you just stared at a blank page, desperately wanting to create this new epic fantasy of yours, but you hadn’t the slightest clue of where to begin?

You are not alone. Practically every aspiring writer has been here. Heck it’s a place I find myself a lot of the time when inspiration strikes.

Whether you’re just starting your own writing journey or returning after a creative dry spell, fantasy can feel both exciting and overwhelming. There are so many variables and possibilities such as magical creatures, sprawling kingdoms, hidden portals, dark curses. Sometimes it’s having that very vastness that is overwhelming that keeps us from giving up before we have even begun.

This is why I created something for writer’s just like me and turned it into something anyone can use.

Why This Guide Exists

As a fantasy writer and creative dreamer, I know exactly how hard it can be to sort through all of those ideas spinning in your head and be able to take that first step. You want to get it right, you want it to be perfect, you want it to be the most magical thing out there. But having that type of internal pressure on yourself to create something perfect can actually be the reason your story never progresses and you give up entirely.

That’s where this short, beginner-friendly writing guide comes in.

This beginner’s guide to writing your first fantasy scene has been designed to walk you through the early stages of storytelling in just three simple steps. No fluff. No pressure. Just the basics to help inspire you, guide you, and get you excited to write your story.

What’s Inside this Guide?

This isn’t some long text book or a drawn out lecture. It’s a cozy creative tool to help nudge you in the right direction.

Inside you’ll find:

Part 1: Choose Your Hero (or Villain)

Start by crafting your main character. Who are they? What do they want/desire? What makes them different or special? You’ll answer a few simple questions to help flesh out who your story is about and what their journey will be.

Part 2: Build Your World

Next, you’ll step into the world your character lives in. It could be from magical cities to dark enchanted forests, even outcasted villages. This section will help you to shape where your story begins, and where the adventure awaits.

Part 3: Write Your First Scene

Now you will take what you did in parts one and two, your character/characters and setting into a scene. I have provided within the guide a template and prompts to help get you writing your opening scene or a scene from your climax with confidence. By the time you finish, you’ll have been well on your way of writing your very first page!

Bonus: Guided Writing Space

Inside of each section I have left plenty of room for you to brainstorm, sketch, and scribble out ideas, because writing isn’t always linear, and everyone’s imagination is not the same. You don’t even answer every question, just let all of those walls caging you in fall and let your creativity flow.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

• A memorable character

• A magical world

• A solid first scene

• The courage to keep writing

Writing fantasy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sometimes, all it takes is the first few pages and a little creative structure. This guide gives you that—and a reminder that your story is worth telling.

How I Used It:

My Example:

Mist clings to the moss-covered trees as Elira steps into the Glimmering Hollow, heart pounding like a war drum. The forest hums with ancient magic—soft whispers in a language she doesn’t understand curl around her ears. Her fingers tighten around the hilt of her dagger, the only gift her mother left before vanishing into these very woods.

A low growl cuts through the silence. Elira freezes. She isn’t alone.

The Hollow tests all who enter. Some say it warps your memories, others claim it summons your worst fears. She’s not sure which would be worse right now—reliving the fire that stole her village, or facing the shadow-beast that her brother swore had eyes like burning coal.

She inches forward, every step a gamble, the glowing mushrooms lighting her path in eerie blue.

Here is my breakdown of each step inside my step-by-step guide:

1. Establish the Setting

“Mist clings to the moss-covered trees as Elira steps into the Glimmering Hollow…”

•This line immediately grounds readers in a vivid, otherworldly location. The description of the mist, moss, and enchanted forest sets the tone and mood for the scene.

2. Introduce the Character

“Elira steps into the Glimmering Hollow, heart pounding like a war drum.”

•We meet Elira in action, with an emotional cue (fear/nervousness) that hints at her bravery and internal conflict.

3. Define the Character’s Goal

“Her fingers tighten around the hilt of her dagger, the only gift her mother left before vanishing into these very woods.”

•Elira’s goal is implicit: she’s entering the Hollow to uncover something tied to her mother’s disappearance. The dagger adds personal stakes and mystery.

4. Introduce Conflict or Tension

“A low growl cuts through the silence. Elira freezes. She isn’t alone.”

•This moment introduces immediate danger and suspense. We don’t need to know the exact threat—just the presence of one raises tension.

5. Hint at the World’s Magic/Rules

“The forest hums with ancient magic—soft whispers in a language she doesn’t understand…”

“Some say it warps your memories, others claim it summons your worst fears.”

• These lines subtly weave in the magical rules of the world—mysterious, possibly sentient environments, and mind-bending dangers. It’s not a full explanation, but it’s enough to intrigue the reader.

6. End with a Hook

“She inches forward, every step a gamble, the glowing mushrooms lighting her path in eerie blue.”

•This keeps the tension high and encourages the reader to keep going. What will Elira face next? We don’t know yet—but we want to.

***If you found anything in my ramblings helpful, subscribe to my blog for more content just like this!! Also if you fill out the information below it will not only take you to a FREE download of your very own guide, but it will give you LIFETIME access to my FREE resource library for when I add future resources for writers just like you!!!***

Start Your Story:A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Your First Fantasy Scene