The Author's Guide to Writing Fantasy Characters

Bilbo Baggins, Hermione Granger, Inigo Montoya (You killed my father. Prepare to die.), Clary Fray, Feyre Archeron, Sandman Slim, Elric of Melniboné, Aang, Roland Deschain… the fantasy genre is filled with memorable characters from beloved stories.

I could go on for a very, very long time with that list. Maybe you recognize all of those names, or maybe you only recognize some (I, for one, needed to Google Feyre’s last name because my wife never mentioned it during one of the many times she’s told me about ACOTAR). 

Though I’m confident you saw at least one name on that list that made you smile, maybe even brought back some great memories of their tales.

The fantasy genre, while filled with wondrous worlds, mystical magic, and awesome adventures, is driven by complex, memorable characters. You can create the most unique setting and story, but your readers won’t remember any of it without great characters.

And fantasy is unique in how wide and varied its cast of characters can be. In genres like romance and horror, the protagonist and the antagonist are the clear stars, often accompanied by less important or developed characters. This isn’t a jab, just what readers like.

When writing fantasy, your group of adventurers or guild of assassins will be teeming with characters who readers want to get to know. 

It means you’re going to put a lot more work into writing fantasy characters, but the payoff is an incredible, epic book.

So don’t feel daunted by the idea of assembling your heroic cast of elves, orcs, goblins, and wizards because we’re going to cover everything you need to know about developing and writing fantasy characters.

Our quest today includes:

• Understanding character development
• Combining worldbuilding and your characters
• Designing fantasy characters
• Some extra tips and tricks for writing fantasy folks

Get your packs and weapons ready because this is one heck of a journey we’re going on.

Understanding Character Development

Just like how every great mage started as an apprentice and every great knight needed to learn how to swing a sword, every great writer needs to understand the fundamentals of character development before writing stellar fantasy characters.

I know how much that stinks, but it’s the truth. Great fantasy characters are great characters, first and foremost.

Now, we have a pretty long journey ahead of us, so I’m not going to spend a ton of time on each of these topics. Instead, I’ll explain the basics and link out to DabbleU articles if you need more information.

We’re going to cover the fundamental elements of character development:

1. The types of characters (the who)
2. Character archetypes (the what)
3. Character arcs (the how)
4. Backstory and motivation (the why)

I put who, what, how, and why in brackets because those are easy ways to think about why these elements are important and how they contribute to the character you’re writing. Not sure how that’s the case? Well, read on!

The Three Different Types of Characters

First up, understand that there are three different types of characters and each of them plays a different role. These three types are main characters, secondary/supporting characters, and minor/tertiary characters.

Now before you just scroll on past, bear with me. This might be more important than you think.

This is, at the most basic level, who your character is to you and your story. Where they fall in this categorization dictates how prevalent they are in your book, how much development and screen time you give them, and what roles they play.

Main characters are the ones the story is about. They drive the plot forward, facing the external conflict while pushing towards their goal. It is their story, and we’re along for the ride.

In most cases, the main character(s) is just your protagonist(s). We see where they come from, the struggles they face, the growth they go through, and celebrate their victory or mourn their failure in the end. 

In fantasy, it’s not uncommon to have multiple protagonists placed in interweaving or parallel storylines. When those stories come together, one will likely become “mainer” than the other, but they are both significant protagonists in their own distinct journeys.

For help writing a story with two protagonists, click here.

Secondary/supporting characters are also important in your fantasy story, but the tale isn’t about them. They will have their own goals and fears, and most should have their own transformation, especially in large books or series.

The primary purpose of a secondary character is to assist or hinder the protagonist. This could mean a hermit who mentors the hero or a rival who tests them and everything in between.

Here’s a guide for crafting supporting characters in seven steps.

The antagonist is technically a secondary character, as their entire reason for existing is to try and stop the hero. That said, it is possible to have a villain protagonist or an antagonist who is given enough screen time and their own plot line to elevate them to main character status.

If you want some help writing a villain antagonist, click here.

Finally, tertiary characters are the ones that fill out your world. They don’t have a lot of screen time—heck, they might not even have any dialogue at all—but they make your setting feel alive, provide a clue or small obstacle to your other characters, and just kind of vibe.

For help crafting these background characters, check out this guide.

Bonus: Foil characters can be secondary or tertiary characters. The whole point of a foil is to have a character that is, in some major way, the opposite of your protagonist or important secondary character. This opposite nature can be used to highlight strengths and weaknesses and is great for facilitating character development.

Here’s a guide to writing foil characters for you.

Character Archetypes

I freaking love character archetypes, and I hope to make a believer out of you, too.

Archetypes are a particular set of traits that makes a character instantly recognizable to a reader, oftentimes regardless of culture, language, or even time (to an extent).

If you didn’t know any better, that sounds dangerously cookie-cutter or cliché. We’re writers, so we’re here to use our imagination and come up with something unique, right?

Rather, archetypes are more like starting points that help give you and your reader a foundation to latch onto before you grow your character into something more complex. And this works really well in fantasy novels.

We’re going to quickly go over each of the most common character archetypes so you know what you’re working with. Each has a link to a deeper dive into that archetype and an example of a well-known fantasy character that embodies that archetype.

As you read through these, think about how powerful they can be when writing characters in your fantasy world. I guarantee you’ll get excited.

The Hero(ine)

Everyone knows this archetype from fantasy and beyond. The hero is the stand-up one, the fighter for justice and all things good. This archetype is honorable, persistent, courageous, and stands up for the weak. They can also be prone to arrogance.

Example: Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)

The Magician

The magician is all about power, baby. They need it. They’re obsessed with it. Being the best is all they want, and nothing will get in their way.This character is perceptive, disciplined, and selfish.

Example: Doctor Strange (Marvel)

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The Lover

You may have guessed this one, but the lover really only cares about love. It might be romantic love, but it doesn’t have to be. This character is prone to sacrificing everything for the object of their devotion. They’re big-hearted and compassionate, but they're also at risk of losing themselves as they build their world around someone else.

Example: Edward Cullen (Twilight)

The Jester

Did someone call for comedic relief? The jester is the funny guy. They also tend to be pretty insightful, using their humour to spotlight everything from corruption to the protagonist’s flaws. The jester is mischievous, impulsive, and—let’s be honest—a little obnoxious at times.

Examples: Merry and Pip (The Lord of the Rings)

The Explorer

A character who yearns for all the excitement the world has to offer, the explorer isn’t content with standing still. This archetype longs for adventure and feels confined by the life they’re living. They’re courageous, curious, and unwilling to conform. They can also be a little selfish.

Example: Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)

The Sage

The sage is powerful, like a magician, but they don’t want more for themselves. Instead, they’re all about teaching others. Knowledgeable and patient, the sage is deeply committed to passing their wisdom onto their pupil. They’re genuinely caring and rational, though they can also be arrogant and aggravatingly passive. 

Example: Uncle Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

The Innocent

Also known as “the Child,” this archetype is naive, trusting, sincere, and—as a result—super vulnerable. Many Innocents either grow wiser or descend into evil when a terrible experience reveals the darker side of life. But some maintain their childlike wonder from beginning to end.

Example: Grogu (The Mandalorian)... I know it’s not fantasy, but baby Yoda is too good to pass up.

The Creator

The creator is obsessed with their ultimate creation. Nothing else is as important as bringing their vision to fruition—not relationships, not world peace, and definitely not family dinners. 

Example: Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein)

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The Ruler

The one in charge. The king, queen, emperor, chieftain, high priestess, whatever you call them. The ruler has control over everything in their domain, and they’d really like to keep it that way, thank you very much. Whether they’re benevolent or greed-driven is up to you.

Example: President Snow (The Hunger Games)

The Caregiver

This is that character who’s constantly thinking about everybody else. If they have their own dreams, no one knows about them. The Caregiver is compassionate, selfless, and reliable. They’re often a guardian, older sibling, teacher, or partner.

Example: Hagrid (Harry Potter)

The Common Person

Your salt of the earth, blue-collar person, this archetype is all about relatability. The Common Person is kind, hard-working, virtuous, and seemingly unremarkable. They’re also unprepared for the extraordinary challenges that are about to come their way but tend to rise to meet them.

Example: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)

The Outlaw

The outlaw has a low tolerance for injustice, and you can count on them to lead the rebellion. They’re charismatic and virtuous, though the decks are often stacked against them, and they can be a little obsessive. These sorts of characters are often blind to viewpoints that aren’t theirs, though.

Example: Robin Hood (Robin Hood)

The Orphan

The orphan is one of the most popular archetypes for both protagonists and villains. This character can be a literal orphan, or they can be someone whose life is defined by abandonment or solitude. They are resilient and independent. Though they might also be embittered or weakened by their lack of both physical and emotional resources.  

Example: Elsa (Frozen)

The Seducer

This archetype is a master manipulator. While the classic example of a Seducer would be a character who uses their looks and sexuality to get what they want, this archetype can use any means available to them. They’re amoral, clever, independent, and ultimately unfulfilled.

Example: Gilderoy Lockhart (Harry Potter)

Character Arcs

Fantasy stories are all about journeys. Whether that’s a long journey out and back from the Shire, an educational journey through magic school, or escaping a war between orcs and elves, your fictional people will start somewhere and—physically or mentally—end somewhere else.

Character arcs are the internal journeys your characters go on. As they navigate the horrible things you put them through, who they are changes.

Your main characters need an arc. Heck, most secondary characters should have an arc. Lucky for you, tertiary characters don’t.

When it comes to arcs, there are four different types to choose from:

• Positive - The character’s morals or view of themselves improves, usually improving the world around them at the same time.
• Negative - The character changes for the worse, and it hurts those around them.
• Transformational - The character maybe changes their view on something or acts differently, but it’s not necessarily for the better or worse.
• Flat - The character doesn’t change at all. This is most common in lesser secondary characters or main characters in action-adventure stories (think Indiana Jones or James Bond).

Even though no reader says, “I LOVE character arcs,” they are essential for us to become attached to a character. It’s through their struggles, their hurt, how they push themselves to change, and how they eventually overcome their biggest obstacle that we bond with fictional folks.

For your hero, are they going to overcome their past trauma and rise to knightly glory? Or will they succumb to promises of power and use dark magic to achieve their goals?

I call these arcs “the how” of character development because it’s this journey and all its obstacles that force your character to show who they are and adapt to their struggles.

The importance of character arcs in character development can’t be understated. You need to know this stuff. Luckily, my pal Abi has a great guide (with a template!) that you can check out and bookmark here.

Backstories and Motivation

The last thing we need to cover in our character development fundamentals is something that happens even before the first page of your fantasy novel. 

Your character’s backstory isn’t just a nice little blurb about who they were before you put the spotlight on them. It’s that, plus the consequences of their past. It’s everything that has formed who they are when the story starts and informs all the decisions they make. 

Your reader should learn about a character’s backstory in a piecemeal fashion, a slow drip shown through actions, decisions, and dialogue rather than a big ol’ pile of infodumping.

But their backstory should be taken into account every time you have them doing something.

Why? Because a character’s backstory is fuel for their motivation.

Motivation is what drives your character forward, the reason for them wanting what they want.

Let’s say your character is the daughter of a disgraced noble family. Now an adult, she is motivated to restore her family name and get revenge on those who cast them out.

How does that backstory and motivation affect her decision making? What problems can it create that she will have to overcome? 

Maybe you have a devout cleric raised in a convent away from most civilizations. They’ve been raised to worship their deity above all else.

How will this history influence the cleric’s decisions and actions when they encounter the less faithful? Or when they meet followers of other gods?

For the best character development, consider how someone’s arc will force them to overcome the lies and ghosts of their backstory to meet their goals.

For a complete guide on coming up with a backstory for your characters, click here.

You can also check out this article on coming up with great motivations for your cast of characters.

Combining Fantasy Worldbuilding and Characters

Now that we have the foundational stuff under our belts, let’s really dig into the unique aspects of designing fantasy characters. I know you’re probably itching to talk about traits and personalities and whatnot, but we have another stop to make on our journey first.

You see, one of the most important elements of writing fantasy is your worldbuilding. Whether you’re crafting a high fantasy epic with your own languages, religions, and magic systems, or a low fantasy set in the real world, your setting influences your characters.

Not only that, but it gives you yet another way of making realistic fantasy characters, even in an incredible setting.

First off, here’s another resource for you: the best worldbuilding guide ever. Bookmark it, absorb its knowledge, and make a fantastical world with it.

What we’re here for is understanding how your world influences the characters you are making. This is great information to keep in mind when building out your fantasy characters. 

Here are the key elements of worldbuilding you should integrate into your fantasy characters.

History: Chronicles That Mold Characters

The history of your world binds the pages upon which your characters’ stories are told. It shapes their perspectives, motivations, and relationships. 

Consider the pivotal events, wars, revolutions, and discoveries that have shaped your world. Characters hailing from a war-torn era might carry scars and grudges, while those born in times of peace may possess a more optimistic outlook. 

Historical context adds depth to your characters, making them resonate with your reader.

Geography: Where the Land Breathes Life

The landscapes, climates, and physical features of your world play a vital role in character development. Characters residing in sprawling cities might exhibit urban sensibilities, while those dwelling in rustic villages might embody a connection with nature. 

Beyond that, resources available, natural obstacles (like mountains, deserts, and oceans), and the way people use the land all impacts how people live. The environments they inhabit influence their skills, occupations, and even their worldviews. 

Or maybe the opposite is true, and they’ve learned how to exploit the land to their own ends. Which is true for your characters?

Culture: The Mosaic of Beliefs and Customs

Culture forms the backbone of any society, and your characters are its product. As a fantasy author, you can really delve into the traditions, values, and norms of different cultures within your world. 

The customs characters follow, the festivals they celebrate, and the rituals they perform—all these reflect their cultural heritage. These elements shape their identities, relationships, and moral codes, adding richness and diversity to your story.

Language: The Power of Words

Languages spoken in your world can be a potent tool for character development. Dialects, accents, and unique phrases provide insights into a character's upbringing and social background. 

Consider how language barriers or fluency in multiple tongues might influence communication, alliances, and conflicts. Language is more than words—it's power, relationships, and in some cases, magic.

Want to make your very own language? We’ve got your back with this article.

Economics: Coinage and the Pursuit of Dreams

The economic system in your fantasy world impacts characters' livelihoods, aspirations, and social mobility. The distribution of wealth, availability of resources, and economic disparities influence their opportunities and struggles. 

A character born into privilege might face different opportunities and challenges than someone from a humble background. By integrating economic factors into your character's journey, you breathe realism into their journey.

Conflicts and Wars: Forging Heroes and Villains

Conflicts and wars are catalysts for change, and they shape the destiny of your characters as much as the lands they take place in. Whether your character fights on the frontlines or endures the consequences of war, their experiences breed resilience, trauma, and heroism. 

The side they choose, the sacrifices they make, and the alliances they form all contribute to their growth and define their place in the world you've crafted.

Religion: Faith as a Guiding Force

Religion and spirituality influence characters' beliefs, moral compasses, and quests for meaning. Explore the pantheon of deities, religious institutions, and the impact of faith on your world. 

Characters may draw strength from their convictions, face moral dilemmas, or question the existence of higher powers. Religion can unite or divide, providing fertile ground for character development and exploring themes of devotion and doubt.

Politics and Power Structures: Navigating the Machinations of Power

Within your world, politics shape the social landscape, determine the distribution of power, and affect the lives of your characters. Consider the governing systems, political factions, and power struggles that exist. 

Characters may be entangled in court intrigues, vying for positions of authority or rebelling against oppressive regimes. Their allegiances, ambitions, and struggles for power are intricately intertwined with the political dynamics of your world.

Magic System: Unleashing Arcane Potential

If magic exists in your world, it becomes an integral part of your characters' identities. Your magic system shapes the rules, limitations, and applications of magic. 

Characters may be born with innate abilities, or they might study and harness magical arts. Their mastery over magic, or lack thereof, affects their roles, conflicts, and personal journeys. 

It can’t be understated how much magic influences its world. It touches everything. 

We have a handful of resources for you to design and perfect your own magic system:

• What is a Magic System?
• Building Your Magic System
• Popular Magic Systems
• 9 Different Magic Users to Use in Your Writing
• 10 Different Types of Magic for Your Characters to Wield

You don’t need to make every one of these elements a defining feature of your character, of course. That would be a little much and would likely end up bogging down your reader and muddling your character.

But keep them in mind and choose a few that would elevate your fantasy characters to a more rewarding level of complexity. That’s what readers crave, after all.

Designing Fantasy Characters

We’ve already added to our foundation, but now it’s time to get down to brass tacks. Let’s actually design your characters.

In the realm of fantasy writing, characters come in all shapes and sizes. They wield swords, harness magic, and embark on epic quests that capture readers' imaginations. But how do you create memorable and engaging characters for your fantasy novel?

There’s no mandatory process to follow here. Instead, I’m going to give you a list of ingredients to throw into that alchemical cauldron in your head. Once you start muddling these ingredients together, you’ll find your own process and craft some incredible characters.

Understanding Archetypes: Honoring Tradition, Adding Depth

We covered archetypes earlier in this guide, and they are a great place to begin your character creation. When you think about the characters you want to make, do any archetypes stick out?

 While archetypes provide a starting point, it's essential to still go beyond clichés and add depth to your characters. Consider subverting expectations or blending archetypes, giving your characters unique traits, complexities, and motivations that make them stand out. 

By honoring tradition while adding depth, you can create characters that feel both familiar and fresh to your readers.

Flawed and Relatable: Imperfections That Make Characters Shine

Imperfections humanize characters and make them relatable. 

Perfect heroes can be difficult to connect with and, quite frankly, are boring. So it's crucial to introduce flaws and vulnerabilities to your main and secondary characters. Consider their weaknesses, fears, and insecurities. 

Flaws can be physical, emotional, or psychological, creating opportunities for growth and transformation throughout the story. If you want a deep dive into flaws—ranging from minor to fatal—check out this article.

Embrace imperfections so your readers can empathize with your characters and root for their development and triumphs.

Multidimensional Personalities: Going Beyond Surface Level

Characters should have multifaceted personalities that extend beyond their primary roles. They should be more than just a "warrior" or a "sorcerer." 

Explore their strengths, interests, passions, and hobbies. Give them quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them feel real and relatable. 

You get bonus points if they have traits that work against one another.

If you’re struggling to come up with traits to give your character, check out our character template with more than 100 options to fill in.

By crafting well-rounded characters, you'll captivate readers with the depth and complexity of their personalities. Showcasing a range of emotions, conflicting desires, and unexpected reactions will make your characters feel alive on the page.

Backstory and Character History: Shaping the Present

From earlier, we know a character's backstory informs their present actions and choices. I’m mentioning it again because a backstory-less character is more prone to be a boring, one-dimensional one. 

Develop their history, experiences, and formative events that shaped them into who they are today. Consider their upbringing, family dynamics, or pivotal moments that have influenced their worldview. 

By understanding their past, you can create more authentic and consistent character arcs. The key is to strike a balance between revealing enough about their backstory to add depth without overwhelming the reader with excessive information.

Goals and Motivations: Driving the Narrative Forward

Characters need clear goals and motivations that propel the story, and these two elements need to jive with one another. We know that backstory provides motivation, even if new goals are formed as the story progresses. 

Why would your reluctant hero agree to fight a dragon? Because they see how much of a threat it poses to the town. A town just like his that was razed to the ground when he was younger.

These driving forces provide direction and purpose to their actions and decisions. Consider your character’s desires, dreams, and what they are willing to sacrifice to achieve them. 

Whether it's seeking revenge, pursuing justice, or saving their loved ones, well-defined goals add depth and agency to your characters. Their motivations should align with their personalities and be woven into the fabric of the world you've created.

For more info on developing character goals, get yourself over to this article.

Relationships and Dynamics: Forging Bonds and Conflicts

Characters do not exist in isolation. They interact with each other, helping or hindering, supporting or competing. They don’t even need to be directly impacting one another to have some sort of impact.

Explore their relationships with other characters—friends, allies, mentors, or rivals. Develop complex dynamics that blend camaraderie, tension, and conflict. 

Interactions with others shape your characters' growth, test their loyalties, and reveal their true selves. By exploring the depths of their relationships, you create opportunities for character development, unexpected alliances, and emotional impact.

Growth and Transformation: Evolving Heroes and Heroines

Hey look, we’re using another one of those character development fundamentals: character arcs.

Characters need to experience growth and transformation throughout the story. They should evolve, learn from their experiences, and confront their flaws. The whole point of throwing hordes of undead and ancient curses at them is to make them grow and overcome those challenges. 

By allowing characters to conquer their obstacles and face internal and external conflicts, you create compelling arcs that resonate with readers. 

Make their growth organic and meaningful, though, driven by their experiences, relationships, and the obstacles they face. A well-crafted character arc adds depth and satisfaction to the reader's journey.

I hooked you up with a character arc template earlier, but here’s another article about creating arcs if you need a little more info.

Balance of Strengths and Vulnerabilities: Creating Well-Rounded Characters

Characters should possess strengths that aid them on their journey, whether it's physical prowess, intelligence, charismatic charm, or magical powers. However, vulnerabilities make them relatable and generate tension. 

When creating fantasy characters, striking a balance between strengths and vulnerabilities is crucial to creating well-rounded imaginary people that captivate readers' hearts. Characters who face adversity, struggle with their limitations, and overcome challenges are more compelling and engaging.

Strengths are easy to come up with, but here are some weaknesses if you need a few ideas.

More Character Resources

Designing fantasy characters requires a delicate balance of archetypes, flaws, depth, and relatability. By understanding their motivations, history, relationships, growth, and the balance between their strengths and vulnerabilities, you breathe life into these heroes and heroines who will conquer dragons, unravel mysteries, and save worlds.

Unfortunately, there are always more things you can be doing to enhance your character writing prowess. Here are a handful of other resources and articles that will only serve to strengthen your characters:

• How to Describe Characters
• 20 Original Questions to Ask Your Characters
• How to Write a Good Villain
• Character Development Questions That Aren’t About Eye Color
• How to Give Your Characters Personality
• Giving Your Characters Fears
• Fleshing Out Characters
• Things You Need to Know About Your Characters
• How to Write a Character Sketch
• A Character Development Worksheet

Some Tips for Writing Fantasy Characters

Okay, dear adventurers, our quest has almost come to an end. But I want to equip you with a few more tips and tricks for your writing journey.

Here are some actions to take to rise to the challenge of writing fantasy characters.

Embrace Uniqueness - Bestow upon each character their own distinct qualities, whether it be a unique appearance, a rare magical talent, or an intriguing ancestral heritage. Let them shine amidst the mundane.

Seek Inspiration from Myth and Legend (and Real Life) - Embark on a quest through ancient chronicles, forgotten tales, and the annals of fantastical lore. Draw inspiration from mythical creatures, legendary heroes, and mystical beings, but also use ideas from real people, events, and places to breathe life into the characters you’re creating.

Balance Strengths and Weaknesses - A character who excels in every aspect can come across as unrealistic and unrelatable. Infuse them with otherworldly powers while grounding them in the fragile realm of mortality. The delicate balance between their gifts and limitations adds depth and relatability.

Flawed Heroes and Heroines - Etch imperfections upon their souls, for even the bravest champions bear scars. I’m only being half as dramatic as I could be with this. Allow them to wrestle with inner demons, confront personal conflicts, and succumb to the allure of forbidden magic. It’s through their struggles that they discover their true strength.

Show, Don’t Tell - Instead of merely recounting tales, enchant readers with vivid imagery, beguiling dialogue, and enthralling interactions. Let their behavior and choices reveal their personalities, beliefs, and values. You can practice your show, don’t tell skills with these worksheets.

Embrace the Diversity of Realms - Create a diverse range of characters that reflect different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Embrace inclusivity and avoid stereotypes. I mean, you’re writing about places where fantastical creatures, diverse cultures, and enchanting languages converge. Let the kaleidoscope of perspectives and beliefs breathe life into your narrative, enriching your world.

Evolving Bonds - Let friendships kindle like ancient embers, romances bloom amidst forbidden enchantments, and rivalries ignite like sparks in the night. Relationships should be dynamic, ever-changing in the face of the conflicts that stress them. 

Characters as Catalysts - Grant your characters agency, for they are not mere pawns in the grand tapestry of fate… unless that’s your theme. Through their choices, they become catalysts of change, weaving their destinies and shaping the very fabric of the fantastical world that surrounds them. Passive, inactive characters are boring characters.

Forge an Emotional Connection -  Create an emotional connection between your characters and the readers. Make readers care about their journey, their triumphs, and their struggles. Engage their emotions by exploring themes of love, loss, hope, and resilience. If the readers don’t care, they won’t invest their time in your story.

The #1 Fantasy Writing Tip

Okay, I’ve saved the best tip for last. Writing a fantasy story, with all its characters, quests, political intrigue, worldbuilding, religions, magic, dragons, and everything else, is a lot of work.

Like, a lot of work.

So you need a writing tool that doesn’t just make that work easier but is basically built for fantasy writers like you and me.

That writing tool is Dabble.

Dabble comes with features like the Plot Grid, which lets you manage all your subplots and attach notes to individual scenes, so you never miss a beat.

It also has folders for characters, worldbuilding, and whatever else you need, all just one click away so you aren’t opening a million documents or tabs.

Goal setting and tracking might not sound super sexy, but when you’re writing 150,000 words, it can be a lifesaver.

And, most important of all, it lets you write on any device, anywhere, and automatically backs up your work whenever you’re connected to the internet. As someone who has lost tens of thousands of fantasy writing because I never hit save often enough on my old Word doc, this is a lifesaver.

The best part is that you can try Dabble and all these features (plus a lot more) for 14 days for absolutely free. Not “we’ll charge you at the end” free, but “you don’t put in any credit card info until you want to buy it” free.

Just click here to get started. We can’t wait to see what incredible characters you create.

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