Many first time authors make avoidable mistakes when writing their fiction fantasy book. This can often lead to their story being less successful than it could be. When it comes to fantasy fiction, there are a few things you definitely want to avoid if you want your book to be a success. Here are 5 of the biggest mistakes you can make:
1. Not Doing your Research
Fantasy fiction is all about world-building. If you want your readers to believe in the world you’ve created, you need to make sure it is believable. This means doing your research on everything from the history and mythology of your world, to the geography and climate.
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative and supernatural elements such as elves, wizards, and dragons. It often has a medieval or otherworldly setting, and may incorporate elements of the supernatural, horror, or science fiction. If you’re new to writing fantasy, it’s important to understand the genre and what readers expect.
One of the most common mistakes new fantasy authors make is not having a clear understanding of the genre. Fantasy is more than just “a story with magic in it.” There are a variety of subgenres within fantasy, each with their own conventions and expectations. For example, high fantasy is a subgenre that typically features an epic quest, while urban fantasy is set in a contemporary city and often features detective or mystery elements. If you’re not familiar with the different subgenres of fantasy, doing some research is a good first step.
2. Not Knowing your Audience
Another mistake to avoid is not knowing your audience. Are you writing for adults, young adults, or children? Are you writing for fans of fantasy, or for readers who don’t typically read fantasy? Knowing your audience will help you determine the level of detail and complexity in your world-building, the style of your writing, and the overall tone of your book.
3. Failing to Plan
Another common mistake is failing to plan. A good story doesn’t just happen – it’s the result of careful planning and attention to detail. Before you start writing, take some time to develop your characters, plot, and setting. Having a clear plan will help you stay on track and avoid getting stuck later on.
4. Populating your World with Clichés
Fantasy fiction is full of clichés, from sword-wielding heroes to dragon-riding damsels in distress. While there’s nothing wrong with including some of these clichés in your story, you need to be careful not to overdo it. If your world is full of nothing but clichés, it will be difficult for readers to take it seriously.
5. Failing to Edit
One of the most important steps in writing any book is the editing process. This is where you fine-tune your story, catch any errors, and make sure everything flows smoothly. If you skip this step, or do a half-hearted job, it will show in the final product.
6. Not Promoting your Book
Even the best fantasy fiction books won’t sell themselves. You need to do your part to promote your book and get it in front of potential readers. There are a number of ways to do this, from social media to book signings. Don’t assume that because you’ve written a great book, people will automatically find it.
By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to writing a fantasy fiction book that is both successful and enjoyable to read.