If I Started Writing a Fantasy Novel in 2025, I'd Do This

[israelabdulmalagavillacort]

Yersterday I gave up my proyect after twelve years of trying. Been fighting a deep depression that made impossible to write for me the last four years. Watching this video helped me to see it with another approach. Hopefully, I can make something with this. Thanks, Tale Tinkerer

[abcdef]

I learn something about Magic Systems:

"There are two types of Magic, and then a Third Type appears".

[wanderingsoul]

After 6 years of starting my story I finally finished yesterday. I felt a sense of pride and achievement like never before and stared at my screen in disbelief for a good 3 minutes or so to let it sink in

[gajanannataraj]

This video actually gave me the tools I may need to plan productively without feeling like I'm just stalling or getting lost in not-actually-writing.

[Consolous]

I've wanted to write novels for a few years now and have been stuck with writer's block for a while. A big thing that has been looming over my head is the fact that I don't truly know what my story is trying to teach, although I do have glimpses of what it is deep down. I know it's there, but I must dig deep to find it and this video helped me a lot to take a step back and get those basics down. As someone who's a perfectionist in all that I do and it has helped me at times, in writing, it certainly is not the case. So your advice on stripping down the first draft and getting those core elements of the story first really resonated with me. Thank you for the priceless advice, it has reinvigorated my love for it and now I'm determined to bring my first novel to life once and for all

[IndigoIndustrial]

Really solid advice.
Using the "TBD" tag is a good tip.

[DarkNomad]

As someone working on the early stages of coauthoring a novel, I had to check this video out. And while advice videos, especially on writing are a dime a dozen, and tend to spit out the same rhetoric from someone who clearly doesn't write much, I truly felt like I was getting advice that has been carefully learned from experience. Your ability to break down the different pieces of what you are talking about, and even give us examples from a current work in progress helps me digest every point you make, while also giving practical ways to break it down so I could apply it to my own story.

You have earned my sub heartily, and guaranteed I'll be on the look out for The Fugitive Prince when you are finished!

[Dragonmoon]

Appreciate the breakdown. I think that's the biggest struggle. Giving everything meaning and tying it all together.

Like you said, draft one is just for you. Be as messy as you want. Achieve something more polished later. But, you have to start somewhere.

[SeaFoami]

This channel has some of the best writing advice I've ever heard 💯

[bluejayblaze]

My first drafts are always done in actual paper notebooks easiest for me to get my thoughts out that way), so search-based techniques only work for me in later drafts. That said, I have an excellent memory for where in the notebook each scene is, which leads to... me going back as I think of things and inserting sticky notes to remind myself of things when I go to type it up into a second draft. XD Things like "change end of scene to hafgufa vs ship mutual destruction" and "add scene from Finn's POV to show why he did X."

[mister_mystery-yk]

I’m currently writing a book about an elf chef looking for the Descendants of a chef he met nine hundred years ago so he can taste what he considers the best dish in the world one last time, this video helps a lot

[WrathOfTheShaft]

I've been writing little autobiographies as my characters. Speaking like them and using internal thought like they would almost like they are being interviewed. It just helps me learn who they are, their more than just words on a page.

[Rasqe]

Another was-blocked writer here to say a heartfelt 'Thank you!'
Seriously, this approach is the difference. Not the difference between 'no novel' or 'novel'.
It's the difference between 'paralysed' and 'going somewhere'. Bless.

[ЛазарНиколов-]

Lol you just read my mind. I write a story about a prince who will reclaim the throne!

[myautobiographyafanfic]

If you want to world build, write TTRPG supplements, if you want to craft a magic system, get into game dev, if you want to write a novel, tell a story.

[bkpriceiwug]

This was incredibly helpful, practical advice. Everything you offered provided a concrete step that builds upon one another. Thank you for this! Great job!

[hadeshades]

I write chaotically. My vague road map is the skeleton but I always write in the moment. To convey a feeling of a scene I listen to music that captures that feeling on repeat until the scene is done. To best explain my characters I have you an excerpt:

Just then, Nyra opened the bathroom door, and Vela looked to Tartarus for permission to help as Nyra had requested. He gave a slight nod, and she quickly went over.

Nyra’s hair was about as long as Vela’s, maybe even a bit longer, and she was in the process of drying it. Vela grabbed a towel and began to assist. The hair felt incredibly soft as it slipped through her fingers, but then something caught her eye—a strange, subtle movement under Nyra’s neck, oddly alien. Vela was certain she’d never seen anything like it on other humans.

"Would you like a massage? You have some tense muscles—I could help loosen them, " Vela offered.

"Those aren’t muscles; they’re my relays. No need for a massage. I just discovered I can move them a little, ” Nyra explained.

“Relays… like the tendrils Tartarus has on his head? The ones that look like hair?” Vela asked, intrigued.

“Yes, the same, but smaller to fit into me so I can understand him better, ” Nyra replied.

Was this the secret to understanding Tartarus? To serving him better?

Nyra continued, “I was a servant too, much like you. Tartarus… well, he kidnapped me and killed my masters. He’s helped me become who I am now, and I’m convinced he’ll do the same for you. Have you seen his gentleness? I know he’s frightening, but if you can see past that…”

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and distant screams cut through the air. A terrible, screeching sound tore through the atmosphere. Vela instinctively wanted to look, but Nyra pulled her back, urging her to lie down flat. Vela quickly followed her lead, heart racing.

Tartarus’s growl filled the air, low and unmistakably hostile. “You wretched vermin dare to enter here? I don’t care why you have your weapon drawn—no one enters without permission.” Vela felt herself trembling, instinctively backing up into the corner of the shower. Her whole body was shaking as she tried to press herself as far away from the door as possible.

Another snarl, predatory and dark, echoed through the room. “Who is your master? Who sent you here, and why?” The ground trembled underfoot, and Vela’s vision blurred with fear. She could feel a wetness between her legs as she lost control, but she dared not look away. She heard screaming, the panicked, desperate wails of the intruder.

Tartarus’s voice was cold, the menace almost tangible. “I will make you an offer. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll let you die quickly.” The screaming grew frantic. Vela’s stomach turned, and, shaking, she leaned into the shower as she vomited, her whole body wracked by fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the memory of Tartarus’s fangs flashed in her mind—a glimpse of those rows of razor-sharp teeth.

When she opened her eyes again, she wasn’t sure when the screaming had stopped. She found herself wrapped tightly in a blanket, nestled against Tartarus’s heated chest with Nyra right behind her, holding her securely to keep her from slipping. Her hair was still a little damp, and she wasn’t sure if she’d been washed—she couldn’t remember. Even with Tartarus’s warmth, she felt a chill she couldn’t shake.

[TaniasWritingRealm]

Nice to meet you! Thank you for making me think.

[danielralston]

You have earned a like & sub from me. The reason: I needed to hear the points you made in this video. I have been trying for years to create stories and fictional worlds, yet I never get past the concept stage. Because I usually go all in with trying to build the world & create lore first but spend so much time on that I get lost when it comes time to create conflict and put characters & plot points together. I create a big world, then struggle to shrink it down.
All of the points you made are things that I usually never consider. This has definitely inspired me to not give up on this current world that I desperately want to share with people. I will use the approaches you recommended here. Thank you!

[JG-oigg]

Hey I know it's been awhile but I wanted to encourage you anyway. Depression is terrible