9 Plot Mistakes Every New Fantasy Writer Makes

New fantasy writers often make critical plot mistakes that undermine their stories. After editing numerous novels, nine recurring errors have been identified, typically unnoticed by the authors but leading to significant structural problems. These issues complicate the editing process and can derail a writer's journey toward publication. Drawing from over ten years of experience in writing fantasy, insights will be shared on how to avoid these pitfalls for better storytelling.

Opening a fantasy story with the protagonist defeating the antagonist too early diminishes suspense and threat. If the main character easily overcomes their primary foe in just a few chapters, it undermines future confrontations, making them feel less significant. While it's possible to increase the antagonist's power later on, an initial easy victory can limit character growth opportunities for the protagonist. A better approach is to position your hero as an underdog who narrowly escapes rather than triumphing outright; this maintains tension and allows for meaningful development throughout.

Repetitive scene formats weaken storytelling by limiting engagement and conflict. Each scene format serves as a structural archetype, like templates for different types of actions or interactions in the narrative. Writers often fall into the trap of using only one or two formats repeatedly, leading to monotonous storytelling. To enhance variety and maintain reader interest, it's beneficial to outline scenes with their respective formats beforehand—ensuring diverse encounters such as sneaking missions, arguments, or battles that challenge characters and evolve the plot.

A passive protagonist is one where events unfold around them rather than through their actions. If removing the character from the story doesn’t alter its course, they are likely too passive, making for a less engaging narrative. The story often feels stagnant until the protagonist makes an active choice; this pivotal moment can define when the plot truly begins. While starting as passive can add depth to a character's design, increasing their agency throughout leads to a more compelling and dynamic storyline.

A consistent through line is essential for a compelling story, representing the core conflict that drives the narrative. Writers often struggle to summarize their stories in one sentence, which can reveal whether they have maintained this crucial element. Without a clear through line, narratives may meander aimlessly or lack tension and conflict, leading to reader disengagement. To address this issue during editing or drafting phases, writers should identify multiple potential through lines and determine which one is most developed and engaging within their story.

Avoiding Soggy Middles Through Structure The soggy middle of a story represents the section where progression stalls, often leading to reader disengagement. Writers frequently struggle with this part after establishing a strong beginning and end, resulting in boredom that can cause readers to abandon the book. The traditional three-act structure contributes to this issue by providing limited anchor points within its lengthy second act. To combat this stagnation, shifting towards a seven-point plot structure introduces more dynamic elements throughout the narrative.

Master Storytelling with Effective Outlining Implementing a comprehensive outlining process is essential for successful storytelling and avoiding common pitfalls in writing fantasy novels. A six-week boot camp offers guidance on structuring plots while integrating character arcs, world-building, themes, suspense, and pacing effectively into narratives. Participants receive personalized coaching aimed at developing robust outlines that enhance their stories' quality and coherence—crucial for overcoming challenges like finishing drafts or improving messy manuscripts.

Weak consequences in storytelling hinder character development. Punishing characters for failure is essential, as adversity fosters growth and reveals depth. The intensity of conflict faced by a character correlates with the reader's connection to them; memorable fantasy characters often endure significant hardships before emerging stronger. To enhance narrative tension, consider what the worst possible outcome could be for your protagonist—it can serve as inspiration even if it doesn't occur.

A compelling story hinges on the alignment of three key elements: promise, progress, and payoff. If these components are misaligned—such as when the initial tone or character actions diverge from what is delivered later in the narrative—readers may feel deceived. This disconnection disrupts the logical flow of events and can leave a sense that something essential is missing. Ensuring each scene transitions smoothly into the next reinforces this structure, maintaining reader engagement throughout.

A common mistake in storytelling is allowing endings to drag on, leading to a feeling of the story petering out. This often occurs when multiple plot threads are resolved sequentially across several chapters, diminishing narrative drive as each thread concludes. To enhance the ending's impact, it's beneficial to compress these resolutions into a single moment where all threads converge dramatically. By intertwining plot points and resolving them together, writers can create a more engaging climax that captivates readers instead of delivering scattered conclusions.

Using luck to resolve conflicts in storytelling can undermine the narrative, especially if it feels like a cheat. When protagonists rely on coincidences or unexpected magical solutions that lack foreshadowing, readers may feel dissatisfied. Conversely, having luck favor antagonists can create tension and elevate stakes for the protagonist's journey. This dynamic often leads to more engaging plot developments.