Avoid These 9 Plot Mistakes to Improve Your Fantasy Writing

TLDRLearn how to avoid common plot mistakes in fantasy writing and create a structurally sound first draft.

Key insights

👑Avoid beating the antagonist too early to maintain suspense and tension.

💪Ensure your protagonist makes active choices and drives the story forward.

🔮Establish a consistent through-line and core conflict in your narrative.

🌟Create variation in scene formats to keep readers engaged and interested.

⚔️Avoid repetitive scenes and explore different types of conflict and challenges.

Q&A

Why is it important to avoid beating the antagonist too early?

Beating the antagonist too early diminishes suspense and reduces the potential for character growth and development.

What can I do to make my protagonist more active?

Give your protagonist agency by having them make active choices and drive the story forward rather than being a passive observer.

How do I establish a consistent through-line in my story?

Identify the core conflict and tension that runs throughout your narrative, ensuring that all scenes and subplots contribute to this central conflict.

Why is variation in scene formats important?

Using a variety of scene formats keeps the storytelling fresh and engages readers by introducing different types of conflict, challenges, and character interactions.

What are the benefits of exploring different types of conflict?

Exploring different types of conflict, such as physical, emotional, or interpersonal, adds depth and complexity to your story, keeping readers invested and interested.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction: The importance of avoiding common plot mistakes in fantasy writing.

02:13Insight 1: Be careful not to beat the antagonist too early, as it reduces suspense and hinders character growth.

05:06Insight 2: Make your protagonist more active by having them make meaningful choices and drive the story forward.

07:10Insight 3: Establish a consistent through-line and core conflict in your narrative to maintain focus and purpose.

09:28Insight 4: Vary your scene formats to keep readers engaged and interested in different types of conflict and challenges.

11:46Insight 5: Avoid repetitive scenes and explore different types of conflict and challenges to enhance the depth and complexity of your story.