Introduction
I’ve always wanted to write a fantasy book. Something grand, filled with adventure, deep world-building, and characters that live in my mind long after I finish writing. But like many aspiring writers, I didn’t know where to start.
Now, I’ve finally decided to take the leap. Using Logseq to organize my thoughts, planning ahead to keep myself on track, and Wattpad as my publishing platform.
Getting Started with Writing
Starting a book is intimidating. It feels like there are a thousand things to figure out before writing the first sentence. But instead of worrying too much, I focused on these first steps:
- Deciding on the Genre – Fantasy was an easy choice. I love world-building, magic systems, and epic storytelling. And already have some experience by being a DM with fantasy worlds and handling magic.
- Choosing a Story Idea – Instead of trying to create something perfect, I wrote down multiple ideas and picked the one that excited me the most. Which ended up being my first idea, even tho it may not be original I want to atleast try.
- Setting Up Logseq – I needed a way to organize my ideas, characters, and plot points. Logseq’s markdown-style notes and backlinks make it the perfect tool for this. I was also thinking about using Obsidian, but in the end I stayed with Logseq as it was quicker when setting up.
Planning Ahead with Logseq
1. World-Building
I created a dedicated section for my world’s history, cultures, geography, and magic system. For towns and the world in general I always try to create a image first so I can follow my writing with some logic. Cultures and the world’s history was the easier part as I will try to go with the flow there. But creating my own magic system is still the biggest hurdle for me.
2. Character Development
Each character has their own page with the following details:
- Backstory
- Personality traits
- Motivations
- Relationships with other characters
- and other details if important
3. Plot Planning
I outlined my story using a bullet point hierarchy, breaking it down into:
- Act 1: Introduce the world and main character’s goal
- Act 2: The conflict escalates, challenges arise
- Act 3: Climax and resolution
Having this structure means I never feel lost while writing.
Something I heard that can help too is to begin writing the end and then go back from there, but it feels weird writing the end to something
that does not exist.
I started by writing out the first few chapters, but it is hard for me to keep track of the length of each chapter.
Writing and Staying Consistent
One of my biggest challenges is consistency. To keep writing regularly, I set up these habits:
- Writing goal: At least 500 words every three days
- Weekly progress review: Checking my Logseq notes to make sure my story stays on track
- Avoiding perfectionism: The first draft doesn’t have to be great, I’m happy if it exists
- Check-Ups: Luckily some of my friends offered me to send them updates to get some feedback
Posting on Wattpad
Once I have a few chapters polished, I plan to start posting on Wattpad to get:
- Immediate feedback: Readers can comment on each chapter.
- Building an audience: If people enjoy my story, they might follow along until the end.
- Motivation to keep writing: Posting regularly keeps me accountable.
But to be honest I’m still scared of this idea and pushed it away till now.
Posting Strategy
- Write a buffer: Have at least 5-10 chapters ready before posting.
- Set a schedule: Post one chapter per week to keep readers engaged.
- Engage with readers: Respond to comments and feedback to build a community.
Final Thoughts
Writing a fantasy book is a long journey, but with a consistent writing habit, and Wattpad for sharing my work, I feel ready to make it happen.
This will be a long journey but I hope I can succesfully start and finish this.
Tips from Renowned Authors
Stephen King:
- Read and Write Regularly: King emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the craft by reading extensively and writing consistently.
- Be Authentic in Your Writing: Avoid overcomplicating your language; instead, write in a natural and straightforward manner.
Brandon Sanderson:
- Set Achievable Writing Goals: Focus on aspects of writing you can control, such as completing a certain number of words or chapters, rather than fixating on external validation.
- Understand Your Work Habits: Identify what motivates you and tailor your writing routine accordingly, whether it’s setting word count targets or participating in writing groups.
- Break Down Large Projects: Divide your writing project into manageable tasks to maintain progress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
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