By and large, the romantasy genre has been booming for some time, and it doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. The genre offers a mix of magical escapism and romantic relationships that readers are drawn to, and it's attracting fans of both fantasy and romance in droves.
Not only has romance readership itself developed into a full-scale fandom as the landscape begins to look more and more like ComicCon (The Washington Post), but #romantasy videos have more than 800 million views on TikTok. In 2024 alone, one out of every four bestsellers was romantasy. (Bloomberg)
One of the most important elements of writing a romantasy is world-building—constructing a complete universe where your story will take place. The setting of your novel is a vital aspect and essentially acts as an additional character. Below, you'll find five key components of world-building that will help you get started.
Crafting a Magical Setting That Captivates Readers
The key to creating a magical setting for your romantasy is to craft a place that readers can easily step into and fully immerse themselves. If you already have a setting in mind, think about how to make the elements of your world as vivid as possible. You want every detail to feel alive. If your setting is a haunted forest, what color are the surrounding skies? What sounds echo throughout the trees? What does it smell like, feel like? Give readers the full sensory experience of living in that universe.
If you don’t yet know exactly where you want your story to take place, tap into your imagination and think of a place you’d like to visit in your wildest dreams. If you already have a solid character in mind, where would they flourish?
There really are no limits in fantasy settings—that’s the fun of it. If you’re building your own world, it could be a planet in the farthest reaches of outer space, a dark land of fire and dragons, or a mermaid culture in the depths of the ocean.
Developing Complex Cultures and Societies
Once you have your setting in place, you then want to consider the different cultures or societies that exist there. The more detailed your cultures, the more believable your world will be. What types of characters do you want to populate your world? How do they interact with one another, and what are their traditions and values? Is yours a feudal society? An industrial one? Identify what’s important to all of those in your world and decide how they'll behave and make decisions based on this culture.
Consider creating layers of diverse cultures within your world, in an effort to add layers to the story and opportunities for growth (and conflict) among your characters. Just remember to keep a log of all the intricacies and details of your world to ensure continuity throughout your novel. These details include any rules of the society you’ve created, important conversations between key characters, and character decisions that could impact the story later.
Integrating Romance Seamlessly into Your Fantasy World
Though both romance and fantasy are integral to this genre, the romantic relationships should be central to the story. That’s what differentiates a romantasy from a romantic fantasy. Romance should be woven into your fantasy elements, and the magic of your fantasy world should enhance the romantic plot…whether for better or for worse.
Consider how the fantasy elements of your world will affect your core relationship. Do magical forces cause a rift between lovers? Are the rules of your society keeping true love from blooming between key characters? By integrating these elements, you can create a romance that feels organic and deeply rooted in your world.
Balancing the Elements of Magic and Realism
One of the challenges of writing romantasy is striking the right balance between magic and realism. Your world should be fantastical, but it also needs to be believable. Consistency is key when you’re establishing rules for things such as magic and how it works in your world. Stick to those rules to keep your story plausible.
Even a world made up of fae, mages, and/or dragons needs to be relatable to your readers. Make sure that the situations your characters find themselves in feel realistic. If your reader is able to put themselves into your character’s shoes and actually relate to what they’re going through, this will keep the reader grounded and invested in your story.
Creating Compelling Characters with Romantic Chemistry
Compelling characters are, of course, at the heart of any great romantasy novel. However, creating complex, relatable characters is no easy feat. Take the time to fully flesh out your characters; get to know them and understand exactly who they are. Give them strengths, weaknesses, and motivations that will help the reader relate to and care about them.
The romantic chemistry between characters should be intense, with a dynamic that can evolve throughout the story. Consider what draws them to each other, what obstacles stand in their way, and what their happily ever after might look like. Their relationship should follow a path of ups and downs that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how things pan out.
Note: You may also want to consider what level of spice your couples indulge in. 🌶️🌶️There are readers out there for every level of spiciness, from sweet and innocent canoodling to far more naughty activities. Write what you feel comfortable with and keep it believable.
For more tips on creating a world worth writing about, check out the video below.
Whether you decide to write a standalone novel or an entire series, it's crucial to remember that to attract readers, you must craft a captivating story that provides an escape while still maintaining a touch of reality. Happy world-building!
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