Back in December, I finished up a world-building series at The Story Reading Ape. Then the holidays invaded and things got a little crazy! I’m delighted to finally share Part 4 here. I hope you enjoy. Happy Writing!
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Many thanks to Chris for letting me chat about world-building. It’s been a pleasure to hang out, and in this final post of the series, I want to share thought-starters for each of the major systems that make up a world.
Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, in a discussion about world-building, stated that writers don’t need to completely change every major system in a world. Pick a few big elements that are linked to the plot and then dabble with the details on the rest. Let your imagination run wild.
The Environment
Whether designing a natural or human-made world, give it personality – strengths, weaknesses and quirks, and a complex diversity of elements that both support and sabotage the characters’ efforts. Don’t forget to account for food, water, air, and shelter, and to employ all the senses in descriptions. Think outside the box. You may have longer or shorter days, worlds without seasons, animals or plants capable of communicating, a parallel spirit realm. Your world may exist only in dreams.
Create a map, for your reference, at least. Maps physically “ground” the world by establishing terrains, distances, and regional resources, locating population centers and geopolitical borders. Not building a planet? Map your city or space station.
History
If you look at our current “real” world, ancient history still has a huge impact on identity and choices. Robert Jordan went back about 3000 years in his world-building – a long time, I know. But going back 300 to 1000 years isn’t uncommon, particularly if there’s been ongoing tension between groups or a common past that has splintered.
Create a time line. In the distant past, simply outline major events. As the timeline moves closer to the present story, increase the level of detail and shorten the gaps. Consequential events may occur daily in the last months or weeks before your book actually begins.
Government
Even a gang has a government. Someone is calling the shots….
Continue Reading: World-building: Thought Starters – Guest Post by Diana Peach…
Myths of the Mirror 
This is an impressive post, dear Diana… I liked what you say about defining things in clear way… A map of your imaginary world and a time line are essential, even more considering that you could easily get lost in a “world” which happens right here, right now.
The post resonated with me as a whole of course. But I particularly liked what you stressed as regard to Magic… and the need to define its rules and the exceptions for those rules, when the magic system doesn´t manage to control a situation or act upon it.
Thak you for sharing… Sending love & best wishes! 😀
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Aquileana. I could chat about this stuff endlessly. For me, it’s part of what makes the imaginary aspect of writing so engaging. Enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂
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How fascinating Diana! I really enjoyed reading this, and it gives such insight.
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Thanks, my friend. The series was a blast to pull together and share. Have a wonderful day!
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You too Diana! 😀
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I’m glad you included magic and language. Those are often overlooked, yet can make a story come alive to the reader.
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Language is a fun one, Jennie. I created a language for one of my books that I could speak rather fluently. The big problem is that I couldn’t use much of it since no one but me understood it! Ha ha. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. I’m glad you enjoyed to post. 😀
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I love that, Diana! Ha! Great post. 🙂
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A great post, Diana. I am learning a lot from you but the best lesson was to sometimes break the rules. Hugs.
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Absolutely, Robbie. There are times when breaking the rules is the perfect choice. That’s part of the craft that’s so interesting to me. I’m so glad you enjoyed this series. Thanks for taking the time to read. 🙂
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[…] via Worldbuilding Part 4 — Myths of the Mirror […]
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Thanks for sharing, Suman.
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This is a great series, Diana! A lot of this is applicable to more than just SFF. Great reminders of all the things we can use to enrich our stories. Have a great weekend!
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I agree that it extends beyond speculative fiction. We’re always painting word-pictures for our readers, creating settings, and often outlining some element of history. It’s a part of the fun of writing. Thanks so much for stopping by to read, Julie. I hope you’re writing up a storm!
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Brilliant series Diana. I know I’m not a world builder in my genre, but it’s amazing to learn how this process works. 🙂 xx
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Thanks. Done now, but it was fun to get all these thoughts down on “paper.” The fact that we’re all different and our books so varied is part of what makes this vocation fun. There’s something for everyone. 🙂 ❤
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So true Diana! 🙂 xx
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This was a terrific series, Diana. I’ve bookmarked all 4 parts and know I’ll refer to them often ❤
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Thanks, Tina. This isn’t comprehensive at all, but it can work to get the creative juices going. I use it as a checklist, sort of. I’m so glad you found it helpful. I appreciate that you took the time to read. Happy Writing!
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What an amazing read about world-building that is. I loved the way you have written it. So informative. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you. I’m glad you found this set of thought-starters helpful. I use it as a sort of checklist to make sure I’ve covered the essentials. Have a wonderful day!
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Very timely. I got a comment from an agent I sent my newest book to. She said my world-building wasn’t good enough. Never had that one before! I’m going to read and re-read all four of these posts.
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The story about Lucy? (I’m guessing). You are creating a world that most of us haven’t experienced, so the need to do some world-building beyond the usual makes sense. Enjoy it, Jacqui. Engage the senses!
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Every point you made, Diana, is great advice — particularly for fantasy worlds. Sanderson is right too, do “a few big elements that are linked to the plot.”
I’ve always been amazed by the scope and level of detail in Robert Jordan’s world building for the Wheel of Time series.
Thanks for sharing your expertise here. Huge hugs.
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I think Sanderson’s world-building is what initially drew readers to his work. His magic systems are phenomenal! Jordan too, but he seemed less structured to me – constantly introducing new elements. I guess you have to do that with a 13 book series! Thanks for the visit, my friend. 🙂
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Very nice, D. Wishing you yet another fruitful year in the arts, to be expected, as you’re going strong.
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Thanks, Diana. I wish you all the same – a happy, healthy, bountiful and creative 2018!
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Whoa, you are so generous to share your intelligence and thought processing for world building, Diana! 🌐
The time period going back farther than 200 years would be so challenging for me. So interesting.
I feel you had not only “tiers” but country, city and waterside locations in “Catling’s Bane.” You always amazed me with your writing! xo
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Thanks, Robin. The books I’m working on now go back about 2000 years, but only in my planning, not in the writing. In Catling’s Bane it was 300 years (references to the colonization of the planet). So, the long history is really about setting the foundation of the world more than the actual writing. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Have a wonderful Wednesday!
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Great advice, Diana. My wife, a huge Brandon Sanderson fan, turned me on to him. I write urban fantasy, set in the “real” world, but that doesn’t stop me from drawing maps and having a “chessboard,” so to speak, that stays consistent as I move my characters around on it. That was certainly the case with Escape from Rikers Island.
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I’m glad you enjoy Sanderson. He’s pretty remarkable. There’s a ton of overlap between speculative fiction and real-world fiction. Urban fantasy has many of the same rules as other-world fantasy, particularly around “magic” rules. I’m looking forward to your book. Are you getting close?? 😀
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Definitely close! One of my first orders of business in this new year is cranking out one more draft — which shouldn’t take more than a few weeks — and then finally putting this baby on the road to publication. Stay tuned…
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I’m a huge Sanderson fan (and Peach fan as well). Recently finished Oathbringer. It’s not surprising that he spent nearly a decade “world building” for this series.
Now we just need to rebuild the world we currently live in;)
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I can’t wait to read that series, Gabe. If I can handle the wait, I’ll start it when the series is done. I truly enjoy Sanderson, especially his magic systems (world-building). Thanks so much for the visit and it’s good to hear that the series is awesome! Hope your new year is off to a wonderful start. 🙂
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Really informative and interesting, Diana! I love these type of posts and look forward to more of them from you 🙂 Learning is a big priority of mine, and even if I don’t know whether I’ll be writing anything of my own one day, I can always use this information for reviews and the like. Thanks for yet more awesome content!
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Your so kind, Sophie. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and found it interesting. Whether you’re reading or writing, I hope you’re following your dreams. Keep smiling!
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This was so great to read and your writing is always a world of its own! The characters, places, sounds, everything! Thanks!
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Thanks, Lynn. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love puzzling together worlds and have fun sharing this bit of what I do. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂
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So helpful
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I thought a lot about world-building while in Harry Potter World last week in Orlando. I’m in awe over Rowling’s imagination – she even created types of sweets that sold in Hogsmeade. I’d love to live inside her head for even an hour!
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Her world-building is amazing, detailed and yet with a bit of whimsy thrown in there for fun. Harry Potter World must have been a blast, Teri. BTW – I’m about 1/4 of the way into Sarah. Are you a teenage boy? Ha ha. I love the pov and the way your captured the teen perspective. Well done!
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Diana, this is a superb and highly informative article – it’s like several lessons of a writing course rolled into one! Having read this I’m fired up to create worlds…this ‘template’ is a fantastic resource. I have a feeling organisation about all the various elements in one’s world building is imperative! The risk for confusion and forgetfulness is rife!
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I’m so glad you’re feeling inspired. It’s a ton of fun if you like planning and puzzles, Annika. And you are absolutely right, the organization and integration of the elements is essential in creating a cohesive and plausible world. And writing it all down so you don’t forget! Happy Writing, my friend. ❤
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Now that I’m further into Catling’s Bane re-reading this post is even more relevant. I am so enjoying this world you have created and I can see how limiting Catling’s magical powers has made the story so much more intriguing. I’m hooked!
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Thanks, Molly. Hopefully I follow my own advice. Lol. All power has to have limits or things are just too easy for the characters and the book is boring. This applies to any kind of literature – it’s the obstacles that make the journey interesting. Load them on! Happy Writing, my friend. 😀
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I suppose obstacles are fodder for my humor writing, too. If something crappy happens I get upset, then I laugh and start writing about it.
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Yup. Funny how humor works that way. It’s often just a twist of perspective, and matter of attitude.
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Thanks for the advice, Diana. I must come back to check on the whole series. And happy 2018!
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Thanks for reading, Olga. The other posts get a little more into specifics. I could talk about this stuff for hours. All fun… as you know. Happy Writing!
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[…] via Worldbuilding Part 4 — Myths of the Mirror […]
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“Give your environment a personality” is refreshing advice! Thanks for sharing!
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You’re very welcome. The first post in the series was specially about making your environment a “character” in the story, and using it to escalate tension. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for reading and Happy Writing!
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Thanks! Looking forward to your next post.
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Wonderful and insightful … thanks for the sharing and your wise thoughts, Diana. 🙂
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Thanks so much for reading, Iris. It’s a long post and won’t apply to everyone, but it’s been fun to share my fascination with speculative fiction. Happy Poeting!
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The wisdom of thoughts, the beauty of words. Love this Diana!
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Thanks, Arlene, for the beautiful comment. I love this “imagining” part of writing. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Happy Writing. ❤
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You’re welcome Diana!
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Perhaps this is why I cannot write fantasy? There is a huge amount of imagination and imagery involved. I am in awe.
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We all have our little niches, Tric. World-building is like making a big old jigsaw puzzle and trying to get all the pieces to fit into a coherent picture. I think that’s what I like about it. Thanks for reading! And Happy New Year!
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Excellent posts, Diana. It’s always a pleasure, and it’s certainly fascinating to learn about the imaginative architecture of world building.
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Thanks, Steven. This about wraps it up – all my expertise fits in four posts. Ha ha ha. I appreciate the visit, my friend. I hope you’re surviving the cold and snow. Happy Writing. ❤
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I’m sure there’s more that comes from experience and intuition. I think our cold spell is over and we’re heading into warmer temperatures. I hope you’re enduring. 🙂
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Thank you, Diana, for sharing your knowledge and experience. There are so many things to consider when creating a world. It can be entertaining, but also demands hard work.
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Thanks for reading, Basilike, especially since it’s kind of a long post! I love this stuff and can yak about until everyone else is yawning, but that’s part of the fun of all the different genres… we find our niches where we enjoy ourselves. Hope you’re having a great start to your week. ❤
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Long yes, tedious no. You write about things that every writer who wants to be good at what they’re doing should keep in mind. Even when you’re not creating a whole new world, but only writing a short story, you need to have some idea about your character’s history and surroundings, I think. It makes it all more believable, and helps you know where you’re going. So keep such posts coming!
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Thanks. You’re right that it applies in many ways to all the imaginative elements of stories. 🙂
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back when i tried my hand at writing, i wanted to create a world of my own, something unique no one has ever thought about. but a world isn’t something easy to create – as i wanted it to sound plausible, so i skipped the ‘other’ world and made it more simple. seeing that that first project is more like an outline of a first draft than anything else, i might still give it a try. i’m going to save a link to this post for further reference in case i ever do go back to that outline.
thanks for the tips.
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Most of my worlds have a lot in common with Earth, Jina. It’s hard to find that balance between too familiar and having to explain everything! I hope you pull that outline out again one day and at least take a peek at it. Who knows when it will be the right time to jump in? Thanks for stopping by and Happy Writing!
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that’s the problem! explaining the world without going into too much detail. how can i explain a world that doesn’t exist without detailing and explaining?
i know it’s possible, ive read these books. but i just found it too exausting, the constant wondering if I’m being understood or not.
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Exactly, Jina. It’s such a tough balancing act, and it’s hard for the author to get the appropriate perspective because we know the story and place so well. This is where beta readers come in. They can give us that perspective (too much here, need more there) that’s impossible for us to figure out on our own. If you are inclined to write it, just write. The steps of preparing a book for publication will mold it into shape. 😀
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true. the feedbacks from the beta readers were very important indeed. they did give my book a polished, professional feel to it that i had unconsciously felt was missing.
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hehe. i meant subconsciously.
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An excellent post, Diana. I left you a comment on Chris’s blog, but know I know why the worlds you create are so vividly drawn.
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Thanks, Mae. I do love this part of writing, even though it involves a lot of planning. It was fun tossing all these posts out there. Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing!
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Thanks for all the ideas and wisdom you share about building complex stories and worlds. If I ever tackle longer stories, I know these tips will be very helpful. Thank you Diana.
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Thanks Brad. They apply to short stories too, but in those cases, it comes down to finding just the right details. Have a great week, and Happy Writing!
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I love your imaginative and informative posts on word building.
So much to take in, common sense many times but do we always think of that. One example is ” You may have longer or shorter days, worlds without seasons, animals or plants capable of communicating, a parallel spirit realm. “.
Thank you Disna
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You’re welcome. I’ve thought about writing a book without seasons (no tilt to the planet), but I haven’t yet. Then what about a planet with an extreme tilt, where the people had to be nomadic to survive the extreme seasons? So many possibilities. Thanks for the visit! 😀
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Well, anything is possible in imagination. You go.
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I would add… when building a map think about geography.
When the prevailing wind moves from west to east, it is rainy on the west side of mountains and dry on the east. This is called a rain shadow.
Where rivers flow into the sea, they deposit silt which creates a delta.
Think large swamps and the people and critters who favor them.
It gets colder as you go north and summer days get longer as winter days get shorter. When rivers flow north, the ice breaks at the source, long before it breaks at the deltas… this can be rather dramatic as floods smash dams of ice.
Plains exist because fire and grazing animals destroy trees. Think about prairie fires with flames shooting thirty feet into the air, rushing at 40 mph and vast herds of grazers fleeing in terror.
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Wonderful imagery, Greg. I love it. In the Rose Shield series, I wrote from the perspective of a southern hemisphere, so going south got colder. It took a long time to orient myself to the difference. A reason why maps really help. Your reference to smashing dams of ice and wildfires is dramatic. So… are you working on a book somewhere?
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One of these days, I will write a novel but to use a running metaphor, that is a marathon and I only train as a sprinter.
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Sprinting is a fine way to train for a marathon when it comes to writing. 🙂
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Diana, your understanding of building a castle of words, with all the elements and essentials is amazing! I have followed all your posts on word building and would like to express my gratitude for such enlightening ideas. Now I am hopping over… 🙂
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Thanks, Balroop. This won’t apply to all writers and readers, of course, but its fun to think about. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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I enjoyed this tremendously as I do all you writing Diane, you are a mystery, so prolific an every piece a work of art.
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Thanks, Holly. This was a fun series to share and it’s stuff that I think about frequently as I design new worlds. I appreciate the kind comment. Have a lovely week. 😀
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You too Diane, make it a great one!
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