A Recipe For Fictional World Building...

When you dive into a novel with an immersive world, a place and a people you can lose yourself in, you often find yourself wondering, how do they do it? It's like building a house, establishing the concept, choosing the materials and the tools. But if your foundation isn't solid, the structure won't stand. Apparently the key is too plan, but not over plan. Not to become so mired in the details that it comes at the expense of the story. If a writer is as talented as Stephen King, they can embrace his approach. "Put interesting characters in difficult situations and write to find out what happens."Above all else, ensure believability, which does not mean that you cannot ask a reader to suspend their disbelief.

World Building 101…

The Approaches:

Inside Out: have a premise and create a world that will enable you to realize it in the writing

Outside In: build the world and then add in the plot and characters

Descriptions & Details:

Paint a picture that transports the reader; focusing on all five senses,allowing them to see, smell, touch etc.

Be specific with location, landscape, enviroment...but avoid too much minutia

Avoid the pitfalls of too much exposition, its clunky and dull

Characters:

How are they different from our understanding; powers, appearance, personality traits etc.

Be sure to show relationships, backstorys, ensure they are relatable. Give them hangups, morals, quirks and interests

Are they fantasical creatures, what is their occupation, what are their traditions

History & Culture:

Establish the past of the world, it centers your reader in the story, what era/timeline are you in?

Don't be afraid to draw from real-life and layer in your unique perspective

Include power structures and heirarchys, religiions, myths, and belief systems and points of conflict

Power & Technology:

Is there a magic system that moves through the world? Or AI?

Invent strange customs that will hook your reader

What is the knowledge structure or education system

The Particulars:

Clothing

Food

Language

Architecture

Art & Entertainment

Economy