When you’re creating a world for a novel, you’re not just creating a setting for your story. You’re creating a whole world, with its own history, its own laws of nature, its own cultures, and its own mythology. And all of these things are vital to making your story feel real. Worldbuilding can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the writing process, but it can also be one of the most daunting. Where do you even start? How do you know what to include and what to leave out? And how do you avoid creating a story that feels like a history textbook?
These questions are at the heart of worldbuilding. Worldbuilding is one of the most intimidating parts of the writing process. It can be intimidating because it feels like a big project, and it’s also intimidating because you have to figure out what to include and what to leave out.
Contents
What is worldbuilding?
Worldbuilding is the process of creating a world for your story. It’s a process of figuring out what makes your world tick. It’s a process of figuring out the history, the geography, the cultures, the magic, the technology, the religion, and the politics of your world.
It’s important to remember that worldbuilding is a process. It’s not something that you can do in a day. Worldbuilding is a long, slow process of research, planning, and writing. It’s not a one-time thing. You can’t just sit down and do it.
How do you start worldbuilding?
There are a few different ways to start worldbuilding. The first is to just start writing. Start with a story idea, and then start writing. As you write, you’ll come up with questions. Those questions will help you figure out the details of your world.
The second way to start worldbuilding is to just start writing. Start with a story idea, and then start writing. As you write, you’ll come up with questions. Those questions will help you figure out the details of your world.
Another way to start worldbuilding is to make a list of questions. Think of all the questions you have about your world. Then start answering those questions. This will help you figure out the details of your world.
The “Random Dump” Method
The “random dump” method is the most basic way to do worldbuilding. With this method, you just write down a bunch of random stuff about your world. You can use this method if you’re writing a standalone novel or if you’re writing a series of novels. This method is best if you’re the kind of writer who likes to create a lot of backstory for your world and if you’re not worried about keeping everything consistent.
One thing to keep in mind with this method is that you don’t need to organize your notes. You can just dump them all into a word document or a notebook and organize them later.
The “Plot-Based” Method
This method is similar to the “random dump” method, but it’s more focused. With this method, you figure out what kind of world you need for your story and then you figure out what you need to make that world work.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a story that takes place on a spaceship. You’ll need to figure out how your spaceship works and how it’s different from the spaceships that we have today. You’ll also need to figure out what kinds of people would live on a spaceship.
You can use this method if you’re writing a standalone novel or if you’re writing a series of novels. This method is best if you’re the kind of writer who likes to figure out the details of your world before you start writing.
The “Focused” Method
This method is similar to the “plot-based” method, but it’s more focused. With this method, you figure out what kind of world you need for your story and then you figure out what you need to make that world work.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a story that takes place on a spaceship. You’ll need to figure out how your spaceship works and how it’s different from the spaceships that we have today. You’ll also need to figure out what kinds of people would live on a spaceship.
This method is best if you’re the kind of writer who likes to figure out the details of your world before you start writing.
The “Character-Driven” Method
This method is similar to the “plot-based” method, but it’s more focused. With this method, you figure out what kind of world you need for your story and then you figure out what you need to make that world work.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a story that takes place on a spaceship. You’ll need to figure out how your spaceship works and how it’s different from the spaceships that we have today. You’ll also need to figure out what kinds of people would live on a spaceship.
Building The World
How to develop history
The history of your world is a big part of worldbuilding. You need to figure out how your world came to be. You need to figure out how it developed. You need to figure out what events shaped it. You need to figure out how your characters fit into that history.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a story about a spaceship. You’ll need to figure out how the spaceship was created. You’ll need to figure out how the spaceship got to its current state. You’ll need to figure out how your characters fit into that history.
The history of your world is a big part of worldbuilding. You need to figure out how your world came to be. You need to figure out how it developed. You need to figure out what events shaped it. You need to figure out how your characters fit into that history.
How to develop cultures
The cultures of your world are extremely important. You need to figure out how your characters fit into those cultures. You need to figure out how those cultures are different from each other. You need to figure out how those cultures developed. You need to figure out how those cultures are similar to cultures that we have in our world.
How to develop technology
Does your world use technology? If so, how does it work? Does it work the same way as technology in our world? Is it more advanced? Is it less advanced? Is it something completely different?
How to develop magic
Not all worlds have magic, but some do. Are there any magical rules, powers, etc. in your world? How does magic work? How does it differ from magic in our world? How do people learn magic? How do people use magic? How does it differ from the magic that we have in our world?
How to develop politics
Does your world have a government? If so, how does it work? Does it work the same way as the government in our world? Is it more advanced? Is it less advanced? Is it something completely different?
How to do research for worldbuilding
There are lots of different ways to do research for worldbuilding. You can use the internet. You can use books. You can use interviews. You can use your own life experiences.
The key is to make sure that you do your research. You need to make sure that your world feels real. You need to make sure that it feels like it could exist.
How to do interviews for worldbuilding
If you want to do interviews for worldbuilding, you’ll need to figure out who you want to interview. You’ll need to figure out who would know the information that you want to know. Then you’ll need to contact those people. You’ll need to ask them questions. You’ll need to record the answers.
How to do research on your own life experiences for worldbuilding
If you want to do research on your own life experiences for worldbuilding, you’ll need to figure out what experiences you want to use. You’ll need to figure out what you’ve experienced that will help you with worldbuilding. You’ll need to write those experiences down. You’ll need to figure out how they’ll help you with worldbuilding.
How to do research on the internet for worldbuilding
If you want to do research on the internet for worldbuilding, you’ll need to figure out what you want to research. You’ll need to figure out what information you need to know. You’ll need to go to the internet. You’ll need to search for that information. You’ll need to record the information.
Common mistakes when worldbuilding
The most common mistake that people make when worldbuilding is to include too much. Worldbuilding is a process of planning and research. You don’t need to include every detail in your story. You just need to include the details that are important to your story.
Another common mistake that people make when worldbuilding is to include too little. You need to include enough details to make your world feel real. You don’t need to include every detail. You just need to include the details that are important to your story.
Another common mistake that people make when worldbuilding is to create a world that feels like a history textbook. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your world. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your history. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your culture. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your technology. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your magic. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your politics. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your mythology. But if you get caught up in the details, you’ll lose sight of the big picture. You’ll lose sight of the story.
Worldbuilding Template And Questions
- What is the terrain like?
- How does the terrain influence the story?
- What are the climates like?
- What are the natural resources?
- What is wildlife like?
- What are the native plants?
- What are the weather patterns?
- What are the natural disasters?
- What are the dominant animals?
- What are the natural borders?
- What are the native plants?
- What are the natural borders?
- What are the natural resources?
- What are the major imports?
- What are the major exports?
- Who lives in this world?
- What are the major countries?
- What are the major cities?
- What are the major religions?
- What are the major holidays?
- What are the major sports?
- What are the major foods?
- What are the major languages?
- What are the major arts?
- What are the major philosophies?
- What are the major economies?
- What are the major industries?
- What are the major laws?
- What are the major crimes?
- What are the major occupations?
- What are the major technological advances?
- Is there any tension between people in this world?
- Is there any tension between countries in this world?
- Is there any tension between cities in this world?
- Is there any tension between religions in this world?
- Is there any tension between races in this world?
- Is there any tension between genders in this world?
- Is there any tension between classes in this world?
- Is there any tension between different occupations in this world?
- Is there any tension between the government and the people in this world?
- Is there any tension between the government and the countries in this world?
- Is there any tension between the government and the cities in this world?
- What is the history?
- Were there previous rulers?
- How did the current ruler come to power?
- How does the ruler maintain power?
- How does the ruler make decisions?
- How does the ruler make laws?
- What is the current state of the world?
- What is the current state of the government?
- What is the current state of the ruler?
- What is the current state of the military?
- Is there magic or advanced technology?
- How do people view the magic or tech?
- What kind of powers do people have?
- What are the limits of those powers?
- How does magic or tech affect people?
Worldbuilding is a process of research, planning, and writing. It’s a process of figuring out what makes your world tick. Great worldbuilding can be the difference between a good story and a great story. With these questions, ideas, and tips, hopefully you’ll be able to really take your own world to the next level.
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