When I started my master’s degree in creative writing, I had one professor who explained that worldbuilding can essentially be split up into three stages. The first stage is the most intense, as it follows worlds that are different from our reality completely, such as science fiction and fantasy worlds. The second stage follows worlds that aren’t like our reality but might be more familiar in history, such as Victorian England. The final stage takes place in worlds we know, such as the present day.
First, figure out which stage works best for you. Writing a fantasy novel? Stage 1, since you need to create an entirely new kind of society, magic system, and more. If you want to write a story set during the Han Dynasty, you’ll need Stage 2 worldbuilding. In this case, the world, while long gone, appears in history, making it possible to research. Finally, in Stage 3, you can draw on your own experiences with the present day.
Below, find some writing tips for how to write each stage of worldbuilding. Then use these tips to help you get started with your work!
Stage 1 – A World Nothing Like Our Own
The first stage, like I said, follows worlds completely different from what we’re used to in this reality. When you write in this stage, you likely need to create most aspects of your world from the ground up. Typically, this occurs in fantasy or science fiction novels, since the world acts differently from what we know.
For fantasy, you likely need to create something new for each of the following:
1. A culture – how do you want your culture to work? What customs do you want your people to have? What are the taboos? Are there any rituals people perform?
2. A religion – what’s the religion like? What are the rituals, sacraments, or basic philosophies? What are the symbols and motifs that appear throughout?
3. A government – what is the justice system like? How do police forces work? What crimes are considered the worst? Is there a monarchy or a democracy?
4. A magic system – this one is optional, but how does your system work? What are the limitations? Make sure your characters don’t become all-powerful with their magic; give them limitations for how your magic works.
It’s normal to look at past societies and research how those work. For example, if you want your fantasy world to be reminiscent of Norse mythology, then you need to research how Norse culture functioned and how their magic worked. Then you take what you learned and make it your own.
…
Stage 2 – A World Somewhat Like Our Own
This next stage requires less worldbuilding but still needs quite a bit of research, this time from the history books. While Stage 1 requires you to look at other cultures to create something new, this stage means researching to emulate earlier societies as closely as you can. Of course, if you want to write a historical fantasy, that’s a different matter. But let’s stick to historical fiction that Stage 2 follows.
For example, your story might take place in 1950s Harlem or during the Xia Dynasty in China. Any culture you introduce needs to be accompanied by lots of research. If you get basic facts wrong, then readers will recognize that you haven’t done your research. But how do you know where to start? Think of the following:
1. How does the society you chose function? What are the taboos, the customs, and the rituals people follow? How do people dress? How does the government work? What is marriage like for women and men alike? What foods do people eat? This might seem like a lot, but take notes about each aspect of society and culture as you encounter them in your story.
2. What are the philosophies and beliefs of this society? This could be the main religion and the general ideas that are popular during this time. How do people view religion? How do they view women? Work? Children? The government?
With these two questions in mind, you get the internal and external aspects of your world. Remember that you don’t need to include all your research all at once. Avoid info-dumping everything you know. Additionally, you can retroactively add more worldbuilding in your next draft. With your rough draft, just get things down on paper, then add more when you learn more.
…
Stage 3 – A World Like Our Own
Lastly, this stage requires the least amount of worldbuilding because it takes place in a world we’re familiar with. However, that doesn’t mean you leave off worldbuilding entirely. For example, say you want to set a story in present-day London. Your readers, however, might not know that much about London unless they’re from there or they’ve traveled there in the past. In order to get a sense of what your story setting is like, you need to do some worldbuilding.
Worldbuilding, in this case, involves including small details that establish the setting in your world. Let’s go back to the present-day London example. You might include British terms for certain things, such as “flat,” or describe what the streets are like as your characters move through them. The key is to make your world feel realized, like a place readers could visit tomorrow.
Ask yourself some questions about your setting and draw from your own or others’ experiences to bring your world to life. For example, how do Londoners feel about X subject? In this case, what is taboo or socially unacceptable? You might even insert little details, such as how people typically cross the street. Whatever you do, make sure the world and people in it feel like real people and places.
Now that you know where to start with your worldbuilding, get ready to start exploring your world. Happy writing!
You can get a FREE LIST of 100+ science fiction and fantasy literary journals to submit to when you subscribe!
I have a freelance editing service now! Contact me about book editing, beta reading, and brainstorming book titles. Use the contact form below to ask for a free 15-minute consultation.
…
Are you new to the blog? Check out my most popular post here!
#worldbuilding #fantasywriting
You can check out my AUTHOR SITE here.
