Worldbuilding is more than just drawing a map; it’s about creating a living, breathing history that affects your characters’ every move. Here is how I approach building the “story behind the story.”
- Deep, Not Broad. You don’t need to flesh out every single kingdom. Focus on one or two elements—like a unique religion or a specific technology—that permeate every part of your character’s daily life.
- Show the “Scars” of History. Instead of explaining a past war, show a character passing a crumbling, vine-covered monument or a city with specific rationing laws still in place.
- The “Location Scout” Mentality. Visualize your settings like a film director. What are the unique smells, textures, and sounds of your protagonist’s home? These small details hook readers more than dry history.
- Rules and Consistency. If you have a magic system, define the cost early. Readers will accept the impossible, but they won’t accept a character breaking the established rules of your world just to solve a plot hole.
- The Research Rabbit Hole. Sometimes the best worldbuilding comes from real-world research. Whether it’s 18th-century medical tools or unique geological formations, real details add an authentic “weight” to your fiction.
If you could visit one fictional world for a day, which would it be? (I’d love to see your answers!)