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Crucial World-building Elements

Crucial World-building Elements

plotting tools world-building writing skills Nov 03, 2024

World-building is an essential tool in any writer’s toolbox, shaping the landscapes, societies, and rules that breathe life into stories. Whether you're crafting the complex realms of fantasy, envisioning futuristic worlds in science fiction, or building nuanced contemporary settings, a well-developed world anchors readers and adds layers to your narrative.

In this guide, we’ll explore key elements of world-building that every writer should consider and share techniques to seamlessly weave these details into your manuscript—no overwhelming "info-dumps" required.

Pick a Genre

The first step in world-building is defining your genre. Knowing your genre sets the framework for the world you’re building and helps you identify common tropes, which can serve as both guideposts and opportunities for innovation. For instance, if you're writing fantasy, tropes like "the chosen one" or a "mentor figure" might come to mind right away. Identifying these familiar elements lets you decide which to embrace, modify, or even subvert, adding depth and freshness to your narrative.

This genre-focused approach isn’t just for fantasy or science fiction; contemporary and historical genres benefit from careful world-building as well. Even a story set in a realistic, contemporary setting requires a coherent sense of place, while historical fiction often demands rigorous research to capture authentic details from a past era. To keep all of these details organized, consider creating a dedicated file for your world-building notes. Here, you can outline locations, cultural norms, technologies, and other world details relevant to the period or setting.

World-building, at its core, is a process of thoughtful research and synthesis. Whether you’re exploring past technologies, customs, or environments, or imagining entirely new ones, your goal is to form a world that feels authentic and immersive. As you layer in these details, remember that subtle integration is key: the more seamlessly these elements are woven into your story, the more natural and engaging your world will feel to readers.

 

Social & Geographical Look

Once you've chosen your genre, it’s time to bring the social and geographical aspects of your world to life. This is where the bulk of your world-building will happen as you consider the culture, appearance, and daily life of your setting. Start by envisioning the people who inhabit your world. What do they look like? How do they dress? These details should reflect the culture, resources, and values of your setting, whether it's a small medieval village, a futuristic city, or a rural contemporary town.

Next, imagine yourself as a "location scout" for your story, much like one would for a film. A location scout assesses the visual and atmospheric qualities of spaces to find those that best serve the story. To do this, review any outline or manuscript notes and think about where scenes will unfold. What settings will become recurring backdrops, adding a sense of continuity? Which places will serve a specific purpose and then fade from the spotlight?

Consider, too, the "props" of your world—the items that fill each location. What kinds of objects would naturally be found there? For example, in a medieval setting, you might have swords, pottery, and handwritten manuscripts, while a futuristic setting could feature holograms, advanced tech gear, or sleek furnishings. Visualizing these items not only adds richness to your world but also serves as a subtle way to reinforce the time period, culture, and technological level of your setting.

Finally, think about the architecture, atmosphere, and people who populate these spaces. Is the architecture grand and imposing or worn and rustic? Are these locations bustling with activity or quiet and desolate? Every detail contributes to a reader’s experience, painting a world they can immerse themselves in. This is where your creativity truly shines—through the choices you make to construct a world that feels both vivid and alive.

If you need more help with figuring out what your world looks like, you can grab my Writer's Toolboox - The World-Builder's Chronicle.

 

Rules & Laws

Let’s dive into one of the most crucial aspects of world-building: the rules and laws that govern your world. This element is often what sets your setting apart and gives it a unique identity, particularly in genres like fantasy or science fiction. In a contemporary setting, we instinctively understand the social, legal, and cultural frameworks because they reflect the real world. But in a created world, you have to consciously define these elements to build a society with distinct norms and boundaries.

Start by thinking about the fundamental beliefs and preconceived notions in your world. What are the commonly held values, and how do they shape everyday life? This can be as specific as a particular superstition or as broad as a philosophical or religious system that the society follows. For instance, in a small town, the community might be bonded by a shared belief or a longstanding enmity toward a neighboring town. Such details add depth to your world and can create layers of conflict or camaraderie that enhance your story’s realism.

Next, determine the structure of authority in your world. Who holds the power, and how do they maintain it? This could range from a monarch to a council or a decentralized system where various factions hold sway. How does this power structure impact the lives of ordinary people? Do they respect, fear, or oppose those in power? Is the leadership benevolent, oppressive, or something in between? This hierarchy will affect social dynamics, opportunities, and even the motivations of characters, giving readers a sense of what it’s like to live within this society.

Finally, ask yourself: what are the advantages and disadvantages of this society? It’s tempting, especially in dystopian or fantasy narratives, to focus solely on the negative aspects, highlighting the injustices or hardships of life. But to create a well-rounded world, consider the positives too. Are there social programs, strong community bonds, or unique cultural achievements that residents would take pride in? A balanced view, outlining both the good and the bad, adds complexity to your setting and makes it feel more authentic. You might even sketch out these elements on a paper, listing the pros on one side and cons on the other, as this exercise can reveal new story possibilities and help you understand how different social classes perceive the world.

Ultimately, the rules and laws you establish will shape not only your world but also the choices and conflicts within your story. By defining these foundational elements, you’re setting the stage for a world that’s rich, believable, and capable of captivating your readers from the first page.

 

History & Lore

Let’s delve into the history of your world. A well-crafted backstory gives a sense of depth, making the setting feel like it existed long before your protagonist’s journey began. Your world wasn’t born the moment your story started; rather, it has a rich past shaped by pivotal events that bring it to its current state. This background knowledge not only grounds the world but also adds layers of intrigue, as readers sense there’s a deeper story behind the surface.

Consider a few key events that shaped your world into what it is at the start of your story. Major wars, natural disasters, political upheavals, or revolutions could have lasting impacts on the society and even influence your characters’ lives in subtle ways. For instance, if a devastating war occurred generations ago, characters might reference it indirectly, adding mystery to your story. They may speak about certain battles or leaders without giving all the details, which entices readers to look for clues and uncover the past through subtext.

Connecting back to the rules and laws you’ve established, ask yourself how these events influenced the society’s structure and values. Did a particular law come into effect as a reaction to a past crisis? Perhaps an oppressive regime was instituted to prevent a past catastrophe from reoccurring, or a societal taboo emerged from a deeply traumatic event. This can be particularly powerful in dystopian settings, where every law and restriction likely stems from a reaction to a past failure or disaster.

For dystopian worlds especially, the history of decline or transformation that led to the current state is critical. Knowing what drove society to adopt its current harsh or authoritarian structure gives weight to the setting. You can use this knowledge to hint at the hidden injustices or motivations that your protagonist may discover or fight against. By slowly revealing fragments of this history, you build suspense and help readers piece together the puzzle of why the world is the way it is, seeing it unfold through the protagonist’s perspective.

The history you create should feel interwoven with the present story, grounding characters’ beliefs and shaping their actions. It doesn’t all need to be laid out explicitly; letting some of this history remain in the background invites readers to feel immersed in a world that, like our own, is filled with hidden depths and unsolved mysteries.

 

Magic Systems

Let’s brieflly touch on the fundamentals of creating a magic system. Even though magic offers endless possibilities, it needs a structured framework to make sense in your world. Whether your magic is universally accessible or reserved for a select few, defining clear boundaries and rules is essential for crafting a believable and engaging system. Here are some key questions to guide you:

  • Who Can Use Magic?
    Start by deciding who has access to magic. Is it available to everyone, or limited to certain individuals? Perhaps magic is hereditary, granted through rigorous training, or bestowed upon chosen ones. You might even consider a mix—where magic exists, but only a specific group has access. This choice will shape the social dynamics in your story and often determine who holds power in society.
  • Is Everyone Aware of Magic?
    Consider how known and accepted magic is within your world. If it’s a secret known only to a few, magic may be hidden and used discreetly. In a world where everyone knows about it, though, you can explore how magic impacts everyday life, politics, and culture. This distinction will shape how magic users interact with non-users, possibly creating tension, mystique, or even reverence.
  • What Is the Relationship Between Magic Users and Non-Users?
    In societies where magic exists, social hierarchies often emerge. Are magic users feared, admired, or envied? Do they govern, or are they persecuted by non-magical authorities? By defining these relationships, you add layers to your world’s social structure. The interactions between magic users and non-users can provide a rich source of conflict and deepen the themes within your story.
  • What Are the Boundaries of Magic?
    Every magic system benefits from clear limits. Ask yourself what magic can and cannot do. Are there forbidden spells, rare abilities, or consequences for overuse? Adding limitations to magic not only creates tension but also makes each use of magic meaningful. You might include tasks that are exceptionally difficult yet achievable, which could drive plot points or become a character’s goal.
  • Are There Any Laws or Restrictions on Magic?
    Finally, consider any legal or cultural restrictions around magic use. Are there strict regulations to control its influence, or are users left to wield it as they please? In a dystopian setting, magic might be tightly regulated by the state; in another, religious or moral codes might limit its use. Laws governing magic add another layer of depth, potentially complicating your characters’ lives and raising ethical dilemmas.

By answering these questions, you can develop a structured, immersive magic system that feels both limitless and grounded in your world’s reality. Thoughtfully crafted magic becomes an integral part of your narrative, providing a unique tool for character development, world-building, and plot progression.

 

How to include it in your writing

Now that you’ve crafted a detailed vision of your world, it’s time to think about how to weave this rich tapestry into your writing. The key is to share your world-building information in a way that feels natural and engaging, avoiding any heavy info dumps. You want your readers to feel immersed in the story without being overwhelmed with explanations.

When you’re writing, focus on how to present the world through your characters’ eyes. They know their environment well, so instead of pausing the action to explain how everything works, let the world come alive through their experiences. For instance, if your character walks into a bustling marketplace, paint a picture of what they see, hear, and smell. Describe their reactions to the lively vendors and the crowd around them. This way, readers will pick up on the details of your world without needing a lecture.

It’s also important to be selective about the details you include. You don’t have to explain every aspect of a location or every rule of your magic system right away. Introduce elements as they become relevant to the plot. If a character uses a piece of advanced technology, show them interacting with it instead of stopping to explain how it works.

Remember, your readers are smart and will pick up on cues if you trust them. When you overload them with information, it can make the story feel heavy and less engaging.

A helpful way to achieve smooth world-building is to imagine your story as unfolding in a reality that already exists. Picture yourself as an observer watching the events play out in a world filled with characters who have their own lives and stories. Your job is to share what you see without pausing to explain every detail. This approach allows the story to flow naturally and keeps readers engaged.

By embracing this method, you create a more immersive experience. Your readers will feel like they are part of the action, discovering the world alongside your characters. This way, your world-building becomes a seamless part of the narrative, enhancing the story rather than interrupting it. So, let your readers explore your world through your characters, and watch as they get swept up in the adventure!

 



Whatever your genre, embrace the challenge of creating a vivid world that draws readers in. With the right blend of imagination and careful planning, you’re bound to build amazing story worlds that resonate with your audience. So, roll up your sleeves, unleash your creativity, and let your characters guide you through the process and if you need more help, check out my Writer's ToolBoox!

 


Char Anna

Char is the author of the writing guide ‘Finish Your First Novel’ and the founder of The Plottery. She’s been in the biz since 2021, and holds a BA in Film & Screenwriting as well as an MA in Creative Writing from Edinburgh Napier University.

Char resides in rainy Scotland with her pup Lavender (who is anything but calm, contrary to what her name suggests), and she writes darker fiction that focuses on unusual family dynamics and lots of queerness.

 

 

 

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