World Building

Authors often ask what is “World Building,” isn’t this just the setting?”
The answer is yes and no.

World-building is more than just the setting of a story. It involves crafting a unique world, with its own set of rules, which may include climate, the environment, resources/food, geography, technology: computers, magic, people/aliens, language, history, religion, and structure. 

The world can be based here on earth, another planet, a completely
made-up planet/universe, in another dimension (s), outer space…wherever
your imagination goes. But keep in mind this world should be essential to
the plot. Not every story will need world-building, but writers of fantasy/dark, historical fiction, sci-fi, high/dark adventure, and horror can benefit greatly from
world-building.
 
Each writer approaches world-building differently.
 
For example, I approached crafting the magickal world of Saturn, in 
the Eye of Saturn series, first by creating the language of Saturn
and the gods--Solsatihel. In this world, the ancient god Saturn is the god of
both the universe, the planets, including Earth and the creator of all beings, including the gods. The initial setting of this world is in the universe—on the planet
Saturn. I crafted laws that govern this world: the gods, religion, exactly how
Saturn is worshiped, on earth and in the heavens.
 
I then filled this world with a grand palace on the planet Saturn. I turned
the rings around Saturn into a grand hall where the Council of Gods gather.
I crafted an entire origin story regarding the how the god Apollyon became Saturn
arch nemesis and the war in the heavens to overthrow Saturn. Next, I 
created my version of fifteenth century Spain—taking liberties with history.
I even placed the Temple of Saturn in Spain high atop Mulhacén in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The real Temple of Saturn, which is now a partially preserved
pediment front portico, is in Rome. But I tried to make this world of
Saturn as believable as possible.
 
Here are some classic examples of world-building in literature:
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Dune by Frank Herbert,  The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowland, and A Game of Thrones
by George R.R. Martin.
 
Here’s a rough outline on how to craft a world. Remember not to concentrate
so much on world-building that it keeps you from writing your story.  Another
thing to remember, this world should be essential to the plot.  Structure your story
over your world.

• Describe - Paint a picture for the reader in as much detail as you can, using the five senses. Transport the reader to this world. Create maps or a storyboard to help illustrate this world.
• Add beings to populate this world. Are they human, monsters, aliens, or a new species? What powers do they possess?
• Give this world history. In the Eye of Saturn series, Apollyon created a fraction among the gods and plotted to overthrow Saturn. The gods are now divided. On Earth mankind stopped worshiping Saturn and built temples to serve other gods. Saturn, in turn, cursed mortals with death and disease and condemned Apollyon to the underworld. Don't be afraid to create an origin story for your novel. Give it a try!

Some questions to ask when building this “new” world:

• Time period-past, present, future, a magical of time fairies, post-apocalyptic.
• Is your story and this world based on history or actual events?
• How is this world powered? Technology, magic, or perhaps your world is powered by nature?
• What kind of beings inhabit this world?
• What do these beings look like?
• Are gender roles defined?
• What language (s) is spoken?
• What is the religious belief system(s)?
• What god(s) exists?
• Is there friction between religious groups or war between the beings that inhabit the world?
• Are there social classes?  If so, what are they and how do the social classes differ from one another?
• Are there families, marriages, and other relationships? How are offspring born?
• Is there death? If so, what are the rituals and customs to bury the dead?
• Clothing: Do beings in your world wear clothing?  If so, what does the clothing look like? What are the clothes made of?
• What do the beings celebrate?
• What type of work do these beings do?

There are many other questions you’ll need to consider while building your world. 
 
You now have some of the building blocks to create a world for your story.
Happy building!
 
Next Month: The Winter Solstice & what part Saturn plays in it.
 
Peace
©2010-2025 Idalita Wright Raso. All rights reserved.
https://www.idalitawrightraso.com/blog