8 things your world-building needs to do
The main goal of any worldbuilding exercise is to turn any skeptical-Scully readers into true believers. You already know that creating a believable and immersive world is crucial for a successful story, but what are the key elements to remember when constructing your fictional universe?
No matter what scale you’re worldbuilding on, here are the eight things that your worldbuilding needs to do:
Establish a logical and consistent setting
You need to ensure that the laws and features of your world remain consistent throughout your novel. Every element of the universe must fit together like the cogs of a machine. This makes it easier for your reader to suspend their disbelief and immerse themselves in the story.
💡 Read more about: The role of logic in worldbuilding
Establish a history
As you piece together the intricate jigsaw puzzle of your world, you should consider the social and economic forces that have shaped your characters and institutions. Every decision they make should be grounded in history and be the product of the society they inhabit. The context and history of your world is not window dressing – each must continue to shape your world.
Deborah Harkness, a historian and scholar by training, does an exceptional job of having historical events shape present-day action in A Discovery of Witches.
💡 Read more about: How to develop a history for your fictional world
Add depth with details
Imagine a rich and vivid world fully alive in your mind. Think about the sounds of the bustling city streets, the sights of mountains far off in the distance, and the smells wafting from bustling street vendors. Now, imagine a Bond-esque chase scene carving a path through the market, upsetting the stalls, and scattering oranges in every direction.
However small, every detail helps build a realistic atmosphere that will draw your reader in and make them feel as if they’re really there. The small, specific details really matter.
💡 Read more about: How to add depth with details
Have the world impact your characters
Consider how the world you’ve imagined shapes and influences the lives of characters and how the conflicts they face might change due to the environment in which they live. The setting is not passive. It must impact the lives of your characters.
Frank Herbert’s Dune is an excellent example of this: the story is a product of the setting, and the characters are shaped profoundly by their surroundings.
💡 Read more about: The role of cause and effect in worldbuilding
Make the world feel wide
As you build up your world in detail, find ways to make the world feel expansive. Your reader should have the impression that your world is complete and three-dimensional. They should sense that there is more to the world than just what your story focuses on.
💡 Read more about: How to make your fictional world come to life
It’s not the real world, but it is real
Creating a believable, dynamic, and original environment is the key to successful worldbuilding. To avoid making your world a clone of ours, review real-world inspirations to ensure they are thoroughly reimagined and recontextualised.
💡 Read more about: How to recontextualise your real-world references
Leave some mystery in the world
Keep some things hidden; let your readers imagine and uncover the secrets as they go. Allow them to feel the sense of intrigue and wonder, and leave them with the notion that there might be something else out there waiting to be discovered.
💡 Read more about: How to keep mystery alive for your readers
Differing ideologies and perspectives
Your world should have conflicting values that come into play when characters interact. In many ways, this mirrors how real life works. As a result, different groups or individuals may have differing recollections or interpretations about the same story events. These differing perspectives and ideologies may result in miscommunications or limited understanding.
