Well, umm, OK but... is any post that says, essentially, 'Don't do it like Tolkien' really good advice :)
There is a very real question that sometimes gets missed: what is at the heart of your story? If it is the plot, then cut, cut the worldbuilding to the bare bones. If it is the characters, then both world building and plot need to take a back seat. But if it is 'milieu', the the world building is the heart and soul. Two pages describing the tense relationship between two clans of dwarves which began with an argument over gold vs steel as the most important metal... might be vital to the story!
Maybe you're right! But I've talked to several people who were wondering how to get started. I'm suggesting Tolkein shouldn't be the first step into world building. Certainly a goal to aspire to, but not where I'd point someone trying to get started! Great thoughts, though, thanks Von!
But I would say that each writer should examine themselves and say not only 'why do I write?' but 'why this story?" And there will be times when the answer is, "I love this world, and want to communicate it!"
I agree; in my superhero serial, for instance, I have a general idea of how Edison City looks and where it is, continental U.S. wise, but I don't have a detailed street map plotted out (I saw one of Gotham City in a Batman novel once). The story's about the capes. Solid advice. :)
I'm a big fan of the organic world build. Whether it's through conversation or through a particular scene where the world build is necessary to make it pop. I respect what Tolkien did, but his best work will always be the Hobbit. I say this because that book was half Tolkien and man did he get Bilbo over with the reader. The world felt real and interconnected and he used simple techniques to do it.
I remember watching a talk by Raymond E. Feist (Magician) and at the end a woman asked a question about how much worldbuilding she should do, how much he did, and said she'd been building for 10 years. Feist was furious with encouragement telling her she needed to write the damn story. He said worldbuild as you go or if you have to do a week on worldbuilding and then write the story.
I'm of the opinion that a good world is itself a character. It should grow and change and evolve with time, and in many ways, it has agency of its own.
I think I've done it pretty well in the series I've been putting on my Substack.
I more or less following these rules when I write my sky pirate story. I prefer to see where Mikhail leads me, which sometimes reveals details about his world that I never thought to ask. Good tips, Scoot!
Thank you wonderful advice on building the story with the world behind it and characters interacting in that world. You are the writer and I am more of a reader. The one thing I would add is that often when I read these stories I want to know so much more about the world they are in. Perhaps better to hold back on world as can write more books in same world. What do you think? 🤔
Agreed, and well said! You can tell when a writer is rushing to cram world lore into a story. It's definitely better to err on the side of "less is more". Give the audience less than you think they need, and leave 'em wanting more!
Well, umm, OK but... is any post that says, essentially, 'Don't do it like Tolkien' really good advice :)
There is a very real question that sometimes gets missed: what is at the heart of your story? If it is the plot, then cut, cut the worldbuilding to the bare bones. If it is the characters, then both world building and plot need to take a back seat. But if it is 'milieu', the the world building is the heart and soul. Two pages describing the tense relationship between two clans of dwarves which began with an argument over gold vs steel as the most important metal... might be vital to the story!
Maybe you're right! But I've talked to several people who were wondering how to get started. I'm suggesting Tolkein shouldn't be the first step into world building. Certainly a goal to aspire to, but not where I'd point someone trying to get started! Great thoughts, though, thanks Von!
No, full agreement.
But I would say that each writer should examine themselves and say not only 'why do I write?' but 'why this story?" And there will be times when the answer is, "I love this world, and want to communicate it!"
I kinda want to write a story about Johnny facing off against a rival gang led by Jill though.
Title: KING OF THE HILL
Sequel: KING OF THE HILL 2: TUMBLEDOWN
I agree; in my superhero serial, for instance, I have a general idea of how Edison City looks and where it is, continental U.S. wise, but I don't have a detailed street map plotted out (I saw one of Gotham City in a Batman novel once). The story's about the capes. Solid advice. :)
Thank you for writing this, Scoot! That does seem more manageable than having to make up an entire world from scratch.
As someone who has sandbox spanning 14,000 years, you only worldbuild as much as is necessary.
Heck, the worldbuilding for my latest story "The State of the Cosmos" is as simple as "the universe is cozy": https://germanicuscaesar117.substack.com/p/the-state-of-the-cosmos-flash-fiction
I'm a big fan of the organic world build. Whether it's through conversation or through a particular scene where the world build is necessary to make it pop. I respect what Tolkien did, but his best work will always be the Hobbit. I say this because that book was half Tolkien and man did he get Bilbo over with the reader. The world felt real and interconnected and he used simple techniques to do it.
Much to consider for this novice fiction writer. Looking back, I can see that my best stories were in places I knew. Hmmm
Happy medium between one and “milli-“ is half of one? I wonder what Holly Math nerd would have to say about that? 🤔 😂
If worldbuild like Master Tolkien did, you get the Silmarillion, where you've got more history than you do narrative.
The world I built vaguely resembles this one, and if you read close enough, you can find some places on a map. Other places are purely in my mind.
I concentrated more on the gods and people than I did the land.
Great stuff. Good to combine with - https://radicaledward.substack.com/p/a-worldbuilding-exercise
I remember watching a talk by Raymond E. Feist (Magician) and at the end a woman asked a question about how much worldbuilding she should do, how much he did, and said she'd been building for 10 years. Feist was furious with encouragement telling her she needed to write the damn story. He said worldbuild as you go or if you have to do a week on worldbuilding and then write the story.
I'm of the opinion that a good world is itself a character. It should grow and change and evolve with time, and in many ways, it has agency of its own.
I think I've done it pretty well in the series I've been putting on my Substack.
I more or less following these rules when I write my sky pirate story. I prefer to see where Mikhail leads me, which sometimes reveals details about his world that I never thought to ask. Good tips, Scoot!
I can't wait to read "A tall glass of water: The Johnny Saga"
Joking aside, thank you for this. I find it helpful.
Thank you wonderful advice on building the story with the world behind it and characters interacting in that world. You are the writer and I am more of a reader. The one thing I would add is that often when I read these stories I want to know so much more about the world they are in. Perhaps better to hold back on world as can write more books in same world. What do you think? 🤔
Agreed, and well said! You can tell when a writer is rushing to cram world lore into a story. It's definitely better to err on the side of "less is more". Give the audience less than you think they need, and leave 'em wanting more!