Setting in a Magical World AKA "World Building"
So many options when creating your own world!
Enjoy this short montage to get you in the Fantasy Setting Mood....
World Building Is Fun
Let's just get that out there. It's an amazing opportunity to be creative and imagine creatures, plants, foods, magic, powers, and go writer wild.
Whether you take your writers into outer space or into an underground world of gnomes, you'll want to create boundaries in your world that will help keep your readers from getting lost.
As with everything, reading books that utilize magical worlds will be essential. I hope you've had a chance to review "Vivid Settings" as it will be important to implement these ideas.
Here is an extensive (and maybe a little overwhelming) list of ideas to consider in creating your world.
BUT, not everything will apply to your story, so skip those. Maybe in your next story, some of them will & so they're all good to keep in mind.
Start with this great Intro video on how to build a fantasy world.
So, with your sketch pad or on your computer--jot some notes, ideas, pictures, or questions regarding the following:
Your Fantasy World CheckList:
TIME PERIOD: Is it the past, future or present with "secret worlds".
LOCATION: Consider drawing a map. Is there a center to the world? Are there layers? Planets? Triggers for time travel? Kingdoms? What kinds of plant life do you have in each area?
IF you are good with Adobe and computers ~ this is an awesome video.
INHABITANTS; Humans and creatures? Who's smart? And who posses what kinds of powers? What is the social order of the inhabitants?
GOVERNMENT; Who is in charge? How did they get that power? How do they use it? For good? For evil? Is there a constant threat to the order of power?
CULTURE: How are men, women, children and any other creatures treated in your world? What determines who is weak and who is strong? Who is educated or ignorant? Do the poor have pathways to become rich? Is there more than one language? What clothes do they
HISTORY: What important historical events have led to the present situation? What wars, alliances and other situations are relevant?
TECHNOLOGY: Technologically, how does the fantasy world compare to our world? Is it more or less advanced, or does it have a mix of technologies? When creating a fantasy world, use small technological details where appropriate to create a strong sense of your fictional place as a distinctive land.
EDUCATION: What is the standard of living for average people? How educated do they tend to be? What does "educated" mean in this world?
MAGIC: Does magic exist in the world, and if so, how is it regarded, and who practices it? What are the rules of the magic? Below is a great little 14 minute video focusing on Magic.
VALUES: Is it power? Wealth? Kindness? The Elderly? Are men and women valued equally? Is there a religion(s) involved in setting the value system?
LIFE AND DEATH: Is to die in battle honorable? Expected? Is there an "after-life"? How is it achieved? A hell or heaven? Are there Gods that have influence or control?
NAMES: Make them have some connection to the character and the character's role in the story. A lot of characters with unusual names can muddy up the story.
As you can see, a fantasy world needs to marry imagination with reality. But in the end, it is the backdrop or 'stage' for your story. Imaginary worlds that are too involved and complicated can be frustrating for a reader.
I will leave you with these great 8 tips for both magic and fantasy world building.
I have to be honest. I haven't read these, but I did my research and they come highly recommended.!
Become a master of unforgettable worlds. For novelists, game developers, producers, script writers, and even history buffs. In this second installment of Series Bibles for Writers, discover the intricate world of your stories. Whether you're writing fantasy, science fiction, alternate reality, dystopian, romance, time travel, historical, or even contemporary, understanding the world your characters live in is vital to giving readers a genuine, immersive experience.
Contents include in-depth, customizable prompts for:
- Geography & Weather
- Time & Physics
- Resources & Economy
- History
- Government & Politics
- Family Structure
- Diversity
- Labor & Industry
- Social Expectations
- Religion and more!
This workbook is comprehensive enough to handle whatever creativity you throw at it. Not only will the prompts inside help you flesh out the way your world operates, but there are also pages for sketching maps, blueprints, clothing, and so much more. Take a dive into your new and improved world-building bible, one that will guide you into creating your own unforgettable setting.
When artists and designers explore or create a fictional setting, the milieu must be completely fleshed out, explained, and designed.
In this book, comic and gaming art veteran Mark A. Nelson explores and demonstrates his methods for fashioning visually stunning, believable environments for fantasy creatures and characters.
Scores of images and step-by-step examples illustrate how variation and experimentation lead to fresh, original designs for otherworldly beings, their environments, and their stories.
Nelson discusses how to find ideas and borrow from history to add the strength of realism to a fantasy world. In describing the best ways to establish a habitat, he offers specifics about climate, terrain, flora, and wildlife.
He shares insights into founding societies in terms of their means of survival, manner of warfare, spiritual practices, style of dress, and levels of technology. All visual creatives who work with imaginative material — illustrators, comic artists, and writers — will take a lively interest in this source of inspiration and practical knowledge.
Recommended Reading
