Presentation Transcript

1. 10 World Building Tips

   Sci-Fi & Fantasy: A Totally Foreign Culture Adapted from http://berleykerr.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/berleys-top-10-world-building-tips-for-sci-fi-or-fantasy/
2. Tip 1: Size How big is your world? Country (Panem – Hunger Games) One large continent or land mass (Most fantasy stories, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time series, Inheritance cycle) One planet (Avatar – The Last Airbender) One galaxy (Star Wars) Or all of time and space (Dr. Who) Plan the size FIRST, then figure out how you’re going to fill it.
3. Tip 2: History Why is your world the way it is? Discuss Wars, Empires, Conquests, spreading of religions, spreading of languages, Holy Wars, Crusades, and pretty much all the bloody, violent reasons we go to the movies.
4. Tip 3: Culture What makes your world unique? What gives it life? Cultural details include sports, music, art, architecture, fashion, social rules, etc. Remember 99% of writing is rewriting and 99% of action is reaction. We don’t wear clothes for no reason. The clothing you wear, unless you’re a nudist, is a reflection of your time period, your country, your style, your climate, your population, and your wealth. Like most things on this list, it doesn’t have to be perfect but it does have to make sense. FYI, if you’re willing to have an interesting culture, be prepared to explain the history behind cultural details.
5. 4: Dominant Technology What is the dominant technology and who controls it? Technology is what makes a dominant country/empire dominate. And it doesn’t really matter what the technology is. It could be the Roman roads, British ships, the US atom bombs, the One Ring, the Death Star, red matter, Materia, or the Internet. It doesn’t matter!
6. 5: Governments What is your world’s system of rule? What are the rules and laws that citizens obey, and which ones do citizens break? Why do they break them? Harry Potter: Unforgiveable curses Hunger Games: Poaching
7. 6. Transportation How do the people in your world go from point A to point B? If a country is wealthy enough, they’ll have access to most of these things and then some. If the countryis poor, then it’ll show in their technology and especially their transportation. Remember, trade and commerce isn’t just about how cheap the product is to make. It’s also about how fast the product can get to the customer. The kingdom with access to teleportation technology will have a great advantage over horse and carriage any day.
8. 7. Magic System/Sci-Fi Technology What are the special powers or technology that help your characters function in their world? When we hurt ourselves, we get a bandaid out of the medicine cabinet. When we want to talk to somebody, we use our cell phone, which fits in our pocket. Can your characters heal wounds with special items, or with advanced medical technology? How do they communicate with people who are not with them? The how makes all the difference. The plot may sell the novel, but its those little details that make the world believable.
9. 8. Religion What religion(s) do your characters practice? Although your world doesn’t need religion, if you do decide to include it, you need to do it right. Monotheism? Polytheism? Atheism? You can also base a religion around ancestor worship, star and sky worship, energy and motion and even scientific discovery. You can make a religion around anything. All you need are believers, benefits and routines. How  often do the followers worship or meet and how do they worship? The beliefs and routines don’t have to make sense, but the reasons why people follow those beliefs do. If the religion doesn’t benefit the followers, then chances are they’re going to convert or change the religion altogether.
10. 9. Currency How do your characters buy what they need? Whether it be dollars, francs, boxings(Mistborn), gil(Final Fantasy) crowns (a lot of fantasy novels), credits (a lot of sci-fi novels) gold pieces, and so on, unless your world is some kind of weird utopia, chances are people need money or some bartering system. When your characters travel, prices, and sometimes even money, should differ.
11. 10. Food What do your characters eat? Don’t include every meal the characters eat, but it is nice to know that they CAN eat. And in fantasy/sci-fi it’s always nice to know what kind of flora and fauna the characters can consume. Also describe the taste. Does it have a nice salty flavor? Does your world have it’s own candy like Harry Potter? What about fruits and veggies? Are they same? Are they different? Some fantasy novels give their fruit magical properties. Try not to get too crazy but ALWAYS try to be creative.