writefantasyworlds

[writefantasyworlds]

World Building Advice Series: Step Three

Creating your Lands

After you have your list of inspirations, and you have a purpose for your world, you are ready to create the land.

I’d start with the size you want your world to be. Are there countries your characters will be traveling to or will have mentioned? Or is it a smaller scope focused on one area of a single country, maybe just a city, and the rest matters less to your story. (Think Night City from Cyberpunk. Vs a world like Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia.)

Whether it’s a big or small scope, you can still think of just as many details to fill your world with.

I’ll refer back to my example story I mentioned in previous steps. A steampunk magical world that is somewhat based on New York in the Second Industrial Revolution. It focuses heavily on my main character; who like me is an immigrant to a new country and struggling to adjust to the culture. He also meets a lot of other immigrants from different countries in my story.

This is important to me and my story that we see how different the cultures are from the new country they are adjusting to, and from each other.

To show these differences in the countries compared to the one my story takes place in, I chose to fully world build an entire world map with cultures and concepts for each of the countries in the world. I added the most details to the ones more prominent in my story, but chose a small history, backstory, climate and a bit of culture for each of them.

You can at this stage in your building decide to build more than is relevant if you’d like. This is the fun bit for most that want to get into heavy world building. This is where you can decide religions, animals, magic systems, and all the tiny details that make your world unique. That doesn’t mean each bit will be including into your story though, so don’t be too attached to each concept getting explored by your characters. But, we will talk more about that in another part.

For example during this stage I created twelve countries and chose some of these things for them.

1) Names.

2) People characteristics. (Are they known for being friendly? Reserved? Studious and Hardworking?)

3) History (How did they form? Are they a new country or an established world power?)

4) Unique exports (Mining? Fishing? Clothing and Dyes? Spices?)

5) Unique landscapes and climate.

6) Allies and Enemies (where they stand with the other countries)

Just to name a few!

Mostly this is the ‘free for all’ section of your building. Have fun and let your mind expand as far as you want, and trim down what’s relevant later.

Happy building!

[writefantasyworlds]

Yes! It is very fitting I think. The authentic self and inner child is a great way to say it ☺️

Character Writing Exercise

Assign your characters A big 3.

⭐️ Taking inspiration from the “big three”- (Sun, Moon and rising) in astrology could be a fun exercise to get to know your characters and how you want to show them to your readers. (This isn’t to actually assign the characters zodiac signs. Though you can if you want to and know about that sort of thing!)

This exercise is based on the way I have heard the big 3 described by astrologers.

Picture your character going on a long journey or road trip. The journey of their own life, or the part of their life you are writing for them. In your story you’ll be writing the road they take. Is it a rocky one? Is it a smooth path forward? Are there twists and turns? Do they have to stop and ask for directions along the way?

The rising sign/ascendant is the vehicle they’re driving in.

It’s what’s visible to others. Does your character have a flashy outer coating? Are they driving a bright green sports car? Or are they comfortable with practical appearances, a reliable car. Or possibly they’re forgoing a car and taking a horse, this might leave them a bit more exposed. What you see is what you get with this character, unconventional with less of a hard outer shell.

For this part of the exercise, think on how your character’s outer self and appearance can be a reflection of them on a deeper level. How does it actually describe their personality and how does the outer shell that they live in matter in your story.

The Moon Sign is the fuel, the inner motivations and emotions that keep the vehicle chugging along this road.

For the next step, look at what parts of themself your character keeps more hidden from the world. What will be going on in their inner monologue that others might not see, but that fuels them forward on this journey.

What would cause them to run low on fuel on their journey? Does it contradict with the outer appearance, the rising sign that they’re driving around in? That could make for an interesting and complex character.

Do they thrive on emotional connection? Or intellectual stimulation? Or maybe a drive for financial gain or the admiration of others.

Pick what fuels your character, and what they quite literally couldn’t move forward without.

Lastly the Sun Sign is the soul - the person in the car.

In this bit you think of the root of your character. Who is actually in the car? The most accurate version of your character with their outer shell stripped away.

If they don’t get what they want, if they can’t put up a front any longer. Who are they really in the end?

For an example: your character has built up an outer shell that feels fun loving and easy going, but deep inside they’ve really been fueled by a need to fit in to any friend group that they are around. They needed to be easy going so that they wouldn’t feel rejected by others. The person behind even all of that is the Sun, your character who has so many great qualities that they offer to the world.

In the end of their journey when their soul reaches the finish line, they might realize that they don’t need to keep running on that same fuel of trying to fit in anymore. They have finally found a place where they truly belong, and people that accept them for them wholly. They can step out of that outer shell, and be themselves open to the world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are many ways you can work this idea into your writing. Work around in your own way your characters road, their vehicle, their fuel and who is really driving the car in the end, or if they even make it to the end they thought they were headed to. ✨

[writefantasyworlds]

12 Character Archetypes

The Innocent

Goal - Happiness

Flaw - Too trusting

Fear - Punishment

The Orphan

Goal - Belonging

Flaw - Cynical

Fear - Exclusion

The Hero

Goal - Change the world

Flaw - Need to fight

Fear - Weakness

The Caregiver

Goal - Help others

Flaw - Martyrdom

Fear - Selfishness

The Explorer

Goal - Freedom

Flaw - Wandering

Fear - Entrapment

The Rebel

Goal - Revolution

Flaw - Crime

Fear - No Power

The Lover

Goal - Connection

Flaw - People pleaser

Fear - Isolation

The Creator

Goal - Realize vision

Flaw - Perfectionist

Fear - Mediocrity

The Jester

Goal - Levity and fun

Flaw - Wasting time

Fear - Boredom

The Sage

Goal - Knowledge

Flaw - No action

Fear - Deception

The Magician

Goal - Alter reality

Flaw - Egotistical

Fear - Unintended results

The Ruler

Goal - Prosperity

Flaw - Authoritarian

Fear - Overthrown

Source - www.nownovel.com

[writefantasyworlds]

World Building Advice Series: Step Two

Finding your purpose.

I put this as step for writers because I feel it is important to understand why you are building this world.

It’s not an entirely necessary step, (though no step here really is an absolute necessity). It is something I think could make your building fit what your story needs it to be.

Are you building a world because you want magical elements to impact your main character and their life?

Are you building a world to reflect our own world, but slightly different?

Are you wanting to tie a type of world into your theme? For example; cyber-punk is often associated with themes around big corporations and their impact they could have on us in the future, and an exaggerated example of what we deal with even today.

You can often find that different types of scifi and fantasy worlds follow something similar where themes match the genre of the world.

You can certainly defy that rule and create new themes around an existing style of world. Though, it might be harder to do when audiences expect certain things with certain types of worlds.

The most important thing is to find out what purpose you want the world to be in your story. If it is simply there to bring enjoyment to readers or yourself, that can be enough. But, finding this purpose could save you wasting your time on things that aren’t going to actually matter for your story.

Or if you want to do what I do, and build the whole world while only putting about 10% of that into your book, I’d commend you for it.

Happy building!

✨✨✨

[writefantasyworlds]

Character Writing Exercise

Assign your characters A big 3.

⭐️ Taking inspiration from the “big three”- (Sun, Moon and rising) in astrology could be a fun exercise to get to know your characters and how you want to show them to your readers. (This isn’t to actually assign the characters zodiac signs. Though you can if you want to and know about that sort of thing!)

This exercise is based on the way I have heard the big 3 described by astrologers.

Picture your character going on a long journey or road trip. The journey of their own life, or the part of their life you are writing for them. In your story you’ll be writing the road they take. Is it a rocky one? Is it a smooth path forward? Are there twists and turns? Do they have to stop and ask for directions along the way?

The rising sign/ascendant is the vehicle they’re driving in.

It’s what’s visible to others. Does your character have a flashy outer coating? Are they driving a bright green sports car? Or are they comfortable with practical appearances, a reliable car. Or possibly they’re forgoing a car and taking a horse, this might leave them a bit more exposed. What you see is what you get with this character, unconventional with less of a hard outer shell.

For this part of the exercise, think on how your character’s outer self and appearance can be a reflection of them on a deeper level. How does it actually describe their personality and how does the outer shell that they live in matter in your story.

The Moon Sign is the fuel, the inner motivations and emotions that keep the vehicle chugging along this road.

For the next step, look at what parts of themself your character keeps more hidden from the world. What will be going on in their inner monologue that others might not see, but that fuels them forward on this journey.

What would cause them to run low on fuel on their journey? Does it contradict with the outer appearance, the rising sign that they’re driving around in? That could make for an interesting and complex character.

Do they thrive on emotional connection? Or intellectual stimulation? Or maybe a drive for financial gain or the admiration of others.

Pick what fuels your character, and what they quite literally couldn’t move forward without.

Lastly the Sun Sign is the soul - the person in the car.

In this bit you think of the root of your character. Who is actually in the car? The most accurate version of your character with their outer shell stripped away.

If they don’t get what they want, if they can’t put up a front any longer. Who are they really in the end?

For an example: your character has built up an outer shell that feels fun loving and easy going, but deep inside they’ve really been fueled by a need to fit in to any friend group that they are around. They needed to be easy going so that they wouldn’t feel rejected by others. The person behind even all of that is the Sun, your character who has so many great qualities that they offer to the world.

In the end of their journey when their soul reaches the finish line, they might realize that they don’t need to keep running on that same fuel of trying to fit in anymore. They have finally found a place where they truly belong, and people that accept them for them wholly. They can step out of that outer shell, and be themselves open to the world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are many ways you can work this idea into your writing. Work around in your own way your characters road, their vehicle, their fuel and who is really driving the car in the end, or if they even make it to the end they thought they were headed to. ✨

[writefantasyworlds]

World Building Advice Series: Masterlist

A beginner guide for the steps I take when creating my worlds for books. If we like this series I might do a more in depth one in the future. ✨

Step One: Finding your Inspiration

Step Two: Finding your purpose

Step Three: Creating your lands

Step Four: Creating History

Step Five: Creating Creatures

Step Six: Who is in your World

Step Seven: Making Magic

Step Eight: Making Maps

Step Nine: World Building for Writers: How much of your world to actually put in your book.

This can be applied to all types of world building but since my focus is world building for writing fantasy and sci-fi novels I’ll have some advice specific to that.

[writefantasyworlds]

World Building Advice Series: Step One

Figure out what inspires you.

• One of the first things I do when starting in my journey to creating a world, is to find other works to inspire me.

• Whether it’s a world for TTRPG games like Dungeons and Dragons, a world for a new novel, or even just for my own enjoyment, all of my worlds have taken inspiration from a combination of other works.

• Maybe the elves in Lord of the Rings inspire you, you can certainly add elves into your story as long as they serve a purpose unique to your work.

• Or if the idea of a post nuclear war world like the one in Fallout interests you, you can certainly make a world that takes place involving people living the remnants of a nuclear apocalypse.

• As long as you make sure it stay as an inspiration. Don’t go adding in the T-65 power armor, or adding in the Brotherhood of Steel, and stay away from calling your towns the same names. (unless this is for a private TTRPG for just you and your friends and you aren’t making money off of it. In that case, go crazy!)

• Once I’ve picked around 3 inspirations or so, I get to combining them into something unique, and seeing where I can add my own unique spins on the genre or concept.

• I try and incorporate many types of inspirations from Novels, Television and Films and also real life! For example a book I’m currently writing takes some world building inspiration from The Golden Compass, Egyptian Mythology, The Great Gatsby, and New York City.

• To combine these I’m setting my story in a settlement that mirrors New York City in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s but if that world had a lot of steampunk and decopunk styles. This isn’t a new concept, but I’ve given it my own unique names and history and it gives me a good playground to build off of once I write characters to insert into the world.

• (I’ll continue to reference this world in my series and how I have shaped it into something new. You’ll see the inspiration behind it, yet it is one hundred percent its own unique world.)

• I think it’s important to gather inspirations from anything you can. Create a Pinterest board, watch films and movies, read other books in your genre.

• You’ll learn best from seeing what others you admire have done successfully and then creating your own brand new world.

[writefantasyworlds]

20 Compelling Positive-Negative Trait Pairs

Here are 20 positive and negative trait pairs that can create compelling character dynamics in storytelling:

1. Bravery - Recklessness: A character is courageous in the face of danger but often takes unnecessary risks.

2. Intelligence - Arrogance: A character is exceptionally smart but looks down on others.

3. Compassion - Naivety: A character is deeply caring but easily deceived due to their trusting nature.

4. Determination - Stubbornness: A character is persistent in their goals but unwilling to adapt or compromise.

5. Charisma - Manipulativeness: A character is charming and persuasive but often uses these traits to exploit others.

6. Resourcefulness - Opportunism: A character is adept at finding solutions but is also quick to exploit situations for personal gain.

7. Loyalty - Blind Obedience: A character is fiercely loyal but follows orders without question, even when they're wrong.

8. Optimism - Denial: A character remains hopeful in difficult times but often ignores harsh realities.

9. Humor - Inappropriateness: A character lightens the mood with jokes but often crosses the line with their humor.

10. Generosity - Lack of Boundaries: A character is giving and selfless but often neglects their own needs and well-being.

11. Patience - Passivity: A character is calm and tolerant but sometimes fails to take action when needed.

12. Wisdom - Cynicism: A character has deep understanding and insight but is often pessimistic about the world.

13. Confidence - Overconfidence: A character believes in their abilities but sometimes underestimates challenges.

14. Honesty - Bluntness: A character is truthful and straightforward but often insensitive in their delivery.

15. Self-discipline - Rigidity: A character maintains strong control over their actions but is inflexible and resistant to change.

16. Adventurousness - Impulsiveness: A character loves exploring and trying new things but often acts without thinking.

17. Empathy - Overwhelm: A character deeply understands and feels others' emotions but can become overwhelmed by them.

18. Ambition - Ruthlessness: A character is driven to achieve great things but willing to do anything, even unethical, to succeed.

19. Resilience - Emotional Detachment: A character can endure hardships without breaking but often seems emotionally distant.

20. Strategic - Calculative: A character excels at planning and foresight but can be cold and overly pragmatic in their decisions.

These pairs create complex, multi-dimensional characters that can drive rich, dynamic storytelling.

[writefantasyworlds]

Writing Advice:

1. Write what's in your heart

2. Wait, hold up

3. THIS is what's in your heart?

4. Dear god

5. Your poor characters.

6. Why is there so much blood and death?

[writefantasyworlds]

I would’ve never finished writing my first book if I told myself that I couldn’t.

It’s incredibly cheesy and basic but the best and first tip I want to give to my fellow writers is to believe in yourself.

Fight that demon in your brain that tells you it’s better to not try than to try and fail.

Writing is ongoing practice and learning and even the most experienced authors haven’t stopped growing.

A failure in writing is only a failure if you give up. ❤️

Even if you hate what you’ve written, you still did it. You can learn and grow from there. It’s not a loss, you’ve put a part of your soul out into the world and created something.

[writefantasyworlds]

[writefantasyworlds]

First post ❤️

An introduction to this page.

I am creating this blog to reach out to and connect with other writers.

Maybe you need the extra push to finish that first book that’s been plaguing you. Or you want to create that fantasy world you’ve always dreamed of but never could figure out the steps to take.

I’m hoping to use my knowledge I gained from writing my first book to help motivate fellow writers and communicate on a level that everyone can understand.

✨Let’s get that dream world into reality! ✨