World building is a huge part of any great story. The setting is something that not only captures our imagination and desires, but enhances and shapes the characters within it. A web of dreams effecting everything around it.
So how do you go about crafting such a dreamscape? How do you create that bright flashing city painting billboard light across your readers face? Here are a few tips to help.
First I love to draw maps of the worlds I create. It helps me to visualize and timeline movement. It lets me see the problems my character may run into and be ready for solutions, but must of all its that first step in building culture. That sense of community, and personality that your reader will feel and believe.
Next look to history as a source to stir your imagination. Events or people that you can use to craft your own mold. Names, places, battles, architeture! There are thousands of years of countless cultures to give you ideas or spark your imagination. Look through the past, blend cultures, borrow and change names, make it all your own. Then add it to your world.
Never forget your senses when you are moving a character to a new place. Describe the smell and lighting. Tell them if it is cold or hot and if the place makes them nervous. Perspective is something that you always have to check when you are writing a character. Let the reader know what they feel. Remember to feel for them. Is there a sound in the back ground? Does your character know the people they are going to meet? Are they happy to meet them? Hear, smell, see, touch, but do not forget to add how it makes your character feel. The way there stomach ties into a knot or warms up with a since of joy. Let the setting soak into them and that is what your write!
Lastly dream, just keep asking your self what if and drawing on the chalkboard of your mind. Bounce ideas and modify them at every angle until you come up with something new that is just you. A time, and place that no one else would ever build. You are unique, we are all different, I could never create the same world as you. Show us why yours is something different, and don't be afraid to let it be parts of you into it.
World building is a huge part of any great story. The setting is something that not only captures our imagination and desires, but enhances and shapes the characters within it. A web of dreams effecting everything around it.
So how do you go about crafting such a dreamscape? How do you create that bright flashing city painting billboard light across your readers face? Here are a few tips to help.
First I love to draw maps of the worlds I create. It helps me to visualize and timeline movement. It lets me see the problems my character may run into and be ready for solutions, but must of all its that first step in building culture. That sense of community, and personality that your reader will feel and believe.
Next look to history as a source to stir your imagination. Events or people that you can use to craft your own mold. Names, places, battles, architeture! There are thousands of years of countless cultures to give you ideas or spark your imagination. Look through the past, blend cultures, borrow and change names, make it all your own. Then add it to your world.
Never forget your senses when you are moving a character to a new place. Describe the smell and lighting. Tell them if it is cold or hot and if the place makes them nervous. Perspective is something that you always have to check when you are writing a character. Let the reader know what they feel. Remember to feel for them. Is there a sound in the back ground? Does your character know the people they are going to meet? Are they happy to meet them? Hear, smell, see, touch, but do not forget to add how it makes your character feel. The way there stomach ties into a knot or warms up with a since of joy. Let the setting soak into them and that is what your write!
Lastly dream, just keep asking your self what if and drawing on the chalkboard of your mind. Bounce ideas and modify them at every angle until you come up with something new that is just you. A time, and place that no one else would ever build. You are unique, we are all different, I could never create the same world as you. Show us why yours is something different, and don't be afraid to let it be parts of you into it.
Get to writing!
Steven Lost