@kaulayauwrites said:
what is, in your opinion, the best way to world build? how can you avoid writing a bland, archetypal universe or copying an already existing one? sorry if I’m not being clear, haha, and thanks so much!
Hey there, thanks so much for your ask! I honestly love talking about the world-building process, so I’m really glad you sent this; let’s dive right in!
In my opinion, there isn’t a best way to world-build. The “best” process depends on what is needed and what you’ll actually need to know for your writing. What follows isn’t necessarily what I would call the best way, but it’s a good way to cover your bases and opens up a lot of options for going in-depth with details. (It’ll be a bit of a long list, but definitely worth it in the long run.)
For each country you’re going to include or mention in your story, think about:
Name
Capital and major cities, and locations
Border shape
3 most common landforms
Historical sites or places that mean a great deal to the people living there
General economic scheme (ex. capitalist, Communist, Socialist, etc)
Most important laws
Major differences from the character’s homeland
Military setup (different branches, enlistment age, etc)
Climate
Relations with surrounding countries
Societal norms (gender roles, public & professional behavior, etc)
Stance on LGBT+ rights, and treatment of LGBT+ people
Most and least respected professions
Common religions
Stereotypes about this country (any and all)
Common pastimes and hobbies
Popularity of sports, movies, and other forms of entertainment
Genres of music (and possibly stereotypes of people who listen to them)
Language(s) spoken
Beauty standards and the commercialization of them
Commercialization that feeds off of the peoples’ insecurities
For each city you’re going to include or mention in your story, think about:
The “aesthetic” (think of it the way NYC’s aesthetic is taxis, skyscrapers, and nightlife)
Public opinion of street performers
Any recreational centers and common activities
Popularity of a town counsel or the idea of opening to the public for improvement ideas
How well-known the city is by everyone around it, or how much of a tourist attraction it might be
State of educational buildings
Percentage of unemployment versus those who are actively searching for jobs, and how this affects the city’s reputation
3+ popular businesses, maybe food or clothing stores
The way business is generally conducted
Opportunities for nightlife (etc. bars, night clubs, etc)
Usual daytime attire, usual nighttime attire
Any sort of tradition (ex. sharing dreams in the morning, praying before meals, etc)
Stance on more advanced technology
Treatment of different age groups
Again, cliches and stereotypes that might exist of people who live there
Most common architectural style (ex. modern, Victorian, etc)
Commonly seen colors
Any inflation that might exist, local economic troubles
People’s opinion on the government as a whole (then in-depth, if you want)
As you can see, these two lists are very open-ended. I can’t go too far in-depth with world-building ideas and explaining, because it’s all up to you to create this world. Every single item on this list here can be expanded into tons of different things, but if your goal is just to cover your bases and explore needed details then I think this would be a good place to start.
This can be pretty tough, honestly. There’s (almost) always a world themed around something out there that’s probably more well-known, famous even. Let’s start with everyone’s favorite wizarding world, that of the Harry Potter books. Your world can be as interesting and different as it gets but because it includes wizards, someone out there is always going to relate it to Harry Potter. So how can we avoid this?
There’s one proven way to this this, especially if you don’t want to change your world. Accentuate any and all differences that would set your story apart from a more well-known world. Maybe our wizards’ spells depend on a material transaction, or they won’t work. Maybe there’s some sort of wizarding god who must be pleased to cast a successful spell. Not so much like HP anymore, huh?
Just remember, there’s a huge difference between world-building through details and world-building through exposition. Both are acceptable, but both have their own appropriate time to be utilized. Take a break from telling the reader flat-out how this thing works, and instead reveal it through the world’s details. Not only does this help treat your readers like the competent individuals they are, it also immerses them so much in the world that there isn’t much of a chance to compare your world to others.
Tl;dr—World-building isn’t really something that can be explained for you by someone else. There are certainly questions that exist to help you, but following a guide that works for someone else might not work for you. Explore the details! (And let the reader explore them, too!)
Credit to VelvetWonder on Twitter.
The tomb of Martin the Warrior.
Enemies to grudging coworkers/allies?
Took me long enough, but enjoy :)
By @me-writes-prompts
There was no way they would work together as a team, no way.
“Look, I know we both don’t like each other and all but we need to help each other to get the promotion we want. So, bear with me.”
They hate each other, but what happens when the other one comes to their door with a need for their help? Things get interesting.
“I really don’t need to be told how much you loathe working with me right now. I’m trying my best and so should you.”
“If you don’t want to get killed by the cops, then join my gang.” (Gang au, anyone? Count me in.)
Working together to save the world :)
Having to(grudgingly) compete together against a group of other people. (Could be sports au, etc.)
^^”I think we make a pretty good team even though half the time you’re glaring at me.” “Yeah, that’s because you keep smiling at me like an idiot.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve come to like working with you. I want you to know that.” “Honestly? Same.”
@febuwhump
A combo post? Sure.
Content: betrayal, human weapon whumpee, sleeper agent whumpee, blood, left for dead
︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵
"Why are you all just standing there? Help them!"
Leader's grip is firm as they grab Caretaker's shoulder, stopping them from running to Whumpee's side.
"That's not Whumpee," Leader says.
Whumpee, lying curled up on the floor in front of the team, lets out a pitiful sob. There's a puddle of blood under them and it's growing too fast but no one is doing anything and Caretaker wants to scream.
"What do you mean?" Whumpee tries to sit up but fails as they put weight on their clearly broken wrist. They settle for staring up at Leader, eyes wide and full of tears. "It is me. Please, I need help!"
Laeder's hand is shaking on Caretaker's shoulder.
"This is what Whumper does," Leader says, their voice haunted. "Whumpee doesn't even know it, but there's a monster planted in their mind, and it's already taken over. It's sleeping right now but it'll wake up the second we take them inside and then we're all done for."
"But they're hurt," Caretaker insists. "We have to help them. We don't know that they're going to turn on us."
"Why else would Whumper just give them back to us? I'd rather not wait until one of us is being stabbed in our sleep to find out."
Whumpee is outright crying now, something Caretaker has never seen them do so openly. "I won't! I promise I won't! I'll be good. Please, I just wanna go home. It hurts so bad."
Leader turns away, pulling Caretaker with them. "Trust me," they whisper. "I've been down this road before. It's not worth it. They can't be saved."
"But-"
"Whumpee's dead. That's a ghost."
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Me: The way that the fandom writes and draws Piper McLean is racist.
White fans: It’s not racist! That’s how she’s written in canon!
Me: Yeah, and canon is racist too.
White fans:
Greetings The person working in a palace armoury, guarding it, etc has a name?
A person who would be in charge of the armoury would be the chief armourer. It would be guarded by guardsman belonging to the castle or guardsman hired by the owner of the armoury.
The Alanqar family has a new baby to care for, and three very young children, Zeina, Eileen, and Yamen, the oldest of which is 7 years old. They need your help to restore hope and safety to their lives!!
🌟 This campaign has been vetted by @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi - #264 on the vetted Gaza fundraiser list.
🕊 Show your support to Ahmed and Dina by following their account @zinaanqar - their account has been suspended multiple times and they can use the support!
🇵🇸
Petition to add more disabled magical creatures in fantasy
Like picture a mermaid. When they have to be on land their tail turns to legs, but because their body is used to lower gravity their joints tire easily and are chronically in pain.
Also depending on how deep in the ocean they live, it’s likely they have circulation problems because their body is used to the water pressure holding everything where it needs to be and now their blood is always fucking pooling in their legs and they have to wear compression socks everywhere.
Wheelchair user mermaids. Partially/fully blind mermaids because who needs to see when there’s no light at the bottom of the ocean?
Mermaids with sensory issues who have to wear headphones all the time because sound is so much louder up here on land and they are constantly overstimulated. And also the sun is simply Too Bright™.
Mermaids who have POTS because in the water postural changes make no difference and their bodies don’t know how to stabilize with so much gravity.
I’m really fixated on the mermaids rn but PLEASE feel more than welcome to add more!!!! I wanna hear about disabled dragons
Religions have many different aspects that should at least be given thought if not careful consideration. Use these to guide your creative process when developing new religions and deities.
Deity/Pantheon: Your religion does not need to necessarily have a deity, and it can even have an entire pantheon. I would venture that while a trained priest might perhaps specialize in one deity, a religion can have many.
Dogma: What are the principles and teachings of your religion? What does the deity implore of their worshippers? What is and isn’t allowed? What are the ethics of the religion? Why must we follow these principles?
Symbols: As important as the religion’s dogma are its symbols. How is your religion recognized on flags, tabards, armor, weapons, artwork, and holy symbols? Does your religion have a holy color or color scheme that they could use for their priestly robes?
Temples: Where are the religion’s places of worship? They could be secluded and secret or in/near cities. What do they look like? Are they merely household shrines or grand cathedrals? Do they have any distinguishing features?
Rites and Rituals: What sorts of special ceremonies do the clerics of your religion practice? Are there any special material components that have meaning for the religion, deity, and ceremony? How long do ceremonies take and what is supposed to come from them? Rituals always serve a purpose, even if that purpose is merely affirming your faith. Rituals are useful as story elements as well as for players to perform.
Affirming Faith: telling your god you’re there and in prayer. It can be as simple as a daily prayer or weekly ceremony or more in-depth like a monthly or yearly ritual.
Proving Devotion: proving your faith to your god, usually meant for those who might be in doubt or who have wavered.
Initiation: rituals for new members to the religion.
Induction: rituals for new clergy members or clergy moving up in hierarchy.
Satiation: your deity demands sacrifice of something valuable to you or to it.
Boon/Blessing: the ritual seeks something of your deity, perhaps a bountiful harvest or victory in battle.
Magic: a ritual might be held to cast certain spells or perhaps to increase the power or scope of a spell. These can also be used in creation of magic items.
Healing: rituals for performing healing magic.
Funerals: ceremonies for the dead.
Marriage: ceremonies for binding individuals together spiritually
Holy Days: Often rituals can coincide with special days or times of the year. Holy days can be predicted and often signify important seasonal or historic events. Harvest, springtime, solstice, and equinox holy days are common, as are those commemorating the deaths of martyrs or important dates in the religion’s history.
Myths/Legends: Are there any stories or parables that your religion teaches? What stories of the gods do they tell? Do they have any specific myths relating to things like the creation of the world, the creation of elements, the invention of everyday things, or perhaps the invention of morality?
Prayers/Sayings: To help you roleplay priests of this religion, you can come up with some common greetings, farewells, and blessings that might be associated with the religion. “Pelor shines upon you” and whatnot.
Titles/Hierarchy: What are the ranks of the clergy and do they have any special titles? Are there any notable NPCs in the religion’s hierarchy? For instance, those that worship Mammon, the archdevil of greed are often called Covetors.
Clergy: Do the clergy perform any services for the rest of the population? Usually this involves healing or holding ceremonies, but they could have a broader scope in a theocracy or a narrower scope if secluded or unpopular. What do the clergy look like and wear? Do they favor certain classes other than clerics?
Worshippers: What sort of people are drawn to the religion? Are there certain races, classes, or kingdoms that worship them? What convinces them to follow the religion’s dogma? Is it out of fear, necessity, protection, comfort, or prosperity?
Relations: Does this religion have allies or enemies? These could either be allied or rival churches, deities, or religions. Furthermore, certain kingdoms or people could ally with or oppose the religion. Think of how each faction and religion in your world sees this religion.
Art: How does your religion express itself? Define your religion’s art, architecture, fashion, and songs and how they compare to other religions and cultures.
Relics: What sorts of holy relics belong to your religion? These can be body parts or objects belonging to important martyrs or high priests or heroes that champion the religion. These might be kept in temples or may have been lost to time. Perhaps some are magic items being used by chosen (or unscrupulous) adventurers.