By: Our Writing Garden Team
Fantasy and science fiction novels have the unique ability to send a reader to new, never-seen-before locations. They can transport the reader into space, send them over the rainbow, or situate them on a planet unlike the earth they are used to. There are a few considerations with world-building in fantasy and science fiction, including transportation systems, maps of the world, types of entertainment available, magical systems and creatures, and the setting or environment itself. Below, please find a list of some world-building elements that might help you as you write your fantasy or science fiction novel.
Maps
"I wisely started with a map," said J. R. R. Tolkien. Maps can be a significant tool for your story. Whether your characters see a map of their world or not (and only you know of it), it can be very useful to plan out your town, city, and or world atlas as you work on your narrative. Not only can maps be a reference sheet when taking characters on their journeys--so writers know exactly where to take said characters--but can also be helpful for readers as they follow your protagonist through their realm.
When working in the fantasy and sci-fi genres, the map you create does not need to mirror the types of landmarks, terrain, or names we find on atlases of our world. For example, a map of a town does not need places like town halls or town squares. You can have a Chasm of Glowing Souls running through the town's center, a Floating Inn beside the protagonist's hobbit hole--there are countless possibilities. Planning out the format of your world is up to you. You can either craft your narrative around the map you create or develop it with your story in mind. Just remember that nothing has to be written in stone, you can change things as you delve into your story. Though having a map can aid you greatly as you build your world and set characters off on their journeys.
Magic
There are a few factors to consider when building a fictional world of magic. First, the rules. Who has the magic? Is it just a few specific citizens or does everyone have it? If everyone has it, what’s allowed? Are there laws surrounding the magic? For example, in the Harry Potter universe, certain spells are against the law. The second consideration is the type of magic in your world. Is it wand magic? Spoken spells? Does it come from a hand gesture or another type of physical movement? Or is it related to nature, herbs, potions, or environment? Is it sinister or is it performed mostly for the good of the people and the land? Finally, you’ll want to look at magic on the level of characterization. What conflict does magic cause within the world, and how does this impact your protagonist? What is the source of your main character’s magic? Do they love using magic, or does it backfire on them continually?
Entertainment
When delving into elements such as festivals, theatres, and eating establishments that provide characters with a means of amusement and enjoyment, it is important to keep theme and purpose in mind. Consider a small fictional town, let's call it Frostville, which participates in an annual festival. We, the writers, understand that we want our protagonist(s) to witness or be a part of this event. But what is the event dedicated to? Why is it celebrated? When does it take place? How is it themed? How long does it last, and do the townfolks even like it? Of course, there are endless possibilities to consider (how wonderful, right?) so we must take a moment to envision this festival as our characters would.
For example, let's say that Frostville has this annual festival lasting a week to celebrate the winter solstice, a time when a creature from folk legends is said to visit the village in mortal form. If the creature is not pleased with the great magical displays from the fearful villagers, the village will not prosper the following year. Now we understand why this festival occurs, how long it lasts, that the villagers fear the visiting creature, and even that is has magical theming. We can then think of specific magical displays, and the town's visuals during the celebration. Though it is important to first come to terms with the purpose of the entertainment as well as its theming in order to "set the scene" as it were. This process can be undertaken for theatres and eating establishments as well. Ask yourselves the purpose and theme of these places in your world. Why are they there? Are they valued by characters? Do they have a specific theme to them? What form of entertainment do they provide? Are they dedicated to something or someone? After answering these questions, we can work on the details that your characters witness and or feel as they enter these events or places in your world.
Magical Creatures
It’s always fun to create your own types of magical creatures. You can research mythical beings and design your own from there, or you can come up with completely new creatures never heard of before on earth or whatever world you’re building. As the author, you might dream up a flying creature or a sea creature, or maybe a hybrid of both. Or maybe you’ll set these creatures loose in your world and watch them fall in love with or terrorize the inhabitants. When you develop these creatures, keep in mind what you’d like them to look like (draw them out if you can), the history of their kind, and what traits they possess. For example, you might have a unicorn type creature who uses rare magic or a dragon-like being who speaks in a specific language. Imagine a day in the life of this creature and what emotions it goes through, what it eats, and how it appears to the society of your world.
Transportation
When considering the means of transportation in your world, you can either take inspiration from the real world (whether from the past or present), other fantasy or sci-fi tales, or get creative with your own transportation system. Ask yourself, "What kind of world am I building?" Are there high-tech societies (where spaceships and holograms are possible)? Is it set in the contemporary era (like our world right now)? Is it an ancient world (taking place during a less-civilised era)? Is it a magical realm (where magical teleportation exists)?
Once you come to understand the type of world you will be creating, then you can delve into the details of how you wish your characters to move around the world. Perhaps you want to have a magical realm where characters visit various towns and cities through a pixie dust system, similar to J. K. Rowling's Floo Powder Network. Or maybe you want a high tech world, which could allow you to introduce an interstellar roadway that spaceships travel along or portable teleportation devices bring your protagonist from city to city in an instant. Another option is, of course, including the technology we have available today such as planes, ships, trains, cars, or simply walking. There are numerous modes of transportation you can use in your works, deciding which option to use is simply a matter of understanding the world you are creating. You can get creative or use familiar vehicles, just be sure to ask yourself "What form of transportation makes sense for my world?" and or "How do I see my characters travelling within this world?"
Setting Elements
Setting elements make up the backdrop of your story. The fantasy world, futuristic world, or outer space world you design can be bright and sunny, a perpetual winter, or even made up entirely of diamonds. There are quite a few considerations when it comes to setting, such as how it plays out in your story to enhance the character’s journey and how it hinders their quests. For instance, extreme weather might make for difficult travels, and a world of diamonds may seem beautiful at first, but be glaring and too slippery at certain times of the day. Other considerations with setting in fantasy and science fiction writing include landscapes, natural elements (trees, islands, sky color, amount of water available, wooded areas), and buildings. You might include certain eating establishments in space, futuristic schools, or fantasy hotels.
It might also help to draw out or imagine the history of the land. How did the land develop and evolve, for example? Knowing these points will help fill in all areas of the setting, even if you don’t ever use them in your manuscript. And you can zoom in on all of the setting locations, too, including your restaurants, schools, government buildings, castles, spaceports, and housing. What is the history of each location? You might even consider the history of wooded land (haunted? magical?) and other landmarks in your story. Every location has a history and even a legend or myth attached, so include that when you can in your writing, or even just in the drafting phase.
Thanks for reading about world building in fantasy and sci-fi writing. Do you have any tips or tricks for writing in this genre? Please share in the comments!
