How to World-build Without Knowing Everything

Worldbuilding can be one of the most daunting tasks that a writer can embark on, but fear not! Siera Schubach, an awarding-winning author, is here to save the day and give you a great guide to building your fantasy world without knowing every detail.

Have you ever wanted to write a fantasy story but felt overwhelmed by the concept of worldbuilding?

As a fantasy writer myself, I’m going to tell you a little secret: Worldbuilding isn’t as complicated as it is made out to be. 

Here are a few steps you can take to build a strong, layered, and interesting fantasy world without any prep. 

The Plot is the Point

Do you know every single language on Earth? Do you know the customs and cultures of every person on the planet? I expect the answer is “no” (unless you’re an all knowing oracle in which case, I have some questions). We don’t know every detail of the world we live in now, and you don’t need to know all the details of the world you are creating either. 

There are over seven different species (that I know of) in my fantasy world, but the only ones I know much about are those that factor heavily into the story. You don’t need to know the vast history of a character who is only mentioned in passing.

Listen to Your Characters

When I started my fantasy novel I had no idea where the story was going or any of the details of the world I walked into. Everything I learned about my new world was through my characters. 

When a new character comes into your story, whether you knew they were coming or they showed up unannounced, there are a few questions you can ask yourself:

What does their appearance reveal about their background? Do they speak the same language as your main character?What does their body language show about their culture? Is there any tension with other characters?

You don’t have to share everything you learn with the reader (remember, focus on what enhances the plot). But knowing these details can help you develop your own understanding of your fantasy world. 

You Don’t Have To Be a Linguist

Not every human on Earth speaks the same language. The same should be true of your fantasy world. But this doesn’t mean you need to become J.R.R. Tolkien.

A great way to show language diversity without creating a whole new language is by describing what the language sounds like, not necessarily what is being said. 

“He spoke to her in a tongue she did not understand. It was rough and guttural, as though he were pulling the words from the depth of his throat.”“Her words were soft and lilted. Janine did not understand their meaning, but felt comforted nonetheless.” 

Think of this as a play on the old “show don’t tell” rule. You can show how your language sounds and interacts in your fantasy world without telling any of the words. 

Skip the Exposition

When we meet new people, we don’t spill our entire life story. We share it little by little over time. This should be true for your characters. When introducing a new being or species, don’t overload the reader with details all at once. Let them discover the culture of this character as they get to know them. This can look something like:

Everyone sits down for a meal but character A doesn’t eat anything because they are vegetarian. It’s a hot day and everyone takes off their outer layers except for character B because they cannot show the skin of their arms.Don’t Box Yourself In

If you spend ages on worldbuilding you run the risk of stifling your creativity and bending your story to fit into the box you created. Whether you are a pantser or a planner, creating a new fantasy world can be daunting. But it should also be fun.

Once you get over the fear of creating a new world beneath your fingertips, you will come to realize that you already have all the tools you need to start building.

Siera Schubach is an award-winning writer, storyteller, and random fact collector. She is currently in the depths of editing her latest fantasy novel, and working on a nonfiction book that will be published by Bloomsbury in 2024. 

Photo by Cederic Vandenberghe on Unsplash