World Building (pt 9) – pulling it together

I’ve written a lot about building a world and probably scared a few readers off. It doesn’t have to be that difficult. The fun thing about building an imaginary world is that you get to decide how much detail is enough and share it through the narrative of the story. Let’s take a look at this with a simplified example. I’ll re-cap the elements of world building, then use a world to draft an opening scene for the story, then show how the world’s elements are shared in that opening scene.

Recap of key world building steps

The world we build is as important as the characters within it. To help you develop your location or scene for a story, here’s a simple exercise that will guide you through the process of creating believable cultures and histories, establishing laws, ethics, and morality, developing political structures and economies, building landscapes and geography, and constructing a cosmology and mythology.

Step 1: Create a Culture and History

Start by considering the culture of your setting. What values are important to its inhabitants? Are they spiritual or materialistic? Do they honor ancestors or gods? How did their society form and evolve? Write down five key aspects of their culture that will shape how people interact with each other and the world around them.

Step 2: Establish Laws, Ethics, and Morality

Next, think about the laws, ethics, and morality of your setting. What are the rules? Are there any taboos or customs that must be followed? How do people judge right from wrong? Write down three laws, five ethical principles, and three examples of moral dilemmas characters might face in this environment.

Step 3: Develop Political Structures and Economies

Now, consider the political structures and economies of your setting. Who holds power? Is it a monarchy, democracy, or something else entirely? How does wealth circulate within society? Write down the structure of the government and five economic factors that influence daily life in this world.

Step 4: Build Landscapes and Geography

It’s time to focus on the landscapes and geography of your setting. What kind of terrain do characters traverse? Are there mountains, deserts, forests, or something else entirely? How does the environment shape life in this world? Write down three distinct landscape features and explain how they impact daily living.

Step 5: Construct a Cosmology and Mythology

Finally, delve into the cosmology and mythology of your setting. What do people believe about the universe? Are there gods or other supernatural beings? How does this belief system influence their lives and decisions? Write down three core tenets of the cosmology and two popular myths told within this society.

Opening Scene: The Market Square

The bustling market square was alive with activity as merchants hawked their wares and people from all walks of life mingled. The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasting meats, and exotic spices wafted through the air, enticing passersby.

In one corner, a group of young boys played a lively game of dice while their mothers gossiped nearby. A pair of traveling musicians strummed melodies on their mandolins, drawing curious glances from passersby. Near the center of the square stood an old stone fountain, its water sparkling in the morning sunlight as people quenched their thirst or filled empty jugs.

But amidst this vibrant scene, tension simmered beneath the surface. A wealthy merchant glared at a rival vendor selling identical goods for cheaper prices. Across the square, two young men exchanged heated words over a disputed debt that threatened to turn violent at any moment. And lurking in the shadows, a cloaked figure watched it all unfold with keen interest – their eyes hidden by shadow, but their intentions clear as day.

The Breakdown

Culture and History: The market square reflects the bustling, communal nature of life in this setting where people from all walks of life come together. It also hints at a competitive spirit among merchants vying for customers’ attention.

Laws, Ethics, and Morality: The law appears to be lenient when it comes to business competition, allowing rival vendors to sell similar goods without interference. However, there are clear ethical lines being crossed as evidenced by the dispute over prices and debts. Moral dilemmas arise when characters must decide whether they will uphold these laws or take matters into their own hands.

Political Structures and Economies: The market square serves as an example of a decentralized system where individual merchants control their own businesses without interference from central authorities. Wealth circulates through bartering and purchasing goods, indicating that this economy is based on trade rather than currency.

Landscapes and Geography: The location of the market square within an urban environment suggests that cities are important centers of commerce and culture in this world. The presence of fountains also hints at a well-developed infrastructure for water supply and sanitation.

Cosmology and Mythology: The existence of old stone fountains implies a long history within this setting, suggesting an ancient civilization with advanced engineering capabilities. However, no specific myths or belief systems are mentioned in the opening scene; these will likely become more apparent as the story unfolds.

Hopefully, this simple example illustrates how to quickly use a world to add narrative elements to your scenes. Try following this exercise on your own and see what you come up with. Good luck writing!

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