What advice can you give to me (an unexpeirinced teenager who wants to become a writer) on building fantasy worlds? I can see in shadow and bone how carefully you've created this world of Ravka, with its enemies and neighboring countries. It's so clear and

Thanks for the kind words!

I always feel a bit shady giving writing advice, but here are my three best world building tips:

1. Read great world builders outside of fantasy and science fiction. George R.R. Martin, and Frank Herbert, and Holly Black are masters and you should study them closely. But also look at the way Savannah is brought to life in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (non fiction), or the way sense of place infuses The Shipping News (literary fiction) or The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (mystery).

2. It’s not just the details in the world, it’s how you present them to the reader. Listen to the way real enthusiasts and experts talk about the things they love (whether it’s wine or food or architecture). Think about how you relate stories from your own past—holidays, family meals, the first day of school. That’s the level of tangibility and personal connection you want to bring to your description.

3. Research: You may have invented the world, but it can only be improved by research into real-world analogs. If you’re writing about a dictator, research dictatorships. A farming community?  You need to know how real farming communities work. You’ll gather detail and knowledge that will help your reader feel grounded in the world you’ve created. And you never know where you’ll find inspiration. Be open to the way research can impact your plot.

4. Don’t psyche yourself out. Some authors have everything in place before they write: language, geography, etc. But some don’t. You’ll find your way into your own process.

5.  As much as I appreciate your praise, there’s no such thing as perfect and striving for perfection is a great way to destroy your own creativity. I put a lot of work into developing my world and my story, but I’ve been criticized plenty. That’s going to happen and it’s okay. Tell the story you want to tell. Let go of perfection and get your ideas on the page. You’ll learn more from a messy, crazy first draft than from a thousand perfectly polished beginnings.

 

Good luck!!