Lbobzien asked Jeff Wheeler:

When you have a new story idea in mind, how do start developing that idea into an actual story with a plot and interesting characters? Also what is one of the first things you do when world-building? Thanks!

Jeff Wheeler These are super good questions. Wow! But answering them isn't an easy or quick thing. My story ideas usually start around a person, a character. Sometimes I get the idea reading another book, or it will come to me in a dream. I'll write down the details as soon as I get it and then stick them in an e-mail folder called "Book Ideas" (clever, eh?). They might stew for months or even years before I get to them. When I've decided on which story I want to tell next, then I'll start the world-building process. I just taught a 2-hour class called Worldbuilding 505, so that goes through my process in greater detail, but one of the first things I do is figure out where it takes place, as in the kind of setting I want it to be. Then I immerse my brain with books, movies, and internet searches to immerse my brain in details. Kind of controlled chaos. After a time, I rein in it and decide on all the worldbuilding details that are needed (magic/technology, religion, politics, culture, geography, economics) and then pitch the book idea to my publisher.

flag