Today's Topic Creating a fantasy story from a world
I have been asked several times what is the best way to start a new world building project? The problem is that is not one good way to start. However, in general, there are three good ways to construct a fictional world.
The 3 Methods of worldbuildingIn this week’s episode, we will walk you through how to figure out the best way to build your world. You will end up with one of these methods.
Backwards Top-Down Hybrid The Backwards method of worldbuildingI do not mean it is backwards or wrong to use this method, stop being such a wordsmith. I mean work backwards to develop your world. Take the settings that you want to tell stories in and work backward in history, so do not evolve but devolve your world.
I really like working backwards if I know how I want the world to look at some point of the story. I use it to give the world some historical details and more cultural depth and I know when I am done when I get to prehistory and I have covered all the basics of worldbuilding.
Top-Down method of worldbuildingTop-Down is typically the method people think about world-building. You pick a point of time and evolve the history to a certain place and time you want to tell the story in your world. You can start from the beginning of time or better yet in the prehistoric period of your world and evolve the world in increasing detail to flesh out the frame for your story.
The Hybrid method of worldbuildingThis is probably the most likely version to be used. You will go back and forth in time depending on the topic until you have fleshed out the frame for your story.
Why should I world build more than the exact time and place for my story?There might not be a need. However, it will help connect you better to the world and give you access to a certain depth that will make your world feel like it could really exist outside of the story making it feel naturalistic. It also helps create a framework for you to tell more stories in your world later if you wish.
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For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com
The bigger benefit for me was increased focus. It was another major issue of mine. However, that is a story for a different day.
Get the stories and hear the tips in this episode of the Worldbuilder’s Anvil PodcastListen to Michael and I as we go into this critical topic.
Podcast Show Flow Episode 135 And Episode 136 Ask before you start Figure out the central frame for your framework Know your 9 Framework Elements Worldbuilding Basics Breakdown Rules Like Technology and Magic is the filter for each of your Basic topics Places Religion Language Races Culture States Faces Timeline your world to the current time Old School Tech Figure out if you want different with Races, Cultures, States Are Religions culturally based? Or are there a certain number of religions? Figure out how to build your world Do you know how your setting looks (Before after a period of time)? Work backwards from the time of your storytelling? Add in Faces and Rules as needed Do you want to know some elements of your setting, but it is not complete? Or you have inspiration, but no actual element? Mainly top down, except for rules or faces Start in a prehistory before cultures collide and start evolving your cultures More Density the closer you are to present? Do you just want to worldbuild? Top down from where you want to start Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes
For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com
Make sure you have your world foundations
The Real-world Task for the DaySummer is running out! Do something fun outside with family or friends
Michael's Resources
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Episode 4: Worldbuilding rules are the key
Episode 5: Fantasy and Technology do mix
Episode 7: Worldbuilding Basics Breakdown
Episode 8: The Places of your World
Episode 13: Cultures in your Fantasy World
Episode 15: Religions in your Fantasy World
Episode 16: Laphinnesehïrïm errr Languages
Episode 17: What is the state of your nation(s)?
Episode 32: Fantasy States Revisited
Episode 40: Types of Governments in Fantasy Worldbuilding
Episode 45: Cause I need the Magic wand?
Episode 48: Character Traits and Flaws
Episode 73: Types of Animals … Looking for inspiration for Monsters and Fantasy Races
Episode 106: Language First Culture Create Episode 106: Language First Culture Create
Episode 108: Philosophy-first culture building in Fantasy Worldbuilding
Episode 116: The Simple, Succinct Technology Level Method
Episode 120: The one thing you need to create a naturalist fantasy culture
Episode 168 Frame your fantasy world
Episode 170: Why your fantasy world needs subcultures
Episode 181 The 7 rules of fantasy magic systems
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http://gardul.com/blog/episode-191-3-methods-to-create-your-fantasy-world
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Episode 4: Worldbuilding rules are the key http://gardul.com/blog/episode-4-rules-breakout/
Episode 5: Fantasy and Technology do mix http://gardul.com/blog/episode-5-fantasy-technology-breakdown/
Episode 7: Worldbuilding Basics Breakdown http://gardul.com/podcast/episode-7-worldbuilding-basics-breakdown/
Episode 8: The Places of your World http://gardul.com/blog/worldbuilding/episode-8-the-basics-breakdown/
Episode 13: Cultures in your Fantasy World http://gardul.com/blog/worldbuilding/episode-13-cultures/
Episode 14: Races http://gardul.com/blog/worldbuilding/episode-14-races/
Episode 15: Religions in your Fantasy World http://gardul.com/blog/episode-15-religions-fantasy-world/
Episode 16: Laphinnesehïrïm errr Languages http://gardul.com/podcast/episode-16-laphinnesehirim-errr-languages/
Episode 17: What is the state of your nation(s)? http://gardul.com/blog/episode-17-state-nations/
Episode 32: Fantasy States Revisited http://gardul.com/blog/episode-32-fantasy-states-revisited/
Episode 40: Types of Governments in Fantasy Worldbuilding http://gardul.com/blog/episode-40-types-of-governments-in-fantasy-worldbuilding/
Episode 45: Cause I need the Magic wand? http://gardul.com/blog/episode-45-cause-i-need-the-magic-wand/
Episode 48: Character Traits and Flaws http://gardul.com/blog/episode-48-character-traits-and-flaws/
Episode 49: Who am I? http://gardul.com/blog/episode-49-who-am-i/
Episode 73: Types of Animals … Looking for inspiration for Monsters and Fantasy Races http://gardul.com/blog/episode-73-types-of-animals-looking-for-inspiration-for-monsters-and-fantasy-races/
Episode 106: Language First Culture Create Episode 106: Language First Culture Create http://gardul.com/blog/episode-106-language-first-culture-create/
Episode 108: Philosophy-first culture building in Fantasy Worldbuilding http://gardul.com/blog/episode-108-philosophy-first-culture-building-in-fantasy-worldbuilding/
Episode 116: The Simple, Succinct Technology Level Method http://gardul.com/blog/episode-116-the-simple-succinct-technology-level-method/
Episode 120: The one thing you need to create a naturalist fantasy culture http://gardul.com/blog/episode-120the-one-thing-need-create-naturalist-fantasy-culture/
Episode 135 The Basic Worldbuilding Questions To Ask Yourself When Beginning A New Fantasy Project, Part One http://gardul.com/blog/episode-135-the-basic-worldbuilding-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-beginning-a-new-fantasy-project-part-one/
Episode 136 The Basic Worldbuilding Questions To Ask Yourself When Beginning A New Fantasy Project, Part Two http://gardul.com/blog/episode-136-basic-worldbuilding-questions-ask-beginning-new-fantasy-project-part-two/
Episode 168 Frame your fantasy world http://gardul.com/blog/frame-fantasy-world/
Episode 170: Why your fantasy world needs subcultures http://gardul.com/blog/fantasy-world-needs-subcultures/
Episode 181 The 7 rules of fantasy magic systems http://gardul.com/blog/episode-181-7-rules-fantasy-magic-systems/
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