https://writing.codidact.com/categories/1/tags/35.rssNew Posts Tagged 'world-building' - WritingWriting - Codidact2020-04-30T14:27:29Zhttps://writing.codidact.com/posts/37828What's the point of writing that I know will never be used or read?Chris Sunamihttps://writing.codidact.com/users/362019-08-15T18:38:07Z2020-04-30T14:27:29Z<p>Writing can be a very difficult, frustrating, stressful and effortful process. It can also be very isolating to the writer. Given that writing is a form of communication, <strong>what is the poi...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/38817The concept of "Exotic Culture" and the necessity of a new worldM.N.Raiahttps://writing.codidact.com/users/59382019-10-15T03:06:24Z2020-03-28T04:03:22Z<h2>A personal point of view on the necessity of a new culture in fiction</h2>
<p><em>"A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away",</em> <em>"Pandora"</em>, <em>"Dune"</em>, <em>"Middle Earth"</em>...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/39100Character and world building in less than 2000 wordsAbdul Rehmanhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/56212019-11-13T12:36:37Z2020-02-08T14:02:44Z<p>Is it possible to build a new character and/or world in a science fiction under a tight word limit? What aspects should be covered and what avoided? Also are there some similar previous examples...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/38425Is it a good idea to leave minor world details to the reader's imagination?Sangeethahttps://writing.codidact.com/users/78462019-09-19T14:20:20Z2020-02-02T15:53:43Z<p>As a writer, I used to write short stories and poems. As a reader, fantasy is my favorite genre. And I am currently working on my first novel, an extraterrestrial fantasy thriller.</p>
<p>When ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/33193Storing WorldBuilding InformationOren_Chttps://writing.codidact.com/users/54952019-02-04T10:30:27Z2019-12-13T12:00:47Z<p>I've been writing a story and world-building as part of the process. Now it has come to a point where I have lots of information about the world and I need to store it effectively for my own ref...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/20200"The flux capacitor--it's what makes time travel possible." When to keep world-building explanations shortStu Whttps://writing.codidact.com/users/29072017-02-05T16:01:04Z2019-12-13T12:00:42Z<p>Gosh, I really think I'm quite clever sometimes. But what about those situations where the readers (audience) can be told, and they feel completely satiated and entertained by not going into the...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/20235Is it bad not to explain things?Daniel Cannhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/37622017-02-06T17:42:47Z2019-12-13T12:00:42Z<h2>Background</h2>
<p>So I see a lot of questions on the site <a href="https://writers.stackexchange.com/questions/26482/how-to-introduce-alien-flora-fauna-without-turning-the-fiction-into-a-biol...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/18046Writer's Block: How to Stop World-building and Start Writing?Thomas Myronhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80502016-08-08T15:27:40Z2019-12-13T12:00:38Z<p>This is a question that doesn't directly apply to me, though I can easily see myself having this problem. I thought I'd run writer's block for a loop and find the answer before the problem arose...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/17643A protagonist who knows little about the world he born and grew up in until majority (present)?Yuuzahttps://writing.codidact.com/users/34802016-06-23T09:42:37Z2019-12-13T12:00:37Z<p>This protagonist born and lives in a peasant village in a medieval-like age, where education and science aren't known much. But a certain awful event occurs in this village that leads this chara...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/14325Map of my fantasy world - how do realms, kingdoms, cities, towns and villages fit into it?M.Y. Davidhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/20452015-08-14T23:49:10Z2019-12-13T12:00:30Z<p>In my latest novel, I have created a fantasy world and would like to create a custom map of said world.</p>
<p>However, I do not know how realms, kingdoms, cities, towns and villages all fit i...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/9229Can I plug a loophole in my magic rules without rewriting the whole novel?Standbackhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80512013-11-30T21:35:14Z2019-12-13T12:00:20Z<p>I've gotten feedback for a complete draft of my WIP fantasy novel. Overall it's looking good, but a couple of friends noticed a significant loophole in the system of magic I use in the book. The...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/9164When do I explain my created world scenario in a prologue vs. letting it unfold in the story?Lauren Ipsumhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80592013-11-22T01:02:01Z2019-12-13T12:00:19Z<p>Let's say I'm creating a unique world for my book. New planet, maybe new species, complex society with complex rules, history, government, and so on. Some of these details are absolutely necessa...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/6527How much should I reveal of how the world functions in fiction?Invader Zimhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/10482012-10-26T09:28:59Z2019-12-13T12:00:12Z<p>I am currently working on a fiction novel. The way the world (magic, technology, government, species etc) works is extremely complicated. </p>
<p>Basically, the idea is to reveal the mechanics ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/3282World Building critique: Building an SF society off a tangent of "Adaptation"Qcomhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/222011-06-01T01:20:46Z2019-12-13T11:59:58Z<p>I'm writing a short story for my english final - I'm a junior in high school; we've already taken our AP exam, but our teacher wanted to finish the year with something meaningful.</p>
<p>Anyway...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/36712Should I include an appendix for inessential, yet related worldbuilding to my story?Matthew Davehttps://writing.codidact.com/users/12942019-06-17T08:36:57Z2019-12-13T11:56:52Z<p>I'm of the opinion that a story should stand on its own; any worldbuilding that is <em>necessary</em> for the plot and story to function should be part of the story. However, at the same time, t...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/36384Avoiding cliches when writing godsLiquidhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80572019-05-31T15:03:40Z2019-12-13T11:56:52Z<p>When writing fictional polytheisms, it's tempting to draw inspiration from the existing ones.</p>
<p>In ancient religions (I'm mainly thinking of the Greek/Latin, Egyptian and Norse pantheons) ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/36043How can you make up a convincing dialect?Liquidhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80572019-05-17T10:57:56Z2019-12-13T11:56:52Z<p>I often need to introduce one, if not several, made up dialects.
We're talking about fictional worldbuilding: so any real world dialect is ruled out. They can be used as a source of inspiration...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/34051How many elements can you focus on during worldbuilding?Liquidhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80572019-03-03T17:36:56Z2019-12-13T11:56:49Z<p><strong>Possibly related:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://writing.stackexchange.com/questions/42906/how-can-i-get-readers-to-accept-more-than-1-buy-in-worldbuilding">How can I get reader...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/33913Fictional races and fictional racismLiquidhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80572019-02-28T22:24:17Z2019-12-13T11:56:49Z<p><strong>Possibly related questions:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://writing.stackexchange.com/questions/41575/should-i-add-racism-in-my-books-world-or-have-my-world-have-no-racism">Shoul...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/31525Do readers need to identify with fictional characters?Systemhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/-12018-11-05T08:50:37Z2019-12-13T11:56:48Z<p>On the modern day many people complain about how models, actors are damaging to society because people can't identify with them. Males actors or models which are ''too'' muscular are considered ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/30602Which should come first, building my story or building my world?AnUnnamedAuthorhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/66562018-09-08T23:51:22Z2019-12-13T11:56:47Z<p>I’ve always been writing, but never wanted to write something in a world I create. I already know what direction I’ll be taking my fleshed-out characters, but I’m still wondering whether or not ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/10058How to "defy" physics on a sci-fi?Victor Matheushttps://writing.codidact.com/users/25152014-03-22T01:41:27Z2019-12-13T09:04:46Z<p>I am an amateur at worldbuilding and I am already building a sci-fi themed world with fantasy elements.
In my world there will be different kinds of new elements to the periodic table and some f...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/35618How can I introduce the names of fantasy creatures to the reader?M Arif Rahman Winandarhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/55132019-04-22T08:08:03Z2019-12-12T23:01:25Z<p>In the story, these fantasy creatures are everyday animals that most people in the story already know. How can I introduce them in an natural way that instantly makes readers remember their name...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/27447What editor can I use for world building that has a tree-like structure for my files?Sam Coutteauhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/61722018-04-10T15:54:39Z2019-12-12T23:01:22Z<p>I'm looking for a simple editor to start getting into world building and story writing which is working out fine in Microsoft Word. However, I'm finding it difficult to continue without any stru...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/26101Is it okay to include world-building facts by "telling" instead of "showing"?Klara Raškajhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/51312018-02-14T21:05:59Z2019-12-12T23:01:20Z<p>I know we need to show and not tell, but is it still okay to sometimes tell instead of having to show it? For example, I wanna let the reader know that humans in my story are actually the same s...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/24281Any software that allows me to create documents and maps with links to other documents or photos?mechanicartshttps://writing.codidact.com/users/55822017-11-06T12:02:05Z2019-12-12T23:01:19Z<p>I have to create a small world for my WIP game so I can submit it as my thesis. While I am aware I can use simple text editors (my usual choice) I want to be able to create a tree/web of my idea...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/38314What techniques authors use to keep track of their cast?Mindwinhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/65612019-09-09T12:22:46Z2019-12-12T21:57:42Z<p>There is a problem as stories progress (especially in never-ending web novels) where the cast of characters keep growing. Some webnovels I follow are in the hundreds!</p>
<p>Is there a techniqu...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/36396How do you build a story from a world?Terri Simonhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/7112019-05-31T18:28:27Z2019-12-12T21:57:38Z<p>I have some material for a "world" (more fantasy than sci-fi at this point). I've noodled around with this world off-and-on for ages but have never had a story to put in the world. I have some b...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/34223How do we write a story about genocide committed by a fascist government without falling into the "Nazi Germany" cliché?repomonsterhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/70812019-03-06T23:33:19Z2019-12-12T21:57:36Z<p>Too often, when people make a story about genocide committed by a fascist government, the story often devolves into a Nazi Germany cliché, especially when the story is set in a modern or futuris...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/34076Map-making softwareGalastelhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80532019-03-03T21:36:38Z2019-12-12T21:57:36Z<p>I'm looking for free software, preferably open-source, that would allow me to create maps for my story. I guess what I need is a tool that would allow some measure of 3D modeling.</p>
<p>Featur...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/33900Should I include an appendix to reference words of an in-universe language for a fantasy novel?Sciborghttps://writing.codidact.com/users/72112019-02-28T19:40:17Z2019-12-12T21:57:35Z<p><strong>Context</strong></p>
<p>I am currently working on a fantasy novel in which one of the main characters is a nobleman and scholar, studying exotic languages as part of his higher educatio...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/32893Should I add racism in my book's world or have my world have no racism?Willfire Z Tigerhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/70842019-01-24T18:11:07Z2019-12-12T21:57:33Z<p>I've been writing a children's novel inspired by action cartoons, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, paganism/Wicca, mythology and Harry Potter. It's a very dark children's book I'll admit, but Harry...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/33297Dead children in pre-modern settingGalastelhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80532019-02-07T14:31:42Z2019-12-12T21:57:33Z<p>The reality of pre-Industrial Revolution times was that about half the children born died before age 5. It would be a mistake to think that parents cared less - we have multiple written records ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/33035Fictional cultures and languages existing in the same area?weakdna says reinstate monicahttps://writing.codidact.com/users/68432019-01-28T22:03:02Z2019-12-12T21:57:33Z<p>So I've got this fantasy planet X, where humanoid peoples Y and Z are at war on an island nation about the size of England, and they've been at war with each other for hundreds of years. They a...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/32948How important is the apocalypse in a post-apocalyptic story?Edgar Gordonhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/70922019-01-25T22:16:59Z2019-12-12T21:57:33Z<p>I am writing a story set after an apocalyptic event that has left only 0.1% of the world population intact. I originally wrote a zombie-like apocalypse but simplified it to a plague-like disease...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/32913In the background of the FutureGalastelhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/80532019-01-24T22:03:29Z2019-12-12T21:57:33Z<p>As I've mentioned multiple times, I'm writing a military sci-fi novel. The focus of the story is war, and that happens far away from Earth. However, I'm starting with my MC's "normal", on Earth....https://writing.codidact.com/posts/32554Should I make up my own names for the days of the week/monthsklippyhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/67192019-01-09T13:55:44Z2019-12-12T21:57:32Z<p>I'm writing a light fantasy book. I think it will end up falling into the YA genre. </p>
<p>I'm considering making my own names up for the days of the week/months. The book is set in a fantasy ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/32588Character is an expert on something I'm notweakdna says reinstate monicahttps://writing.codidact.com/users/68432019-01-09T23:54:13Z2019-12-12T21:57:32Z<p>My OC Edward, who I thought of quite a while ago but haven't done anything with, is a professional cyber spy and hacker. He's employed by an organization (in the future, of course) that is basi...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/31975How to write a good MacGuffin?Cerise St Hilairehttps://writing.codidact.com/users/68052018-11-30T12:39:53Z2019-12-12T21:57:31Z<p>I backed myself into a corner and have to create a [TV TROPES WARNING] <a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MacGuffin" rel="noreferrer">MacGuffin</a> for a story.</p>
<p><strong...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/31801Explaining made up card gameprogrammer23https://writing.codidact.com/users/68792018-11-18T16:39:32Z2019-12-12T21:57:30Z<p>In my book I've made up a card game where I've already thought out the rules. Now I want some of the characters playing this game.</p>
<p>My questions are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Should the reader know ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/29152Writing Unequal Societies (Without Supporting Inequality)Watercleavehttps://writing.codidact.com/users/25652018-06-22T06:24:25Z2019-12-12T21:57:24Z<p>Historically, most occidental cultures (and many other ones) were strongly biased against women. Women were effectively barred from the vast majority of occupations - sometimes actively, and som...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/29103How do I know which elements I can use from the work which orginally inspired me?jwil408https://writing.codidact.com/users/64262018-06-20T14:51:20Z2019-12-12T21:57:24Z<p>I recently read the Blood on the Stars series by Jay Allan and really enjoyed the idea of a post-Golden Age human civilization that has splintered into factions and is now at war with itself.</p...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/28932Is it Ok to make up places if I want the reader to think it’s set in the real world?Angelhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/15842018-06-13T00:52:01Z2019-12-12T21:57:23Z<p>What I’m doing is making a story in the medieval times and I wanted to make up a village and have my characters be there and travel around there but do I have to make everything around there in ...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/28839Cutting down story length without leaving out locationsZoltán Schmidthttps://writing.codidact.com/users/52912018-06-07T07:47:09Z2019-12-12T21:57:23Z<p>I'd like to write a story and I have plenty of elements for it, up to and including a set of locations, characters and events, as well as some loose sequence for those.</p>
<p>This is still a p...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/37277Balancing setting, theme, and character arcs: how to deal with a setting that carries emotional weight but is left behind?wordsworthhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/3322019-07-17T00:25:00Z2019-12-12T20:06:07Z<p><strong>When writing a story, how do you find a good balance between the significance of different elements, such as plot, themes, and bold settings and characters, and the character arcs?</stro...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/29604How do I know if a concept is sexist or not?Incognitohttps://writing.codidact.com/users/64402018-07-16T16:50:40Z2019-12-12T20:06:06Z<p>In my story's world, witchcraft is a respected institution, with the most powerful practitioners being at the top echelons of society. Due to this, society traces its lineage through matrilineal...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/12472Should I create my own ConLang for my story?WeekzGodhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/31522015-03-05T17:26:51Z2019-12-12T20:06:03Z<p>For my story I'm writing, some of the characters speak a different language from the protagonists.</p>
<p>Should I actually create a ConLang (constructed language) for them and use it in dialog...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/3624How often do writers develop characters before plot, and why?JABhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/9772011-07-05T16:10:49Z2019-12-12T20:05:57Z<p>As someone who writes a little as a hobby, this is something that I haven't really thought about until just recently, but...</p>
<p>Is it common for a writer to develop characters before actual...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/3444How can I strike a balance between setting and plot?Jon Purdyhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/9322011-06-16T00:07:42Z2019-12-12T20:05:56Z<p>I'm not a fan of Tolkien's work, but it's relevant to my question, so take it as a reference point.</p>
<p>I love linguistics, culture, and worldbuilding, but sometimes have difficulty focusing...https://writing.codidact.com/posts/2864Potential confusion: referring to home planet as "Earth"Nick Bedfordhttps://writing.codidact.com/users/3442011-04-13T02:25:19Z2019-12-12T20:05:55Z<p>I'm writing a science fiction story and it's based in another galaxy, colonised by humans originally on a geographically equivalent "Earth".</p>
<p>My current usage refers to it as "Earth" and ...