Some writers love to create entire cities, kingdoms, planets, and galaxies from scratch. They develop alternate systems of physics to explain how spaceships work. They know how magic affected the evolution of life on a world. They can tell you who the queen’s great-great aunt was. They know every store in the shopping center where their hero works, right down to the complete list of frozen yogurt flavors available at the little kiosk with the pink awning.
If you’re thinking, “Yes, but do they know it costs 25ยข extra for sprinkles?” you’ve probably earned the “worldbuilding” merit badge.
This is part of the merit badges for writers series. Have you earned this badge? Tell us why in the comments and post the badge on your website or blog.
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now the place i write about is real. but it’s an overlay of the real. it’s my “harlan universe” as opposed to the one you can drive to. mine has ghosts, witches, and vampires in it.
So far I currently have, Outlining, Coffee Shop Novelist, and this badge on my blog.
Writing in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section this is a bit of a necessity. But at the same time it is rather fun to do. Though as I am discovering with this project sometimes just the simple answer is the best.
You’re both becoming highly decorated.
@Mari: Do you think it’s easier or harder to build fantasy into a real-world place vs. starting from scratch?
honestly i don’t know – i’ve never started from scratch before! LOL
I’m taking this one as well. I’m writing a science fantasy, so worldbuilding has to be part of the process. I have pages and pages of how things work in this alternative world which will never make it into the narrative!
@Casey: Lots of good worldbuilding plus not trying to cram it all into the story is always a double-win!
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