Every novel takes place in its own universe, which is the creation of the writer. This universe is the whole thing. The writer is the god of the story world, and has total control over it, but it should have its own inner logic.
Every novel takes place in its own universe, and as the writer, you are the creator of that universe. Whether it's a small, familiar town or a distant planet, the world you build is critical to the story you tell. A compelling story world brings depth and realism to your novel, offering readers an immersive experience. But world-building is more than just imagination—it requires thoughtful planning and consistency to create a setting that supports the story while remaining believable.
The world you create serves as the foundation for your novel. It informs the plot, shapes the characters, and sets the tone of your narrative. As the god of your story world, you have total control over every aspect of it, but it’s important that your creation has its own internal logic and consistency. Without this, your readers may be left confused or disengaged.
Some genres require more detailed world-building than others. If your novel is set in your hometown during present-day, your work is cut out for you. Most readers already have a sense of what the real world looks like, so your primary task is to choose details that make your setting unique. However, genres like science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction demand more effort. These stories require you to imagine settings that may be completely unfamiliar to your readers, and therefore need thorough research and creative development.
That said, even in more familiar settings, looking at the world through a different lens can add fresh layers to your story. World-building isn't just about far-off planets or magical realms—it’s about understanding the setting of your story and using it to enhance the reader's experience.
Every story world consists of three key components. Without these, it’s impossible to create a compelling and believable story.
1. The Natural World
The natural world establishes the physical environment in which your story takes place. It includes geography, climate, flora, fauna, and other environmental factors that shape the setting. Even if your story takes place in a city, the physical aspects of that environment—whether it’s urban sprawl or a remote countryside—are essential to giving your story a sense of place.
In most stories, the laws of physics and nature remain the same, but science fiction or fantasy novels might alter these rules. For example, a story set on a planet with two suns would likely have different weather patterns than Earth. Regardless of the genre, you need to understand the environment you're writing about and how it affects the lives of your characters.
2. The Cultural Groups
Culture shapes behavior, beliefs, and interactions. Your characters belong to specific cultural or ethnic groups that influence how they see the world and interact with others. Whether you’re writing about a small, homogeneous town or a bustling city with multiple cultural groups, or a far galaxy with several species, these dynamics provide richness to the setting.
In fantasy and science fiction, cultural groups can take on entirely new forms, such as alien species or magical societies. These cultures should be just as well-defined and intricate as real-world ones, with distinct values, customs, and languages that shape your characters and their relationships.
3. The Backdrop for Conflict
Conflict is the driving force behind every good story, and your story world plays a big role in creating it. The political, social, religious, or interpersonal tensions within your world will fuel the conflict in your novel. This backdrop provides the friction necessary for plot development, creating stakes for your characters to overcome. For example, a story set in a dystopian future will have different sources of conflict than one set in a contemporary small town.
As a novelist, one of your challenges is balancing world-building with storytelling. You don’t have unlimited space to describe every detail of your story world, especially when most novels are under 100,000 words. This means that every word you write must serve a purpose.
Here are a few strategies for revealing your story world to readers:
1. Make Descriptions Do Double Duty
Your descriptions should not only paint a picture of your story world but also serve the plot or reveal something about your characters. For instance, instead of simply describing the marketplace your character walks through, you could mention how the bustling energy contrasts with your character’s internal turmoil, or how the marketplace’s diversity reflects the broader cultural conflicts at play.
2. Show Only What’s Necessary
You might have a rich, fully developed story world, but that doesn’t mean every detail belongs on the page. Only reveal what’s necessary to the story and relevant to the characters. It’s tempting to showcase all the intricacies of the world you’ve built, but restraint keeps readers engaged and allows them to focus on the story at hand.
3. Use Dialogue and Action
You can also reveal elements of your story world through dialogue and action. Instead of lengthy exposition, let your characters interact with the world. They can reveal societal norms, cultural tensions, or the state of the environment through their behavior and conversations.
If your story takes place in the real world or a setting you're familiar with, you may not need to do much research. However, if you're writing in an unfamiliar or imaginary setting, thorough research and creative development are essential. Readers are quick to pick up on inconsistencies, so knowing the details of your world will help you maintain credibility.
For fantasy or science fiction, consider everything from the planet’s geography to the political system, from the rules of magic to the economic structure. In historical fiction, research the period’s customs, fashion, and technology to make your world feel authentic. Every detail contributes to making your setting feel alive and real.
Building a story world is a complex but rewarding task. Whether your novel is set in the past, the future, or a completely made-up universe, a strong story world provides a framework for your plot and deepens your reader's engagement with your story. By understanding the natural world, cultural groups, and backdrop for conflict, and by carefully revealing these elements through action, dialogue, and description, you can create a world that enhances your novel and pulls readers into your novel.