LearnWorld Building
World Building
9 min read
The Rules of Magic and Science
According to Sanderson's First Law of Magics, your ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic. Establish clear rules, limitations, and costs for your world's systems.
Cultural Design
A world feels lived-in when its culture is specific. Consider the economics, politics, religion, and social hierarchies of your setting. What do they eat? What do they value? Who holds the power, and why?
Show, Don't Info-Dump
The greatest sin of world-building is the info-dump. Reveal your world organically through the characters' interactions with it. The reader doesn't need a history lesson in Chapter 1; they need a reason to care.