Worldbuilding is one of the most exciting parts of storytelling, whether you’re writing a novel, creating a video game, or developing a D&D campaign. It’s where you create entire worlds from scratch, bringing your imagination to life. If you’re just starting, here’s a quick beginner’s guide to worldbuilding.
1. Start Small
You don’t need to create an entire universe right away. Begin by thinking about one specific part of your world—maybe a city, a kingdom, or even a room. Ask yourself: Who lives here? What do they believe? How do they survive? This will give your world a foundation to build on.
2. Establish Rules
Every world needs rules. What is the technology like? Are there any supernatural elements or magic? If there’s magic, how does it work? Setting clear limits helps your world feel more realistic. Readers (and players) will get frustrated if there are no clear rules or if things happen that don’t make sense.
3. Think About Culture
What kind of society exists in your world? What are the values, traditions, and beliefs? How do people dress, eat, and communicate? Developing a culture will make your world feel lived-in and rich with history. You can draw inspiration from real-world cultures, but don’t be afraid to mix and match ideas to create something new.
4. Visualize Geography
Consider your world’s landscape. Are there mountains, forests, or oceans? Geography can affect everything, from how characters travel to what kind of creatures live there. You might want to sketch a basic map to help organize your ideas.
There’s so much more to worldbuilding because it is all about imagination and creativity. Take your time, keep experimenting, and have fun building worlds that your characters (and readers) will want to explore!
