As an avid reader on Hive, I have had the privilege of discovering an array of talented writers. While some prefer to work on longer pieces, there are others who specialize in writing short stories that fit within a single post. It is to these writers that I would like to direct my attention in this article.
By revisiting your past works and viewing them from a different perspective, you may be able to connect your short stories to form a larger, cohesive world. This is where world building comes in - it can add depth and detail to your writing, making it more captivating and memorable for your readers.
Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, world building can be a fun and exciting aspect of your writing journey. There are two popular approaches to world building - the pantser method, where you simply write whatever comes to mind, letting the characters lead the way, and the planner method, where you meticulously plan every detail, from character biographies to the rules that govern cities.
I spent a significant portion of my Saturday reading world building posts on Hive and articles on Pinterest, and I have learned so much. While I cannot provide an exhaustive list of ideas, I can provide a starting point to get your creative juices flowing. My hope is that this article will inspire and encourage more Hive writers to create series like the ones I have highlighted in my dbuzzes.
Not necessarily the first thing to start with is history. More specifically is a timeline of events. I discovered this through my reading Saturday and had a V8 moment. I never know where to start and want to tell it all at once instead of developing a bit of suspense and mystery.
Then there is politics. Who doesn't love government? šš Seriously though I do not believe it should be about control but setting some boundaries.
One I'm learning with a story I just started working on is culture. My story is set in an area similar to the middle east but with a steampunk background. I have already shown a couple images I have created for this.
One article I came across about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the wild life got me to thinking about a prompt posted through World Builders community. It asked about genetic experiments and how they were viewed in the world you create. I had to run over to Arty and start playing with hybrids.
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Geography is another important part of creating a believable world. Is the land flat and barren or is it lush and tropical with winding rivers. Maybe it is surrounded by mountains. Don't forget about weather and climate.
Can you live without economics and trade? Well neither should your characters. What are some of the occupations that help in this area?
There are many more things that can go into world building but I will leave some research up to you. I hope you enjoyed this as I had fun looking into what makes a great believable world and I hope to see some of you short story writers start creating worlds with what you have already written.
