One of my favorite parts of writing fantasy and science fiction is the creation of the world. It’s nothing like what God did, obviously. But just trying to envision this world, the different people who will live within it, the fauna, the flora, and so much more.
Often it feels like a conflict between being logical and creative. The creative part of my mind wants to go abstract and flowing, throwing together all of these different concepts and images for the overall look and feel. But the logical part demands that they make sense.
For instance, in Tue-Rah, I have several invented races including the Vawtrians, Machat, and Neyeb in addition to humans (referred to in the series as Awdawms). The Vawtrians are a race of shapeshifters, but the trickiest part was evaluating what kind of world they would come from that would lead to the culture that I want them to have. They are brutal and fierce, but at the same time, they hold civilization and law in high regard because they are determined to avoid the appearance of animals in as many respects as possible. Shapeshifting forms the core of their culture.
So this is just a rambling post looking at what I love with it. It’s not just about feeling and beauty, but logic can have its place. I’m still getting used to this whole posting and just getting in the habit. I guess the takeaway would be have fun creating and don’t be afraid to ask the questions for why things are the way that they are in your fantasy world.
I’m an amatuer in writing and the thought of designing a big world like the one you described is really intimidating. I’ve stayed small and dabbled in my little ‘adaptations’ of our own in the background of my novels. Usually staying vague unless I want to make something into a long series. Then it becomes sociology like your descriptions of the Vawtrians. I never thought of a shapeshifer society holding the need to be civilized to important due to their abilities as shapeshifters. That makes me think deeper on my own work and the non-human characters.
I guess if you look for the inspiration or base ingredient of a world from the biomechanics of our physical one, that’s half the work, right? Orson Scott Card did a great example of a world working as a whole, living organism when he described the Pequeninos in his Ender’s Game series.
So sorry about how long it took to get this approved. It disappeared into the bin, and I just now uncovered it.
I’m so glad that this was useful. What stories are you working on currently?
Orson Scott Card definitely is a great example of a world builder. Always so creative!