WORLDBUILDING MISTAKES you don’t know you’re making

Summary

The video script emphasizes the creative freedom and potential pitfalls in worldbuilding, particularly in fantasy and sci-fi genres. It advises against the 'worldbuilder's disease' of over-constructing every aspect, instead suggesting a focus on elements relevant to the story. The script introduces the 'magical cube of problems' to illustrate the multifaceted nature of worldbuilding, advocating for a balance between detail and narrative coherence. It draws on the 'iceberg theory' to explain how to convey a world's depth without overwhelming detail, recommending a gradient approach where worldbuilding complexity decreases with the reader's perspective. The importance of cohesiveness is highlighted, with changes in one aspect of the world affecting others, akin to orbiting planets. The video encourages embracing 'cool' ideas while ensuring they integrate with the world's established systems. Finally, it touches on the evolution of worlds over time and the trust authors build with their readers, cautioning against blindly emulating established authors without considering the unique needs of one's own story.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **Flexibility in Worldbuilding**: Recognize that every aspect of reality can be altered in a fantasy world, from climate to culture.
• 🚫 **Avoid Overbuilding**: Do not attempt to create every detail of your world; focus on what's relevant to your story.
• 🤔 **Mindset Shift**: Understand that worldbuilding is not just about creating, but also about knowing what to omit for the sake of narrative coherence.
• 🧊 **Iceberg Theory**: Apply Hemingway’s iceberg theory by knowing the full depth of your world while only revealing what's necessary for the story.
• 📉 **Gradual Reveal**: Fade the amount of worldbuilding detail as the reader's focus moves away from the central narrative.
• 🔄 **Cohesive World Elements**: Ensure that all elements of your world interact with each other to create a believable and interconnected environment.
• ⛓ **Chain Reaction**: Consider how introducing a new element, like magic, can influence other aspects of your world, such as culture and social structure.
• 🌟 **Rule of Cool**: Allow yourself the freedom to include exciting ideas, but ensure they integrate well with the rest of your world.
• 🚧 **World Evolution**: Acknowledge that worlds evolve over time, and体现 this in your storytelling to enhance realism.
• 🔗 **Trust with Readers**: Build trust with your audience by creating a world that feels complete and engaging, even if not every detail is explored.
• 🎯 **Focus on Story**: Remember that worldbuilding serves the story; the narrative should drive the extent and depth of world details presented.

Q & A

What are the potential pitfalls in worldbuilding that the speaker warns about?

The speaker warns about the pitfalls of worldbuilders disease, where creators try to build every single aspect of their world, which can be overwhelming and unnecessary. They also mention the need to avoid ignoring the story that works in tandem with the world.

What is the 'magical cube of problems' the speaker refers to?

The 'magical cube of problems' is a metaphor used by the speaker to describe the multifaceted challenges and considerations in worldbuilding, each side representing a different aspect or problem to be addressed.

How does the speaker suggest handling the vast possibilities in a fantasy world?

The speaker suggests that while one has the freedom to change every aspect of reality in their fantasy world, it's crucial to focus on elements relevant to the story and to avoid trying to build every single aspect.

What is the 'Ernest Hemmingway's iceberg theory' as mentioned in the script?

The iceberg theory, as interpreted by the speaker, suggests that as a writer, one should know the entire depth of their world (the whole iceberg), but only reveal the tip (the part above water) to the readers, creating a sense of depth without overwhelming detail.

How does the speaker recommend dealing with the issue of creating a believable world without building every detail?

The speaker recommends 'faking it' by creating a gradient where the amount of worldbuilding fades with the reader's vision, making the world seem more realistic without needing to detail every aspect.

What is the significance of focusing on elements that are important to the story?

Focusing on elements important to the story helps create a cohesive and believable world. It ensures that the worldbuilding supports the narrative and the interactions within it, making the story more engaging and immersive.

Why is it important to consider how different aspects of the world interact with each other?

Considering the interactions between different aspects of the world is important because it creates a cohesive and believable environment. It prevents elements from seeming out of place or disconnected from the rest of the world.

What is the 'rule of cool' that the speaker mentions?

The 'rule of cool' refers to the tendency to include elements in a story or world simply because they are interesting or exciting, without considering how they fit into the overall narrative or world structure.

How does the speaker suggest using the 'rule of cool' while maintaining world cohesion?

The speaker suggests using the 'rule of cool' by incorporating exciting ideas, but also considering how these ideas interact with the rest of the world. This ensures that the cool elements enhance the world rather than disrupt its cohesion.

What does the speaker mean by 'unnatural evolution' in the context of creating outlandish creatures?

The speaker uses 'unnatural evolution' as a narrative device to explain the existence of outlandish creatures. It suggests that these creatures evolved or were shaped by factors beyond natural selection, such as magic or external influences.

Why is it important to consider the evolution and change in a world over time?

Considering the evolution and change in a world over time is important because it adds depth and realism. It acknowledges that societies, cultures, and environments do not remain static, and this dynamism can make the world feel more alive and engaging.

What does the speaker mean by 'trust' in the context of worldbuilding and storytelling?

In the context of worldbuilding and storytelling, 'trust' refers to the confidence that readers have in the author's ability to create a believable and engaging world. Established authors have earned this trust, allowing them more leeway in their storytelling approaches.