A lot of my writing process is fast and loose. I create what I need to get started right away and fill in the rest as I go. I need something of a structure in order to start, but it’s nothing rigid or complex because things tend to change as I go. Figuring out how to make various structures work for me has been an agonizing process, and that shows even in my world-building.
I’ve found I get the best results by picking a few details in the world and going out from there. I let the story show me the world structure because I find I have an easier time if I don’t start with a hard, rigid rule set. So much winds up getting thrown out when I do that, I find it easier to let the story form and then work backward to make it all make sense.
One theme I’ve been revisiting lately is necromancy and the different ways I can use it. You can see it in Savior of the Damned, for one. In my previous works, it also factored heavily into the plot. But they’re still completely different books because they went in wildly different directions. And I find that fun. I enjoy taking basic concepts and putting additional spins on them to make something new. So, I’ll do that. I’ll take a basic concept and build it out from there.
That’s not to say I do no storyboarding or brain dumping or preplanning. I do create worlds before I write in them. I just give it a very minimal structure. I’ll create a few different magic rules, I’ll tap in a few different fantasy races, and I’ll create a basic religion/government system before I turn myself loose. My own writing style does best when I leave myself enough wiggle room to work in because that’s how I work best. Creating as I go is something I do with all kinds of things, and writing is no exception. As long as I have an idea of how the important parts work, I can build on that as I go and make it all make sense after it’s all written down.
That’s not to say you can’t lean into worldbuilding or you have to play it by ear the way I do. Everyone works differently, and neither of us are exceptions here. Some people build fantastic worlds and write stories around that world setting, but my world setting and story ping off each other, each one dictating certain ways things should go. I find it more organic and natural, but people are different. I see worldbuilding tips all the time that are super in-depth and convoluted, and I know it derailed me some until I figured out how my own worldbuilding style works. And that’s why I’m writing this. Just in case those other pieces of advice don’t fit you, I want to suggest something that maybe you hadn’t considered before.
When it comes to worldbuilding, I think looking into different ways to do it is important, as well as picking and choosing what works for you best. I tried to make a heavily structured world work for me but every time I tried, I wound up throwing out so much that it felt like a waste. I still have those notes scattered around, and some of them I’ve recycled into other projects, but for my own sanity, it’s easier to start with the basics and go from there.
Your eventual system is going to look different than mine, and that’s okay. There is only one me, just like there is only one you. The most important part is investing the time and energy into trying different world-building techniques to find what works best for you. Anything that doesn’t work isn’t worth the time you’re going to be investing, so why sweat it? Just focus on how you work best, and don’t worry about what other people say you have to do. It might work for them but they’re not you either, and there is room enough for everyone when it comes to worldbuilding.