Worldbuilding 101

Building a fictional world is one of the most rewarding aspects of speculative fiction writing. But how do you create something rich and immersive without drowning your reader in exposition? Let’s break it down.

The Iceberg Principle

You should know 10x more about your world than appears on the page. This knowledge informs every detail, but most of it stays hidden—like an iceberg. What shows should feel natural and necessary.

Start with the Rules

Before you design cities or cultures, establish your world’s fundamental rules:

Physical Rules

• How does magic/technology work?
• What are the costs and limitations?
• Who has access to power?

Social Rules

• How is society organized?
• What are the sources of conflict?
• What do people value?

Show, Don’t Explain

Readers learn best through character experience, not exposition dumps. Instead of:

“The Synchron Empire had fallen three hundred years ago, leaving behind a network of abandoned transport hubs…”

Try:

“Kira stepped through the crumbling archway, her boots crunching on glass. The imperial crest—a relic from before the fall—still gleamed on the far wall.”

Cultural Details That Matter

Focus worldbuilding on elements that affect your story:

• Food - What people eat reveals economy and values
• Language - Slang and idioms show culture
• Technology - What’s common vs. rare vs. forbidden?
• Taboos - What’s acceptable and what’s not?

The Sensory Approach

Don’t just describe—immerse:

• What does the air smell like?
• What sounds fill the streets?
• How does the architecture feel underfoot?
• What textures define this world?

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Info dumps - Resist the urge to explain everything
2. Inconsistency - Track your world’s rules
3. Earth with a hat - Make meaningful differences, not cosmetic ones
4. Irrelevant detail - Every world detail should serve the story

Exercise: The 5-Sense Test

Pick a location in your world. Write a paragraph using all five senses without explaining anything directly. Let the reader experience the world through your character’s perception.

Remember: your world should feel lived-in, not like a museum tour. Trust your reader to piece things together—they’re smarter than you think.