Worldbuilding Made Easy: 7 Steps to Create Your World

Readers who have enjoyed Tolkien’s Middle Earth or George R.R. Martin’s Westeros know just how exciting and captivating a new world can be. Every detail, from the landscapes to the cultural norms—draws you deeper into the narrative. That’s the power of worldbuilding. 

But worldbuilding isn’t just about drawing maps or inventing customs; it’s about creating a living, breathing environment that shapes your characters and drives the plot of your novel. 

Whether you’re crafting an epic fantasy, a gripping sci-fi adventure, or a rich historical fiction, the world you create is the foundation of your story. In this guide, I’ll give you the essential techniques of worldbuilding, giving you the tools to bring your own immersive world to life.

What Is Worldbuilding?

Worldbuilding is the process of creating an imaginary world that serves as the setting for your story. It involves more than just deciding on a location; it’s about creating a rich environment with its own history, culture, geography and rules. Whether you’re inventing an entirely new universe or expanding on the real world, the goal of worldbuilding is to make your setting feel authentic and connected to the narrative.

There are two types of worldbuilding:

Primary World: A primary world is based on the real world—our own Earth—with its familiar rules and history. Historical fiction, for example, typically takes place in a primary world.

Examples include Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which delves into the life of Thomas Cromwell in Tudor England, or Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, set in 12th-century England during the construction of a cathedral.

Secondary World Fantasy: On the other hand, a secondary world is an entirely fictional creation with its own unique laws of nature, cultures and histories. This is common in fantasy and science fiction genres, where the author builds the land or entire planet from the ground up. 

Examples include J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, or George R.R. Martin’s Westeros from A Song of Ice and Fire, both based on fictional worlds, cultures and of course including mythical cultures. 

A Mix Of Both: Sometimes a novel can take place in the world we live but has elements that are secondary. For example, the Harry Potter books all start at number 4, Privet Drive – an ordinary location on Earth – but Harry travels to magical locations, including Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

Different Approaches To Worldbuilding

There’s no one-size-fits-all method for building your world. Below are the 2 main worldbuilding strategies, each offering unique benefits depending on how you prefer to work:

• Bottom-Up Worldbuilding: Focus on one part, like a single village or a historical event, and expand outward. Or you could start from a character’s perspective. This method allows your world to grow naturally as your story progresses and feels less overwhelming! Personally, it’s my favourite approach.

• Top-Down Worldbuilding: Start with the big picture—like your world’s geography—then go one step further, such as the different climates or species. This approach is great for ensuring everything connects smoothly.

7 Steps To Build Your Story’s World

Worldbuilding is like weaving a patchwork quilt to create a final design. Each element has its own importance and also interacts with the others to create a realistic and comprehensive world.

The geography influences the development of cultures, political systems are shaped by history and available resources, and the presence of the supernatural or advanced technology can dramatically impact all other aspects of the world. 

Thinking of these as foundational pillars here is a step-by-step guide to creating your world. For clarity, I’ve written it from a Top-Down approach so for those who prefer to work on the finer details first, I suggest you use these questions as a way to expand your starting point gradually. 

Step 1: Create The Landscape 

This step involves designing the geography, developing climate patterns, and creating the ecosystems that will shape the daily lives of your characters.

• What does the landscape of your world look like? Consider the placement of mountains, rivers, forests, and oceans. Do your regions feature natural barriers like the Misty Mountains in Tolkien’s Middle-earth, or are they connected by vast plains like the rolling fields of the Shire?

• How does geography influence the cultures and civilisations? Think about how the land affects trade, travel, and isolation. For example, in George R.R. Martin’s Westeros, the North is shaped by its harsh winters, fostering a hardy and resilient people.

• What is the climate like in different parts of your world? Are there regions of extreme cold, like the tundras of Lyra’s world in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, or tropical rainforests reminiscent of those in Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea?

• What natural phenomena exist, and how do they influence your world? Think about unique weather patterns or geological events. Do earthquakes threaten cities as in The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, or do magical auroras light up the sky like in Northern Lights by Philip Pullman?

• What types of plants and animals inhabit your world? Consider the diversity of life in your world. Are there lush, dense forests like the Fangorn Forest in The Lord of the Rings, or alien ecosystems like the flora of Pandora in James Cameron’s Avatar?

• How do these species interact with each other and their environment? Think about predator-prey relationships, symbiotic connections, or invasive species. For example, in Harry Potter, the Forbidden Forest is home to both dangerous creatures like Acromantulas and protective beings like centaurs.

Step 2: Build the History and Timeline

For me, there’s nothing more interesting than discovering the lineage of family or the past between 2 species, so it’s important to create a rich and immersive world with a deep and intricate history.

In this step, you’ll outline the major historical events and eras, develop origin stories and myths, and create a chronological timeline that brings your world’s past to life.

• What key events have shaped your world’s history? Think about wars, revolutions, natural disasters, or the rise and fall of empires. For example, the War of the Ring in Tolkien’s Middle-earth or the Targaryen conquest in George R.R. Martin’s Westeros serve as pivotal moments that shape the world’s current state.

• How have these events influenced the present-day societies? Consider the lasting impact of these events on politics, culture, and daily life. In The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, the Breaking of the World is a historical event that continues to influence the series’ politics and geography thousands of years later.

• Can you break your world’s history into distinct eras or ages? Define significant periods in your world’s history, much like the Ages in Middle-earth or the distinct periods in Frank Herbert’s Dune. Each era can be marked by major developments or shifts in power.

• What are the legends and myths that explain your world’s origins? Think about the creation stories or foundational myths that the inhabitants of your world believe in. For instance, the Ainulindalë in The Silmarillion describes the creation of Middle-earth, while the Prophecy of the Dragon in The Wheel of Time foretells the coming of a saviour.

• What heroic tales or dark legends inspire or haunt your characters? Consider the stories that have become cultural touchstones, like the legend of King Arthur in British folklore or the story of the ancient Jedi in Star Wars. These myths can motivate your characters or serve as cautionary tales.

• How can you organise your world’s history into a clear, chronological timeline? List major events, cultural shifts, and significant figures in sequence. For example, the timelines in The Silmarillion or the comprehensive histories in Martin’s A World of Ice and Fire help readers understand the complex histories of these worlds.

• How does the past continue to influence the present in your world? Consider how historical events create lasting legacies or unresolved conflicts. In The Hunger Games, the previous rebellion against the Capitol continues to influence the dystopian society in the present.

Step 3: Develop Cultures and Societies

After establishing the physical aspects of your world, it’s time to develop the cultures and societies that inhabit it. This involves designing dialogues, creating customs and traditions, and establishing religions and philosophies that shape the worldview of your characters.

• What languages or dialects exist in your world? Consider creating unique ways of communication, much like Tolkien did with Elvish in The Lord of the Rings. Of course, you don’t have to create a whole new language; even small tweaks to the English language can have a dramatic effect, too. Le Guin did this in the Dispossession where one language did not contain any possessive nouns, reflecting the planet’s communist society. 

• How do different regions or races communicate? Think about transport of whether there are formal dialects for diplomacy like the High Speech in The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, or secret codes used by underground movements.

• What rituals and ceremonies are important in your world? Think about the customs surrounding birth, marriage, death, and other life events. For example, the Naming Day celebrations in The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss or the Harvest Festival in The Giver by Lois Lowry.

• Are there festivals, taboos, or unique social norms? Consider how communities come together or what practices are strictly avoided. In The Hunger Games, the Reaping is a chilling ritual that unites the districts in fear and anticipation.

• How do social norms dictate behaviour? Reflect on how your characters greet each other, show respect, or resolve conflicts. For example, the hierarchy of witches (Aes Sedai) in the Wheel of Time series is largely dependent on their power strength despite not being directly taught.

• What philosophies guide the way people think about life, death, and the universe? Consider whether your world has dominant philosophies or religions, like Bene Gesserit’s belief system in Dune or the various Jedi and Sith ideologies in Star Wars.

• How do these beliefs shape laws, social hierarchies, and conflicts? Reflect on how religion and philosophy influence politics and societal structures. In The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, theocratic beliefs underpin the dystopian government and its oppressive laws.

Step 4: Construct Political and Economic Systems

With your cultures in place, we now need to build the political and economic structures that govern your world. This step involves defining forms of government, developing legal systems, and creating economic networks that drive businesses.

• How is power distributed in your world? Is your world governed by a monarchy like in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, a democracy or perhaps a dictatorship like The Hunger Games? Or is it something entirely different?

• Who holds power, and how do they maintain it? Consider whether power is obtained through hereditary rule, elections, force, or something else. In George R.R. Martin’s Westeros, power is often maintained through alliances and weaponry, while in Orwell’s 1984, the Party holds power through propaganda and surveillance.

• What institutions hold power, and what are their roles? Think about the key political institutions, such as a royal court, a senate, or a council of elders. In Dune by Frank Herbert, the Landsraad and the Emperor control the galaxy’s political landscape.

• What legal systems are in place, and how is justice administered? Are the laws fair and just or are they oppressive, like in Atwood’s Gilead? Consider how laws reflect the values of the ruling class and how they are enforced.

• What are the consequences for breaking the law? Think about the punishments for different crimes. In The Hunger Games, punishment for rebellion is severe, with entire districts facing destruction, while in Harry Potter, the wizarding world has its own system of trials and imprisonment in Azkaban.

• Do the laws create conflict or tension in your story? Consider how laws might clash with cultural practices or personal beliefs. In Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, the rigid legal system creates intense personal conflict for Jean Valjean, driving much of the narrative.

• How is wealth distributed in your world? Is there a wide gap between the rich and poor, as in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, or a more egalitarian system? Consider the economic disparities and how they affect social dynamics.

• What resources are valuable, and how are they controlled? Think about the resources that drive your world’s economy, such as spice in Dune, or vibranium in Black Panther. Who controls these resources, and how do they influence power dynamics?

• How does trade operate, and what goods are exchanged? Consider the networks in your world—are there merchant guilds like in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders series, or black markets that operate in the shadows? Business can create alliances or lead to conflict, depending on how it is managed.

Step 5: Integrate The Supernatural or Technology

Magic or technological advancements can set your world apart and add unique elements to your story. In this step, you’ll establish the rules and limitations for these elements, determine who has access to them, and consider their impact on society and daily life.

• How does magic or technology work in your world? Define the principles behind your world’s magic or societal advancements. In Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, Allomancy has strict rules and limitations based on the consumption of metals. 

• Are there costs or risks associated with using these powers? Does it take skill to use the tools, like in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, and is it dangerous if misused, as in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley? Clear rules help maintain the internal logic of your world.

• What happens when these rules are broken? Think about the consequences of pushing the boundaries of the supernatural. In Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series, the balance of magic must be maintained, or chaos ensues.

• Who in your world can use magic or advanced technology? Is it reserved for the elite or accessible to everyone? Access to these elements can create social hierarchies and drive conflict.

• How do different characters or groups use or abuse these powers? Consider how access to these powers shape characters’ actions. In The Wheel of Time, the Aes Sedai wield significant power through their ability to channel the One Power, but their influence is both revered and feared.

• What ethical dilemmas arise from their usage? Consider the moral questions that your characters must face. In Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, the tools to clone dinosaurs raise ethical concerns about playing God and the consequences of scientific overreach.

Step 6: Ensure Consistency and Depth

You’ve built your civilisation, but is it consistent with itself? Here are some quick tips to ensure your world’s laws and logic hold up:

• Cross-Reference Details: Regularly check that your geography, history, and cultures align. A desert city shouldn’t rely on abundant water resources without explanation.

• Create Key Documents: Keep a document of important facts—like diagrams of political structures, magic rules, or list character names—to maintain consistency as you write. J.K Rowling wrote a list of every Hogwarts student and their house that she frequently looked at while writing. Or create a map to help you visualise and align different areas. 

• Ask “Why?” and “How?”: Challenge every element of your world. If something happens, make sure there’s a logical reason behind it that fits with your established rules.

• Beta Reader Feedback: Give your work to a friend, family member or community. Fresh eyes can spot contradictions you might have missed.

• Revisit and Revise: Don’t be afraid to adjust elements as your story evolves. Tweaking details ensures your world remains cohesive and believable.

Step 7: Don’t Forget! The Hero Is Your Story

Amid all the worldbuilding, remember that your hero drives the narrative. The world should support and enhance their journey, not overshadow it.

Keep your focus on how the setting influences the hero’s challenges, growth, and ultimate quest—because at the heart of it all, it’s their their story that readers are here for.

3 Tools That Make Worldbuilding A Lot Easier

Worldbuilding can be a complex process, but these top three tools can make it much easier to organise and develop your setting:

• World Anvil: A worldbuilding platform that allows you to create maps, timelines, character profiles, and cultures. World Anvil helps you keep all aspects of your world in one place.

• Campfire:  Create maps, fictional languages, mythologies, group profiles and more. Plus, the systems module helps you to visualise the connections between different elements, ensuring consistency across your world.

• Inkarnate: A powerful map-making tool that lets you create stunning, detailed maps of your world. Whether you’re designing entire continents or intricate city layouts, Inkarnate’s helps bring your world’s geography to life.

Create A World Your Readers Won’t Want To Leave

Worldbuilding is where your imagination takes the wheel and drives your story into uncharted territories. As Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination encircles the world.” 

With the right approaches, tools, and a dash of creativity, you can build a fantasy world that supports your narrative and even becomes a character in its own right. So, unleash your imagination, dive into the process, and build a world that will leave your readers excited to explore every corner.

It’s time to bring your unique universe to life—one that’s bursting with adventure, mystery, and magic!