Jon Carlin Shea
  • HOME
  • About Me
  • Books
    • Spirit Summoner
    • Soul Seekers
    • Devoid
    • Excerpts
  • Blog
    • The Author
    • The Geek
    • The Father
  • Contact

The Author

The Process of Worldbuilding and Story

2/27/2013

7 Comments

 
When I first started writing—around the age of eleven or so—I did so for one reason alone: to stretch the limits of my imagination and create something. I never thought about writing as an art form or as a career—those ideas came much later in life. In the beginning, writing was about creating, and if I’m being honest, it still is. Even though I consider my writing today to be more professional and career-minded, at its root, I write out of a need to create. Which brings me to worldbuilding—the act of creating an imaginary world from the ground up.

Before I learned to actually write my ideas down and create cohesive stories, I used the most powerful tool at my disposal to create—my imagination. I’d always had an overactive imagination, and I would spend hours with friends or by myself fantasizing about new worlds, then taking notes and drawing pictures to back them up. As soon as I focused on writing, it was only natural for me to start writing about these worlds I had created, but that didn’t stop me from worldbuilding. To this day, worldbuilding is integral to my writing process.

Worldbuilding is something that comes naturally to me. I usually start with some little bit of science or magic that can do something wonderful or terrifying. Next, I frame a story around my newfound power that explains what it can do and the consequences it exacts. Characters spring to mind, mere action figures in the beginning that interact with this new power. Over time, my characters develop personalities, back stories, dreams, and futures.

But my mind doesn’t let me rest with one simple story, one random occurrence.

Surely this newfound power I had dreamed up didn’t come from nowhere. Questions usually pour from my mind, and my imagination generates the answers. If it was a science-based power, I would explore its roots and determine where it had come from. I always had more fun with magic-based powers though. Did it come from some ancient earth history, or did it come from off world? Is this a new power that’s never been used, or do more people use it than my characters (or even I) suspect? The answers don’t always come right away, but my imagination works in overdrive to find them.

Once I figure out a general outline for my stories, I decide where they will take place exactly. Sometimes our very own Earth is an ideal setting. This is fun because I can figure out ways in which my new power was hidden or discovered, and I can rewrite our own world history to accommodate my stories. Even if my stories take place on some other planet or plane of existence, I am compelled to think about its history. I can’t leap into some unknown world without knowing something about where it came from. This line of thinking often leads into the future of my world, which then generates even more stories.

Before I know it, an entire world has developed. I have a history and a future, and I have a base of characters in which to play with. I have cultures and religions and societal roles to intertwine with my stories.

Most importantly, I have a constant source of story in which to draw from. I can draw from an entire length of history, or I can look to the future or farther into the past where new magics and sciences might be waiting to be realized or unearthed.

Worldbuilding means so much more to me than a simple framework for my stories. It becomes a real world that I can share with others.

7 Comments
StephLJ link
2/27/2013 05:43:39 pm

I've been thinking about this lately. My story is set in Savannah, yet I've moved some things around, and made it my own. It's a satisfying part of the creative process for me.

(I'm probably still going to include a little apology to people from there though!)

Reply
Matt Campbell link
2/28/2013 12:18:05 am

Thank you for the feedback, Steph. I think a small apology isn't a horrible idea...it might even generate some readers!

Reply
Jan Campbell (Mom)
2/28/2013 07:08:43 am

The history of Matt and stories: You started telling stories when you were about 3 or 4. You talked constantly about this, that, and anything you could see. Later it was your imaginary friends and Coyote who lived in the rocks on the back of our yard that kept you company. You added 2 girls to your friends when I was pregnant because you wanted a "Strawberry Shortcake Baby". But they disappeared as soon as Michelle was born. Gradually the friends disappeared, too. Then you started cartooning with BooBoo Brat, the cat and ALL of his relatives and friends. Next, when you were around 12, came your written stories about The Hot Spot Kids, who were out to save the environment. At 15, these graduated to your version of Final Fantasy - very dry and boring to read as your editor at the time. (Sorry). About this time you discovered Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara and details. Your writing then became more interesting with details and the Children of the Light was born. It's been a long haul since then but you are getting to see "the light" at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Love you!

Reply
Beer_Nachos
3/4/2013 09:02:22 am

This is sweet. :)

I truly can't imagine having a young child who you see grow into a man, all the while reading their writing and seeing it evolve. Sounds like you've been really encouraging to Matt. I know I would never have seriously pursued writing were it not for the encouragement of my own parents!

Reply
Jan Campbell
3/5/2013 08:40:20 am

Thank you. It's been a joy to see how both of my children have grown in their abilities over the years. I see Matt encouraging that same thing now in his own son.

Beer_Nachos
3/4/2013 08:59:30 am

You know, I've written some short stories here and there and tons and tons of scenes and vignettes, but was toying around with the idea of writing something more substantial.

I prefer fantasy and sci fi, both of which beg world-building, so your post was really interesting to me. It is hard to coalesce all one's ideas into a cohesive setting, but I really like how you've broken it down like the mousewheel zoom on Google Earth.

This aspiring author thanks you for sharing your thoughts :) I have been avoiding the Herculean task of world-building for several days now, but your words have helped inspire me to give it a shot, and take it one level of detail at a time. Cheers!

Reply
Matt Campbell
3/4/2013 10:06:43 am

Thanks for the comments. It's very much appreciated to see my words inspire other writers and readers!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About Me

    I've been writing for over 20 years, and it's had its ups and downs. I've got some insight for you. What can you share with me.

    You can follow me on Twitter and my author page on Facebook!

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Subscribe to my mailing list and keep up to date on the writings of Jon Carlin Shea

    * indicates required

    Archives

    March 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    September 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    Fantasy
    World Building
    Writing
    Writing The Fantastic

    RSS Feed

  • HOME
  • About Me
  • Books
    • Spirit Summoner
    • Soul Seekers
    • Devoid
    • Excerpts
  • Blog
    • The Author
    • The Geek
    • The Father
  • Contact