What's World Building Got to Do with Writing Contemporary Fiction? Everything!

No matter where you live on this Earth, I imagine your world is somewhat different from what it was a year ago, and also somewhat different from those who live elsewhere, whether they live in the next town over or in another country. However, time and location are not the only things that make up the world around us.

Yet, for many writers, when they hear the words “world building” in reference to writing, they immediately think that aspect only applies to fantasy or science fiction novels.

Well, if you are one of them, you would be woefully mistaken.

When writing fiction, the ultimate goal is (or should be) to bring the reader inside the pages. Inside the world you’ve created, whether it’s the year 1825 in Cheyenne, 2025 in San Francisco, or 2225 in what was once New York City, let alone a fantasy world filled with fairies and goblins, or on a planet somewhere in another universe altogether.

What does the world around your characters look like? How does it function day-to-day, and what are the people like? As a reader, I want to be able to visualize and experience all of it.

I’ve never been to San Francisco, so if that’s where your story takes place, I’m counting on you to paint a picture for me. I’m relying on you to transport me right to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then there’s the world as it is to your characters. What does their average day look like? Do they sleep in and rise around noon, or are they up with the rooster? Do they live in the mountains or on the seashore? In a big city or a small town? What’s the general economy, the weather, and the political climate like? And oh, so much more.

Not only do the characters need to feel real, but so does the world around them. And building that world is as important as developing your characters, because if the writer doesn't dig in and immerse themself in the world and in who the characters are, the readers won't have what they need to immerse themselves in the story.

So, show us that world by letting us see its culture, geography, history, climate, and all the rest, as well as how your characters relate to or interact with this world.

Always keep in mind that writing is an art, and just as a painter such as Vincent van Gogh tells us a story with every brushstroke, you, as the author, must paint us a picture with every word.

For a lot more on this subject, check out my creative writing workshop on world-building. You won’t be sorry unless you miss it!