Searching for someone to nitpick my worldbuilding

[Kassandra]

Hello. I'm posting this here, uncertain where else to post it.
I initially thought that I was searching for a developmental editor (note: the book hasn't been written, yet; but the worldbuilding has been completed). After asking in a writing group on Facebook (and receiving countless friend requests...), a couple of people told me that I'm actually searching for a consultation with an editor, rather than a developmental edit.

Well, then, the question remains: Do you have anyone specific to suggest?

I noticed that there is no such topic in these forums; is it not allowed to promote editors? (or is it to prevent the situation happening on Facebook?)

I know there is the Worldbuilding topic, but I want a person to actually see all aspects of what I've written (different kingdoms, history, magic system, etc), and basically read (and find inconsistencies) in the entire backbone of my book. With payment, of course.

I hope it's allowed to post this topic here. I'm uncertain where to go, whom to trust, and of course the final amount of money that can be required.

Thank you for your time.

 

[pmmg]

Nothing against promoting editors here as far as I know. I have experience with two editors, but they are so different from each other, I am not sure how to say which one is best for you. Just like people Editors are all different. So finding the right fit is, at least for me, a crap shoot. I liked my last one more than the first, but he cost more money.

You are not looking for a developmental edit as you have no written work to present. A consultation is kind of what you are after, and...I mean, thats kind of what we do, consult

Personally, I think world building is overplayed and story matters a whole lot more. My advice is not to spend all your effort on world building and get a story going. Without that, you can't know if the world building holds up or not. Unless you were planning for a RPG, world building needs to take a back searching somewhere.

But, I'd certainly have an opinion if it was in front of me.

Generally, I would suggest that everything should be part of an organic evolving process. Kingdoms don't come from nowhere, and roads and cities and such form where there is need, not where it is cool. So...I look at the machinery or how and why. Most stuff, like magic, as long as its serviceable, it gets a pass from me. I'd just probably notice if some character seemed to be outside of the stated rules.

I think you would do well to post some of it here if you want scrutiny, or a place like us.

 

[hunterjwizzard]

Do you have an in-person writing group to talk to? I feel like spending money before you've even written the book is a tough ask.

 

[diremoon]

I'm actually in a very similar position with my own book. I've spent a lot of time developing the setting, magic, history, cultures and underlying rules, and I completely understand the desire to have someone come in from the outside and deliberately try to break it.

When you've been working on a setting for long enough, you start automatically filling in gaps yourself. Something can make perfect sense to you because you know the missing three steps, while a new reader just sees a hole. Having someone point out contradictions, unintended consequences or places where you've massively over-explained something can be extremely useful.

That said, I do think the others are right about there being a limit to how much you can test before the actual story starts interacting with the world.

pmmg said:
Without that, you can't know if the world building holds up or not.

I wouldn't necessarily say that worldbuilding should take a back seat to story, because I think the relationship works both ways.

The world influences the story, and the story influences the world.

A political system can look completely sensible in your notes until you write a character actively trying to exploit it. A magic restriction can look airtight until a scene forces you into an edge case you hadn't considered. You can design a city that makes perfect geographical sense, then discover that the everyday lives of your characters make one part of that design ridiculous.

But the opposite happens as well. Worldbuilding can generate story. An economic problem, an old political dispute, a consequence of the magic system or a cultural practice can produce conflicts and characters you would never have thought of from the plot alone.

So I don't think detailed worldbuilding before writing is wasted effort at all. I do think there comes a point where trying to make the world completely "finished" before writing gives diminishing returns.

hunterjwizzard said:
I feel like spending money before you've even written the book is a tough ask.

This is probably where I'd be cautious too.

I completely understand wanting to pay someone to audit the whole setting — I've had much the same temptation — but I suspect you'd get more value by having people attack pieces of it now, then actually writing enough of the novel for the world to start colliding with characters and events.

At that point, a professional consultation has much more to work with.

Instead of just asking, "Does this kingdom make sense?", they can ask, "Does this kingdom make sense given what people actually do inside it?"

For myself, I'm starting to think of my worldbuilding less as "finished" and more as stable enough to write with. Then the story can expose the bits that need changing.

 

[hunterjwizzard]

Instead of just asking, "Does this kingdom make sense?", they can ask, "Does this kingdom make sense given what people actually do inside it?"

I've always enjoyed going the opposite direction and writing the story(or parts of it) and then informing the world-building from what's written.

 

[diremoon]

I've always enjoyed going the opposite direction and writing the story(or parts of it) and then informing the world-building from what's written.

both ways are valid, me personally i like having the world instruct the characters.

 

[skip.knox]

Here is the best way to stress test your worldbuilding: write a novel.

Seriously. You can have multiple sets of eyes on your worldbuilding. You'll make all sorts of revisions as a result. Then you'll start to write and the damn thing will unravel in places you didn't even know were places.

I understand the reluctance. I'd worry that if I start writing a novel, I'll get into all sorts of difficulties that could have been avoided if only I'd had someone look into my worldbuilding. The worry is illusory. You have probably seen some form of the saying: no plan survives first contact with the enemy. To which it's worth adding "plans are worthless but planning is everything." (the former comes from von Moltke, the latter from Eisenhower)

Going ahead with the novel has advantages at this stage. One, your worldbuilding is nothing without a story. Two, by writing you will learn a great deal about worldbuilding. Three, you'll find out if you really are a writer.

I join with others in recommending against spending any money on a worldbuilding review.