Where do I start?

[xena]

I am far from an experienced writer. I am actually working on my first story, currently. Mine started with just a couple characters and "scenes" I had in my head. And then it kind of progressed from there. Not necessarily in order, either. If I was experiencing a certain emotion, I'd kind of play with that with the characters of my story, how they would behave feeling what I was feeling. Over some time I had enough that I could play with how each scene, or what happened in them, would effect the others. Changing things to fill plot holes, or to help explain why something happened a certain way. I honestly don't know if any of that makes sense, or is helpful. But I figured as someone also starting fresh, I would share my current working method also! I recently stopped doing those individual scenes and started working on real world building, and that is the part I am struggling the most with. The world, continents, countries, governments, religious, races. NAMES. Oh my goodness coming up with names is going to break me haha! But I also have found myself doing a lot of research and really enjoying the process I hope you find what works for you!! Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit down and start writing and see where it takes ya!

This is actually quite helpful information, might use this myself haha

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

Pick the setting, get a feel for the characters, and pour what you are passionate about into it. If you are bored, then your readers will be able to tell.

 

[D. Gray Warrior]

I start with a general idea or theme. It doesn't have to be a story idea per se, but some kind of idea for the setting (like a magic system, historical eras like the Bronze Age, or unconventional technology.)

My current project came about because I want to explore a conflict between technology and magic. They're presented more as factions and there is little to no blending of the two (ie no magitech.)

So, I decided my world needed (at least) two races: a magical race a non-magical technology oriented race.

I figured the non-magical race would be filled by humans since that is what we are and we aren't magical at all IRL.

I'm still ironing out the magical race, but I am thinking of either making them satyrs or defaulting to elves. Magic for them is an innate ability and it comes to them intuitively (so they don't need to attend a mage academy or spend years studying magic in order to cast a spell.)

To counter their lack of magical prowess, mankind opted for the technological route, developing all sorts of fantastic and sufficiently advanced tech to compensate. Technology, in a way, is like anti-magic. Iron is a man's metal representing civilization and progress and defying the supernatural, so it harms magical beings.

Another thing is I love the aesthetic of Clockpunk, and wanted a setting based on that aesthetic. Thus, I blended the two ideas so humans developed anachronistic DaVinci-esque clockwork contraptions instead of making them a generic sci fi society.

 

[FatCat]

So this has happened to me multiple times, where I get in the creative world building mood/ Want to create something. So i open a doc and... Nothing i just have no idea where to start. I have a general idea but i got nothin.
So I turn to the best source of answers and help: Online forums!
so I ask to all the experienced world builders: How do you get past the Artist block and start creating your world?

Maybe you shouldn't

 

[Karlin]

I usually start with a " what if". Then start writing, to meet my characters. I'm not a real worldbuilder. Just fill in details as needed.

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

I just realized there are a lot of fiction writers that love a good map! You could start there just to try and draw people in? Manipulative, but it could work.

 

[LanternHolder]

I tend to start with a scene. I'll imagine something - let's say a port city. I'll then paint in what sort of ships are there. Maybe small coastal traders and fishing vessels. Who do they trade with and what is their principal export (and import)? What do the locals do for fun? What power structures are there in the city? Is it different from the surrounding cities and towns?

I interrogate the picture in my head, one question at a time and it quickly spreads out to encompass the world.

 

[Shaarav]

So this has happened to me multiple times, where I get in the creative world building mood/ Want to create something. So i open a doc and... Nothing i just have no idea where to start. I have a general idea but i got nothin.
So I turn to the best source of answers and help: Online forums!
so I ask to all the experienced world builders: How do you get past the Artist block and start creating your world?

I seldom get artist's block. But in your case, you want to know how to start building a new world (I'm hoping that's what you meant). I have many methods. Sometimes I get an idea for an incredible character arc. That, of course, isn't enough so I keep it aside. For the world, though, i usually choose one concept and build around it, later integrating all other ideas I had previously kept away if they work. Sometimes I take inspiration from existing works. What really matters is that you want to build at that time. I suggest to remove your artist's block, first do something that gets you excited for a few minutes, building wise. Then, pick up a setting, an aesthetic, a concept, a magic idea, and go crazy with it

 

[Michael47]

Robert E. Howard and JRR Tolkien both said the same thing "Create the map, write the story around it." I've been going to Inkarnate for some time trying to create my world. But it never seems to come out right. The whole thing has to do with distances. I want a large world with lots of mysteries. But I don't want my characters on the road for months at a time.

 

[Shaarav]

Robert E. Howard and JRR Tolkien both said the same thing "Create the map, write the story around it." I've been going to Inkarnate for some time trying to create my world. But it never seems to come out right. The whole thing has to do with distances. I want a large world with lots of mysteries. But I don't want my characters on the road for months at a time.

That's not the only way to do it, I hope you know that. Tolkien was a professor who had already built so much before ever thought of writing. You're starting with building a world for a reason. So that might not work for you.

 

[pmmg]

Howard said that? Howard did not have a map. The one we have was drawn for him by fans who pieced it together from his works. Of it, he said, yeah, thats close enough. He did not seem to value one.

And given the themes of his heroes, as unconstrained by men's corrupt kingdoms, I would not think he would want one, as it would limit him to its confines.

 

[Karlin]

I just started a new writing project. I started with a character and a setting. Maps are a ways off. I am doing "Magical Realism" rather than "Fantasy", so my world is based on the real world, which eases matters.