Q&A Worldbuilding: How do you stay consistent and keep yourself to your own world's rules? (Gene)

World building is easily one of my favorite parts of the writing process! Daydreaming up crazy stories about magnificent lands and unique creatures… so much fun! I don’t know about you, but when it comes to fantasy worlds, I prefer when things are deep and well thought out. When I see tiny details that aren’t necessary, I smile. I know that love and effort went into that creation. ‘That’s someone’s baby!’ I hope years from now when more of Galtimer is unveiled, people will go back to book one and be like “Oooooh! That makes sense now.”

I’ll begin by saying that this isn’t to disrespect ‘soft magic systems’ but my answer is not for ‘Lord of The Rings’ type systems where how and why magic works is undefined, but this question is for ‘strict’ systems. Soft magic will have a vague system and relies on ‘mystery’ to (in my opinion) avoid having to do the work. It makes situations easier to “McGuffin” your way out of with little skill or planning. Think “the power of friendship” solving everything or a teardrop bringing someone back to life and you’ll see what I mean. Unlike Gandolf, whose limitations are a complete mystery, characters in Avatar the Last Airbender can’t just do whatever they want. You know an earthbender can’t just decide they can fly and a firebender can’t suddenly use telepathy.

The more the reader/viewer understands how ‘magic’ works, the more restricted the author will ‘seem.’ Some argue they will have less of a “sense of wonder,” but it’s not like people put the book down once they realize the source or limitations. Here’s an example: A character can use magic to float. If the character has to float to accomplish a task, there is no drama. However, knowing they can only float for one minute adds to the stakes! Have your character say, “I’ll float over the acid pit, grab the key, unlock the chest, get the antidote, then float right back. Simple as that.” Some will see the stakes and think it’s no big deal, while others will be guessing what can go wrong. The hero floats over the pit, gets to the platform… Uh oh… There are twelve keys, not just one. Twenty seconds have passed and boom… ya got drama. Oops! They dropped one of the keys! Hope it wasn’t the right one.

If time runs out and they float back using the power of friendship, kids may love it, but every adult will have eye strain from how hard their eyes will roll.

My advice begins with how I structured this story. I first decided that I wanted it to end with the character falling just shy of their goal, but saved when their friend reached out for them… then I worked my way backward. I created the 60 seconds limitation afterward and let the audience know of the limit so that suspense can happen.

When writing a grand story, I say you similarly start with the biggest feat that you intend to happen. Decide what that magnificent deed requires… then start backward from there. Retro-fit your brainstormed ideas to mesh with the rules you’ve decided. If you don’t want certain characters to be able to do these things, then you can decide why not, then continue to make changes in how magic works until you have it down to a science.

Once you start cleaning it up and writing it… you can decide how much to tell the audience, but YOU must always know these limitations and keep them in mind. Charts help. Literally treat characters as if there is a number value to their magic and keep track as you go like a good Dungeon Master in D&D. It also helps to have an editor and a few beta readers that are pedantic and meticulous. No matter how good your notes are, nothing beats having it read by someone that is a stickler for details!

Do you prefer soft, easy worlds with mysterious whimsy, or do you gravitate towards detailed, specific worlds where you know the rules? Let me know in the comments below!