A believable and well-developed world is important for any story, but for Fantasy and Science Fiction writers, their world can make or break their story. But, for new authors, it can be hard to know exactly how to build their setting. Here are 5 resources that I hope will help you with this process:
WorldAnvil.com
This website was actually recommended to me by my dad, who uses it for his D&D campaigns. But WorldAnvvil also has free resources for writers as well. You can create interactive maps, develop your world in a “cloud”-based atmosphere without having to worry about losing your work, and even collaborate with co-authors or friends.
NaNoWriMo Worldbuidling Exercise
This Worldbuilding Exercise created by NaNoWriMo.org is intended to be used as part of “Preptober” but can be used anytime. Read their collection of articles and fill out the downloadable worksheet. You do need to be logged into your NaNoWriMo account (it’s free!) to view the resources and download them.
Reedsy Worldbuilding Master Guide
Get tips about worldbuilding from some of your favorite published authors, follow their step-by-step guide to flesh out your setting, and download their worksheet to get started. Reedsy has a number of amazing resources for aspiring authors and everything is available for free!
Masterclass’s Worldbuilding Tips
You probably are familiar with Masterclass’s video series where you can “attend” courses with top authors and other professionals. But they also have a series of articles available on their website that you may find helpful. This specific article outlines 10 tips for building out your fictional world.
The Write Life’s Worldbuilding Guide
Learn the basics of Worldbuilding through thewritelife.com’s article, including details on why it’s so important to devote time to fleshing out your settings and how it will help your book in the long run. You’ll also find links to more helpful resources on their website and others.
