if you don't consider yourself an artist in any sense, then I'm not sure you even know what art is! you're clearly very skilled at writing and developing stories, which is certainly an art :)
What a strange way to compliment someone while also insulting them!! Lol I’m sure the poster was simply overcome with emotion after the great video, the wording is complexing to say the least!
@@CaseyWilkesmusic it wasn't my intention but i see how it reads that way. i was just so baffled at the thought that he didn't consider himself an artist when he's actually very skilled at creating vivid and attractive worlds!!
I get what you're saying. You we're trying to say he is an artist. But your statement wasn't true to begin with. You don't have to be an artist to know what art is. You don't have to be a scientist to know what science is. You don't have to be a woman to know what a woman is. Yeah, they ones who are those thing will know more about it, but saying someone doesn't know what art is because they're not an artist is a misconception.
@@johnphares3358 never in my original comment did i ever insinuate you need to be an artist to know what art is. you've entirely misconstrued my wording and maybe the fact that my comment has almost 300 likes without anyone but you replying about this should've been taken as a hint that you thoroughly misunderstood me. i argued that he didn't know what art is because he doesn't consider himself an artist. that does not mean that people who aren't artists don't know what art is, it means that this man DOES know what art is, AND is an artist, but somehow thinks he is not. which was crazy to me, considering that he is, in fact, an artist. nothing in my wording ever suggested that being an artist and knowing what art is are exclusively paired qualities. you had a brain fart and added meaning that wasn't there.
Eh...this all seems like it's gonna take alot of forethought, passion, and effort... I think I'll just infodump everything in the first chapter & make characters spout exposition. Done.
Nah, thats too much effort still. Ill just never mention the world. The main character will simply not care to open their eyes/ears/nostrils, etc. Much better :)
@@alicedodobirb2808Nah, that's too much effort, too! Better keep that fantastic world in your head your entire life, consumed and haunted by it to be put on paper until your deathbed, where you'll regret the fear of not being good enough to write what you've created in your mind.
The core, peripheral, and indulgent view of worldbuilding might be one of the most helpful perspectives I’ve ever been taught. Many great teaching points in this vid. Thank you!
I am delighted to hear a writer’s enthusiasm for visual art! I’m so envious of the creative writers who can turn ideas into addicting, immersive stories with characters I wish were my friends. As an Illustration major with a minor in drawing, I find that the magic of getting immersed in a novel can be far more rewarding than picking up an illustrated story (ironic, I know). It’s cool to hear that as a visual artist, I can envy the prowess of a writer, and the same might be true vice versa. Learning about writing has been more rewarding than illustrating lately. At the end of the day, no matter the creative tool we pick up, art will always be art.
I couldn't agree more. Art is art, and I did have a bit of a miscommunication (which I've mentioned in a few other replies) and meant that I am by no means a "physical artist." But, regardless, I think even this slip-up has sparked some interesting and very kind comments/discussions. Thank you for watching and for your message!
In my opinion, good worldbuilding can make a good story great, bad worldbuilding can make a bad story terrible, but worldbuilding will never make a bad story good or a good story bad. At most it can make those stories ok.
I was confused with the term worldbuilding because i am french. For me worldbuilinding was a translation for "creation de monde" or "creation de lore " who meant imagining a world or an environnement separated from any storrytelling process, but what you refer in your video is more close to the concept of "exposition" who is giving informations to the audiences in the context of the story about the world or the characters.
Core: my character learns all the magic spells he will need to use throughout the book at his new magic school in the first 7 chapters Peripheral: he gets to visit the city outside the school and learn about the world a bit, for a single chapter Indulgent: the talking pumpkins that insult students as they walk by during Halloween and I refuse to take out despite adding absolutely nothing
@ they’re honestly just Halloween decorations at the school! They also have walking biology skeletons that chase students as a joke. Nothing too deep, like the pumpkins are the trapped souls of people or something 🤭
@@Kurtisie since it's comical, make it stay comical! Even two sentences is enough. Have the teacher that regularly enchants those pumpkins be the most cynical and bitter person the students ever met or the oldest, nicest school nurse that actually holds a tiny grudge over doing overtime beyond her job scope lmao "Maam, why are they attacking people?" "It reflects my soul." "Oh." "Haha, i'm just joking, sweetie... run along now. Before it gets you next."
Tysm! I’ve been worried about worldbuilding in my story since this is one of my first stories where I have an entire world built around it where EVERYTHING is thought out, and I know I can’t delve into 100% of what I have, so I’m doing my best and this is definitely useful
@ Different mythical creatures and kingdoms living in the aftermath of a tyrannical King who ended up taking over the Elf Kingdoms, the Vampire Kingdom, had created a Civil War with the Sirens, and was causing general destruction before being turned to stone.
@beeshark222 sounds pretty cool! My idea that I haven't developed yet is that after huge world war that left most of the surface inhospitable due to the bombs. There were always these big islands floating in the sky that ranged from the size of a football field, to the size of a state. They all have different climates, ecosystems, and more. People used to visit these for holidays because they were expensive to live at, and cut out from the rest of society so kinda like camping. More wars broke out over who would live in the islands, and who would die on the surface. Eventually the political leaders came to an agreement that some people would live underground as there was also ecosystems and large cave systems, while others would live in the islands. Both sides kept in contact for centuries, but then all contact from the underground ceased. Many ventured down to find out what happened, but none returned. Also im planning on making a magic system that is used as energy (theres no electricity) and csn be molded into any form Anyway ty for reading that, once the school holidays arrive, I will begin to develop everything and come up with wayyy more ideas :D
I as an artist myself. My magic system is based on a degree of artistic viewpoint as far as its use of perception and manipulation of color and light. Mainly under the category of illusions.
I’m writing a fourth book in in a series for the world building process. It’s helping my develop how everything comes to be in 1-3 books and then I can go back to two and rewrite better Thank you for this information ❤️
There's a few of these videos out there but I clicked on this one because the title seeks to help rather than accusing me of doing something wrong before I've even clicked. You know the ones where it says "you are doing X wrong". I'm saying I like your title.
While I agree mostly with number 1, making parts of the world that are art/makes sense within itself is also good. Having the element that is the foundation and cause for the elements that do interact with the characters and story in a meaningful way is more than acceptable
Thanks a lot. I’m a relatively new writer who finished a draft of my first book in a planned series. These guidelines help reassure me that I’m on the right track but also to know that revisions are needed when applicable. For instance, my book is an urban science fantasy story about Druids in the present day. I’m interested in animals, nature and mythology so lot of the world building are in service to the characters and themes those ideas come from.
The section on showing versus telling has some stellar insights. I have seen many would-be writers snubbing their nose at people for committing this literary "sin" but are often devoid of any useful comtext other than it being a common refrain. Breaking them down as tools that effect pacing and are better at achieving particular goals is useful in that it gives both context and guidance. Leaning into the strengths of telling for the facts versus showing for the emotion is something I'm definitely going to work on now.
This is very insightful, thank you for your perspectives here. Creative writing has always been something ive been interested in and this has helped me understand where i should start. Cant wait to give my D&D players a great story as well 😊
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for this video. I’ve been working on the world building for my book for ages, it’s something I really want to master, and I just got far enough that I feel ready to start the first draft like yesterday, but a couple of your points made me see where I was lacking not in content but in execution, so I saw this just in time to clean up some things before I wound up putting the ideas into the book in a way that I now realize might have been a bit messy. So thank you so much. I really appreciate this video. Lots of great advice.
With how chaotic I organized my notes and my poor (current) method of writing dialogue I was worried that my worldbuilding wasn’t up to snuff with what I had planned. But it actually looks like I have a shocking amount of what I need.
I know i am very late but in all honesty i still want to talk about it the reason for my world takimg place in the medieval ages because i require my charcter to live in a place where he is under opression and i am using a monarchy system for most of my leaders in my novels and wizards were a big part of medieval/darkages vibe so thats my reason for why i specifically chose this time magic fits in very well, and Adobe lives in a more unfair society which is alot more prevalent in older times and i personally enjoy the dark ages where guns are much less modern a way less practical i always found shooting an arrowof light being cooler than a bullet of light and swords are cool most of what i grew up with were swords and bows
Sometimes TH-cam overdoes it on ads. Creators aren't really in charge of that... But I am really glad the video was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!
Not even watched it but I already want to give credit where it's due - THANK YOU for titling the video "If you do X - you are doing good" instead of "TOP 5 WORLDBUILDING MISTAKES THAT MAKES YOU A COMPLETE DUMBASS NOOB THAT MAKES THEIR FAMILY ASHAMED OF THEM"
I currently have a love-hate relationship with the setting part of worldbuiling. I just cant think of an interesting setting and as a result it lets me down and makes me want to rush the overall WB process. Though when done as I wanted, it gives me so much joy diving into it and writing about it. The way you realize setting (must?) goes hand in hand with the POV (and thus/plus the character part) of WB for example is an interesting topic to talk to. Every aspect of WB interacts with one another and when it is not the case in a story, I guess we can find the justification to say there is something not explored enough or not thought enough of the WB. It takes a huge amount of thinking to tie every part of WB together that if one were different, the story wouldnt quite work the same interactive way it would have worked otherwise… ps: I’m so happy you got a sponsor! (Not sure if it’s your first one?) I hope more companies will sponsor you!
You write the story - line first, then follow that. Write first what the story - line is about. Describe your characters´ main passions. For example if they are demons describe what element each belongs to. If you want to write human protagonists describe their passion and try to keep the number of characters limited to 12. Then hit enter. Hint enter several times, and start the intro. Once the story is done and follows the story - line logically, coherently, so that negating the story - line becomes a contradiction your story is ready to be published. Once your story is ready, remove the story - line. Not until then.
Its really funny to me that the premise of this video is that "to write good world building, you should buckle down and write the STORY." All the 5 elements of fiction are answered in the Story Circle (that's what I use most in my outlines). From there it's just asking the right questions to tease out the best story, and btw you suggested some great questions. Idk it's just rly funny to me. Write the STORY not a wikipedia 😂 so true
@@lalaladybird it could, most definitely. That could be an interesting perspective to explore too, especially with a foil who is share a contrary viewpoint.
There are 2 types of worldbuilders: 1. "Read this 20 page transcript about the economic systems in my world and how the geology, which I included a small 5 page footnote into has affected trade between factions in both good and bad ways through both mining and routes for which different races can travel through" 2. "King George was appalled at the poverty of the surrounding kingdoms, so he commissioned scientists to invent a Midas touch nuke. He produced a bunch of them and shot some mountains, now everyone is rich and prosperous."
I'm not finished listening to this yet, but I had to add this before I forgot. Having worldbuilding elements that tie into a character makes those elements more relevant and memorable to the reader. It's no longer just a fact they're supposed to tuck away that may or may not have value going forward, but it has a clear and present application and value. On a more technical note, and I'm certainly no expert here, I feel like your sound effects compete too much with your voice. If their volume could be lowere a bit so they're actually subordinate to you, I feel like that would improve your videos.
hey it's obviously your choice and you didn't ask for feedback but I could do without the memes - your content is such high quality that I honestly don't need it and it's just a distraction
@@ekurisona663 I totally hear you! It’s good to get feedback from the community because I’m still figuring out things here. I’m not perfect but my goal is to make helpful, entertaining, and insightful content!
hey it's obviously your choice and you didn't ask for feedback, but I could do without having to see your comment. Can you not make those anymore? I honestly don't need that and it's just a distraction. Thanks
Something that makes my blood boil is the fact that most fantasy writers don't even know what a cosmology is. It is one of the most important things in writing. Everyone just copies the tolkien celtic cosmology with elfs dwarves and dragons without understanding that the celts had one cosmology but humankind has dozens of cosmologies across the world. No, drawing mermaids and calling them "merfolk" doesn't make you smart, you just made mermaids.
Hiya. Just discovered your channel and subscribed based off the content and you mentioning Broken Earth and Teixcalaan. I need to recommend a series to you! If you like A Memory Called Empire, you simply MUST read The Traitor/Monster/Tyrant Baru Cormorant books by Seth Dickinson! The stories are remarkably similar. I don't *THINK* this is an RR Virdi First Binding/Name of the Wind situation where Virdi quite literally plagiarized the entire Kingkiller books and just rewrote them but Indian inspired. I just read the recently released second book and it's literally plagiarized completely lmao. Like Ari/Kvothe leaves the University/Ashram after feuding with his bully Jackis/Nitham and learning certain info from Master Elodin/Rishi Brahm that could lead him to the Chandrian/Ashura and on his adventure he meets the Cthaeh/Water Tree and spends 101 nights with Felurian/Enshae and somehow survives to tell the tale. It's 100% plagiarized beat for beat lmao. I need to record a video talking about the situation because it's so damn goofy to me. Sorry, that was long winded. Anyway, A Memory Called Empire isn't quite like that but it does seem heavily inspired/influenced by the Baru Cormorant books. I highly HIGHLY recommend reading Baru's story. It is genuinely incredible and I adore the themes and characterization of the story so much. Seth Dickinson is truly a master when it comes to themes and to how he approaches the discussion of colonialism, capitalism, politics, money and imperialist power. The setup for the story is that the Empire of Masks: Falcrest, comes to the small island nation of Taranoke and pulls an IMF and "peacefully" colonizes the island through finance and introduces fiat currency. Soon enough, the whole society is under Falcrests control and they build schools to assimilate and indoctrinate the children while stripping them of their native "backwards" worldview. Baru goes to one of these schools and turns out to be a savant. But when an incident occurs, she realizes what the Empire has done to her people and decides to destroy the Empire. But she knows the only way to do that is from the inside and at the very top. Baru gets sent to be the imperial accountant to the fractious province of Aurdwyn after the previous 2 died mysteriously. There she has to follow the money and uncover a conspiracy amongst the dukes and duchesses who seek to plan a rebellion against the empire. The story goes on from there and GOD DAMN, it's good! It's a fantastic antihero story as Baru continually has to contend with what she is willing to do to gain more power. And she has eternal justification because everyone who has died due to her is simply more evidence that if she were to stop her crusade now, their deaths would be in vain. A LOT of elements and beats from AMCE and Traitor Baru Cormorant definitely seem to match, but they go in different directions and the purposes of the stories are different. But they're both so good and if you like one I definitely think you'll like the other. I have 2 Vids talking about Baru if you wanna learn more lol😅
I only recently found your videos as I get ready for Nanowrimo, but they've been extremely helpful. You word things in very simple, yet effective explanations that have helped me more than a lot of other videos on writing.
Who says "the" like this? I've noticed it in a few TH-camrs, but how does one end up speaking like this? Is it regional? I continued watching and he forgot to do it, which confirms that he's doing it on purpose. I'm guessing it's a theory that suggests people are more drawn in or you keep their attention?
@@DarkHorse1337 What really matters is how "smart," not sophisticated, you are. The smarter and more logical you are, the more valuable you are compared to others.
@@Multi1 Oh, Thank you for the information. I shall remember you for your comment on intelligence and "usefulness" and not my actual comment's opinion. Now sophistication often comes with clarity, and to be clear, some people like to be octo-creative with their words now, hmm? 🐙
@@DarkHorse1337 My point is that you can act more sophisticated. But are you actually and especially are you actually smart? That is what matters, not pretending to be such.
@@Multi1 and I responded with a clever joke last reply, and Clearly my first comment went over your head. 😑 I have preferences I mentioned. I was merely adding to your comment in case people happen to read your "I assume" self liked comment. If you'd like to keep adding to intelligence and "pretending to be sophisticated" then fine. You believe in truth. Not everyone is truthful, even smart intelligent people. I understand your comment, and I need you to understand mine. Ttyl
if u watch this video, youre insecure about how you write things. instead of practicing, you watch some videos yapping about how to write rightly... XD procrastinating by watching some vids. instead of practice writing.
Excuse me but... Did you say "monastic monk"? Oh, yeah, they're my favorite, right up there with "royal kings", and "clerical priests" lol I realize it was probably unintentional, but it's still hilarious.
Nah bro too complicated, ima just tell basically nothing in the main story and lore dump everything in a website and become semi cancelled for controversial things *Looks at a certain woman who wrote a magical fantasy secret world in our world*
Glad to see you're back. Sorry, but you lost me with this one. 1. I have noticed that your videos are better at helping me to understand other people's work than writing. This, unfortunately, did neither. 2. Nice to see all the recommendations of things I have not read or seen. 3. The main problem I saw was that the big concepts were not grasped, or at least not expressed. To begin, if I write a story, an autobiography of an event in my life, I am worldbuilding because it is the world as I see it, not as everyone sees it. Therefore, the basic rule applies. An aspect gets included if it contributes to the story. If there are trolleys in my world and I like trolleys, but the story has nothing to do with them and my liking them does not contribute to describing or shaping my personality or the events, then they don't get included. 4. The reason why certain periods are more popular for settings is name dropping. Write a book about the Napoleonic Wars and many will buy it just to read about their heroes. Write a book about the 1820s and people are going to be asking, 'Is this writing style worth reading?' It may sound silly, but the former is more likely to find an agent and publisher simply because the publishers have a steady market for such stories. The problem is that it leads to overkill: each detective story has to be more violent and psycho than the last. Each fantasy world has to be more dystopian than the last. 5. I think you would have been better off making several videos instead of one. 6. I had trouble distinguishing at times whether you were talking about worldbuilding or character building. 7. If you want to do a video on writing, rather than reading, a concrete example followed throughout would have been helpful. For example, continuing the one you started, you want to write a story about an artist. What is his character arc? Which genre would best suit it? But since you preferred painting, what character arc best suits a painter and the challenges of that field like mixing paints? Same question with the genre of painting, which will set the period since a Medieval abstract painter is not going to see a lot of success. But being a friend of Picasso is just namedropping. Thus, France might not be a good setting. And so on. Well, enough. Later
As a silent viewer, I see you in the comments of a lot of his videos/livestreams. You don’t seem to ever be satisfied with the content and tend to be very nitpicky. It makes your feedback sound disingenuous, just thought you should know.
@@bedelxo482 Thank you for noticing and commenting. 1. Yes, I am a perfectionist. 2. This author is the best of those I have seen providing advice on TH-cam. I don't remember if he has won any awards, but he is definitely worthy of them. His insights are especially useful in reading other authors and getting more from the experience. 3. TH-cam seems a newer adventure for him and I try to help out as best I can. If you notice, for example, his audio has greatly improved since I have been commenting. I am sure he could have done it without my commentary, but I try to leave the world a better place. Any time he feels I have become obnoxious, I am happy to stop commenting. But this is my style, my personality, and it will not change, esp. due to very general commentary. Unless you specifically mean I should only write positive things. If you disagree with my commentary anywhere, please, point out where I am wrong; we grow through seeing things a new way.
@@bedelxo482 Apparently we have different understandings of the word 'disingenuous'. I do not use this word, but am familiar with it. I would go with the Wiktionary definition of 'insincere' in the sense that a person pays a compliment because one is expected and not because he or she genuinely admires the object of that praise. Thus, I would consider, 'Great work!' as possibly disingenuous. When a person takes the time to compliment/criticise a specific element, that shows they actually paid attention to what was said or displayed. And if you are criticising my phrasing, I grew up in a culture where politeness was valued (although I was admittedly a poor student). And have attended conflict resolution classes where it was pointed out that one should point out both good and bad and try to phrase the things you disagree with diplomatically, e.g., 'I don't like the colour of your shirt,' rather than 'You have really poor taste in colour.' Perhaps that latter is what is bothering you; I really do not understand what you wanted to say.
One clarification. I mentioned commenting 'Great video!' not to disparage those who do but merely to define the term 'disingenuous' in the present context. Those who make such comments and second them are not disingenuous; they are trying to help the channel improve its place in the algorithm so that more people get a chance to see it. A channel needs both types of commenters (supportive and critical) to succeed.
Shit is so much better than Humans and Humans Divine representations of Perfect or nearing Perfect or rather better than Human, or rather replace Human with Men or Man or Mankind. Everything that is so called "Womanly" likely has a place in most glorious towards infinities. And Man has 200 000 000 sperm in every ejaculation, every one of which may be more towards some concepts of infinity apart from, you guessed it, us, the born ones. Good Luck Humankind.
Thank you for watching! If you want to support the channel further, consider signing up for Skillshare using my link: skl.sh/wrestlingwithwords09241
if you don't consider yourself an artist in any sense, then I'm not sure you even know what art is! you're clearly very skilled at writing and developing stories, which is certainly an art :)
@@buttersticks7877 I do appreciate this comment! I probably fumbled what I meant by saying that… yes! Writing is art, for sure!
What a strange way to compliment someone while also insulting them!!
Lol I’m sure the poster was simply overcome with emotion after the great video, the wording is complexing to say the least!
@@CaseyWilkesmusic it wasn't my intention but i see how it reads that way. i was just so baffled at the thought that he didn't consider himself an artist when he's actually very skilled at creating vivid and attractive worlds!!
I get what you're saying. You we're trying to say he is an artist. But your statement wasn't true to begin with. You don't have to be an artist to know what art is. You don't have to be a scientist to know what science is. You don't have to be a woman to know what a woman is. Yeah, they ones who are those thing will know more about it, but saying someone doesn't know what art is because they're not an artist is a misconception.
@@johnphares3358 never in my original comment did i ever insinuate you need to be an artist to know what art is. you've entirely misconstrued my wording and maybe the fact that my comment has almost 300 likes without anyone but you replying about this should've been taken as a hint that you thoroughly misunderstood me. i argued that he didn't know what art is because he doesn't consider himself an artist. that does not mean that people who aren't artists don't know what art is, it means that this man DOES know what art is, AND is an artist, but somehow thinks he is not. which was crazy to me, considering that he is, in fact, an artist. nothing in my wording ever suggested that being an artist and knowing what art is are exclusively paired qualities. you had a brain fart and added meaning that wasn't there.
Eh...this all seems like it's gonna take alot of forethought, passion, and effort...
I think I'll just infodump everything in the first chapter & make characters spout exposition. Done.
@@natesamadhi33 this is the way of the enlightened storyteller!
Terrible writing advice? Is that you?
Nah, thats too much effort still. Ill just never mention the world. The main character will simply not care to open their eyes/ears/nostrils, etc. Much better :)
@@alicedodobirb2808 ah yes the blind, deaf, and mute character.
Why have I heard this in a biopic before..?
@@alicedodobirb2808Nah, that's too much effort, too! Better keep that fantastic world in your head your entire life, consumed and haunted by it to be put on paper until your deathbed, where you'll regret the fear of not being good enough to write what you've created in your mind.
the adhd struggle of wanting to absorb the information but needing to read through the comments at the same time send helpppp
That’s so relatable 😭
BRO... 😂
It's gotten so much worse since the comments started auto scrolling in the app.
@@thescarlethunter9285 oh my god im glad i don’t update my apps
@@thescarlethunter9285 it's auto scrolling for you?! darn, i hope there's an option for you to toggle it off.
The core, peripheral, and indulgent view of worldbuilding might be one of the most helpful perspectives I’ve ever been taught. Many great teaching points in this vid. Thank you!
@@igoldenknight2169 I’m glad you found that helpful! Thank you so much for watching!
I am delighted to hear a writer’s enthusiasm for visual art! I’m so envious of the creative writers who can turn ideas into addicting, immersive stories with characters I wish were my friends. As an Illustration major with a minor in drawing, I find that the magic of getting immersed in a novel can be far more rewarding than picking up an illustrated story (ironic, I know). It’s cool to hear that as a visual artist, I can envy the prowess of a writer, and the same might be true vice versa. Learning about writing has been more rewarding than illustrating lately. At the end of the day, no matter the creative tool we pick up, art will always be art.
I couldn't agree more. Art is art, and I did have a bit of a miscommunication (which I've mentioned in a few other replies) and meant that I am by no means a "physical artist." But, regardless, I think even this slip-up has sparked some interesting and very kind comments/discussions. Thank you for watching and for your message!
In my opinion, good worldbuilding can make a good story great, bad worldbuilding can make a bad story terrible, but worldbuilding will never make a bad story good or a good story bad. At most it can make those stories ok.
Dang i agree, that's actually some interesting advice
Exactly!
I was confused with the term worldbuilding because i am french. For me worldbuilinding was a translation for "creation de monde" or "creation de lore " who meant imagining a world or an environnement separated from any storrytelling process, but what you refer in your video is more close to the concept of "exposition" who is giving informations to the audiences in the context of the story about the world or the characters.
Core: my character learns all the magic spells he will need to use throughout the book at his new magic school in the first 7 chapters
Peripheral: he gets to visit the city outside the school and learn about the world a bit, for a single chapter
Indulgent: the talking pumpkins that insult students as they walk by during Halloween and I refuse to take out despite adding absolutely nothing
Hold on, i like where this is going with the pumpkins, if you can give a why to this, it can add some world building.
@ they’re honestly just Halloween decorations at the school! They also have walking biology skeletons that chase students as a joke. Nothing too deep, like the pumpkins are the trapped souls of people or something 🤭
@@Kurtisie since it's comical, make it stay comical! Even two sentences is enough. Have the teacher that regularly enchants those pumpkins be the most cynical and bitter person the students ever met or the oldest, nicest school nurse that actually holds a tiny grudge over doing overtime beyond her job scope lmao "Maam, why are they attacking people?" "It reflects my soul." "Oh." "Haha, i'm just joking, sweetie... run along now. Before it gets you next."
12:30 this caught me off guard in the best way 😂
Great video! I’m really enjoying it.
@@araoren I didn’t even trust google hahaha
Tysm! I’ve been worried about worldbuilding in my story since this is one of my first stories where I have an entire world built around it where EVERYTHING is thought out, and I know I can’t delve into 100% of what I have, so I’m doing my best and this is definitely useful
Whats your world about?
@ Different mythical creatures and kingdoms living in the aftermath of a tyrannical King who ended up taking over the Elf Kingdoms, the Vampire Kingdom, had created a Civil War with the Sirens, and was causing general destruction before being turned to stone.
@beeshark222 sounds pretty cool! My idea that I haven't developed yet is that after huge world war that left most of the surface inhospitable due to the bombs. There were always these big islands floating in the sky that ranged from the size of a football field, to the size of a state. They all have different climates, ecosystems, and more.
People used to visit these for holidays because they were expensive to live at, and cut out from the rest of society so kinda like camping. More wars broke out over who would live in the islands, and who would die on the surface. Eventually the political leaders came to an agreement that some people would live underground as there was also ecosystems and large cave systems, while others would live in the islands. Both sides kept in contact for centuries, but then all contact from the underground ceased. Many ventured down to find out what happened, but none returned.
Also im planning on making a magic system that is used as energy (theres no electricity) and csn be molded into any form
Anyway ty for reading that, once the school holidays arrive, I will begin to develop everything and come up with wayyy more ideas :D
So glad you’re back! And great video, congratulations on the sponsorship!🎉
I as an artist myself. My magic system is based on a degree of artistic viewpoint as far as its use of perception and manipulation of color and light. Mainly under the category of illusions.
@@Nightmarc369 very cool! Thank you for your comment!
I love illusions. What an underrated power.
Welcome back! I've missed your wisdom, advice and perspective. Great video!
@@edharrod1 I’m really excited to be back! Thank you for watching!
I’m writing a fourth book in in a series for the world building process. It’s helping my develop how everything comes to be in 1-3 books and then I can go back to two and rewrite better
Thank you for this information ❤️
There's a few of these videos out there but I clicked on this one because the title seeks to help rather than accusing me of doing something wrong before I've even clicked. You know the ones where it says "you are doing X wrong". I'm saying I like your title.
I try to be encouraging! Thank you for watching.
While I agree mostly with number 1, making parts of the world that are art/makes sense within itself is also good. Having the element that is the foundation and cause for the elements that do interact with the characters and story in a meaningful way is more than acceptable
Thanks a lot. I’m a relatively new writer who finished a draft of my first book in a planned series. These guidelines help reassure me that I’m on the right track but also to know that revisions are needed when applicable.
For instance, my book is an urban science fantasy story about Druids in the present day. I’m interested in animals, nature and mythology so lot of the world building are in service to the characters and themes those ideas come from.
You create a world and spark people’s imagination through the medium of a wordsmith…that makes you an artist friend😊
The section on showing versus telling has some stellar insights. I have seen many would-be writers snubbing their nose at people for committing this literary "sin" but are often devoid of any useful comtext other than it being a common refrain.
Breaking them down as tools that effect pacing and are better at achieving particular goals is useful in that it gives both context and guidance. Leaning into the strengths of telling for the facts versus showing for the emotion is something I'm definitely going to work on now.
I didn't know I needed this video so much. Thank you
I love the content, Cameron! Just found your channel. Keep it up!
Thank you!
This is very insightful, thank you for your perspectives here. Creative writing has always been something ive been interested in and this has helped me understand where i should start. Cant wait to give my D&D players a great story as well 😊
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for this video. I’ve been working on the world building for my book for ages, it’s something I really want to master, and I just got far enough that I feel ready to start the first draft like yesterday, but a couple of your points made me see where I was lacking not in content but in execution, so I saw this just in time to clean up some things before I wound up putting the ideas into the book in a way that I now realize might have been a bit messy. So thank you so much. I really appreciate this video. Lots of great advice.
Thank you for the kind comment! I'm so glad that you found my videos helpful!
I love your outlook of this topic!!❤
Keep up the good work 😊
With how chaotic I organized my notes and my poor (current) method of writing dialogue I was worried that my worldbuilding wasn’t up to snuff with what I had planned. But it actually looks like I have a shocking amount of what I need.
I know i am very late but in all honesty i still want to talk about it the reason for my world takimg place in the medieval ages because i require my charcter to live in a place where he is under opression and i am using a monarchy system for most of my leaders in my novels and wizards were a big part of medieval/darkages vibe so thats my reason for why i specifically chose this time magic fits in very well, and Adobe lives in a more unfair society which is alot more prevalent in older times and i personally enjoy the dark ages where guns are much less modern a way less practical i always found shooting an arrowof light being cooler than a bullet of light and swords are cool most of what i grew up with were swords and bows
This video is great and has helped me a lot but man the ads were spammed. Get your bag how u want but damn.
Sometimes TH-cam overdoes it on ads. Creators aren't really in charge of that... But I am really glad the video was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!
Interesting, thank you!
Glad to see you again!
@@zack_feldman 👋👋
I thought this is a level design tutorial 💀
Not even watched it but I already want to give credit where it's due - THANK YOU for titling the video "If you do X - you are doing good" instead of "TOP 5 WORLDBUILDING MISTAKES THAT MAKES YOU A COMPLETE DUMBASS NOOB THAT MAKES THEIR FAMILY ASHAMED OF THEM"
It's nice to hear that was noticed! Thank you for watching :).
I currently have a love-hate relationship with the setting part of worldbuiling. I just cant think of an interesting setting and as a result it lets me down and makes me want to rush the overall WB process. Though when done as I wanted, it gives me so much joy diving into it and writing about it. The way you realize setting (must?) goes hand in hand with the POV (and thus/plus the character part) of WB for example is an interesting topic to talk to. Every aspect of WB interacts with one another and when it is not the case in a story, I guess we can find the justification to say there is something not explored enough or not thought enough of the WB. It takes a huge amount of thinking to tie every part of WB together that if one were different, the story wouldnt quite work the same interactive way it would have worked otherwise…
ps: I’m so happy you got a sponsor! (Not sure if it’s your first one?) I hope more companies will sponsor you!
You write the story - line first, then follow that. Write first what the story - line is about. Describe your characters´ main passions. For example if they are demons describe what element each belongs to. If you want to write human protagonists describe their passion and try to keep the number of characters limited to 12. Then hit enter. Hint enter several times, and start the intro. Once the story is done and follows the story - line logically, coherently, so that negating the story - line becomes a contradiction your story is ready to be published. Once your story is ready, remove the story - line. Not until then.
@@trikebeatstrexnodiff thank you, yes this is my first!
I like to listen to you while coloring my comic panels. 🙂
Please where is the clip of 17:40 from ? the red haired lady
Its really funny to me that the premise of this video is that "to write good world building, you should buckle down and write the STORY." All the 5 elements of fiction are answered in the Story Circle (that's what I use most in my outlines). From there it's just asking the right questions to tease out the best story, and btw you suggested some great questions. Idk it's just rly funny to me. Write the STORY not a wikipedia 😂 so true
Thank you for your comment and for watching! I'm glad the premise landed with you 😁!
Would a shallow description of the world benefit a character that is themselves shallow?
@@lalaladybird it could, most definitely. That could be an interesting perspective to explore too, especially with a foil who is share a contrary viewpoint.
@@wrestlingwithwords you've left me inspired to attempt this! I love the video too btw :)
@@lalaladybird thank you! I am glad it was helpful :)
Short stories perform that best, the longer it's stretched out, the more it shows
@@rancorlover thank you for the advice!
There are 2 types of worldbuilders:
1. "Read this 20 page transcript about the economic systems in my world and how the geology, which I included a small 5 page footnote into has affected trade between factions in both good and bad ways through both mining and routes for which different races can travel through"
2. "King George was appalled at the poverty of the surrounding kingdoms, so he commissioned scientists to invent a Midas touch nuke. He produced a bunch of them and shot some mountains, now everyone is rich and prosperous."
Im 18... how long do you think i can go pro if i start at 19?
this is one of the best writing channels on TH-cam
@@ekurisona663 I really appreciate you saying so!!!
What Is the song playing at 25:14?
excellent accompanying imagery
do you still do coaching?
For writing, yes!
could you do one of these videos but for one more focused around fantasy worldbuilding? would be very helpful
I'm not finished listening to this yet, but I had to add this before I forgot. Having worldbuilding elements that tie into a character makes those elements more relevant and memorable to the reader. It's no longer just a fact they're supposed to tuck away that may or may not have value going forward, but it has a clear and present application and value.
On a more technical note, and I'm certainly no expert here, I feel like your sound effects compete too much with your voice. If their volume could be lowere a bit so they're actually subordinate to you, I feel like that would improve your videos.
I would love to reach out to you about your services regarding world building and editing.
Feel free to email me!
hey it's obviously your choice and you didn't ask for feedback but I could do without the memes - your content is such high quality that I honestly don't need it and it's just a distraction
@@ekurisona663 I totally hear you! It’s good to get feedback from the community because I’m still figuring out things here. I’m not perfect but my goal is to make helpful, entertaining, and insightful content!
I feel like that is an insult to someone’s video making style
hey it's obviously your choice and you didn't ask for feedback, but I could do without having to see your comment. Can you not make those anymore? I honestly don't need that and it's just a distraction. Thanks
@@baitposter I am unsure if this is directed at me or the person who made the original comment
@@baitposter 🤣
Something that makes my blood boil is the fact that most fantasy writers don't even know what a cosmology is. It is one of the most important things in writing.
Everyone just copies the tolkien celtic cosmology with elfs dwarves and dragons without understanding that the celts had one cosmology but humankind has dozens of cosmologies across the world.
No, drawing mermaids and calling them "merfolk" doesn't make you smart, you just made mermaids.
Hiya. Just discovered your channel and subscribed based off the content and you mentioning Broken Earth and Teixcalaan. I need to recommend a series to you!
If you like A Memory Called Empire, you simply MUST read The Traitor/Monster/Tyrant Baru Cormorant books by Seth Dickinson! The stories are remarkably similar. I don't *THINK* this is an RR Virdi First Binding/Name of the Wind situation where Virdi quite literally plagiarized the entire Kingkiller books and just rewrote them but Indian inspired. I just read the recently released second book and it's literally plagiarized completely lmao. Like Ari/Kvothe leaves the University/Ashram after feuding with his bully Jackis/Nitham and learning certain info from Master Elodin/Rishi Brahm that could lead him to the Chandrian/Ashura and on his adventure he meets the Cthaeh/Water Tree and spends 101 nights with Felurian/Enshae and somehow survives to tell the tale. It's 100% plagiarized beat for beat lmao. I need to record a video talking about the situation because it's so damn goofy to me.
Sorry, that was long winded. Anyway, A Memory Called Empire isn't quite like that but it does seem heavily inspired/influenced by the Baru Cormorant books.
I highly HIGHLY recommend reading Baru's story. It is genuinely incredible and I adore the themes and characterization of the story so much.
Seth Dickinson is truly a master when it comes to themes and to how he approaches the discussion of colonialism, capitalism, politics, money and imperialist power.
The setup for the story is that the Empire of Masks: Falcrest, comes to the small island nation of Taranoke and pulls an IMF and "peacefully" colonizes the island through finance and introduces fiat currency. Soon enough, the whole society is under Falcrests control and they build schools to assimilate and indoctrinate the children while stripping them of their native "backwards" worldview.
Baru goes to one of these schools and turns out to be a savant. But when an incident occurs, she realizes what the Empire has done to her people and decides to destroy the Empire. But she knows the only way to do that is from the inside and at the very top.
Baru gets sent to be the imperial accountant to the fractious province of Aurdwyn after the previous 2 died mysteriously. There she has to follow the money and uncover a conspiracy amongst the dukes and duchesses who seek to plan a rebellion against the empire.
The story goes on from there and GOD DAMN, it's good! It's a fantastic antihero story as Baru continually has to contend with what she is willing to do to gain more power. And she has eternal justification because everyone who has died due to her is simply more evidence that if she were to stop her crusade now, their deaths would be in vain.
A LOT of elements and beats from AMCE and Traitor Baru Cormorant definitely seem to match, but they go in different directions and the purposes of the stories are different.
But they're both so good and if you like one I definitely think you'll like the other. I have 2 Vids talking about Baru if you wanna learn more lol😅
I love worldbuilding, but it's hard to present it without confusing the readers.
FIRST TIME WATCHING YOUR VIDEO REALLY CALMING
Is that Dune????? 28:04
I only recently found your videos as I get ready for Nanowrimo, but they've been extremely helpful. You word things in very simple, yet effective explanations that have helped me more than a lot of other videos on writing.
Thank you for saying so! I am so glad my videos are helpful! I hope Nano went well this year for you.
12:50 where I paused to subscribe, bruh.
Who says "the" like this? I've noticed it in a few TH-camrs, but how does one end up speaking like this? Is it regional?
I continued watching and he forgot to do it, which confirms that he's doing it on purpose. I'm guessing it's a theory that suggests people are more drawn in or you keep their attention?
YES!
It's "Octopuses."
It could also be "Octopi" or "Octipode" for Greek term but people commonly use Octopuses. I prefer "Octopi" it sounds more sophisticated.
@@DarkHorse1337 What really matters is how "smart," not sophisticated, you are. The smarter and more logical you are, the more valuable you are compared to others.
@@Multi1 Oh, Thank you for the information. I shall remember you for your comment on intelligence and "usefulness" and not my actual comment's opinion. Now sophistication often comes with clarity, and to be clear, some people like to be octo-creative with their words now, hmm? 🐙
@@DarkHorse1337 My point is that you can act more sophisticated. But are you actually and especially are you actually smart? That is what matters, not pretending to be such.
@@Multi1 and I responded with a clever joke last reply, and Clearly my first comment went over your head. 😑
I have preferences I mentioned. I was merely adding to your comment in case people happen to read your "I assume" self liked comment. If you'd like to keep adding to intelligence and "pretending to be sophisticated" then fine. You believe in truth. Not everyone is truthful, even smart intelligent people. I understand your comment, and I need you to understand mine.
Ttyl
thank you
I'm lovin' it
@@cz1354 ❤️
if u watch this video, youre insecure about how you write things. instead of practicing, you watch some videos yapping about how to write rightly... XD
procrastinating by watching some vids. instead of practice writing.
Excuse me but... Did you say "monastic monk"? Oh, yeah, they're my favorite, right up there with "royal kings", and "clerical priests" lol
I realize it was probably unintentional, but it's still hilarious.
Nah bro too complicated, ima just tell basically nothing in the main story and lore dump everything in a website and become semi cancelled for controversial things
*Looks at a certain woman who wrote a magical fantasy secret world in our world*
anagram for Wrestling with "Satan" or "Sheitan" also anagram for "Sandworm" only the "M" seems to be missing. Peace Next
Glad to see you're back.
Sorry, but you lost me with this one.
1. I have noticed that your videos are better at helping me to understand other people's work than writing. This, unfortunately, did neither.
2. Nice to see all the recommendations of things I have not read or seen.
3. The main problem I saw was that the big concepts were not grasped, or at least not expressed. To begin, if I write a story, an autobiography of an event in my life, I am worldbuilding because it is the world as I see it, not as everyone sees it. Therefore, the basic rule applies. An aspect gets included if it contributes to the story. If there are trolleys in my world and I like trolleys, but the story has nothing to do with them and my liking them does not contribute to describing or shaping my personality or the events, then they don't get included.
4. The reason why certain periods are more popular for settings is name dropping. Write a book about the Napoleonic Wars and many will buy it just to read about their heroes. Write a book about the 1820s and people are going to be asking, 'Is this writing style worth reading?' It may sound silly, but the former is more likely to find an agent and publisher simply because the publishers have a steady market for such stories. The problem is that it leads to overkill: each detective story has to be more violent and psycho than the last. Each fantasy world has to be more dystopian than the last.
5. I think you would have been better off making several videos instead of one.
6. I had trouble distinguishing at times whether you were talking about worldbuilding or character building.
7. If you want to do a video on writing, rather than reading, a concrete example followed throughout would have been helpful. For example, continuing the one you started, you want to write a story about an artist. What is his character arc? Which genre would best suit it? But since you preferred painting, what character arc best suits a painter and the challenges of that field like mixing paints? Same question with the genre of painting, which will set the period since a Medieval abstract painter is not going to see a lot of success. But being a friend of Picasso is just namedropping. Thus, France might not be a good setting. And so on.
Well, enough. Later
As a silent viewer, I see you in the comments of a lot of his videos/livestreams. You don’t seem to ever be satisfied with the content and tend to be very nitpicky. It makes your feedback sound disingenuous, just thought you should know.
@@bedelxo482 Thank you for noticing and commenting. 1. Yes, I am a perfectionist. 2. This author is the best of those I have seen providing advice on TH-cam. I don't remember if he has won any awards, but he is definitely worthy of them. His insights are especially useful in reading other authors and getting more from the experience. 3. TH-cam seems a newer adventure for him and I try to help out as best I can. If you notice, for example, his audio has greatly improved since I have been commenting. I am sure he could have done it without my commentary, but I try to leave the world a better place. Any time he feels I have become obnoxious, I am happy to stop commenting. But this is my style, my personality, and it will not change, esp. due to very general commentary. Unless you specifically mean I should only write positive things. If you disagree with my commentary anywhere, please, point out where I am wrong; we grow through seeing things a new way.
@@aSnailCyclopsNamedSteve I appreciate the feedback!
@@bedelxo482 Apparently we have different understandings of the word 'disingenuous'. I do not use this word, but am familiar with it. I would go with the Wiktionary definition of 'insincere' in the sense that a person pays a compliment because one is expected and not because he or she genuinely admires the object of that praise. Thus, I would consider, 'Great work!' as possibly disingenuous. When a person takes the time to compliment/criticise a specific element, that shows they actually paid attention to what was said or displayed. And if you are criticising my phrasing, I grew up in a culture where politeness was valued (although I was admittedly a poor student). And have attended conflict resolution classes where it was pointed out that one should point out both good and bad and try to phrase the things you disagree with diplomatically, e.g., 'I don't like the colour of your shirt,' rather than 'You have really poor taste in colour.' Perhaps that latter is what is bothering you; I really do not understand what you wanted to say.
One clarification. I mentioned commenting 'Great video!' not to disparage those who do but merely to define the term 'disingenuous' in the present context. Those who make such comments and second them are not disingenuous; they are trying to help the channel improve its place in the algorithm so that more people get a chance to see it. A channel needs both types of commenters (supportive and critical) to succeed.
I never do world building. I take a blank empty plane then i tell a grand story about how the world got to the point I want it to.
Shit is so much better than Humans and Humans Divine representations of Perfect or nearing Perfect or rather better than Human, or rather replace Human with Men or Man or Mankind. Everything that is so called "Womanly" likely has a place in most glorious towards infinities. And Man has 200 000 000 sperm in every ejaculation, every one of which may be more towards some concepts of infinity apart from, you guessed it, us, the born ones. Good Luck Humankind.
First person....a weak man playing at being strong.
its channels like this that suck the art out of writing
agree . only 40yo woen would actually watch this and believe that its an actual advice
Dude, you talk like a robot
Pretty sure it’s ai
Oh nvm just saw him speaking💀