World Building | Writers In The Storm

The What Ifs of Building Believable Alternate History

Guest Blogger — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 08:08:00 +0000

Daniel Ottalini leads us through the what ifs of alternative history, exploring the use of a point of divergence and how this ripples out to build a new world.

The post The What Ifs of Building Believable Alternate History first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

Character in the Tapestry: Writing from Culture to Character

Guest Blogger — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 08:02:00 +0000

Who do you cry out for when you’re in pain? Is it God? Your mom? Or do you try to stifle your cries?
Even our characters are a product of their environment.

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Mundane to Magical: Using Clichés, Metaphors, and Similes

Guest Blogger — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:34:00 +0000

If a cliché helps create a more vivid image or reveal character, then it's serving its purpose. Janice shows us how to use these mundane tools to create magic.

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Writing Science Fiction, part 2

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:55:00 +0000

In part 2 we look at weaving the backstory, planning a civilization, inventing tech, and character development, with the science that solves or creates trouble.

The post Writing Science Fiction, part 2 first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

The Magic of World Anvil

Lisa Norman — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Join Lisa Norman as she explores World Anvil, writing software designed to build worlds that readers can become immersed in.

The post The Magic of World Anvil first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

World Building Using POV

Fae Rowen — Wed, 02 May 2018 11:00:29 +0000

This is a true story: I looked out my window this morning, as I always do while drinking my breakfast protein shake. In the heavier than usual wind, the prayer flags flapped loudly. Through the narrow gaps of brightly-colored material I saw a profusion of blooming tropical flowers. Behind them, a mermaid sat on her […]

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5 Practical Tips for World Building

Guest Blogger — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 11:00:52 +0000

Alex Bledsoe World building is a common concern among fantasy writers, since so much of what we do depends on the reader believing IN the setting. You can have the best story and great characters, and torpedo them all with an unconvincing and inconsistent setting. Of course, you can also go too far in the […]

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WriterStrong: 8 Tips To Bring Your Readers Along For The Ride

Guest Blogger — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:00:57 +0000

by Susan Squires Reading is all about suspending disbelief. Readers stare at a two-dimensional piece of paper or a flat screen with glyphs on it and imagine they’re traveling to unknown lands and meeting interesting people. They treasure being whisked away from everyday life. It’s an addictive experience. As writers, we want them addicted to […]

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WriterStrong: World Building Techniques -- Keep Your Reader Grounded In Your Story

Fae Rowen — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 08:00:19 +0000

by Fae Rowen Because I write science fiction, I have to immerse my reader in the most important facets of my story's world with the first words. When you add this into the requirements of an opening hook, portraying the "real world" of your characters, and setting up the inciting incident, etc., the beginning of […]

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Throwdown Part 2: Write What You Don't Know

Fae Rowen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:38 +0000

by Fae Rowen When Laura Drake originally suggested this topic months ago I knew I would be on the "don't know" end of the throwdown. Everyone else at Writers in the Storm writes about what they know. With Sharla Rae's historicals, she researches and researches until she has notebooks filled with information. Jenny Hansen writes […]

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