In 2017 I started a Patreon project to help me tackle something I’d wanted to write about for ages, but didn’t know how to approach: worldbuilding. Thanks to the loyal support of my patrons, I’ve spent the ensuing years slowly blogging my way through hundreds of aspects to worldbuilding, which I’ve been gathering into yearly collections, listed below.
Worldbuilding is one of the great pleasures of writing science fiction and fantasy -- and also one of its greatest challenges. Award-winning fantasy author Marie Brennan draws on her academic training in anthropology to peel back the layers of a setting, going past the surface details to explore questions many authors never think to answer. She invites you to consider the endless variety of real-world cultures -- from climate to counterfeiting, from sumptuary laws to slang -- and the equally endless possibilities speculative fiction has to offer.
Read More
Science fiction and fantasy are renowned for immersing their readers in rich, inventive settings. In this follow-up to the collection
New Worlds, Year One, award-winning fantasy author Marie Brennan guides you through new aspects of worldbuilding and how they can generate stories. From beauty to books, from tattoos to taboos, these essays delve into the complexity of different cultures, both real and imaginary, and provide invaluable advice on crafting a world of your very own.
Read More
The boundless complexity of worldbuilding can create a daunting challenge for writers of science fiction and fantasy. In the third volume of the NEW WORLDS series, award-winning fantasy author and former anthropologist Marie Brennan provides not only the building blocks for creating a setting, but advice on exposition and other aspects of craft. Whether you need guidance on security or sanitation, demographics or demons or drugs, you’re sure to find inspiration here.
Read More
