Random Hobbies are Your Superpower - Unique Worldbuilding
All of us want our worldbuilding to be immersive and to feel like our story has something unique to offer. But where do you even begin when there’s so much to potentially spend time learning? Should you research plate tectonics, weather patterns, politics, biology, or economics? Usually, the answer given to those types of questions is a broad and resounding “yes”. The problem is that nobody has time to master all of those subjects…and frankly, do you even want to?
A basic knowledge on a wide range of subjects is valuable for the sake of creating a believable world, but what will really make your world unique is when you double down on something that you nerd out about. Not only is this goal far more achievable but it makes the process much more enjoyable. You may be passionate about botany, geo-politics, or astronomy...whatever it is, make it the thing that really stands out in your worldbuilding and you will be a big step closer to creating a memorable setting.
Tolkien, Sanderson, and Rothfuss
Think about some of your favorite authors and see if you can determine what their "thing" is which makes their world compelling. Tolkien was known for his love of languages, and his stories were really just a means of applying them. Brandon Sanderson’s reputation was built on his love of magic systems, and they really become the backbone of what drives his worlds. Patrick Rothfuss is a self-proclaimed geek for economics; which you can really sense coming out in his writing with the value of money being brought to the forefront of the story.
All three writers are passionate about different things, and yet each of them is known for the depth of their worldbuilding. What’s cool about this is even though you may not share their particular passion, there’s something compelling about someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about a topic. I may not be as interested in economics as Patrick Rothfuss, but he presents it in a way that reflects his passion and causes me become immersed in the story.
NERD CHALLENGE
CREATE A LIST OF OBSCURE THINGS YOU LOVE
The first thing you need to do is go introspective. The reason I specify that these things should be somewhat obscure is to give you the freedom to think outside the box. We have a tendency to filter our ideas too quickly before we have taken the time to really consider how they could work in our story. So if you have a thing for collecting antique ice cream makers, I want to see it on the list!
Lets go through an example to help you visualize how to do this with your own list. Below is an example of three interests and individual could have. Now lets think about how these could make something unique about the worldbuilding.
- Bee Keeping
- Wood Carving
- Boating
Mashing It All Together
As you look over this list, the goal is not to combine all of them but to think how some of them could make something unique about a setting. For instance, with bee keeping you could create a culture that has an economy that is based heavily on the production and export of a variety of premium honeys. To the extent that the bee is a national symbol or deity, which is why they have carved them into the architecture of the buildings and talismans which adorn the populace (See how I got the wood carving in there?)
Or if you want to take the wood carving in a different direction and combine it with the boating; your story could incorporate the production of wooden sailing vessels and how they are constructed and shaped for different situations. Or how the family sigils are carved into the ships are a means to connect with the ancestors which increases the efficiency of the ships based on the quality of the carving.
Just have fun with it and start thinking about how you can mash some of your interests together to create a setting that is not only unique but stands out. So if you love worldbuilding but are also really into aviation, then make that the defining mark of your world. What's cool about this is that what makes your world unique will inevitably attract others with the same passion.
JUST ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS
(Then Find the Experts)
As I said earlier, there is value in having general knowledge on a variety of subjects to make sure your world feels realistic and there aren't any glaring problems. But, if you really aren’t interested in economics then do just enough research to have a basic understanding to get started. Then take it to somebody that really is well-read on the subject and ask for feedback.
This is what the best authors do to give an illusion of realism to their worlds because nobody has the time or willpower to be a master of all subjects. If you only rely on your own expertise then you will quickly bog down and lose interest. This is why it is so valuable to be part of a diverse community of people where your strengths can complement the weaknesses of others.
SET YOUR WORLD APART
There is something compelling about a person that is passionate about something…it’s almost infectious. I would have never said I was passionate for economics, but Patrick Rothfuss causes me to care as I get lost in the story. So while your story about a society that revolves around beekeeping will obviously appeal to those with that passion, it will often still be attractive to a variety of people because it is different and sets your world apart.
