To start worldbuilding, think about the basic elements such as geography, culture, and politics of your world. Is it a world of islands? What are the main religions? How is the government structured? When it comes to writing a story, consider the genre first. If it's a mystery, you need to create an interesting mystery at the start. Maybe a character wakes up in a strange place with no memory of how they got there.
One characteristic is the ability to draw the reader in. In 'The Harry Potter series', the detailed descriptions of Hogwarts and the magical world make readers feel like they could be there. Another is the believability of the world. In 'Blade Runner', the gritty and polluted future Earth seems plausible given current environmental trends. There should also be a sense of mystery. In 'Lost', the island has many mysterious elements that keep the audience guessing. And finally, there should be a connection between the worldbuilding and the characters. In 'The Lord of the Rings', the different races' cultures influence the characters' actions and beliefs.
Worldbuilding is extremely important in fantasy fiction. It creates the unique setting that differentiates fantasy from other genres. A well - built world can draw readers in and make them believe in the story. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle - earth is so detailed that it feels like a real place. It has its own languages, cultures, and histories. This not only makes the story more immersive but also gives more depth to the characters and the plot.
One great place to start is with the geography. Decide on the layout of your world, like if there are vast mountains, deep forests or wide oceans. This can influence how the characters move around and what resources are available. For example, a world full of mountains might mean the people are more isolated and develop unique cultures in each valley.
Start with the little things. Maybe it's a unique flower that only grows in a certain part of your world. From there, expand outwards. Decide on the political systems of the different regions in your world. Are they monarchies, democracies or something else? Also, think about the economy. What do people trade? How do they make a living? All these details will come together to form a vivid and believable world for your fantasy novel.
First, you need to have a clear vision of your world. Imagine the landscapes, cultures, and rules. Then, start creating characters that fit into this world and give them goals and conflicts that arise from the world you've built.