Writing Excuses

19.19: A Close Reading on Worldbuilding: An Overview and why A Memory Called Empire

May 12, 2024

Explore the intricacies of worldbuilding in writing, focusing on 'A Memory Called Empire'. Learn about balancing structural and decorative elements to engage readers effectively. Delve into the detailed worldbuilding of the novel, highlighting culture, names, and narrative structures. Join a diverse group of characters in a fantasy role-playing podcast and discover savings promotions for language learning and grocery shopping.

28:38

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Quick takeaways

Successful worldbuilding involves exploring connections between people and elements, creating a captivating web of relationships.

Balancing showing and telling in worldbuilding is essential to convey information effectively without overwhelming the audience.

Deep dives

World Building as Intricate Relationships

World building involves more than just inventing spaces; it's about exploring the connections between people and elements in a complex web. Understanding these relationships can be more captivating than inventing individual components. Establishing stakes for characters involves considering legal systems, infrastructure, and societal values, creating a rich tapestry for storytelling.

Comprehensive World Building in Writing

02:03

Balancing Show and Tell in World Building

01:48

Insight into Analyzing Story and Worldbuilding

02:08

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Depths of World Building

9min

Exploring the Nuances of World-Building: Balancing Decorative and Structural Elements

3min

Promotions for Language Learning, E-commerce Platform, and Grocery Shopping

3min

Exploring Intricate World Building in 'A Memory Called Empire'

14min

Role-playing Fantasy and Educational Savings Promotions

3min

Why is worldbuilding is essential in your writing? Today, we answer this question and dive into some working definitions of how we want to talk about it. After the break, we discuss why we chose this book Arkady Martine’s “A Memory Called Empire” and highlight what it does well. We dive into the elements that help make Martine’s worldbuilding so accessible and effective.

Thing of the Week:

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman (think about what it teaches you about POV!)

Homework:

Pick your favorite fictional worlds and for each write down three defining attributes that establish culture, legal systems, and physical spaces.

Here’s a link to buy your copy of “A Memory Called Empire” if you haven’t already:

https://bookshop.org/lists/close-readings-season-19

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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