WorldCraft Club 73 - Don't Worldbuild your Wonder Away | Fairystories and Allegory with Dave Schmidt
May 7, 2024
In this engaging discussion, writer and producer Dave Schmidt shares insights on the influence of ancient myths and fairy tales on modern worldbuilding, highlighting Tolkien's significant role. They delve into the tension between allegory and expansive narratives, exploring how contemporary audiences seek realism in magical creatures. Dave and James emphasize the importance of retaining wonder and mystery in storytelling, suggesting that worldbuilding should evoke awe rather than overly detailed explanations, while celebrating the lasting appeal of fairy tales.
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Tolkien Shifted How We Worldbuild
- Modern worldbuilding diverged from myth when writers like Tolkien treated fantastical beings as part of a cohesive, historical world.
- This created expectations for internal realism like birthrates and lineages that older fairy tales didn't require.
Fairy Tales Made the World Feel Dangerous
- Older fairy tales assumed a world where supernatural encounters could be literally real to listeners.
- That implied mystery and immediate danger, which modern materialism often strips away.
Keep Mystery Over Explaining Everything
- Don't sacrifice wonder for exhaustive explanation when building settings.
- Allow mystery to remain; you don't need full empirical rationales for every fantastical element.