Otherppl with Brad Listi

World-Building 101

Nov 7, 2024

Francesca Segal, an award-winning British-American author known for her novels like "The Innocents," dives into the art of world-building. She shares practical insights on creating immersive settings and the importance of consistency in culture and relationships. The discussion also touches on the emotional challenges writers face and how tools like Scrivener can streamline the creative process. Segal emphasizes the balance between research and storytelling, providing a captivating look at the complexities of crafting believable fictional worlds.

01:11:01

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Episode guests

Francesca Segal

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

World-building transcends genres, creating immersive settings that enhance narrative believability and emotional engagement for readers.

Thorough research for world-building, including expert consultations, transforms the writing process into a joyful exploration of imaginative possibilities.

The interplay between setting and character development enriches narratives, illustrating how environments shape diverse characters' backgrounds and motivations.

Deep dives

The Essence of World Building

World building is a fundamental aspect of writing that extends beyond just sci-fi and fantasy genres; it involves creating a believable atmosphere and context within any novel. Authored settings, including neighborhoods and cultures, play a crucial role in immersing readers and making them suspend their disbelief. Francesca Siegel emphasizes that every detail, from the food characters eat to their psychological relationships, contributes to the authenticity of the created world. Consequently, effective world building allows readers to engage deeply with the narrative and increases the overall richness of the storytelling experience.

Intro

6min

Crafting Believable Worlds

8min

The Creative Process of World-Building

2min

Harnessing the Power of Scrivener for Creative Writing

2min

The Messy Art of World-Building in Writing

2min

The Art of World-Building

5min

Revolutionizing Reading: The Sol Reader Experience

2min

The Art of World-Building in Fiction

19min

The Art of Revision and Collaboration

4min

10.

The Art of Consistent World-Building

5min

11.

The Art of World-Building

11min

12.

Exploring the Art of World-Building in Fiction

4min

A new 'Craftwork' episode about the art of world-building. My guest is Francesca Segal, author of the novel Welcome to Glorious Tuga, available from Ecco.

Segal is an award-winning British American writer. She is the author of a memoir, Mother Ship, and the novels The Awkward Age and The Innocents, the latter of which won the Costa Book Award for First Novel, the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction, and the Sami Rohr Prize, and was long-listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She lives in London with her family.

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Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly literary podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers.

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