The Art of World Building: Creating Breakout Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds In Stories and Gaming EP 8: How to Create Plants
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Feb 27, 2018 Dive into the fascinating world of plant creation for storytelling! Discover how to design unique flora that serves various purposes, from food to symbolism. Uncover the balance between originality and familiarity in your plant life. Learn about the classification of plants and ecological considerations to enhance your world-building. Get inspired by real-world examples, like seed-bearing plants, to enrich your fantasy and science fiction narratives!
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Small Changes Signal A Different World
- Creating a few distinct plants helps signal a world is not Earth without overbuilding flora.
- Use small differences to make a setting feel alien while keeping familiar plant types.
Start With Analogs And Research
- Use analogs: base invented plants on Earth species and change key details to save work.
- Research real plants first so you don't accidentally replicate an existing trait.
Invent Plants That Matter To Plot
- Choose plants that will be referenced often, like medicines or specialty woods.
- Make them rare or valuable so they matter in scenes and plot points.
