The Art of World Building: Creating Breakout Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds In Stories and Gaming

EP 2: Using Earth Analogues

Nov 7, 2017
Explore whether world-building is essential and how Earth analogues can spark creativity. Discover the 'rule of three' to promote originality and sidestep clichés. Delve into the pitfalls of misleading analogues in storytelling, using goblins as a key example. Learn how to reimagine governmental structures inspired by real-world systems. Encourage innovation by transforming familiar species traits in your worlds, blending the known with the imaginative for richer storytelling.
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ADVICE

Decide How Much Worldbuilding You Need

  • Decide whether you need full worldbuilding or just light touches based on genre and story scope.
  • Use Earth analogues or public-domain races to save time when full invention isn't required.
ADVICE

Rename When You Break Core Traits

  • When you use public-domain races, satisfy reader expectations or rename them if you change core traits.
  • Avoid calling something by a familiar name if its appearance and behavior differ significantly.
ADVICE

Apply The Rule Of Three

  • Apply the Rule of Three: make at least three significant changes to any Earth analogue.
  • Significant tweaks prevent distraction and accusations of copying.
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