B.K. Bass, Writing Chair at Worldbuilding Magazine and Editor-in-Chief of Kyanite Publishing, shares insights on worldbuilding in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. The conversation touches on balancing planning with spontaneity in writing and how the digital landscape changes what it means to be a successful author. Bass emphasizes the importance of humor and sensory details in immersive storytelling. He also delves into the essence of the cyberpunk genre, providing practical tips for writers to develop their unique voices.
Worldbuilding techniques vary widely among authors, with some preferring extensive planning and others developing their worlds organically throughout the writing process.
Contemporary literature trends focus more on character-driven narratives and personal experiences, reflecting a shift towards deeper emotional engagement in storytelling.
Deep dives
The Art of Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding is a crucial aspect of writing in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and the methods employed can vary significantly from one project to another. Some authors create extensive backgrounds before writing, while others prefer to develop their worlds organically as they progress. For instance, one author discussed how their series was inspired by previous works, leading to a dark fantasy setting where characters were anthropomorphic beings exploring a maritime city filled with pirates. This contrasts with another project that took over two years of meticulous planning to develop a vast epic fantasy world with significant lore and history.
Trends in Modern Writing
Contemporary literature trends indicate a shift from grand epic narratives to more character-driven stories with a personal focus. Many current works center around smaller settings and individual experiences, allowing for deeper emotional engagement with readers. Authors now often explore how major events impact specific characters, rather than just presenting the grand scope of world-altering events. This evolution is seen as a reflection of our interconnected world, highlighting the importance of personal stories in a society where communication and perspective have drastically changed.
Effective Storytelling Techniques
Creating immersive worlds relies heavily on incorporating sensory details that enrich the narrative experience. By emphasizing elements such as sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, authors provide readers with a more vivid understanding of their settings. Rather than overloading readers with information dumps about a world’s structure, weaving sensory details through character experiences brings vibrancy to the story. For example, the smells of spices in a marketplace or the sounds of a bustling cityscape offer subtle hints of deeper world lore while keeping the reader engaged in the character's journey.
In this Fireside Chat, meet B.K. Bass. BK is the Writing Chair at Worldbuilding Magazine, published author, and Editor-in-Chief of Kyanite Publishing. He and Tyler discuss his work, worldbuilding, and more in this episode of Worldcasting.
This episode was edited by Alyssa Wejebe.
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