Where to start

One of the most common questions asked when getting into world building is, “Where do I start?”

And the answer can vary from person to person. Some say, “Start with the world itself, the climate, terrain, etc…” Others say, “Start with the people, what types of cultures live in your world?”

And these are all good places to start, don’t get me wrong. But can I offer you a much easier and simpler one?

Start with an idea.

It doesn’t have to be huge or original. It can be as simple as a color or sound that makes you think. Does the color pink make you think “Oh… how about a pink planet?” or the sound of a car, “What if a bird could sound like that?”

Start with that and more ideas are sure to follow. Soon you will find you have so many that you need another world to fit them all.

The other question that people ask when getting started is, “What do I need?”

To that I always reply, “What do you mean, what do you need???”

You don’t need a fancy app or worldbuilding website. I mean, if you want to use those things go right ahead, but you don’t need them.

All you need is some paper and something to write with and your set. Oh, and the other thing you might want is your brain… I tend to lose mine on a daily basis :)

The point is all you really need is your thoughts and a way to keep track of them.

That’s it. It’s really that simple.

So now it’s your turn to give it a try. Go find a piece of paper and a pencil/pen and right down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Yes, the first thing. I don’t care if it’s what you had for breakfast, write it down.

Then turn that into your idea. If you had a bowl of cereal in orange juice, maybe in your world there’s no such thing as milk. Or if you were woken up to the sounds of a city, maybe your world is a planet that is entirely one giant city.

Don’t over think it, there will be plenty of time for that later. Just start with a simple idea and let it flow. Sure, you’re going to have some ideas you don’t like and end up using, and others that you love but have to cut. It’s part of the process. But that comes later, for now…

Just let it build itself from the idea that you got from eavesdropping on the person in the cubicle across the way when they were making plans to go to Mount Kilimanjaro for their 67th birthday with someone they only met a few days before.

And remember to have fun and keep building!!