A writer may begin a story with an idea of the main character and the conflict to be faced, but in science fiction and fantasy, the author must not only create a new type of being, but also build the world that being lives and thrives in. For a reader to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story, the world cannot have inconsistencies. All the laws of science must work together to create a cohesive world.
Physics in a Fantasy World
The world must follow the known laws of physics. If something goes against our known laws of physics, the author must show how the physics work in the new world. At a conference last year, Donald Maass, renowned literary agent, said that he will believe any story, any type of inconceivable thing, if the author has properly set the stage and given him reason to for suspension of disbelief.
For example, in Scott Westerfeld’s The Pretties, the characters fly on hoverboards. The boards work with magnetics, so he set up the city with a magnetic grid all over it. When the Pretties fly out of the city, they must stay in areas that have high concentrations of iron for the hoverboards to continue to work. Since the author explained the mechanism by showing the characters using hoverboards, it is completely believable to the reader.
Biology in a Fantasy World
The flora and fauna of the new world are only limited by the author’s imagination and the physical laws of the world. A good example of creating biology that lives within the physical confines constructed by the author are the Dune worlds, created by Frank Herbert. The inhabitants of Dune have adapted to its harsh climate and have learned how to live there. Subsequent stories involve other planets, all equally well developed.
Science and Magic in a Fantasy World
Fantasy novels often incorporate magic and science fiction stories use new science. In reality, the line between the two is sometimes hard to define. To a child, a simple scientific demonstration may seem like magic. The science can be explained, but since the child doesn’t understand it, it appears magical.
The point here is that a writer must have a solid basis for either science or magic in a fantasy world. Both must have laws that govern how they work. The magic in The Sword of Truth series, by Terry Goodkind has specific rules that explain how and when it works. The readers understand these rules and base their expectations of what will happen by how those magical rules work.
Sociology and Religion in the Fantasy World
Rounding out the world is the belief system of the inhabitants. Whether they be fairies, vampires, creatures from another planet, or magical beings, they need a spiritual component to make them three dimensional. The society must have rules or a hierarchy governing behavior. Showing how the characters think and beliefs that motivate them helps the reader understand them and their society.
Story Lines Must Follow the Laws of the World
All of the above details provide the setting for the novel. Now the author may create any story line desired, as long as it follows the laws already established. For example, in Scott Westerfeld’s series, the hoverboards would not function over the ocean. If a character had successfully ridden a board out over the ocean, it would have violated the laws of physics and lost the readers. They know the board would have plunged into the water, killing the rider. He used that fact to create tension in one of the scenes. Caught between the ocean and an enemy, how could a character escape? The very laws of limitations can be used to create conflict.
Practice World Building
World building takes time and practice. Some of the worlds may turn out better than others. One way to practice world building is to look through a science fiction or fantasy art book. One such book is Barlowe’s Guide to Extraterrestrial Creatures: Great Aliens from Science Fiction Literature, published by Workman Publishing, New York. Choose a creature and create a world it could live in.
Another way to practice is to create a world first. One art book of showing pictures of fantasy landscapes is Alien Horizons: The Fantastic Art of Bob Eggleton, published by Paper Tiger, Surrey, Great Britain. Choose a scene then develop the creatures or persons that live in the world. What will they be like?
After all this work, remember the writer’s command to “show don’t tell.” No matter how beautifully crafted a fantasy world is, it will bore the reader if the author does an info dump explaining it. Weave it into the story right in the middle of the action.
With an eye to detail, an author can create a fascinating world the reader won’t want to leave. The world of Harry Potter is a prime example of attention to detail that created a series of stories readers fell in love with. That’s the goal of the writer, to make the readers fall so deeply into the story they begin to think the fantasy world is real. That’s when readers are transported to a new place and time.
Sources:
- Scott Westerfeld, The Pretties, Simon Pulse, New York, 2011
- Frank Herbert, Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, Ace Trade, New York, 2005
- Terry Goodkind, The Sword of Truth, Tor Fantasy, New York, 2008
- Wayne Douglas Barlowe, Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrial Creatures: Great Aliens From Science Fiction Literature, Workman Publishing, New York, 1987
- Nigel Suckling, Alien Horizons: The Fantastic Art of Bob Eggleton, Paper Tiger, Surrey, Great Britain, 2000
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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