From "Lord of the Rings" to the "Hunger Games." From "Harry Potter" to "A Game of Thrones." Authors craft unique worlds that create an unparalleled sense of wonder and amazement. But what makes these worlds so enjoyable to immerse ourselves in? Is it the splendor of the massive scenes of awe, or is it in the little details that all come together? Together, we will delve into some of the most acclaimed worldbuilding stories in fantasy and look at what makes them so unique.
One of the most incredible aspects of “The Lord of the Rings” is the history that went into creating each of the races, including unique languages. J.R.R. Tolkien focused more on the backgrounds of the races and regions, as well as the history of his world’s inhabitants than simply trying to create a flashy battle (that came with the Peter Jackson films). Tolkien took great care of the smaller details as well, creating unique alloys and metals for the people to craft into fine jewelry and unique weapons. The Silmarillion dives even further into the history of the immortal elves of Middle Earth.
J.K. Rowling could never have imagined the scope of her creation as she scribbled the first concept notes for Harry Potter onto a napkin. She took what was already familiar in our world and quickly turned it on its head to create the glorious Wizarding World. What’s more, she did so with a mixed sense of wonder and whimsy. Grindylows, Nifflers, and Fizzing Whizbees, while sounding somewhat comical, all have their place in the world she crafted. Everything from candy to great beasts were crafted with a sense of refreshing wonder that resulted in one of the most successful novel series of all time.
George R.R. Martin, who in my opinion, is the successor to J.R.R. Tolkien’s legacy, is a master of creating the history of his world. Nearly every character ever mentioned over the course of the series has a background and a story to be told. A character mentioned in book one may have a major role to play in book five, and the groundwork is laid out well ahead of time. And this is saying a great deal given the immense number of characters that appear in Martin’s writing. And then there’s the food. Every time a great feast is described by Martin, my mouth waters.
So how can you go about crafting a world of your own? To know where to go, you must first look at where you have come from. Take the time to read as much as you can to get a feel for what has come before in the realm of worldbuilding. Once you know what has been done, you can set out to create something uniquely you.
Look at people, race, religion, architecture, food, pastimes, etc. Worldbuilding does not come from a single grand idea, but rather, hundreds of smaller ones that intertwine to shape the world. You must look at each element individually, but also, in how it forms a part of the larger spectrum. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to sit down with a specific topic and to come up with as much as you can. Start with food. Think of obscure and creative dishes, candies, or feasts. Jot down as many ideas as you can and try to form a clear picture of each in your mind. Does it fit into your world? Can you see a character eating it? Do this for every element of your story and your world will grow beyond your wildest dreams!
