My favorite part of the writing process is worldbuilding. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and have expressed it in the past through my art. Even when I’m gaming, especially playing RPGs, I’d usually rather be the DM than a player. It’s the same when I’m reading. A good plot and relatable characters are essential. But nothing pulls me out of a story more than a poorly described world or a world that doesn’t make sense.
Of course, fictional and fantasy worlds don’t have to be realistic. The fantastic details are what make them fun! But they should still make sense.
When I create a world, I really dive into the details. What are the rules? How do things feel? What do things look like? Whether I’m creating a small room or a whole planet, I envision and write down as much as possible. Most of that detail won’t find its way into the story, but it gives me a set of rules to work within. If my characters travel across a city neighborhood, I need to know where they’re going.
Plus, I think it’s fun. There’s so much in the world I live in that I can’t stand or don’t understand. Things that don’t make sense. So, it’s fun to rewrite the rules when I’m world-building. If you’re writing a story and creating a world, make it what you want. And have fun!