Photo by Raelle Gann-Owens on Unsplash
I’m still recovering from being sick, so today I’ll share a couple of questions about world-building and offer examples from great stories. Where and when is the story set? What are five to ten important qualities of the world in these stories? Consider why the aspects listed below are relevant.
The Hobbit: Middle Earth in its third age. In the context of the larger story, this is about 60 years before the beginning of The Lord of the Rings. (Bilbo turns 51 during The Hobbit and celebrates his 111th birthday at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring).
A world with magical beings and objects.
Historically safe travel paths have grown more perilous recently due to a rising lawless evil.
Insular factions avoid cultural blending despite a largely shared history.
Overarching conceit of diminutive heroism rising.
Corrupting seductions of power amongst “moral races.” The fading strength of Gondor and lack of unified leadership in the North contributes to a power vacuum where corruption creeps in and spreads.
Cyclical oscillations between darkness and light.
The world is in danger of tipping into chaos from which it would be very difficult to recover..
Pride and Prejudice: Fictional town of Meryton, England during the Regency era, in the 1790s (contextual details of calling the militia and style of dress narrows the time window).
Strict rules of etiquette comprise the culture’s unwritten social code.
Rigid class structure is encoded in the laws and customs around inheritance and marriage prospects.
The lack of opportunities to pursue education or work and to inherit property means women typically must marry to survive and thrive in the environment.
Subtly shifting economic mobility allows some deviation from birth order destiny.
Provincial village microcosms reflect broader aristocratic assumptions, and the bucolic country life harbors secrets beneath tranquil facades.
Order/chaos balance is weighted toward enforced stability.
The Body in the Library: St Mary Mead, England in 1936 (reference to King Edward VIII allow us to pinpoint the year). Note the social DNA here is similar to Austen’s Meryton, but we need to look at the differences that are specific to the environment and the story.
Rules of etiquette are similar though subtly changed. Keeping up with appearances and reputation are still vital to social standing.
Rigid social structure is a little looser in the time after WWI when increasingly democratic processes allow merit-based social mobility.
Imposing Victorian country houses harbor aristocratic life now in decline.
Secrets fuel gossip as a pastime, enabling neighbors to feel superior.
Servant class networks (and others like Marple who are paying attention) observe others while being barely visible themselves.
Post-World War I, there are subtle changes in gender roles and sexuality.
Rising middle class members blur the sharp money-birth distinctions.
Mass media spreads ideas of American glamor and social mobility.
Crime/parallel economy offers a different means to rise in social status.
World in danger of tipping toward being overly ordered.
This post is part of a 75-day writing challenge and experiment. From September 9 through November 22, I'll be posting daily thoughts on writing, storytelling, and creativity based on recent readings or reflections. While my intention was to keep them very short—250 to 400 words—I've found that this range doesn't give me enough space to cover these topics adequately. I aim to keep them brief enough to be read quickly, but they will often be longer than 400 words.
At the end of the challenge, I will organize and revise the material with intention. For now, the object is to explore and share.