Worldbuilding: share your tips and tricks!

[joy_of_cooking]

I think transportation is theoretically possible, but it would have to be very different from the way it's done in Star Trek, which I think is mumbo jumbo (but still cool as hell).

If we eventually find a way of duplicating a person's consciousness and memories into a digital file, then theoretically that file could be beamed across a long distance and downloaded into an android body, and within a relatively short time "you" could transport from Earth to Mars.

I'm not well read enough in science fiction to know if anybody has already treated the subject this way.

Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon almost has this. The bodies are called sleeves and the (anti-)hero of the titular first novel is a sort of special forces soldier specialized for being transmitted to faraway places and downloaded into whatever bodies they have on hand there.

 

[SimonDoom]

Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon almost has this. The bodies are called sleeves and the (anti-)hero of the titular first novel is a sort of special forces soldier specialized for being transmitted to faraway places and downloaded into whatever bodies they have on hand there.

Of course. I should have recalled that. I think I saw the first episode.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

Think about what's central to the plot.

I think you're making an assumption here, that I'm reading primarily for plot. In the Anathem example, I loved the first half of the book, which was basically this guy wandering around showing us his world, with a side of "can you guess what famous math/science/philosophical concept I'm talking about now?" I was kind of sad when the plot heated up and things started happening.

Although I will credit the second half of Anathem for the single most impactful line I have ever personally read, the "the door dilated" of my time: “In my world, we call it a Faraday cage." I literally felt my scalp prickle just remembering it now.

 

[SimonDoom]

Although I will credit the second half of Anathem for the single most impactful line I have ever personally read, the "the door dilated" of my time: “In my world, we call it a Faraday cage." I literally felt my scalp prickle just remembering it now.

That was a good line.

 

[Bamagan]

I think transportation is theoretically possible, but it would have to be very different from the way it's done in Star Trek, which I think is mumbo jumbo (but still cool as hell).

If we eventually find a way of duplicating a person's consciousness and memories into a digital file, then theoretically that file could be beamed across a long distance and downloaded into an android body, and within a relatively short time "you" could transport from Earth to Mars.

I'm not well read enough in science fiction to know if anybody has already treated the subject this way.

There's a book called Mindscan by Robert J. Sawyer that touches on that. It's mostly about people uploading to android bodies to avoid death and disability, but it does explore some other issues. It's about 20 years old, though, and set roughly contemporary to our actual now*, so there're some funny anachronisms.

*Edit: Actually, I think the book starts in the 2040s. It's been a while since I read it, but I remember the protagonist was born in 2000 and is middle-aged during the bulk of the story.

 

[karina_jayde]

To provide some more coherent advice as to what has worked for me and how I recently worldbuilt for a WIP story:

Most of my sci fi or fantasy stories on here start with a particular kink or trope I want to explore. I then focus on on that, and think about what sort of world would justify that particular scenario. That particular kink, scene idea, or trope serves as a 'seed' from which the rest of the world grows. Everything else in the world should help support that initial idea, or at least not undermine it.

A while ago, I had the desire to write a monsterfucker story, with a human woman hooking up with a monstrous creature of some kind. I tend to write fantasy and wanted to change it up so I went with sci-fi, so I knew I needed a world to justify that sort of scenario.

Since I try not to go too overboard with worldbuilding, I tend to keep my worlds here on Literotica that are trope-heavy and easy to grasp at a glance for a reader. So I thought about existing sci-fi worlds where a monsterfucker scenario could happen. The most obvious one (to me) was that of Mass Effect (which even has some relationships that mirror the one I had in mind).

So from there, I had a sort of 'generic-ish space opera with humans and aliens co-existing' as my basic framework. Rather than write a million years of galactic history and a thousand alien species, I kept my focus on the core relationship: a human woman hooking up with a monstrous alien. Everything still hinged around that despite the broader framework.

From there, I thought about how they should meet. I love the 'enemies to lovers' trope, so in this world I figured there should be a conflict between humans and this alien species. So I added another piece of worldbuilding (this big war) to justify the monsterfucking scenario. But I didn't want a big military story, so I decided to set this in the aftermath of that war. Again, another piece of worldbuilding context that helps make the initial scenario interesting. Had I disregarded this step and just had a monstrous alien fuck a human, there would be less interesting tension without the worldbuilding context of there having been a nasty war a few years before.

And then I filled in the pieces from there, providing context for why the war happened and how it ended. All of that worldbuilding existed to provide meaningful (and hopefully interesting) context for their hookup.

I also wanted to provide other alien species to contrast with this big, monstrous reptilian alien. So I sprinkled in a few other species that exist as a foil/contrast to both humans and the reptilian aliens. Again, more worldbuilding that helps set the stage for that central relationship.

Importantly, I did still try to think of how each new development would intersect with that which came before. So when I added the other aliens as contrast, I had to think of what their role was in that prior war, to give them a meaningful place in the world. So while the additional elements helped provide a meaningful contrast and foil, they still more or less fit in with what was already established.

Was everything that fanned out from that initial seed groundbreaking? Certainly not. But I'm not here to win a Hugo, I'm here to make people horny with a story about a hot bounty hunter getting banged by a big reptilian alien, while having some faintly plausible context for why that fuck transpires. All of it leans into pretty standard, recognizable tropes, but with enough wrinkles and details to make it a bit fresh, all while still centering and justifying the initial kink I had in mind.

So what works for me is starting small, fleshing out the world as a growth from the original seed of the theme I want to explore, and add in elements that support that theme, while ensuring each new element doesn't undermine or contradict other ones you've already established.

 

[StillStunned]

And while I hate to sound negative, extensive world building might be wasted in some Literotica categories. Comments are few and far between on the Erotic Horror, Sci-Fi Fantasy and Non Human, where most world building would take place.

If it serves the story, I don't think it's ever wasted. Giving your world depth makes the story feel more lived-in, and easier for the reader to engage with.

Some of Charles Stross's stories are also good that way.

I've only read a handful of his Laundry novels and stories.

For me, although I know the deep lore of my fictional universe, I only need to explain in my story the details that are relevant to the plot...plus about 10% more as background.

So for example on my current WIP, I know the deep political history that brought about the story setting (a world where everyone over 18 is effectively a prostitute and available to rent for various acts), it's not relevant to the story. So I'll throw in a statue of the political leader who lead to it, and maybe have someone quote a legal executive order.

What isn't used, can be saved for follow up stories if the world is interesting for readers.

I would also recommend using a "newbie" character. Eg someone who has just turned 18, or just arrived to this city / world. This allows them to ask lore questions and for other characters to explain (or demonstrate)

Personally, I think this is a tricky combination to get right. Explaining a detailed world to an unknowing character can easily devolve into infodumping. That's one reason why I try not to think of any details until they're actually needed for the story.

I tend to hold back on the full description, and give a few scenes that illustrate characteristics of the place and set the vibe, then at some point, once the reader is interested, back out to give a more full picuture. But the big picture first technique is definitely legit.

When I say "big picture", I mean of the immediate surroundings. I only have one WIP that gives a quick description at the continent level. Mostly it varies from a single park or castle to an empty plain.

I'm working on a story now about a galactic junkyard, a star with no other stars anywhere near it, that civilizations around the galaxy have sent their old and obsolete ships for a million years. The MC is a scavenger in the junkyard (inspired by "Roadside Picnic") who discovers something both horrific and enormously lucrative.

This sounds really cool!

 

[gunhilltrain]

And while I hate to sound negative, extensive world building might be wasted in some Literotica categories. Comments are few and far between on the Erotic Horror, Sci-Fi Fantasy and Non Human, where most world building would take place. And in Incest Taboo from my experience even extensive details of interesting real settings or historical events tend to attract negative comments (that the content is boring) rather than positive ones. So whether the readers there would be interested even in something like a 'Groundhog Day' story where a guy gets stuck in a time loop and uses this every day to have sex with different attractive female members of his family would be debatable, although other writers might have found differently to me.

Possibly true, but I think we've said before: you have to write the story the way you want it to go. Some of the readers may follow along; others won't . It's difficult to predict what the ones in different categories will want. All comments seem to be few and far between. If I get two of them on a story, I'm surprised.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Yeah, but you'll always have some that are higher (in rank, wealth, or power).

It just won't be a workable world. There will always be a Harry Mud around, a Khan, a Trump (Oh, god, say it ain't so).

Those are people are actually worse, because they see money as a way to power. Power is the ultimate high, I guess. Trump? Wait until we get an American version of Franco or Pinochet. Or one could some from the opposite direction, the left: Stalin, Pol Pot, etc.

Oh man, sorry. This should have gone on the Politics board. Not that I ever post there.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

It just won't be a workable world. There will always be a Harry Mud around, a Khan, a Trump (Oh, god, say it ain't so).

What are they going to steal if there is nothing to steal? You can have anything that you want for free.

Of course Khan didn't want wealth. He wanted his own society and wanted revenge. That's why he tried to steal the Enterprise.

Mud was wanted for stealing patents, if I recall. And those weren't human patents. They were from other civilizations that still used money and wealth, so had nothing to do with Earth, other than the Enterprise's bad timing.

So it all works just fine.

 

[yowser]

I am not the target audience for Sci-Fi, and enjoy it only when it is well done, but here are some general observations:

You want your reader to be intrigued but not bored.

You want your reader to be curious, but neither overwhelmed nor confused.

On the last point, you want to flatter your reader's intelligence rather than sound like the pompous story-teller at the party who wants to demonstrate how much smarter and cleverer he is than everyone else.

In that regard, hints that engage the imagination are better than technical manuals.

But the story/characters really are what is going to make or break the tale.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Of course Khan didn't want wealth. He wanted his own society and wanted revenge. That's why he tried to steal the Enterprise.
.

Oh, I thought you were referring to Genghis Khan and his son, grandson, and other members of that family. I think they conquered not for revenge, but just for the hell of it. At one point they got as far as Hungary (which is quite a distance from Mongolia) and considered going further than that.

 

[MillieDynamite]

The only real-world character I referred to was the former and now president-elect. But the belief that we'll achieve a utopian society goes against the nature of humanity. There are too many vast and divergent ideas of what life is, where we came from, our purpose collectively, and our individual purposes. Utopia is a dish best served inside fiction, and always remember and don't ever forget we have many, many different kinds of individuals who have many, many other types of beliefs. Then you have aberrations, Anti Social Disorder, psychopaths, narcissists, greed, and a whole host of personalities that would have to find a place in a world that wouldn't allow for those kinds of people. And yet, they will be there. Utopia is a philosophical pursuit, and I don't think many philosophers would believe it possible. For every Utopia, there will be a corresponding dystopia.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

And

The only real-world character I referred to was the former and now president-elect. But the belief that we'll achieve a utopian society goes against the nature of humanity. There are too many vast and divergent ideas of what life is, where we came from, our purpose collectively, and our individual purposes. Utopia is a dish best served inside fiction, and always remember and don't ever forget we have many, many different kinds of individuals who have many, many other types of beliefs. Then you have aberrations, Anti Social Disorder, psychopaths, narcissists, greed, and a whole host of personalities that would have to find a place in a world that wouldn't allow for those kinds of people. And yet, they will be there. Utopia is a philosophical pursuit, and I don't think many philosophers would believe it possible. For every Utopia, there will be a corresponding dystopia.

And those people are a small minority. Again, I can refute all of this but it would derail the thread. I'm also not about to start a new topic in a writing forum that pretty much nothing to do with writing, but if you want to, go ahead and I'll answer you there.

 

[MillieDynamite]

@pink_silk_glove -- I'll just say this, we, you and I, won't live to see any utopian society. And I don't think that greedy people are much of a minority. If they are a minority, it's a large minority.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

@pink_silk_glove -- I'll just say this, we, you and I, won't live to see any utopian society. And I don't think that greedy people are much of a minority. If they are a minority, it's a large minority.

Star Trek is not set within our lifetimes.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Granted, what is beyond our lifetimes has no meaning outside fiction. What might be doesn't change what is. I'll write the future the way I want to write it and in a way that is believable to me, and you do the same. But I look at the past to judge the future. The inspired word of God (Bible) was set up pro-man and con-woman from the get-go. If She/He exists, I don't think she told those men that women were property. We are making advancements in how people treat people in less than baby steps. So forgive me if I don't buy that racism, misogyny, bigotry, selfishness, and greed will, like the poor, be with us always.

In fact, that is one prophecy in the bible that has proven true, "The poor will always be with us," for over two thousand years poverty endures.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Granted, what is beyond our lifetimes has no meaning outside fiction. What might be doesn't change what is. I'll write the future. I want to write in a way that is believable to me, and you do the same. But I look at the past to judge the future. The inspired word of God (Bible) was set up pro-man and con-woman from the get-go. If She/He exists, I don't think she told those men that women were property. We are making advancements in how people treat people in less than baby steps. So forgive me if I don't buy that racism, misogyny, bigotry, selfishness, and greed will, like the poor, be with us always.

In fact, that is one prophecy in the bible that has proven true, "The poor will always be with us," for over two thousand years.

Okay, we're done here because your bible arguments have absolutely nothing to do with the topic of discussion. You are taking this so far of course it's silly.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I was talking about the history of mankind, which doesn't lend any credence to your argument. And as I said, write how you want, and I'll do the same.

 

[StillStunned]

Perhaps we can shelve the politics/philosophy/religion, and instead focus on how to create realistic worlds where giant cockmonsters roam and every woman is a redhead?

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Perhaps we can shelve the politics/philosophy/religion, and instead focus on how to create realistic worlds where giant cockmonsters roam and every woman is a redhead?

I am still perplexed by those transporters...

 

[Otto26]

Perhaps we can shelve the politics/philosophy/religion, and instead focus on how to create realistic worlds where giant cockmonsters roam and every woman is a redhead?

Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Have you read NK Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy? It was a more thoughtful take on the sociological consequences of living under threat of apocalyptic natural disaster (due to seismic activity rather than winter).

Not yet, but I hear good things about it.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I think transportation is theoretically possible, but it would have to be very different from the way it's done in Star Trek, which I think is mumbo jumbo (but still cool as hell).

If we eventually find a way of duplicating a person's consciousness and memories into a digital file, then theoretically that file could be beamed across a long distance and downloaded into an android body, and within a relatively short time "you" could transport from Earth to Mars.

I'm not well read enough in science fiction to know if anybody has already treated the subject this way.

Adding Robert Sheckley's "Mindswap" to the recommendations here.

 

[ElectricBlue]

John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar still works. It's nicely prescient on the AI computer, although I think he needs a bigger island.