worldbuilding
- noun
- /ˈwɜrldˌbɪldɪŋ/
- Jargon
- The author spent years on the worldbuilding for her new fantasy novel, creating intricate cultures and histories.
Examples
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Without that, Tolkien's worldbuilding, however brilliant, would have been unreadable.
Blog text (8) -
But for me, names are such an integral part of my characters and worldbuilding that I simply can't do that.
Blog text (30) -
Great worldbuilding, but otherwise ugh, though I have plenty of respect for his opinion and love his novels.
Blog text (27) -
If not making 3D models out of physical objects, you could certainly do worldbuilding in a 3D game environment.
Blog text (10) -
So while I had problems with the worldbuilding, I did enjoy the characters, especially the secondary character of Evelyn.
Blog text (32) -
Yet characterization and worldbuilding are the true strong points of the series.
Blog text (30) -
I don't think the worldbuilding is strong enough, and there were times when the writing became bogged down with it.
Blog text (32) -
In order to grasp how that experiment works, it is necessary to consider After London’s worldbuilding in some detail.
Academic text (2018) -
I enjoy Barker's worldbuilding and find The Man of Gold sort of undemandingly fun, but I wouldn't call it any kind of neglected masterpiece.
Blog text (32) -
Effective worldbuilding can transport readers into a completely new realm, allowing them to experience adventures beyond their own reality.
How Detailed
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Worldbuilding mixes world ('a place or setting') and building ('making or constructing'). Imagine an author laying bricks to create towns, history, and rules for a story or game, and you have worldbuilding, which is why it means making an imaginary setting.