How outline a Novel PT. 2

Welcome to part 2! Let's continue. Here we'll be going into a bit more detail that focuses on world-building for fantasy or science fiction stories, anything that requires deeper world-building than a romance or regular modern paranormal fiction.

Going on from here, I won't be as detailed with explanations, what I'll be providing is mostly just information you need to get and it doesn't involve much hard research.

Races

Physical Traits:

Physical traits can play a huge role in creating unique and memorable fantasy races. By giving a race its own set of distinctive physical features, an author can make it stand out from other races and help it come to life within the story.

But physical traits aren't just about making a race look cool or interesting - they can also inform other aspects of a race's culture and history, making the story even more immersive and engaging. For example, a race with wings might have a rich history of flight, while a race with a natural resistance to fire might have developed unique technologies or traditions to harness that ability.

Religion:

Have you ever thought about the role of religion in a fantasy world? In many cases, it can provide a sense of depth and purpose to a race's way of life. Religion can shape everything from their beliefs and values to their traditions and customs, and even affect their interactions with other races and their environment.

By incorporating religion into your world-building, you can create a rich tapestry of different beliefs and practices that can help to shape the personalities of your characters. Whether it's through the way they approach challenges or the values they hold dear, religion can be a powerful tool for creating a unique and engaging fantasy race.

Here are something to think on while creating religions:

Deities and Mythology

A. Different gods and goddesses

B. Creation myths and legends

C. Supernatural forces and entities

Religious Institutions

A. Temples, shrines, and other holy sites

B. Religious leaders and hierarchies

C. Religious ceremonies and rituals

Beliefs and Values

A. Moral and ethical codes

B. Attitudes towards magic and other supernatural elements

C. Relationship between religion and politics, culture, and society

Religious Conflict and Cooperation

A. Religious differences and conflicts

B. Religious tolerance and cooperation

C. How religion impacts relationships and diplomacy between different societies

Culture:

Do you love exploring imaginary worlds filled with magic and wonder? If so, you'll know that culture plays a huge role in bringing these fantastic places to life. In a fantasy world, culture encompasses everything from shared beliefs and customs to art and social practices. By creating unique and vibrant cultures for each race and society, we can make these worlds feel alive and believable.

To craft a compelling culture for a fantasy world, we need to take into account many factors, such as the geography and climate of the world, the history and mythology of its inhabitants, and their level of technology. For example, if a society lives in a cold, mountainous region, they might have adapted their clothing and transportation to suit their environment.

In a well-crafted fantasy world, each race and society should have its own distinct culture that enriches the story and makes it more immersive. From the way they view concepts like honor and loyalty to the way they celebrate holidays and mark significant life events

Things to think on while creating cultures:

Beliefs and Values

A. Religious and spiritual beliefs

B. Moral and ethical values

C. Attitudes towards magic and other supernatural elements

Social Structure

A. Different classes and social groups

B. Power dynamics and hierarchies

C. Customs and traditions related to marriage, family, and social interaction

Art and Aesthetics

A. Literature, music, and art

B. Fashion and clothing styles

C. Architectural and design styles

Technology and Industry

A. Tools and weapons

B. Transportation and communication

C. Economic systems and trade

Language:

Language plays a crucial role in creating immersive and believable worlds. Language shapes the way people interact with each other and their environment, and can reflect the history, mythology, and values of a particular race or society.

In a well-crafted fantasy world, each race or society should have its own unique language or languages. This adds depth and complexity to the world, with the creation of new words, phrases, and even alphabets to reflect each race's unique linguistic characteristics.

Language can also be used to explore themes and ideas central to the story. For instance, the language used by those in power may reflect the power dynamic and make it difficult for the commoners to understand. In addition, language can create a sense of mystery and otherness. A completely invented language can make a fantasy race feel alien and distinct.

Furthermore, language can be used as a storytelling device, with characters translating between languages or struggling to communicate with other races. This can create tension, conflict, and opportunities for characters to learn about different cultures and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Keep in mind that not every fantasy world or story needs detailed languages. If you prefer not to include them, that's okay too! However, if you're interested in exploring languages in your story, here are some factors to consider.

Language Families

A. Different language families and their characteristics

B. Historical and cultural factors influencing language development

C. How languages relate to one another

Written and Spoken Languages

A. Different writing systems and their evolution

B. Spoken language and dialects

C. How language shapes communication and relationships

Language Acquisition and Learning

A. How characters learn new languages

B. Cultural attitudes towards language learning

C. The role of language in education and society

Translation and Interpretation

A. How characters translate and interpret languages

B. The challenges of language barriers

C. The importance of accurate translation in diplomacy and trade

Magic

Having mystical abilities such as magic, mana, or superpowers can add excitement and intrigue to your story, but it's important to be mindful of how you use them. Many writers fall into the trap of creating limitless magical powers for their characters, which can make the story feel unrealistic and unsatisfying. To avoid this, it's helpful to answer a few questions about your magic system.

First, how does it work? It's important to understand the ins and outs of your magic system so that you can write your characters using it realistically. Knowing the mechanics of your magic system will prevent you from simply having your character magically power up in a crucial moment to get out of a tough situation.

Second, who can have it? Is there a criteria for who can use the magic or powers? Understanding why certain characters have magical abilities will prevent you from creating random characters that have the ability, and will also give your readers more information about your characters.

Third, what are the rules and limitations? Are there rules in your world about how the magic system should and should not be used? Are there physical limitations to what your characters can do? Setting rules and limitations will stop you from overpowering your character and will add conflict and tension to your story.

Additionally, it's important to consider how the general population feels about magic. Are there people who are against it, who hunt or experiment on those who possess it? Are magical individuals adored or seen as gods? Understanding how your world views magic will add depth and complexity to your story and create opportunities for conflict and tension. By considering these factors, you can create a well-rounded and engaging magic system that adds to the richness of your fantasy world.

Here is a summery and some additional facts to think on when creating a magic system:

Types of Magic

A. Elemental magic

B. Divine magic

C. Necromancy and dark magic

D. Witchcraft and sorcery

Magic Mechanics

A. How magic works in the world

B. Limits and drawbacks to using magic

C. How magic can be learned or inherited

D. How magic can be controlled or regulated

Magic Users

A. Different types of magic users

B. Training and education for magic users

C. Magic user communities and organizations

Magic in Society

A. How magic impacts society and culture

B. Magic in law and politics

C. Magic in economics and trade

Magic in Conflict and Cooperation

A. How magic can cause conflicts and tensions

B. How magic can be used for diplomacy and alliances

C. How magic can be used to resolve conflicts

History

Incorporating a world history into your story is an excellent way to add depth and richness to your world-building. By establishing a history, you can develop your world's cultures and religions, and intertwine it with your plot for added complexity. However, it's not necessary to have a history for the entire world's creation - just a basic overview of the setting where your story takes place is sufficient.

Another helpful aspect to include in your world-building is myths, lore, and major events that have shaped festivals or important days in your world. Additionally, highlighting significant historical figures can also provide valuable context for your story.

While it's not essential to introduce this information at the beginning of your story, it's a good idea to flesh out these details during revisions to ensure a cohesive and well-rounded world. This can help maintain consistency throughout your story and enhance the overall reading experience for your audience.

If you are creating an entire world history. Here are some things to think on:

Creation Myth and Cosmology

A. Explanation of the world's creation myth

B. Introduction of the cosmology of the world

Early Civilizations and Kingdoms

A. The rise of early civilizations and kingdoms

B. Development of early cultures and their impact on the world

Major Historical Events

A. Wars and conflicts

B. Great discoveries and inventions

C. Natural disasters and calamities

Key Figures in History

A. Heroes and heroines

B. Villains and antagonists

C. Leaders and rulers

Religion and Spirituality

A. Explanation of the major religions and spiritual beliefs in the world

B. Impact of religion and spirituality on world events and culture

Technology and Advancements

A. Advancements in science and technology

B. Development of new magic and spells

Current State of the World

A. The current political and social situation in the world

B. Ongoing conflicts and challenges

C. Future possibilities for the world

Geography

Understanding the visual aspects of your story's setting is a valuable tool for crafting a rich and immersive world. By knowing the geography, you can better visualize how your characters will interact with their surroundings, what they'll wear, and what they'll eat. It can also play a major role in shaping the culture of the people inhabiting your world.

The geography of your world can even influence the physical characteristics of certain races, like those living near a volcano who may have tough, scaly skin to resist heat. Some key factors to consider when developing the geography of your world include the landscape, climate, weather patterns, natural resources, and the types of food available to your characters. These details can all work together to bring your world to life and make it feel like a fully-realized place with a unique identity.

Things to think on while creating your world geography:

Physical Features

A. Landforms such as mountains, forests, and rivers

B. Climate and weather patterns

C. Natural resources and their distribution

Political Boundaries

A. Different regions and territories

B. Borders, boundaries, and conflicts

C. How politics and culture influence geography

Cultural Landscapes

A. Architecture and building styles

B. Cultural and religious sites

C. Impact of culture and history on the physical landscape

Mystical and Supernatural Features

A. Magic and other supernatural elements

B. Divine or cursed locations

C. How these features shape the world

Politics

In the world of writing, it's easy to think that politics don't matter, especially when you're starting out. However, this is far from the truth. As you craft your story, there will come a point where your character will need to make a decision that affects the people around them. When others either agree or disagree with that decision, you're entering the realm of politics. In its simplest form, politics is all about how groups of people work together to make decisions and get things done. This can involve everything from choosing leaders and making laws to deciding how to use resources. In a fantasy world, politics can take on a different flavor. Different races and groups of creatures might be vying for control of territory or trying to gain power or fight for their rights.

The Players

A. Different races and societies

B. Leaders and powerful figures

C. Factions, alliances, and conflicts

The Systems

A. Government and governance

B. Laws and regulations

C. Use of magic and supernatural powers

The Issues

A. Resource allocation

B. Territorial disputes

C. Power struggles and control

There are a lot of different factors that can affect politics in your fantasy world, and it's important to consider how your characters and societies will respond to them. Whether they're fighting for their rights, negotiating deals, or making compromises, the decisions they make will shape the world you're creating. So take some time to think about these things and how they'll impact your story

Technology

It's important to consider the level of advancement in your fantasy world. For example, if you're writing an old world fantasy kingdom, but there is technology present, your readers will likely be curious about where it came from, how it was developed, and who created it. Make sure to address these questions in your world-building

Here are some things to think on while working on technology for your world:

Types of Technology

A. Explanation of various types of technology in the world

B. Magic and technology: their relationship and interaction

Evolution of Technology

A. The history of technology in the world

B. Key figures and events that drove technological progress

The Creation and Distribution of Technology

A. Who creates technology in the world

B. How technology is distributed throughout the world

C. Economic and social factors that impact technology development

The Impacts of Technology

A. Positive and negative impacts of technology on society and culture

B. Environmental impacts of technology

Limitations of Technology

A. Constraints on technology development

B. Limitations on the use of technology

Future of Technology

A. Speculation on the future of technology in the world

B. Potential implications for the world and its inhabitants

That's it! We are done! Cheers everyone! Great job on completing your detailed outline! Here's a recap of all the elements you should include: First, choose your genre, trope, target audience, and set a word and chapter count. Define your plot in 2-3 sentences, then expand it and break it down into beginning, middle, and end. Then create a chapter-by-chapter outline. For your characters, give them names, a brief history, physical descriptions, personality traits, conflicts, and character growth.

When it comes to world building, describe the geography and how it affects culture, politics, and history. Provide an overview of the various cultures, their practices and beliefs, and how they impact character interactions. Explain the political landscape, the systems, structures, and how they affect characters. Develop the world's history, including key events and figures that shaped it and how it affects the current state of the world.

Include an overview of the magical and technological systems in the world, how they interact, and their limitations and implications. Discuss the various religions, their beliefs and practices, and how they impact characters. Provide an overview of the languages spoken in the world and how they affect interactions between characters. Lastly, describe the various creatures and races in the world, their physical characteristics, cultural practices, and how they interact with each other and with humans.

For convenience,?here is a scrivener template created with this style in mind and all the research is included in?the template's resource folder. It's free, so don't stress and?Download. Note that this is a google drive link. Simply Download and import into scrivener as a template.