Getting Started

Write down what you have.

What is the kernel of an idea you already have? It could be as simple as "Rome but in space" or perhaps it's more complex and you already know the names of important characters. Either way, once you've decided you're doing this you should write down everything you have in some form. Take notes, write down names of people and places, draw a rough map if you have one in your head. Once you have these notes you can start getting organized and apply some method to your worldbuilding.

Make a TO DO list.

A great next step is to think about some of the things you need to do. This step is one you should return to whenever you feel you haven't made any progress in a while, but the initial list will help you collect your thoughts and focus on what's important. Look at your notes and consider the gaps in your setting's lore, geography, etc. For example, if you know that one country is ruled by an Emperor, perhaps you might add "Come up with a name for the Emperor." If you know the main kingdom is at war with their neighbor, but you don't know why, you could add "Figure out why they're fighting." These can be writing needs, names that need to be decided, or art and maps that need to be created. It's helpful to have a diverse list of things to do so that as you hit roadblocks you can easily reference your TO DO list and find something you're capable of making progress on.

Get Organized.

Some people choose to do all their Worldbuilding in a notebook or word processor, while others use dedicated worldbuilding apps. There's no right answer, but deciding where you're going to can sometimes be distracting. The important thing is not to get wrapped up in the search for the perfect program and instead get started. Even if you use sticky notes, having a system for your note-taking is what matters. Creating a file called "Races" and another called "Religions" can help keep your ideas clear. For more advice on some options for organization, see the planning page.

Write down your questions.

Go through your setting and ask yourself some questions, writing them down as you go. Pretend you're a reader- what are the things that people might not understand? What are some things that aren't explained or decided? "How did the Dwarves obtain the artifact?" "Why does the church have so much money?" As you gather this list of questions you'll be forced to answer them. Often such questions are easy to answer once you think about them that way. If you can't come up with an answer, ask a friend or Worldbuilding community what they think and try to get ideas.

Keep in mind your purpose.

If you're building a game, remember to establish all of your playable races, or come up with the spells or technology that exist. If you're planning a story, trace the protagonist's path on your map when figuring out the scale of the world- how long does it take them to get from point A to B? Checking your work against these needs is important. You don't want to remember that the prince of some nation had to take a boat from the capital only to realize you didn't put it on the coast.

Re-read.

Look back at everything you've written and make sure it all matches what you've decided since starting. You don't want your document to say that there are four countries when you've actually added several more.