Definition
Worldbuilding is the process of inventing and organizing the setting of a story: geography, culture, history, technology, magic, and social rules that shape character behavior.
Example
A fantasy author might build trade routes, religious holidays, and class tensions before drafting scenes in the capital city.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Creating encyclopedic lore that never affects plot or character choice on the page.
- Inventing details inconsistently so rules change whenever the scene needs convenience.