How To Make Worldbuilding Make Sense

I’ve been seeing lots of readers discussing how the first few chapters of fantasy books can be absolutely boggling -- that you just have to push through and you’ll eventually get what’s going on. 

But a good writer knows how to ease their reader into the world and, through context, help them understand without dumping information.

Unless a reader is very new to fantasy and still getting used to the genre, they shouldn’t be feeling like they’re reading gibberish. It’s up to the author to make sure readers fall into the story and enjoy it. It’s not on the reader to do homework. 

Often, the problem is lazy, amateur, or just plain bad writing. So let’s fix it!

Making Worldbuilding Work to Tell a Compelling Story

1. Explain as you go

I’m sure the biggest offender you’ve been warned about is exposition - or info - dumping. This is when the author spends paragraphs explaining background information about the world. It’s super boring and takes us out of the story.

But how do we avoid this, without falling into the trap of confusing the reader by giving them no information?

Rather than telling me what the world looks like, let me see it as the main character walks through it. The key is to SHOW, not TELL. Don’t tell me dragons raided the village and there’s barely anything left. Show me the destruction, the scorches, the ashes. Show me how your character always coughs due to the damage to their lungs. 

Example 1:

Dumping: The city was busy and bustling, and I could barely push through the crowds to get to the palace for my job as a maid to the horrible princess. 

Better: I side-stepped tourists, sirens blaring, as I hurried to the palace. At least there, after whipping me for being late, the princess would be yelling for calm and quiet. 

Example 2:

Dumping: The town was deeply religious, its mayor having placed new rules to respect the gods and hope they reigned with benevolence.

Confusing: Juline saw Cassy, who smiled at her then bowed at the church. ‘Blessings.’

Better: Cassy grinned and nodded when she saw Juline, greeting her with a bow towards the church. ‘Blessings, my sister!’ She subtly rolled her eyes. ‘Hello,’ she whispered.

2. Show me the POV character’s world

And not the world as a whole! I don’t need to know about the dragons in a faraway country if they aren’t relevant. Instead, focus on what impacts the POV character in the moment. 

Are they under the control of a tyrannical ruler? How does this impact what their day looks like? Do they have secret powers? Show us the consequences of getting caught with them by having someone else pay the price. 

Example:

Boring: The Queen had ruled over Alasia for 50 brutal years, each worse than the last. Jenny knew that if her powers were discovered, she’d be killed.

Better: ‘Did you hear, Jenny?’ said Mum, stirring their meagre vegetable soup. ‘The king rounded up all the Mages in the next village - killed them on sight.’ Jenny closed her fist around the building light in her palm, her stomach clenching. 

3. Context

This is the easiest and most effective way to take something nonsensical and make its meaning clearer. Simply give me enough clues, without beating me over the head with it, to understand what something means. 

When you use made up words, places, gestures, etc., use the context of the scene to inform the reader what they are.

Example:

Confusing: I hate my job as a ThingThinger.

Better: 'Don't forget your lunch! Those things won't thing themselves - and you know what that does to the dragons' tempers.'

Want to learn more?

My book How to Edit Your Own Novel has 500+ pages of guidance for authors, including a huge chapter on worldbuilding. Grab it from your favourite online bookstore now!

Need more personalised advice? Chat to me about mentoring, editing, and manuscript assessments.

Poppy Rose Solomon’s creative pursuits are a manifestation of her passions for the whimsical and magical. Evoking inspiration and escapism is the goal of her storytelling. From her home in Lutruwita/Tasmania, she freelances as a YA editor and coach through her business Poppy’s Pages. Woken Kingdom is her first series, with plenty more novels to come, and she has also released a book to help other authors titled How to Edit Your Own Novel.