More on World Building

The Specifics

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. You have decided that your world needs a lot of detail, if not for the plot but for yourself, to give yourself an idea of how it all works and fits together.

You need the rules.

You have decided that your world will take place in a pre-technology magic land, or it will take place in the modern day. Maybe it’s hundreds or thousands of years into the future. But whatever it is, you’ve got it. Now you need the specifics.

Let’s get on with it.

The Specifics

I would normally suggest starting with the items that are most relevant to your novel. For example, in Curious Events the most important part is the different races who live in the world. In Guardian Chronicles, the geography is rather relevant, as I don’t want characters walking hundreds of miles in a matter of minutes. However, transportation and technology is important in Conexion.
I’m going to present to you a more general world building template. Enjoy.

Build Your World
Genre:
Name of the world:
Name of the quadrant/region/city:
Level of technology (ie, pre-electricity, advanced tech, etc):

Economic
What do people eat?:
Where does the food come from?:
Where do materials come from for shelter/clothing/tools?:
How do they pay for the goods?:
Who produces the goods and how well are they paid/treated?:
What is the class system? (Who is on top? Who has the rough deal?):
How do the different classes mix and interact?:
What causes the difference between the classes?:
What species/races are present?:
Do the different species and races mix well? Is there tension?:
How do the local people feel about migration?:
How do the migrants feel about the local people?:
What is the cause for migration? (Economic/climate/war/fancied a change?):
How do people migrate/travel?:
Who disposes of the rubbish/garbage?:
How do they by/build a home?:
Where do their children learn?:
What do they do for recreation?:
What jobs do people have?:
What industries exist in the world?:

Security
How is the country/region/quadrant protected?:
Is there an army/airforce/spaceforce?:
How do those in charge ensure the people follow the rules?:
What are the consequences for breaking the laws/rules?:
How safe are the people in your world from crime?:
How are the army/police/whatever trained?:

Political
Who is in charge?:
How did they gain power?:
How might they lose power?:
How do they rule?: (is it a dictatorship?)
How do they maintain power?:
Is there anyone angling to take over?:
How do the people feel about who is in power?:
How would the political situation in another area affect the situation in our setting?:

Philosophical
Do the people believe in a higher being?:
What are the religious buildings?:
Any festivals associated with their beliefs?
How is the calendar decided?:
Is there a religious hierarchy?:
How do people of different beliefs interact?:
How do the beliefs effect those in power?:

Their Past
How has the past formed what has happened today?:
What are the most significant events?:
What are the events they talk about in fear?:
What events are they proud of?:
How have the different quadrants/regions/cities treated each other in the past?:
How does the past influence the now?: