The Worldbuilder Diaries
The Worldbuilder Diaries are a series of posts I wrote discussing my process for worldbuilding in fantasy and science-fiction realms. What works for me may not work for you, but I hope others will find something of value here.
This page will be updated with links as each topic is published. I’ve had a lot of fun writing this segment of my blog, and I hope you enjoy reading it!
Click each heading to view individual topics.
Worldbuilding Basics
Maps and locations – Published 13JUN2024
Organizing ideas and concepts – Published 06JUN2024
Organization of characters – Published 25JUL2024
Research – Published 18SEP2025
World-Specific Details
Creatures – Published 29AUG2024
Deities and religions – Published 19SEP2024
Fantastical locations – Published 12DEC2024
History – Published 24APR2025
Holidays and Festivals – Published 13NOV2025
Magic systems – Published 07NOV2024
My approach to dragons – Published 16JUL2026
Plant Life – Published 10APR2025
Technology – Published 03OCT2024
Weaponry – Published 27JUN2024
The People
Cultures and society – Published 03JUL2025
Food and drink – Published 17OCT2024
Languages and Communication – Published 09JAN2025
My approach to dragons – Published 16JUL2026
Naming conventions – Published 08AUG2024
Non-human Peoples – Published 05SEP2024
The Storyline
How does the main character fit into their world? – Published 13MAR2025
The First 30% – Published 05MAR2026
Other Stuff
Adding Easter eggs! – Published 21FEB2025
How Many Worlds…? – Published 05DEC2024
The Latest Posts:
- The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons
The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons Love them or loathe them, dragons (and their kin) are a fixture in the fantasy genre. From ancient myths to Tolkien to modern authors, dragons are a recurring theme and something I think many people are fascinated with. I’m guilty of that fascination myself, and I’ve written my… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons - The Worldbuilder Diaries: The First 30%
The Worldbuilder Diaries: The First 30% For most fantasy and science fiction books, a lot of worldbuilding is required. And by the 30% mark, my goal is for the reader to be fully immersed in that fictional world. But I also don’t like to share too much information too quickly. It can be overwhelming for… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: The First 30% - The Worldbuilder Diaries: Holidays and Festivals
The Worldbuilder Diaries: Holidays and Festivals Since we’re headed into the real world’s holiday season, I figured now was a good time to share some of the fictional holidays and festivals you might encounter in my book worlds. I don’t have many featured in my books yet, but I hope you enjoy a few extra… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: Holidays and Festivals - The Worldbuilder Diaries: Research
The Worldbuilder Diaries: Research This may come as a surprise to some people, but some research is required when writing fantasy novels. While you can make a lot of things work by saying, “Magic!” there are still other elements that should be based in real world fact. I do quite a bit of research while… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: Research - The Worldbuilder Diaries: Cultures and Society
The Worldbuilder Diaries: Cultures and Society Every character has a distinct culture and/or societal influence that influences their beliefs, actions, and thought processes. While some of my characters come from a background similar to my own, others showcase very different worldviews—and I find those are the most fun to write about. I’ll showcase a few… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: Cultures and Society - The Worldbuilder Diaries: History
The Worldbuilder Diaries: History This probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has followed my blog or read my books, but I put a lot of time into developing the backstories of my fictional worlds. I have notebooks full of stuff, and some of it never makes it into the published pieces—but it’s… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: History