Creating Life (The Art of World Building, #1)

Endorsement from Bestselling Author Piers Anthony

"I read Creating Life (The Art of World Building, #1), by Randy Ellefson...It is exhaustive, well written, and knowledgeable...I, as a successful science fiction and fantasy writer, have generated many worlds, so this material is familiar, but it would have been easier and probably better had I had a reference like this. It is realistic, recognizing that the average writer may not have the patience to work out all the details before getting into the action..."

Endorsement from Ed Greenwood, inventor of The Forgotten Realms and dozens of imaginary worlds

"Worldbuilding—creating a fictional setting—is THE biggest job of a storyteller. It can be done badly or minimally, but doing so risks robbing a tale of richness and impact, by leaving the audience uncaring or making “the stakes” less clear or dramatic.

So, after “once upon a time,” where to begin this devastatingly big job? With CREATING LIFE by Randy Ellefson, even the first volume of which is THOROUGH. This book raises ALL the points, and asks all the questions. Not just recommended: essential!"

Introduction

1. Introduction
2. Where to Start
3. About Me
4. Free Book
5. Disclaimers
6. The Chapters
7. Templates and Newsletter

Chapter 1 - Why Build a World?

1. Why Build a World?
2. Using Analogues
3. How Many Worlds?
4. A Caveat
5. A Question of Depth
6. The Problem of Exposition
7. The Value of Influences

Chapter 2 - Creating Gods

1. Creating Gods
2. In Science Fiction
3. In Fantasy
4. Pantheons
5. Mythology
6. Characteristics
7. Behavior
8. Where to Start

Chapter 3 - Creating a Species

1. Creating a Species
2. Species or Race?
3. Should You Create Your Own Species?
4. Habitat
5. Disposition
6. Appearance
7. Gods
8. Characteristics
9. Worldview
10. Relationships
11. Supernatural
12. Technology
13. Combat
14. The Value of Influences
15. Where to Start

Chapter 4 - Creating World Figures

1. Types
2. Fame
3. Dead or Alive
4. Possessions
5. Steeds and Ships
6. Relationships
7. History
8. Where to Start

Chapter 5 - Creating Monsters

1. Creating Monsters
2. Defining Monster
3. Origins
4. Habitat
5. Motivation
6. Characteristics
7. Where to Start

Chapter 6 - Creating Plants and Animals

1. Should You Create Plants and Animals?
2. Plants
3. Animals
4. Purpose
5. Where to Start

Chapter 7 - Creating Undead

1. Creating Undead
2. Should You Create Undead?
3. The Mind
4. Classification
5. Numbers
6. Prerequisites and Prevention
7. Time Dead
8. Origins
9. Goals
10. Appearance
11. Traits
12. Death
13. Where to Start

Appendices - The Templates

1. God
2. Species
3. World Figures
4. Monster
5. Plants
6. Animals
7. Undead