Fictional writers of all disciplines practice world building to make their story and characters come to life. Whether you are writing a fictional novel, a video game, a tv show, a play, or a screenplay, you must follow these guidelines to embellish your characters' world!

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a ME Studios White Paper

2. World Building
the writer’s process of
constructing an imaginary world

3. Why Do Wri
te
rs Construc
t Worlds?
To enrich the backstory of fictional works

4. Why Do Wri
te
rs Construc
t Worlds?
To enrich the backstory of fictional works
For personal mental exercise

5. Why Do Wri
te
rs Construc
t Worlds?
To enrich the backstory of fictional works
For personal mental exercise
To create a world for a novel ‘s characters

6. Why Do Wri
te
rs Construc
t Worlds?
To enrich the backstory of fictional works
For personal mental exercise
To create a world for a novel ’s characters
For use in role-playing games

7. Why Do Wri
te
rs Construc
t Worlds?
To enrich the backstory of fictional works
For personal mental exercise
To create a world for a novel ’s characters
For use in role-playing games
To create video game fantasy world

8. Put the STORY front and center.
Get to the point immediately!
...so there’s no guessing what the story is about

9. Remember...
M.I.C.E.
All stories contain four elements that can
determine structure and establish the foundation
for World Building:
Milieu, Idea, Character, and Event.

10. Milieu Story
a society
=
The constructed world ...including

11. Milieu Story
a society
=
The constructed world ...including
the weather

12. Milieu Story
a society
=
The constructed world ...including
the weather
family structure

13. Milieu Story
a society
=
The constructed world ...including
the weather
family structure
a planet

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Idea Story

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Idea Story
begin the idea story with a question...
...end it with an answer

16. Character Story
shows the transformation
of a character
Begins when character decides to change role

17. Character Story
shows the transformation
of a character
Begins when character decides to change role
Ends when the struggle to change ends

18. Event Story
= a mishap in the world
begins before the world becomes disorderly

19. Event Story
= a mishap in the world
begins before the world becomes disorderly
ends when a new order is established...

20. Event Story
= a mishap in the world
begins before the world becomes disorderly
ends when a new order is established...
...or when the old order is restored

21. Event Story
= a mishap in the world
begins before the world becomes disorderly
ends when a new order is established...
...or when the old order is restored
...or when the world descends into chaos as order is destroyed

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