The first steps…

Building a world from the bottom takes time, there is no getting around that. But when it comes to world building, regardless of whether you’re writing fiction or dramas, the thing writers struggle with the most, is getting the idea.

Rather than thinking that the writing process starts when you sit down to write the first couple of lines, any written work starts with shaping and getting the idea. To some people, getting ideas for a world setting comes as easy as making breakfast. But to others, or if you’re working in a team, a lot of suggestions can actually block the process entirely. The best way to handle this problem, is to allow yourself (and others) to make silly ideas. If you’re working as a team, this is crucial to even get the project started. It might feel like you’re increasing the workload later on, by adding more and more ideas to the project, but don’t worry; to most writers, deleting things during the writing process comes pretty naturally.

Unfortunately, there is no direct help to getting ideas. The best you can do is allow your brain to relax, and let yourself be open to suggestions. Another important thing is to not get caught up on being original. This is also something that you work out later in the process, getting it in your head before you even begin writing, means that you’ll be worrying about what other people create, have created, and will create. This is one of the most progress-destroying elements of writing, worry about the writing in itself, everything else doesn’t matter right now.