/lit/ - Literature

>>3759823
I'm currently working on a science fiction space opera-esque novel & saga (have been throwing updates in these threads), and I can relate to what you’re saying. The thing you have to remember is that worldbuilding, themes and characters take serious time to germinate and mature. I've currently worked on my treatment for almost 6 months now, since graduating from university, and there is still more to go.

There is no right or wrong way to start building your world; it's just a matter of what ever feels more comfortable or natural for you. One thing you should absolutely utilise is a treatment. I come from a film and television background (and also article publishing), so writing treatments have been kind of a standard for me. Most of my treatments are around 5-10 pages, but when dealing with a story involving worldbulding, this current treatment is already around 30+ pages.

My story actually started its life as a short story, and from there expanded. I was left with many questions in the short story, and as I started finding answers to these questions, I realised that I wasn’t only writing a short story, but I was writing only one small event part of a much bigger tale. Before I knew it, I had created a world containing a host of detailed races, characters, agendas, histories and cultures. From a short story, an entire world had figuratively created itself. I generally went from:

Star System --> Planets --> Racial Groups --> Society / Culture (including, government, economics, religion, etc.) --> Cities / Towns

Story, characters, themes and premise I dealt with separately. You have to really make sure you don't neglect one or the other. Worldbuilding is important, but without an entertaining story and character(s), no one will stick around to read your material. Also consistency is key; every element has to work with one another and be consistent and thematically dramatic – from the characters, to their motives and their system of beliefs.