This free self-paced course, designed by Ian Nettleton, guides you through classic science-fiction settings and explores ways to craft your own.
This self-paced course is part of our Early Career Writers’ Resources pack World Building, made possible by Arts Council England. Discover more here →
All stories need good settings but science fiction has its own unique and particular needs, whether you’re writing in the past, an alternative present or the far future. This course guides you through classic sci-fi settings and explores ways to craft your own.
By the end of the course you’ll know:
- How to use your setting to reflect and reveal your characters
- How to use the mundane to your advantage
- The difference between world building and exposition
- What separates after the catastrophe from enclosed habitats
- Why verisimilitude is key to any science fiction story
World Building
Discover how to create your own unique worlds with Kieron Gillen, Abi Daré, Farhana Shaikh and Ian Nettleton.
‘All of writing is a magic trick’ — Kieron Gillen
Multi-award-winning comics writer Kieron Gillen joins us on the podcast to discuss his methods for world building.
Abi Daré on world building in The Girl With The Louding Voice
Abi explains how she uses voice and tone to explore and reveal the world of her story.
World building in short stories — Farhana Shaikh
Writer and publisher Farhana Shaikh shares her advice for world building in short stories, where word count is at a premium and efficiency is essential.
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Kieron Gillen on world building: ‘All of writing is a magic trick’
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, multi-award-winning comics writer Kieron Gillen discusses his methods for world building.
1st October 2020
Abi Daré on world building in The Girl With The Louding Voice
Abi Daré joins us to discuss The Girl With The Louding Voice and how she uses voice and tone to explore and reveal the world of her story.
1st October 2020
World building in short stories
Farhana Shaikh shares her advice for world building in short stories, where word count is at a premium and efficiency is essential.
1st October 2020