Welcome back to Lore & Love! This week, we're tackling the grand, intimidating, and absolutely thrilling art of world-building. How do you create a fantasy world that feels like it has a pulse? We explore the "iceberg" method of world-building: focusing on the ninety percent of culture and history that lies beneath the surface to make the story your reader sees feel solid, authentic, and lived-in.
Using specific examples from the Storm Kin Saga—from the sensory details of the Seven Curses tavern to the historical scars that define characters like Evandar and Me'chkia—we break down how to build a world from the ground up. Learn why you should start with culture before you draw a map, how small details like a local menu or a unique ritual can reveal deep truths about your society, and how to use history to create a world that feels as though it existed long before your story began.
Join me for a practical, hands-on guide to crafting a world that truly breathes, and stay for the "Five Senses Question," a simple exercise to help you bring your own fictional locations to life.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!