I've talked a lot about how to make a realistic setting, but how do you make a fantasy setting seem believable? My top tip is much the same as for characterisation: you need to know everything about it.
Here are some things to consider when writing your fantasy world:
1. Where is it set? Is it on Earth or another planet or solar system?
2. When is it set? How advanced is the technology, how old are the buildings/structures?
3. What creatures inhabit the land? Don't forget to include creatures that aren't the same species as your main characters - eg. bugs and fish. This will add extra realism to your writing.
4. What does it look like? Are there mountains, grass, structures, etc? What are they made of?
5. Don't forget the other senses. What smells are there? How do things feel? For example, they could be near a sulphur hotspot, similar to Iceland on Earth for example.
6. Map it out. If you keep drawings of your world, you are less likely to slip up in continuity. Consider the Lord of the Rings maps of Middle Earth - you might want to include maps with your story, or you might not. Either way, they are useful for your own referencing.
7. Once you've created your big map, make sure you know all of the smaller details. What does a typical house look like? Do your creatures live in communes, with families or alone? Do they have villages and towns?
But don't forget, there's more than just setting in a fantasy world. What language do they speak? Do they follow a religion? Do they have places of worship and what do they look like/involve? Are there any rules? What is their history? What kind of political state are they in?
Happy writing!
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