How Do Writers Create Fictional Worlds?

By Maryann Yin Comment

“How can human-made squiggles on a page reflect lights into our eyes that sends signals to our brains that we logically and emotionally decode as complex narratives?”

The animated video embedded above features a five-minute TED-Ed lesson with tips on how to build fictional worlds in stories. Kate Messner, a children’s books author and a speaker at the TED 2012 conference, served as the educator who crafted this lecture.

Throughout the lesson, Messner makes references to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Harry Potter series, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and other beloved stories. Over at the TED Ed website, writers can access a quiz, a discussion board, and more resources. What are your tips for world building?