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World Building

Price

$1356.00

Duration

6 Months

About the Course

This course will introduce you to the art and craft of world-building, a creative process that involves imagining and designing fictional settings for stories, games, and other media. You will learn the basic principles and techniques of world-building, as well as explore different types of worlds, such as fantasy, science fiction, historical, and contemporary. By the end of this course, you will have created your own original world and presented it in a portfolio.


The course consists of modules, each with a specific learning objective and a practical assignment and a quick Quizz. For each module, materials have been provided to help you through the course and allow for quick references or easy use to complete assignments. There is no pass or fail; the information provided here is meant to help you hone your craft. The modules are:


Module 1: Multiple Lessons

Introduction to World-Building. You will also cover the basics of what world-building is, its purpose, and how to approach it. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • what is world-building

  • the basics that makes up world-building

  • the importance of world-building and what it affects

  • the purpose of world-building

  • why world-building is essential to create a consistent and engaging world for your readers

  • how world-building can enhance your plot, characters, and themes

  • what pitfalls to avoid


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 2: Multiple Lessons

Foundations of World-Building. In this module, you will learn the basic principles and concepts of world-building, such as genre, theme, scope, and consistency. In our lessons,


You will:

  • explore different types of worlds

  • learn what is a realistic, fantastical, historical, and futuristic world

  • learn how to choose the best one for your story

  • explore some examples of famous fictional worlds


Discussion Forum: Famous Fictional Worlds

Practical Assignment

Quizz


Module 3: Multiple Lessons

The Process of World-Building. World-building is the art of creating a fictional world that feels realistic, immersive and consistent. It involves developing the physical, cultural, historical, social and political aspects of the world, as well as its magic system, if any. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • the integration and presentation of world-building

  • how to incorporate your world-building into your narrative

  • how to show rather than tell your readers about your world

  • how to avoid info-dumps and exposition

  • how to use world-building to create conflict, tension, and mystery

  • how to break down these questions:

    • how to start world-building

    • what is mapping

    • what's the "big picture"

    • what is "fleshing out the details"

    • do you need to research

    • is experimenting with ideas acceptable


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 4: Multiple Lessons

World-Building Tools and Resources. Look for sources that can inform and inspire your world-building. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • the sources and methods of world-building:

    • where to find inspiration and ideas for your world

    • how to research and adapt existing elements from real or fictional sources

    • how to balance originality and familiarity

    • how to organize and document your world-building information

  • how to create a to do list for world-building

  • what are some of the tools and resources you'll need

  • where can you find tools and resources to use

  • what software to use

  • what's good; what's your best choice for software

  • about organizational software to organize your thoughts


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 5: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part One. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world, such as geography. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process.


(1) Physical Geography.This lesson covers the physical aspects of your world, such as geography, climate, seasons, time, flora, fauna, etc.


You will learn:

  • how you can use maps to describe the setting of your story and how it affects the plot and the characters

  • how you can use diagrams to describe the setting of your story and how it affects the plot and the characters

  • how you can use sketches to describe the setting of your story and how it affects the plot and the characters

  • how you can use notes to describe the setting of your story and how it affects the plot and the characters

  • how to use aspects such as terrain, and natural resources

  • how does the shape of land affects the temperature, precipitation and seasons


(2) Terrain and Landforms. Understand how these physical features of your world affect your story. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • how does this make your world more realistic and immersive

  • how do these features affect climate, culture, history, conflicts of your world

  • what's the point in deciding on the size of your world: is it a planet, continent, an island, or something else

  • why this is important

  • what is the relation between your world and all the others, or surrounding regions

  • if you should add boundaries

  • about water features

  • if your world benefits from putting beings to live on the water, in the water

  • what types of features should you add

  • about a world under-ground living beside an underground river, or a mysterious hidden lake

  • that water erodes, creates interesting landforms

  • if beings on your world worship landforms

  • if plate tectonics are involved in forming landforms

  • how you can use landforms

  • if having them enhance your world


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 6: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part Two. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world such as climate and weather. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process to indicate climate and weather.


(3) Climate and Weather. Understand the basics of climate zones. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • if your world has major climate zones like earth

  • how to use these zones as a starting point for your world

  • to consider the effects of axial tilt on seasons

  • what role water and wind play on your world

  • how your world has natural disasters and anomalies

  • to ask if these events impact the beings living in your world

  • if you need to establish climate and weather rules for your world

  • how the distribution of water affects the temperature, precipitation and seasons

  • what factors influence climate and weather

  • if you should use them to create different terrain and landforms prevalent to your story

  • how can climate and weather enhance your story


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 7: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part Three. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world, such as biomes and ecosystems. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process to indicate biomes and ecosystems.


(4) Biomes and Ecosystems. Understand the importance of biomes and ecosystems. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • what are biomes

  • what are ecosystems

  • what breaking down the biomes and ecosystems offer to your world-building

  • how do plants and animals in your world differ from those on Earth

  • how do these animals thrive in their environment

  • what are their roles and relationships in the food web

  • about natural resources and hazards


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 8: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part Four. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world, such as culture, and religion. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process.


(5) Culture and Society. This part of the module covers the social aspects of your world, such as history, religion, education, art, language, customs, values, etc. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • history and timeline

  • how to use charts, symbols, or stories to illustrate culture of your world

  • how culture shapes the conflicts and themes of your story

  • religion and mythology

  • language and writing

  • art and architecture

  • customs and traditions


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 9: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part Five. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world, such as politics, and economy. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process.


(6) Politics and Economy. You will examine the political and economic systems that govern your world, such as government, law, trade, and currency. In our lessons,


You will learn about:

  • government and law

  • trade and currency

  • economy and industry

  • conflict and diplomacy


Practical Assignment

Quizz


Module 10: Multiple Lessons

Elements of World-Building Part Six. In this module, you will learn how to develop the key elements of your world, such as magic, and technology. You will also learn how to use maps, diagrams, and other visual tools to enhance your world-building process.


(7) Magic and Technology. You will delve into the magic and technology that define your world, such as magic systems, scientific principles, inventions, and innovations. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • magic systems and rules

    about supernatural aspects of your world, such as magic systems, rules, limitations, sources, effects, etc.

  • you can use formulas, diagrams, examples, or explanations to define the magic of your world

  • how magic influences the plot and the characters

  • scientific principles and discoveries

  • inventions and innovations

  • magic vs technology


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 11: Multiple Lessons

Characters and Plot in World-Building. In this module, you will learn how to create believable and compelling characters and plot for your world. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • how to use character archetypes

  • how motivations, conflicts, and arcs drive your story forward

  • how to balance world-building and storytelling

  • how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes

  • how to populate your world: characters and creatures

  • how to create the inhabitants of your world, such as its

    • races

    • species

    • factions

    • groups

    • individuals

  • how to make them realistic and relatable to your audience


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 12: Multiple Lessons

Characters and Stories. We'll be more specific to your story and help you create compelling characters and background stories that inhabit your world, such as protagonists, antagonists, allies, enemies, and plots. We'll begin by bringing these lessons to our forum to gain feedback, help from the instructor, and beta test your ideas. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • Protagonists and Antagonists

    • the personal aspects of your world

      • the main characters

      • their backgrounds

      • motivations

      • goals

      • arcs

  • how use profiles, sketches, interviews, or scenes to introduce the characters of your world

  • how they interact with each other and with the environment

  • allies and enemies

  • character development and arcs

  • plots and subplots


Discussion Forum: Your Ideas For Beta Testing Re: Protagonist and Antagonist and their personal aspects of your world.

Discussion Forum: How to Introduce Your Characters to Your World?

Discussion Forum: How Do Your Characters Interact With Others?

Discussion Forum: How Do Your Characters Interact With The Environment?

Discussion Forum: How Do You Plan on Showing Growth in Your Protagonist?


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 13: Multiple Lessons

Genre and Theme. This module guides you on how to choose the genre and theme of your world, such as fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, or mystery. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • genre and subgenre

  • logic and consistency

  • how to make your world believable: logic and conformity

  • how to ensure that your world makes sense and follows its own rules, such as its physics, magic, technology, laws, etc.

  • you will also learn how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes

  • to create a story bible and why this is important

  • theme and message



Sub-Lesson: Breaking down the story bible format and forms.

Material Provided

Forum Discussion: Using a story bible


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 14: Multiple Lessons

Tone and Mood. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • tone and mood are two important elements of creative writing that can shape the way readers experience your story

  • how to use tone and mood effectively in your worldbuilding

  • how they can enhance your plot, characters, and themes

  • how to establish tone and mood in the opening scene

  • tropes and clichés


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 15: Multiple Lessons

Adding Fantasy Elements Part One. In this module you'll explore adding Fantasy elements to make your world-building more immersive and captivating, but they also require careful planning and execution. Here are lessons to help you add fantasy elements to your world without breaking the suspension of disbelief or overwhelming the reader. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • what fantasy elements are

  • examples of fantasy elements and how to implement them into your work

  • about magic

  • mythical creatures

  • supernatural phenomena

  • or exotic materials


Forms and Materials Provided

Links and Resources

Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 16: Multiple Lessons

Adding Fantasy Elements Part Two. In this module you'll explore adding fantasy elements to make your world-building more immersive and captivating, but they also require careful planning and execution. Here are lessons to help you add fantasy elements to your world without breaking the suspension of disbelief or overwhelming the reader. You can use fantasy elements to create unique and imaginative terrain and landforms for your world. For example, you can have floating islands, crystal caves, lava fields, or enchanted forests. But what would happen if you changed things around to have floating caves, crystal forests, lava islands and enchanted fields? In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • how to create lists of fantasy elements that are commonly heard of, and turn them into something more unique to add to your world

  • to establish the rules and limitations of your fantasy elements

  • what deus ex machina situations are and how they can ruin your story

  • how to balance the familiar with the unfamiliar

  • how to avoid being mundane or cliched and not bore or disappoint the reader

  • how to integrate fantasy elements into your world-building

  • how to show, don't tell fantasy elements in your story

  • why "in action" and "in context" is preferred to "in abstract" and "in isolation"

  • how fantasy elements enhance your theme and message

  • how to avoid making fantasy elements that are a burden or chore to your readers but rather a source of joy and wonder


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 17: Multiple Lessons

Reality vs. Fantasy. Finding a balance between what's real and what is fantasy is incredibly important to keep your reader engaged in yor story. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • why it's important to find a balance between the elements of fantasy and reality

  • what's the difference

  • what is the purpose of using fantasy elements

  • what three factors should always be kept in mind when using fantasy elements

  • what are the three purposes of using reality elements

  • pitfalls of using reality elements with fantasy elements

  • when can you cross fantasy with realistic fiction

  • what is

    • magical realism

    • urban fantasy

    • science fiction

    • horror

    • surrealism


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 18: Multiple Lessons

Cross-Genre Fantasy World-Building. How to do this? In our lessons,


You will learn (if creating a world that is cross-genred):

  • what is the main genre and tone of your story

  • what is the intended effect or message of your story

  • who is the target audience of your story

  • how will the fantasy and reality elements interact with each other

  • how will the fantasy and reality elements affect the characters and their development

  • how will the fantasy and reality elements advance or complicate the plot

  • how will the fantasy and reality elements support or challenge the theme

  • to become aware of the potential benefits and risks to crossing fantasy with reality elements in a story


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 19: Multiple Lessons

How to Make Your World Immersive. In this module you'll learn to use sensory details and atmosphere to make your world immerive. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • how to develop the details

  • how to bring all aspects together

  • to identify how all aspects influence the conflicts and challenges that your characters face

  • using show not telling to make your world immersive to your readers

  • avoiding info-dumping

  • pitfalls of long descriptions or expositions

  • how to reveal your world gradually and organically as it unfolds

  • how to let your readers discover your world along with the characters

  • giving ground to allow your readers to fill in gaps using their imagination

  • how to use descriptive language and imagery to convey the look, feel, sound, smell, taste, etc. of your world

  • the importance of how to avoid contradictions or inconsistencies that might confuse or distract from your story

  • the effects of dropping new elements or rules to your world

  • how to make sure new rules or elements fit with what you have already established

  • how to create a mood and a tone for your world that matches your genre and theme


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 20: Overview

In this module you'll explore the different media available and how to adapt your world for different medias available selected from: writing and visualizing. In this module, you will learn how to present your world in different formats and platforms, such as writing (novels, short stories, scripts), visualizing (artwork, maps, models), or both (comics, games). This will be a brief overview as this is actually a whole other course. There will no practical assignment, quizz or summary. In our lessons,


You will learn:

Presentation Formats and Methods

  • how your world should appear for different media

  • we will teach you how to present your world to others, such as readers, players, or viewers

  • the potential for developing different careers using world-building techniques



Module 21: Multiple Lessons

Presentation and Feedback in World-Building. In this module, you will learn how to present your world to your audience, whether it is through writing, gaming, or other media. In our lessons,


You will learn:

  • how to use language, style, tone, and perspective to convey your world effectively

  • how to seek and incorporate feedback from others in an outline format

  • how to revise and improve your world-building

  • the difference between presentation and feedback

  • the methods available for conveying your world to your audience

  • how to receive feedback


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 22: Multiple Lessons

How to Showcase Your World: Portfolio and Feedback. In this module, you will learn how to compile your work into a portfolio that showcases your world-building skills and creativity. You will also learn how to seek and give constructive feedback on your own and others' worlds.The lessons are:


- Feedback Sources and Types

- Feedback Analysis and Revision

- World-Building Tips and Tricks


List Material Provided

Forum Discussion: Feedback For Your Outline

Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Module 23: Bonus Material

Creating a World Map. One of the most important aspects of world-building is creating a realistic and immersive map for your fictional setting. A map can help you visualize the geography, climate, culture, and history of your world, as well as provide a reference for your readers. Here are some steps to follow when creating a map for your world-building project:


-The Basic Beginnings

-What to Add

-Scale And Projection

-Adding Layers

-Refine And Revise

-Finalize And Feedback


Practical Assignment

Quizz

Summary


Course Summary Video


By the end of this course, you will have a solid foundation in world-building theory and practice. You will be able to create your own unique and engaging fictional worlds that will captivate your audience.



Breakdown of Fees: $1356.00

$ 200.00 - base programming

$ 400.00 - For module set-up

$ 600.00 - For lessons: including:

  • videos

  • our copywritten forms

  • other materials

  • research

  • resources

  • forum access

  • instructor access

  • 6 month access to program

  • practical assignments

  • quizzes

  • summaries

plus taxes and service fee

Notice: All information, forms and content provided for this course is strictly the property of Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak and should not be copied, reused, rebranded or altered in any fashion for unauthorized purposes, and without explicit permission to do so by the aforementioned parties, hereto.


Any infringement of copyright, trademark, or registration will result in legal actions being taken against violators. Permission of use is governed solely for this program/course as provided strictly adhering to copyright laws of Canada and the United States and for no improper purposes in accordance to the law.


For terms and conditions governing refunds, go to terms and conditions in the main menu under Dark Dove Publishing. All personal data is subject to our privacy policy listed below. Although Dark Dove Publishing strives to provide correct and appropriate materials, any errors or ommisions should be immediately brought to the attention of Dark Dove Publishing in written form by sending an email to:

info.darkdovepublishing@gmail.com


Private information is forbidden on public forums. Any links or emails provided there will be deleted. All posts are governed with the strictest policies. Please remain professional with conduct when using services, products, access and other items belonging to Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak, as per the terms of conduct and program/course polices provided with each course description.


All courses are for informational purposes to fine tune and hone the craft of writing. None are for official certification toward a degree, diploma, or professional certification in any form. Go here to read further terms and conditions

Your Instructor

J.L. Slipak

J.L. Slipak

Certified Freelance Writer, Editor, Published Author, CEO Dark Dove Publishing, 40 Years Experience in the Written World

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