With Halloween just a week away, I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy, and thinking about what it takes to build a convincing new world.
World-building is the backbone of any successful paranormal fantasy. The atmosphere, rules, and hidden layers of the world are just as important as the characters themselves. Crafting a believable world where the supernatural thrives alongside the mundane requires attention to detail, logic, and imagination. Here are some strategies for building a compelling world.
1. Anchor the Supernatural in the Mundane
One of the things I enjoy most in reading paranormal fantasy is the blend of real-world settings with the extraordinary. Often, the world the author has created appears at first glance to be just an ordinary town, city, or other location. But the more you read, the more you learn about the supernatural differences between this setting and our real, everyday world. Shapeshifters, witches, and vampires, often hide in plain sight in these worlds. Using the familiar—a college, a diner, a grocery store, a city park—to contrast ordinary, everyday elements with the paranormal can make things seem all the spookier.
2. Establish Clear Laws for Magic and Powers
In every fantasy, sci-fi, or paranormal fantasy book I read, the creatures and characters have their own rules—the world’s physics, if you will. For example, in some authors’ worlds, vampires eat food as well as drink blood, in others, they do not. In some fantasies, elves are the good guys, in others, they are the evil, trickster Fae of Irish legends. People may turn into animals, or animals may be able to communicate with humans. But whatever you decide are the rules of your world, must be consistent. These decisions not only shape the plot but also help the reader understand the stakes.
3. Create Unique Paranormal Cultures
Different supernatural species should have distinct cultures and social dynamics. This makes your world feel diverse and alive. Consider their customs, power structures, and how they interact with other creatures. Do the different paranormals get along with each other or are they in competition? Are the covens, packs, elf havens, etc., filled with rivalries and tensions? Are there governing bodies or is society ruthless and chaotic?
4. Build Mystery and History into the Setting
A rich paranormal world has layers of history that affect the present. How did this particular society come into being? What ancient myths or secrets are at play? This type of backstory helps make the book more believable to the reader. Scatter hints of backstory throughout the dialogue and plot.
5. Use the Setting to Shape the Characters’ Journeys
In paranormal fantasy, the setting itself can act as a character. The mood, climate, and terrain influence the choices your characters make. A creepy forest might provide a perfect ambush point, or a secluded house could offer temporary refuge from enemies.
6. Create Conflict That Feels Organic to the World
Conflict should arise naturally from the world you’ve built. Power struggles, ancient feuds, and conflicting moral codes can create tension between characters and propel the story forward. The characters’ struggles should reflect the rules and nature of your world.
7. The Characters Must be Identifiable
Even if your main character is an elf, a witch, or a shapeshifter, your readers must be able to identify with their problems. Coming-of-age stories, where the main character must discover something about themselves are a good example. While the main character may be questing for a lost magical artifact rather than dealing with teenage high school issues, the underlying problems are the same: how to grow and mature and learn to believe in themselves. In other words, a problem everyone can identify with.
Final Thoughts: Make the World Feel Alive
The key to successful world-building is immersion. The world must feel alive, with rules that make sense, cultures that feel rich, and conflicts that flow naturally from its design.