World Building – Mythic Scribes Test Site

Social Issues in Speculative Fiction

This article is by Isobel Mitton. Speculative fiction writers often tackle social issues. The Hunger Games tackled the social class system. And so did the Divergent series. Both series were about the haves and have-nots. They were also about dictatorial governments in a world where one person had all the power to decide life and … Read more

Using Mythic Elements in Your Stories

by Featured Author

This article is by Anne Marie Gazzolo. Many authors borrow from fairy-tales, myths, and legends and adapt or transform them to suit their own stories. I recently read The History of The Hobbit for a class and was struck by how many elements from Celtic and other mythologies J. R. R. Tolkien wove into his … Read more

Building a Better War — Using Politics in Fantasy Fiction

by Codey Amprim

You know, there was always something that really irked me about Star Wars. Through all of the battles, duels, and reconstructions of planetary annihilation devices, the audience is never directly told what the rebels are, erm, rebelling against. The galaxy is decimated, legends are born and snuffed out across the board with unimaginable death tolls, … Read more

Your World in Ruin — Worldbuilding Without a Story

by Kassan Warrad

In a recent trip to Palestine, I encountered a ruin. Playing amongst the ruins were two children. They were indifferent to the blocks of shaped stone worn down by time and wind. Indeed, by the growth of weeds and the trash strewn about, most were indifferent to it. But a story lay within. I ventured … Read more

The Power of Story — Telling a Story Within a Story

by Featured Author

This article is by Anne Marie Gazzolo. Have you ever considered having stories or songs within your tales? J. R. R. Tolkien does this masterfully within The Lord of the Rings. He demonstrates on several levels the power such things have to add life to a story. Stories Add Depth Your world has a history … Read more

How to Make the Magic in Your Story… Magical

by Featured Author

This article is by Alex Limberg. You want to pull your reader out of his everyday life and draw him into your fantastic world? Want to wow her with things she would have never imagined possible? Then you need to introduce magic into your stories! Here are a couple of hints on how to create … Read more

The Magic of Fantasy — Let’s Love the Unreal

by Featured Author

This article is by Sheila Wisz Ellayn. I joined the wonderful community of Mythic Scribes in November of 2011. During my first weeks here, something surprised me. That was how most of the other members were trying to make their fantasy settings as realistic as possible. I am in love with surreal and impossible settings … Read more

Concealing Your Awesomes

by Kassan Warrad

“And there among the lofty peaks of the Sanandrin Mountains were the tombs of the Founding Kings carved into the living rock. The angels guard their entrances as they guarded their lives, and shield their bodies from the churning rot of time. When the winter passes into spring, the fresh melt carries the blessing of light and is said to heal any affliction of the body. So, blah blah blah…”

I know, it’s tough to refrain from sharing with the world your awesome piece of worldbuilding. You want them to appreciate your creativity, to validate the many months you’ve gnawed over the minor details of your awesome. The unfortunate truth is no one cares about your worldbuilding.