Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy from Udemy

As a fantasy writer, you want to take your readers to exotic places like they’ve never seen before, a world of wonder that they want to get lost in.

Here at the Worldbuilding Workshop for Fantasy Writing, that’s my aim. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world that your readers will want to get lost in again and again.

The World Building Workshop for Fantasy Writing is taught by me, Jason Link, the author of the Legender series, an epic adventure that Publishers Weekly calls a grand fairytale.

For the last 25 years I have been practicing the art of worldbuilding in fantasy literature, and in this course, I share with you the insights I've gained on that journey. Years and years of research compiled in one place.

The massive task of worldbuilding has been broken down into manageable chunks and follows a logical flow.

In this course, you will

map out your world with natural features (mountains, rivers, forests, etc.) and people-made features (countries, cities, and roads)
plan out your world's timeline to get the big picture of your world's story
create fantastic creatures that survive in your world's habitats
develop peoples and races and establish their societies and cultures
form a healthy relationship between your world and your story
learn crucial concepts used all throughout the worldbuilding process
learn how to establish rules for your world so your world is more believable
learn how to create a world of depth so your world is more compelling
learn how to create meaningful names for the various people, places, and things in your world

By the end of this course, you will have a believable and compelling world that will enchant your readers.

Praise for Jason's course "World Building for Beginners":

"This was a great course. I wrote so many notes down. Each video in each section had so many helpful tips, examples and resources. Well made. This was very motivating. You are very supportive. Thank you. "
"This course has gone over in a brief time what I spent the last year learning. Great stuff. "
"A good introduction to understanding, developing, and leveraging the relationship of your invented world to the story you write. There are interesting and insightful references in the course that help you develop your new world and story."

Praise for the worldbuilding done by Jason Link:

"I am not one to lightly compare a fantasy author to Tolkien, for so few have succeeded in creating such vast worlds and peoples as Tolkien did, and even fewer have produced Tolkien's world-spanning mythology. Jason Link has created a vast and beautiful world, peopling it with fantastic creatures and races, while deeply respecting the spiritual underpinnings of the world he has created."
"Perhaps the best part of reading was that feeling you get when you are immersed into a different world, which is exactly what Link has built. There are cultures, geographies, languages, and creatures that come together to make a fun yet deeply sophisticated world. In this way, The Legender reminded me of the greats like Tolkien."
"The author did a wonderful job of painting a captivating picture of the world of The Legender for us. Although it is a world totally different from our own, I felt connected to it and completely intrigued by the characters, scenery, creatures and story."
"The fantasy world that the author draws you into is described in such beautiful detail that it is both believable and compelling. The characters are well-developed and intriguing, and the story definitely picks up the pace as you move along. I will admit that the new creatures are very different from what is seen in other fantasy novels, but the author does a wonderful job of describing these creatures in such a way that your imagination easily fills in the picture."
"Jason Link has a gift for not only creating a captivating new world, filled with creatures and cultural practices a reader has never thought of, but also maintaining a consistent and believable voice throughout the twists and turns of the story."
"A created world such as this has room for tomes and tomes of adventures and histories for its readers."

Do you wish readers to have a similar reaction to the world of your story?

If so, join me in this course so I can show you how to create a believable and compelling world that will enchant your readersa world your readers will want to get lost in again and again.

Check out the free previews to get a sample of what you'll learn and then enroll to get started worldbuilding today.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build a believable and compelling world for a fantasy story
Map out your world -- natural features (mountains, rivers, forests, etc.) and people made features (countries, cities, and roads)
Create fantastic creatures that survive in your world's habitats
Develop peoples and races and establish their societies and cultures
Plan out your world's timeline to get the big picture of your world's story

Form a healthy relationship between your world and your story
Learn crucial concepts used all throughout the world building process
Learn how to establish rules for your world so your world is more believable
Learn how to create a world of depth so your world is more compelling
Learn how to create meaningful names for the various people, places, and things in your world

Build a believable and compelling world for a fantasy story
Map out your world -- natural features (mountains, rivers, forests, etc.) and people made features (countries, cities, and roads)
Create fantastic creatures that survive in your world's habitats
Develop peoples and races and establish their societies and cultures
Plan out your world's timeline to get the big picture of your world's story
Form a healthy relationship between your world and your story
Learn crucial concepts used all throughout the world building process
Learn how to establish rules for your world so your world is more believable
Learn how to create a world of depth so your world is more compelling
Learn how to create meaningful names for the various people, places, and things in your world

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome!

What You Will Accomplish in this Course

Join your fellow world builders in a community where you can share ideas, ask questions, and receive encouragement.

List the media you have encountered and the experiences you have had that might enrich your world building.

For your first homework assignment, I would like you to watch 3 short videos. As you watch, think about the following question: Is the world presented in these videos believable and compelling? Why or why not?

To watch the videos, click on each of the links listed below. (I suggest watching them in order.)

LittleFoot
The Yuyu
Waterlollies

Of course, your evaluation is not limited to just these videos or the world they present. I encourage you to study the worlds in your favorite fantasy and science fiction books and movies and ask yourself: "What makes them so believable and compelling?"

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by the author of the Legender series, which may provide valuable insights and practical advice from a seasoned fantasy writer

Breaks down the complex task of worldbuilding into manageable chunks, which may help writers approach the process in a structured and less daunting way

Includes assignments that encourage learners to analyze existing fantasy worlds, which may help them develop a critical eye and learn from successful examples

Explores the relationship between worldbuilding and storytelling, which may help writers create worlds that are not just detailed but also integral to their narratives

Covers a wide range of worldbuilding elements, from geography and history to creatures and societies, which may provide a comprehensive foundation for creating immersive fantasy worlds

Includes a section on common jobs in Medieval Europe, which may be useful for writers drawing inspiration from that era but could be limiting for other fantasy settings

Reviews summary

Structured guide to fantasy worldbuilding

According to learners, this course offers a structured approach to the complex task of building a fantasy world. Students frequently praise the instructor, Jason Link, as knowledgeable and inspiring, particularly appreciating his practical tips and insights drawn from his own writing experience. The course content, covering aspects like mapping, creatures, societies, and history, is found to be comprehensive for beginners, though some more advanced learners might seek greater depth. The course structure is often described as logical and easy to follow, breaking down the process into manageable steps.

Excellent starting point for new worldbuilders.

"This is a fantastic course for anyone starting out in fantasy worldbuilding."

"It provides a solid foundation for beginners."

"I had no idea where to start, and this course guided me through everything."

"Perfect for someone new to creating fictional worlds."

Provides actionable tips and assignments.

"I appreciated the practical advice and exercises that help you apply the concepts."

"The assignments encourage you to start building your world right away."

"Lots of helpful tips I can immediately use in my writing."

"It gave me concrete steps to take instead of just abstract ideas."

Content is well-organized and easy to follow.

"I found the step-by-step approach very helpful."

"The course is broken down into logical, bite-sized modules."

"The structure makes it easy to tackle such a large topic."

"It follows a clear progression that builds upon previous lessons."

Covers key elements of fantasy worldbuilding.

"It covers a wide range of topics necessary for worldbuilding, from geography to history to societies."

"This course goes through almost every aspect of worldbuilding you can think of."

"I learned so much about creating believable creatures, societies, and magic systems."

"A great overview touching on maps, creatures, history, and more."

Instructor Jason Link is knowledgeable and engaging.

"Jason is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter."

"The instructor shares valuable insights from his own career as an author."

"His delivery is engaging and easy to follow."

"Jason Link is an inspiring instructor who makes the process feel less daunting."

May be too basic for experienced worldbuilders.

"While comprehensive, more experienced writers might find it a bit basic."

"Could benefit from deeper dives into specific complex topics."

"It's a great intro, but I was hoping for more advanced techniques."

"Felt a little surface-level on some concepts I already knew."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy with these activities:

Review 'The Writer's Map: An Atlas of Imaginary Lands'

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Explore how maps have been used in other fantasy worlds to inspire your own worldbuilding process.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Writer's Map'.
Examine the maps and accompanying text.
Note the different styles and techniques.
Consider how to apply these to your world.

Review 'Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction'

Show steps

Learn techniques for creating imaginative fiction and apply them to your worldbuilding project.

View Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Wonderbook'.
Read the sections on worldbuilding and setting.
Complete the exercises and prompts.
Apply the techniques to your world.

Create a Timeline of Your World's History

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Solidify your understanding of your world's history by creating a detailed timeline of key events.

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Brainstorm significant events in your world's past.
Organize these events chronologically.
Add details and context to each event.
Present the timeline visually or in writing.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Develop a Bestiary of Creatures

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Deepen your understanding of creature design by creating a detailed bestiary for your world.

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Choose several creatures from your world.
Describe their physical characteristics.
Detail their habitats and behaviors.
Explain their role in the ecosystem.

Design a Political Map of Your World

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Reinforce your understanding of countries, cities, and roads by creating a political map.

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Outline the borders of your countries.
Mark the locations of major cities.
Draw the major road networks.
Label all important features clearly.

Write a Short Story Set in Your World

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Apply your worldbuilding knowledge by writing a short story that showcases your world's unique features.

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Choose a compelling story idea.
Develop characters who inhabit your world.
Set the story in a specific location.
Incorporate elements of your world's history.
Revise and polish your story.

Create a Presentation on Your World

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Synthesize your worldbuilding efforts by creating a presentation that showcases your world to others.

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Select the most interesting aspects.
Organize the information logically.
Create visually appealing slides.
Practice your presentation skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Worldbuilder

Worldbuilders are responsible for creating detailed, expansive, and internally consistent fictional worlds. As a fantasy worldbuilder, you want to take readers to exotic places that they want to get lost in. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course is designed precisely for this purpose. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world that your readers will want to get lost in. The course specifically addresses mapping, creature creation, societal development, and creating a world timeline.

See salaries and explore the career path for Worldbuilder

Fantasy Author

As a fantasy author, your primary task involves crafting immersive and engaging narratives set in fantastical worlds. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course directly supports this endeavor by providing a structured approach to constructing believable and compelling fantasy worlds. The course's emphasis on mapping natural and man-made features, creating creatures, developing societies, and establishing rules helps build a strong foundation for any fantasy narrative. Fantasy authors will find the lessons on creating meaningful names particularly useful, alongside the broader insights into establishing a deep and compelling world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fantasy Author

Novelist

Novelists are writers of long-form fictional narratives. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course is directly applicable to a novelist working in the fantasy genre as it provides a structured process for building a believable and compelling world that draws readers in. Skills in mapping, creature creation, and societal development, along with establishing rules for a fantastical world, are necessary skills for a novelist. The course module on making history may be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Story Writer

Story writers create stories for a variety of mediums. The "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course can help story writers develop detailed fantasy worlds. The aim of this course is to construct believable and compelling world that your readers will want to get lost in again and again. Story writers may find particular value in the sections of the course dedicated to societies and creatures. The course makes the task of worldbuilding in fantasy literature manageable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Story Writer

Creative Writer

Creative writers express thoughts, ideas, and emotions through the written word. Fantasy writers want to take readers to exotic places like never before. "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" is built to achieve that aim. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world that your readers will want to get lost in again and again. Creative writers will find particular value in the sections of the course dedicated to societies and creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Writer

Roleplaying Game Designer

Roleplaying game designers craft the rules, settings, and stories for tabletop roleplaying games. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" directly helps roleplaying game designers build fantasy worlds. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating fantastic creatures, and developing peoples and races. A roleplaying game designer may find every module of the course useful.

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Comic Book Writer

Comic book writers script the narratives and dialogue for comic books and graphic novels. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course directly supports this goal by teaching writers how to build believable and compelling fantasy worlds for their stories. The course stresses mapping of natural and man-made features, the creation of fantastic creatures, and the development of societies. The course's emphasis on naming may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Writer

Concept Artist

Concept artists create visual representations of ideas for use in games, film, and other media; they may be especially focused on the visual elements of worldbuilding. This "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" helps concept artists to build fantasy locations. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating fantastic creatures, and developing peoples and races. A concept artist may find the sections on creatures particularly useful.

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Illustrator

The illustrator produces images that go along with written content. If the written work involves fantasy, this "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" may be useful in creating the images. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world. As an illustrator, the course's lessons on mapping may be particularly useful, alongside courses on creating creatures and establishing the rules of a world.

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Game Writer

Game writers craft the narrative, dialogue, and lore for video games. If a world is a creative element, this "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" may be useful for game writers. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating fantastic creatures, and developing peoples and races. A game writer may find the sections on societies and creatures particularly useful.

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Game Designer

Game designers are responsible for creating entertaining and engaging game experiences. This course, "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy", may be useful for designers working on role playing games and massively multiplayer online games due to its focus on creating believable and compelling worlds, and its exploration of mapping, creature creation, societal development, and rule establishment. Game designers can use the course's teachings to help design rich and immersive game worlds. Lessons on fantasy races, societies, and cultures may be useful.

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Screenwriter

Screenwriters craft the stories and scripts for films and television. If you are a screenwriter working with fantasy stories, this course, "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy," may be useful as it helps build a solid foundation for creating fantasy worlds that are believable and compelling. The exercises in mapping, designing creatures, and developing rules will enhance your screenwriting abilities. It may be useful for developing characters, settings, and plots. The lessons on rulesets and naming may be useful.

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Animator

Animators bring characters and stories to life through motion. Animators may find this "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" useful as they create fantastic worlds. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating fantastic creatures, and developing peoples and races. An animator may find the sections on creatures, maps, and timeline particularly useful.

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Creative Director

Creative directors oversee the creative output of a team, ensuring the work aligns with the overall vision. If a world is a creative element, this "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" can help creative directors. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating fantastic creatures, and developing peoples and races. A creative director may find the sections on creatures particularly useful.

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Curriculum Designer

Curriculum designers create educational content and learning experiences. If that educational content includes fantasy, this "Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy" course can help curriculum designers create fantastical worlds for use in the course. By the end of this course, you will have created a believable and compelling world, including mapping natural features, creating creatures, as well as people and races. A curriculum designer may find the sections on creating societies particularly useful.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Worldbuilding Workshop: Writing Great Fantasy.

Wonderbook

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Comprehensive guide to writing imaginative fiction, including fantasy. It covers various aspects of worldbuilding, character development, and plot construction. It offers practical exercises and prompts to help writers develop their skills. This book is best used as a reference text and for additional reading to supplement the course.

Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating...

Paperback

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Explores the role of maps in literature and imagination. It showcases maps from various fantasy and science fiction worlds, offering inspiration for worldbuilding. It provides a visual and conceptual framework for creating believable and compelling maps, which core skill taught in this course. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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