that last note about perspective is so important!! it drives me absolutely crazy when authors try to worldbuild by having a character ask a question about the world that they should know from growing up in that culture
I cannot express how happy I am that I found your channel! I've learnt more about writing thanks to you than with any other videos. And I think that is because my personality is similar to yours. Thanks again!
World building the best part of a fantasy worlds. I have been writing fantasy world since 1998. Keeping logs, notes, and notebooks that will help you keep it all straight. Building is where you build the basics. The reader may never read or see it but it will help.
This is so helpful, thank you so much Victoria! I often get overwhelmed by worldbuilding, but I love how you simplified it. Approaching setting as a character or to add depth to the magic is really helpful as I'm a character driven gal. Thank you! :)
I'm loving this! I am starting a book project tomorrow (doing my own Nanowrimo in May lol) and these videos are really helping to boost my confidence in skills. Thank you so much for doing these in what I am sure is a crazy busy schedule
I've followed you and your writing journey since I was a freshman (about eight years ago now), and recently restumbled upon you after an ad during Critical Role for you and your books! So glad to be back and to see you having started a new series on writing advice. Looking forward to what's coming!
When she mentioned the sea serpents I laughed out loud remembering that scene that was absolutely perfect when Alucard was like "well you can draw the line far before giant ship eating sea snakes"
Thank you for sharing your perspective! I've never thought about window/door-writing - very interesting + it makes a lot of sense! A small (or maybe not so small) request; more on language, please. Particularly for the Shades of Magic-series, because there's a lot of language-stuff in the books. Inspirations from existing languages. Dialects/accents. Which of the languages did you start with? Your favorite word/phrase. Anything interesting that did not make it into the books?
I'm a writer/aspiring author and I was wondering how you come up with/find/create words. The names of the monsters in This Savage Song for example; the names perfectly fit the monsters, sort of the way Sunai has a softer sound to Corsai and Malchai. Or the sort of flowing musical cadence to the Arnesian language; it's sort of written in a way that makes me think it's an elegant sort of language written in flowing script like Arabic or Farsi. I'm definitely a window writer as well mainly because I like the sort of excitement that comes with possibility, those really evocative moments in fantasy where you can almost taste the magic. Thanks so much for making these videos, they've been very helpful and fun to watch. P.S. Oliver is definitely on his way to stardom.
This is so helpful thank you! :) I'm editing through my book atm and I'm struggling with the first person perspective of a character who grew up in the world and how to convay how the world works in an organic way. This will give me confidence to cut explanations she would never think to herself and let things become clear as they happen :)
Oh I total get what you mean about window writer. I can see it in The Archive. Btw. about not focus on your PJ´s or bruises, I see The unbound there in your shelf
OMG I totally agree! I also try to focus on the liguistic side of world building .. which is probably due to my linguistics background back in college.
This is the best information! Thank you for sharing what your methods. It has helped me so much. I started your technique with the calendar and stickers!
Great vid, thanks a ton!! The window/door was a new analogy for me, and really useful. I think I've been subconsciously using the door-worldbuilding technique in my early manuscripts, but I'm now moving towards the window, and it was great to actually have that process verbalised. Can't wait for your next videos, thanks!
Such an eye opening video, thanks for being willing to share your insights! Relaying information about your world thru use of language blew my mind. Totally came at it from a direction I had not thought about before.
Thanks so much for these videos! You are my favourite author and you are so inspiring. I always wanted to be an author and you've inspired me to write again ❤️
Thank you so much for these videos, for they are allowing me to understand myself as a writer. I am def a window writer, but I have always been conflicted on how detailed I should be. With these new concepts, I understand where I stand better. Thank you so much for this! =)
This was such an interesting perspective on worldbuilding! And a lot of useful things to think on, especially the window/door and the outsider/insider concepts.
So many things covered in one video it's amazing! I had never heard of the window/door "theory", if one can call it that, but i was very interesting to hear about. I definitely will have to do more research on that. I love how you tackled worldbuilding while writing the novel (rather than when planning it,) perspective is such a huge point of how you write your story and build your world. I guess that while subconsciously, so far I had been showing the world differently in my novel depending on the character, this is the first time I am actually consciously noticing it because you mentioned it. I do have one question though, how do you deal with needing to give more information when a character is discovering aspects of the world they are unfamiliar with? I have been opting for dialogue and cut out texts from books they are reading but I am curious to see if there is another way you would suggest. I realise that that question probably has a pretty big answer and it is also conditional, or at least I assume it would be. (By conditional I refer to things like Delilah Bard going to Red London is not the first time we learn about Red London nor is she our only source of information, I assume that if she was we would have to get information through other means.) I absolutely love this "youtube series", I am sorry for the long comment these thoughts just kept arising while I was watching! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!
I completely agree that everyone's methods are different! This is such an interesting process. My current work in progress is about an outsider. I think it would be beneficial to try this out and start with the world first! :D
Awwww VE I am reading your book the gathering of shadows actually I just finished it a minute ago it's awesome I didn't knew anything about the writer I couldn't even pronounce the name and I thought V.E.SCHWAB was a guy but then I read that you are a girl and a not very famous writer(idk how you aren't famous but you are better than harry potter no offense jk rowling) it's my birthday on Monday and I have the best thing planned I am gonna read conjuring of shadows the whole day and you are soo awesome and sweet I started writing this book I just did 400 alphabet till now but I can never write the way you do cause believe me your books not just take me to a different world they also feel like awh I wish I could have been your good friend i would love to know your personality cause the way you right is the best fantasy and I kinda wish,feel,crave that I can live in your fantasy with you I love you,by the way I am maha:))))
Could you do a video on how to make a good story for an already built world? I am always daydreaming worlds but I have a problem with actually plotting thought provoking stories that will really explore them well. Do you create your worlds first or your basic plot premise?
Stories are about conflict. Find where conflicts exist in the world. Warring kingdoms, religious conflicts, oppresive governments, wealth inequality, oppression, dangerous frontiers, competing businesses, etc. etc. Find where conflict already exists, and create characters that would be heavily involved in said conflict.
This series is a dream come true, holy crap. Give me your knowledge
that last note about perspective is so important!! it drives me absolutely crazy when authors try to worldbuild by having a character ask a question about the world that they should know from growing up in that culture
I cannot express how happy I am that I found your channel! I've learnt more about writing thanks to you than with any other videos. And I think that is because my personality is similar to yours. Thanks again!
World building the best part of a fantasy worlds. I have been writing fantasy world since 1998. Keeping logs, notes, and notebooks that will help you keep it all straight. Building is where you build the basics. The reader may never read or see it but it will help.
:D I was super happy to hear curse words mentioned, because I spent a long time designing mine for my fantasy novel!
Never thought of the world as a character. This was helpful
I love the opening with the bruise, haha, I can't even pause the video now!! :D
Love the "door" vs "window" writing point - great way of thinking about it - thank you!
This is so helpful, thank you so much Victoria! I often get overwhelmed by worldbuilding, but I love how you simplified it. Approaching setting as a character or to add depth to the magic is really helpful as I'm a character driven gal. Thank you! :)
I have so many doubts about worlbuilding and writing in general and your videos are a great help for me, thank you for this!! 💕💖💕
I'm loving this! I am starting a book project tomorrow (doing my own Nanowrimo in May lol) and these videos are really helping to boost my confidence in skills. Thank you so much for doing these in what I am sure is a crazy busy schedule
I've followed you and your writing journey since I was a freshman (about eight years ago now), and recently restumbled upon you after an ad during Critical Role for you and your books! So glad to be back and to see you having started a new series on writing advice. Looking forward to what's coming!
This was really helpful. I would love to see video on character building. Thank you for this video! :-)
When she mentioned the sea serpents I laughed out loud remembering that scene that was absolutely perfect when Alucard was like "well you can draw the line far before giant ship eating sea snakes"
Thank you for sharing your perspective! I've never thought about window/door-writing - very interesting + it makes a lot of sense! A small (or maybe not so small) request; more on language, please. Particularly for the Shades of Magic-series, because there's a lot of language-stuff in the books. Inspirations from existing languages. Dialects/accents. Which of the languages did you start with? Your favorite word/phrase. Anything interesting that did not make it into the books?
I'm a writer/aspiring author and I was wondering how you come up with/find/create words.
The names of the monsters in This Savage Song for example; the names perfectly fit the monsters, sort of the way Sunai has a softer sound to Corsai and Malchai.
Or the sort of flowing musical cadence to the Arnesian language; it's sort of written in a way that makes me think it's an elegant sort of language written in flowing script like Arabic or Farsi.
I'm definitely a window writer as well mainly because I like the sort of excitement that comes with possibility, those really evocative moments in fantasy where you can almost taste the magic.
Thanks so much for making these videos, they've been very helpful and fun to watch.
P.S. Oliver is definitely on his way to stardom.
This is so helpful thank you! :) I'm editing through my book atm and I'm struggling with the first person perspective of a character who grew up in the world and how to convay how the world works in an organic way. This will give me confidence to cut explanations she would never think to herself and let things become clear as they happen :)
Oh I total get what you mean about window writer. I can see it in The Archive. Btw. about not focus on your PJ´s or bruises, I see The unbound there in your shelf
OMG I totally agree! I also try to focus on the liguistic side of world building .. which is probably due to my linguistics background back in college.
I usually can't sit through videos of people just talking, but you're so fun to listen to!
Thank you for sharing this. Window writer is a new concept to me. Your advice on shorthand worldbuilding is very helpful.
This is the best information! Thank you for sharing what your methods. It has helped me so much. I started your technique with the calendar and stickers!
Wth! I didn't know V. E Schwab had a YT channel! 😲 AWESOME!
Great vid, thanks a ton!! The window/door was a new analogy for me, and really useful. I think I've been subconsciously using the door-worldbuilding technique in my early manuscripts, but I'm now moving towards the window, and it was great to actually have that process verbalised. Can't wait for your next videos, thanks!
Such an eye opening video, thanks for being willing to share your insights! Relaying information about your world thru use of language blew my mind. Totally came at it from a direction I had not thought about before.
I love this series! as a new writer this is all very helpful thank you so much!
Thanks so much for these videos! You are my favourite author and you are so inspiring. I always wanted to be an author and you've inspired me to write again ❤️
This was an amazing video. I love your transparency and would love to hear you talk more about character development!
You should write a book on writing!
Thank you so much for these videos, for they are allowing me to understand myself as a writer. I am def a window writer, but I have always been conflicted on how detailed I should be. With these new concepts, I understand where I stand better. Thank you so much for this! =)
This was such an interesting perspective on worldbuilding! And a lot of useful things to think on, especially the window/door and the outsider/insider concepts.
So many things covered in one video it's amazing! I had never heard of the window/door "theory", if one can call it that, but i was very interesting to hear about. I definitely will have to do more research on that. I love how you tackled worldbuilding while writing the novel (rather than when planning it,) perspective is such a huge point of how you write your story and build your world. I guess that while subconsciously, so far I had been showing the world differently in my novel depending on the character, this is the first time I am actually consciously noticing it because you mentioned it. I do have one question though, how do you deal with needing to give more information when a character is discovering aspects of the world they are unfamiliar with? I have been opting for dialogue and cut out texts from books they are reading but I am curious to see if there is another way you would suggest. I realise that that question probably has a pretty big answer and it is also conditional, or at least I assume it would be. (By conditional I refer to things like Delilah Bard going to Red London is not the first time we learn about Red London nor is she our only source of information, I assume that if she was we would have to get information through other means.)
I absolutely love this "youtube series", I am sorry for the long comment these thoughts just kept arising while I was watching! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!
Your videos are AMAZING! I really hope you have a LOT more videos planned :)
Holy crow! I didn't know you were a competitive fencer! That's so heckin' cool!!
Thank you so much for this video, it is of tremendous value! I love your work!
I'm honestly loving this series
I completely agree that everyone's methods are different! This is such an interesting process. My current work in progress is about an outsider. I think it would be beneficial to try this out and start with the world first! :D
Aha! So, I'm a window writer! **Mr. Burns hands** Excellent...
The beginning of this video is why you are so amazing
This video made me want to sit down and write when all I've felt like doing for a while with my writing was giving up.
=)
This was so helpful Victoria, thank you so much!
Awwww VE I am reading your book the gathering of shadows actually I just finished it a minute ago it's awesome I didn't knew anything about the writer I couldn't even pronounce the name and I thought V.E.SCHWAB was a guy but then I read that you are a girl and a not very famous writer(idk how you aren't famous but you are better than harry potter no offense jk rowling) it's my birthday on Monday and I have the best thing planned I am gonna read conjuring of shadows the whole day and you are soo awesome and sweet I started writing this book I just did 400 alphabet till now but I can never write the way you do cause believe me your books not just take me to a different world they also feel like awh I wish I could have been your good friend i would love to know your personality cause the way you right is the best fantasy and I kinda wish,feel,crave that I can live in your fantasy with you
I love you,by the way I am maha:))))
random but your voice sounds so pleasant and smooth omg
Oh, I love these videos! Thank you!
Im just in love with your personality!
Thank you so much for this, this is truly fantastic.
Could you do a video on how to make a good story for an already built world? I am always daydreaming worlds but I have a problem with actually plotting thought provoking stories that will really explore them well. Do you create your worlds first or your basic plot premise?
Stories are about conflict. Find where conflicts exist in the world. Warring kingdoms, religious conflicts, oppresive governments, wealth inequality, oppression, dangerous frontiers, competing businesses, etc. etc.
Find where conflict already exists, and create characters that would be heavily involved in said conflict.
Thank you so so so much for this!! You have helped me a ton! x
I'd love to know any other great writing resources you have used in the past and would recommend to people who love this YT series! :)
Flarken Heck Yeah!
Just Picked Up Larue and I'm pumped!
your shirt!!
I'm a door writer 😅
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm