Is World Building a Writer's Disease or a *Necessary* Waste of Time?
“World building, in its purest form, is the creation of a new, fictitious world made from the little details that collectively form history, geography, and culture. Whether those details come directly from the writer’s personal experiences, their own mind, or some mix of the two, world building allows the writer to present a new set of circumstances to their audience that, hopefully, encourages them to take part in its creation. Although the writer will generally have more knowledge about the world than initially let on, successful world building avoids info-dumping and, instead, offers just enough info to point the viewer in the right direction before allowing them to explore on their own. It’s this guided interaction between viewer and the created world that immerses the viewer, endears the characters to them, and ultimately creates a memorable experience.”
World Building in Animation: The Scene Behind the Scene : Jessica Koroll, 28 December 2013, The Artiface
##
The linked essay is on world/background story in recent animation, but it presents a viewpoint (and some writing tips!) that would be useful no matter the work, media, or intended audience. Well worth a read.
