World-building is one of the most exciting parts of writing for me, but it’s also a process that evolves with each story I write. My first three books were all set in real places: New York City (and New Jersey), St. Louis, and Chicago. I’m comfortable using real settings because it allows me to draw on real-life experiences and the unique vibes of these cities. But with my next book—the first in a new series—I’m diving into something different. While the story is still set in New York City, I’m adding an element of magic, with time portals and alternate realities, which has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into uncharted territory.
Brainstorming the Basics
The biggest challenge with this new world-building adventure has been figuring out how the magical elements work within a real-world setting. I started by brainstorming what these time portals and alternate realities actually mean. How do they function? Where do they lead? What are the rules of these magical spaces? Even now, as I head into the second draft, I don’t have all the answers. That’s part of the journey. My goal for the second draft is to nail down exactly how these portals work and what to call them, but for now, I’m enjoying the creative freedom of discovery.
Using Real Maps to Ground the Story
Since much of the story is still rooted in the real world, specifically New York City, I rely heavily on Google Maps to get the lay of the land. My main character, Ruby, lives in Queens, but she spends time in Brooklyn for training, and some of the action takes place in Manhattan. By using Google Maps, I can get a close look at the streets, neighborhoods, and subway routes Ruby would travel, which helps me keep the setting realistic even as I blend in the magical elements. I always keep a subway map open while I’m writing, ensuring Ruby’s journey through the city is as accurate as possible.
Filling in the White Space
I tend to be what I call a “white space first drafter,” which means that when I write the first draft, I don’t always focus on describing the setting in detail. The characters are having dialogue, doing things, but the world around them is often left blank in my mind. It’s only when I move on to the second draft that I really dive into the details of the environment.
This is where I start to ask myself all the important questions about the spaces my characters occupy. What do the rooms look like? How do they smell? What items are scattered around? For example, I think about Ruby’s bedroom—what kind of personal touches does she have? How does her room in Queens compare to her best friend’s space, or to the apartment in Manhattan? I jot down all these questions and notes as I plan my edits, and then I refer to them as I go back through each scene, ensuring the settings feel vivid and grounded.
Weaving Magic Into the World
The biggest difference in this current work-in-progress, compared to my previous books, is the use of magic and the battle against evil beings. I had to spend a lot of time journaling to figure out how magic came into play. Where did it come from? How did it travel from its original world to ours? And what about the villain—how did he gain his magical powers?
In the first draft, some of these answers were there, but they weren’t fully fleshed out or didn’t make complete sense. But that’s the beauty of the first draft—it’s a space to explore ideas, even if they’re messy. Now, as I approach the second draft, I’m honing those magical elements so that they’re clearer and more consistent. Since I plan to send this draft to my editor to begin the development process, I want the magic to feel seamless and logical, even within a fantastical world.
Bringing the World to Life
World-building isn’t just about geography or magic; it’s about atmosphere. To help me get into the right mood for different sections of my book, I turn to a few tools: Pinterest, music, and more maps. I love creating Pinterest boards filled with images that reflect the mood and tone I’m aiming for. It’s a great way to get visually inspired, especially when I’m trying to capture the essence of both New York City and the magical elements I’m weaving in.
Music also plays a big role in setting the tone. I create playlists that help me sink into different scenes—whether it’s an intense fight scene, a quiet moment of reflection, or a mysterious encounter in one of the magical portals. The music helps me connect emotionally with the scene and gives me the energy I need to bring it to life on the page.
Google Maps continues to be my trusty sidekick for looking around parts of the city that I can’t always visit in person. For example, I lived on the Upper East Side for years, but now that I’m writing from Queens, it’s not easy to just pop over there whenever I want. Using maps and street views lets me virtually “walk” around those areas, giving me a sense of the neighborhoods that my characters are moving through, without needing to leave my writing desk.
Embracing the Fun of World-Building
For me, world-building is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing. It’s a chance to immerse myself in both the familiar and the unknown, blending real-world settings with magical possibilities. While creating these worlds takes time, it’s always worth the effort when the setting starts to feel like a living, breathing part of the story. Whether I’m writing about real places like New York City or inventing entire alternate realities, my goal is to craft a world that readers can step into and explore, a world that feels as tangible as the characters who inhabit it.
World-building might seem daunting, but it’s an exciting way to stretch your imagination and deepen your story. Whether you’re setting your story in the real world, a fantasy realm, or a mix of both, the details you create will help your readers feel truly immersed in the world you’ve built.
