Accelerated World Building

Name: Accelerated World Building
Rating: 4.5 (9 reviews)

Avoid feeling overwhelmed by learning what you need to invent and why!

Created byRandy Ellefson

Last updated 7/2020

English

What you'll learn

Everything involved in creating an Earth-like setting
What elements of a world they should build and why
The consequences of not inventing an element and how to mitigate that
What is involved in creating each element
Recommendations on what to do and why
What audiences (likely) expect
What they're getting themselves into!
And much more!

Course content

5 sections • 22 lectures • 2h 0m total length

Introduction3:25
In this introduction, we learn:
The course goals
Who the ideal students are and what sets them apart
The count of lessons, quizzes, and assignments, and course length
About the instructor
About the course bonus and how to access it

Do We Need to Create Gods?7:56
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent a few gods
Reasons to invent entire pantheons
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendations
Gods Quiz
Do We Need to Create Species?8:31
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent species or races
Reasons not to invent our own
What invention involves
My recommendations
Species Quiz
Do We Need to Create World Figures?4:13
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent world figures like heroes and villains
Reasons not to invent them
What invention involves
My recommendations
World Figures Quiz
Do We Need to Create Animals?5:29
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent animals
Reasons not to invent them
What invention involves
My recommendations
Animals Quiz
Do We Need to Create Plants?5:19
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent plants
Reasons not to invent them
What invention involves
My recommendations
Plants Quiz
Do We Need to Create Monsters?4:11
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent monsters
Reasons not to invent them
What invention involves
My recommendations
Monsters Quiz
Do We Need to Create Undead?9:21
In this lesson, we learn:
Three scenarios to help us decide if need to do this
Reasons to invent undead
Reasons not to invent undead
What inventing undead involves
My recommendations
Undead Quiz

How Much Setting Do We Need to Invent?8:21
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine how much of each physical element we need to develop
What to invent or skip over
What invention involves
My recommendation
Setting Quiz
Do We Need to Create Places of Interest?4:19
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to invent places of interest
Reasons not to do invent them
What the work involves
My recommendation
Places of Interest Quiz
Do We Need to Create Maps?7:43
In this lesson, we learn:
Reasons to create a map of different types (overland maps, settlements, dungeons)
Reasons not to create any
What invention involves
My recommendations
Maps Quiz
Do We Need to Alter Time and Invent History?6:47
In this lesson, we learn:
Alter time scales (6 days in a week, <> 24-hour days)
Invent history
Reasons to alter time scales
Reasons to invent a history
Reasons not to do either
What the work involves
My recommendation
Time and History Quiz

Do We Need to Create Culture?4:25
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent culture
Reasons to invent one
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Culture Quiz
Do We Need to Create Organizations?3:51
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent organiztions
Reasons to invent organizations
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Organizations Quiz
Do We Need to Create Armed Forces?4:26
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent armed forces
Reasons to invent armed forces
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Armed Forces Quiz
Do We Need to Create Religions?4:40
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent religions
Reasons to invent religions
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Religions Quiz
Do We Need to Create The Supernatural?3:20
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent the supernatural
Reasons to invent the supernatural
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
The Supernatural Quiz
Do We Need to Create Magic Systems?4:45
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to magic systems
Reasons to invent them
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Magic Systems Quiz
Do We Need to Create Other Systems?8:35
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to other systems
Reasons to invent them
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Other Systems Quiz
Do We Need to Create Items?3:05
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent items
Reasons to invent items
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Items Quiz
Do We Need to Create Languages?6:17
In this lesson, we learn:
Determine whether we need to invent languages
Reasons to invent languages
Reasons not to invent any
What invention involves
My recommendation
Languages Quiz

Requirements

An optional spreadsheet program to use the checklist

Description

Covering every aspect of world building from life and places to cultures and beyond, this course will help you decide what you need to invent for your setting, based on story needs. When done, you'll have a completed checklist and a better understanding of what it takes to invent everything - even things you've decided to skip.

Are You Ready To...

Stop wondering what you should create and why?

Eliminate indecision & get the work done with confidence, excitement, & purpose?

Who this course is for:

Authors
Screenwriters
Game designers
Hobbyists
Those who'd like an overview of world building for fantasy and science fiction

Accelerated World Building

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 3min

Creating Life7 lectures • 45min

Creating Places4 lectures • 27min

Cultures and Beyond9 lectures • 43min

Conclusion1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: