Creating Immersive Settings: A Simple Worldbuilding Guide

We spend a lot of time talking about plot twists, character arcs, and pacing. And while all those things are absolutely essential to a strong novel, sometimes the real problem with a stuck story isn’t the plot—or even the characters.

Sometimes, it’s the world.

When your story world feels flat or vague, your characters can seem like they’re floating in space. Readers struggle to emotionally connect, and even your most compelling scenes might lack that immersive “wow” factor.

The good news? Worldbuilding doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Here’s how I’d get started if I was building a story world from scratch, or trying to fix one that’s falling flat:

Why Worldbuilding Matters 

Ever read a book where you could smell the spices in the market or feel the tension in the air before a sword fight? That’s the power of strong worldbuilding.

A well-built world does three things:

• Creates an emotional connection: Readers feel part of the story, not just observers.

• Raises the stakes: Choices have weight when they’re grounded in real consequences.

• Shapes the plot and characters: The world should challenge your characters, not just exist around them.

Here are some examples of story worlds that are done really well: 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The world of Basgiath War College is dangerous, atmospheric, and full of layered tension. With its brutal training grounds, high-stakes dragon bonds, and a deeply embedded political system, the setting drives the story and the stakes. Every part of the world shapes the characters' decisions, fears, and relationships.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

This one is a personal favorite of mine, and for good reason! This epic fantasy spans continents, cultures, religions, and histories, all while centering on a looming threat of ancient dragons. Shannon’s world feels vast and believable because she develops detailed political systems, distinct cultures, and competing mythologies. It reads like an alternate history with its own logic and rules.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (especially in later books)

Despite my personal feelings towards the ACOTAR series (I don't love them) you can learn a lot about worldbuilding from them. Maas takes familiar fairytale elements and spins them into a rich, politically layered world of fae courts, each with distinct magic, geography, and culture. As the series progresses, the world expands in complexity—and we see how environment and history influence every alliance, betrayal, and battle.

Now that we know what a fully developed world SHOULD do, let's talk about how we can do it in our own books. 

Here's that five-part world building guide I promised!

The 5-Part Simple Worldbuilding Guide 

If I was just getting started (and I felt overwhelmed - because let's be real, this can be overwhelming) there are five main areas I'd focus on first. Below, I've listed whose five areas, and a few tips on how to make sure these are flowing smoothly in your book. 

One: Geography & Climate

If your book is fantasy or any type of fiction that requires travel, I'd focus on establishing geography and weather patterns in the world. Even if your story is not a quest, the climate can have a huge impact on the character of the world. 

Climate, geography, and weather patterns determine a lot of things: trade routes, economy, what products are available where, and methods of communication between towns and villages - and that's just a start. 

To get a good look at how this works, do a quick google search on "trade routes" in the 1800s or so. Tea, coffee, and other products were shipped all over the world, because the countries that wanted these goods often didn't have the right climates to grow them.

The tea trade in particular had a huge impact on the world we now know, and can have a huge impact on the world you're building, too. 

Two: Culture & Society

Much like people in the real world, your character is the product of their culture. Even if they're a fish-out-of-water, they came from somewhere, and that somewhere is really important. 

As a writing coach, I read a lot of manuscripts with a good story, but I never feel fully connected to the characters. A lot of the time it's because we're missing cultural relevance - that thing that makes us say, oh, I completely get where they're coming from. 

If a character is ostracized (for example, they don't have magical powers in a world that is run on everyone having magical powers) it needs to be firmly established that that in this culture, magic is normal - otherwise the emotional impact of that choice will never fully hit the reader. 

It's a small thing that makes a huge impact. For my writing students who really get this down, it takes their manuscript from 0-100 really fast. 

Three: Economy & Resources

If you spent time on the first two things, this one should come pretty easily. Economy and resources affect culture and society (and vice versa) which is why it can be super useful to work on these two things side by side. 

Although working on the economy might seem an incredibly boring endeavor, this is another element that can help you raise the stakes of your story and help your reader stay invested. For example: if you have a conniving thief looking to take down the local millionaire, how would they do it? Steal liquid assets? Figure out how to crash the stock market? Interrupt trade and disrupt the economy? 

When you have a deep and thorough understanding of the economy of your story (which also lends itself to an understanding of which resources are available to your characters and why) you open up completely new avenues for storytelling and create lots of potential for making things incredibly interesting. 

Four: Technology & Magic (if applicable)

This is where your world can really start to sparkle (literally or figuratively.) Whether you’re working with futuristic tech, ancient relics, subtle magic, or loud, explosive spells, the systems of technology or magic in your world will directly shape the lives, culture, and limitations of your characters.

The key here is consistency and consequence. A world where magic exists but no one uses it to solve everyday problems feels like a missed opportunity. On the flip side, a world with super-advanced tech but no regulations or ethical debate might feel flat or unrealistic. Ask yourself: Who has access to this power or innovation? Who doesn’t, and why? How does it affect class systems, education, healthcare, transportation, warfare, or even romance?

This is also a great place to add nuance and raise tension. If magic is rare, maybe people fear it, or maybe they crave it. If technology is ubiquitous, maybe it's also a tool of control. Think about how this element might amplify conflict or reveal hidden motivations. Does your villain rely on ancient forbidden spells? Is your protagonist secretly a genius inventor? 

If you’ve already thought through economy and resources, this section should feel like an extension of that work. After all, technology and magic often rely on access to specific materials, knowledge, or societal permission. Explore the boundaries of what's possible in your world, and then find out what happens when someone tries to break them.

Five: Visual Details

This is where the magic of worldbuilding truly comes alive: when your reader can see the gleam of gold in the merchant’s stall, smell the incense curling through the temple air, or hear the clash of steel and the cries of the wounded on a battlefield. This section is less about facts and more about feeling.

It’s tempting to list out everything you’ve designed (trust me, I’ve been there), but instead of dumping info, think about embedding it into the experience. What does your character notice first when they step into a new place? Is it the sticky heat? The texture of ancient stone underfoot? The bitter taste of dust in the air? These kinds of sensory cues ground your reader and make the world feel real, even if it’s wildly fantastical.

A good rule of thumb: when you're tempted to explain something, ask yourself if you can show it instead. Visual details are how we deliver worldbuilding organically, slipping it into the reader’s imagination so it feels like they’re there.

If you're enjoying this and want a step-by-step guide to creating a world that feels layered, immersive, and alive, The Worldbuilding Manual is for you. It’s full of practical exercises (like the one above), checklists, and deep-dive questions to help you flesh out every corner of your story world—from power structures to pocket lint. Check it out here. 

What's Next?

If you're struggling with any part of the writing process, or if you're looking to dig even deeper into your novel, then there's something you need to grab. It's called The Ultimate Worldbuilding Manual, and it walks you through each part of worldbuilding, to an extensive degree. 

Here's exactly what's inside: 

• Geography, Weather, and Landscapes: Shape your world’s physical environment, from towering mountains and vast oceans to unpredictable weather patterns and unique biomes.
• Political Systems, Hierarchies, and Power Structures: Define the ruling systems of your world, whether monarchies, democracies, or shadowy organizations controlling everything behind the scenes.
• Societies and Cultures (Belief Systems, Traditions, Languages): Develop deep and immersive cultures, complete with traditions, languages, and belief systems that shape everyday life.
• Technology or Magic Systems: Determine whether your world thrives on cutting-edge technology, intricate magic, or a fusion of both, ensuring internal logic and balance.
• Economics and Trade Worksheet: Create a functional economy, from currency and trade routes to resource distribution and black markets.
• Magic System Builder: Craft a compelling and balanced magic system with clear rules, costs, and limitations to keep it engaging and believable.
• History & Mythology Builder (Bonus): Build a rich historical and mythological backdrop, from ancient wars to divine interventions, that shapes the present world.
• Flora & Fauna Guide (Bonus): Develop unique ecosystems, complete with plants, animals, and mythical creatures that feel authentic to your world’s climate and geography.
• Cultural Aesthetics & Architecture Guide (Bonus): Define the artistic and architectural styles of different civilizations, making cities and settlements feel visually distinct and immersive.
• Laws, Justice & Crime Systems (Bonus): Establish the legal systems of your world, detailing crime, punishment, law enforcement, and underground organizations.
• Religion & Spirituality Workbook (Bonus): Create belief systems, gods, rituals, and religious conflicts that shape morality, traditions, and societal norms.

If you've worked with any of my guides before, then you probably know about my question-and-answer method. This is the method I use for all of my writing projects, and the key piece that works so well is that it asks open ended questions to spark your creativity - 

Meaning that it works well for every project, regardless of genre, style, or even if you've used the guide before. 

(So you can use this over and over and over). 

Click here to take the next step on your book writing journey. I'm cheering for you! 

Happy Writing! 

Rachel