This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn discuss world religion and whether or not a story needs one. Religion is a large part of culture at the macro (world) level and micro (personal) level. Even if your character rejects religion, it’s probably part of his world, something he’s steeped in like it or not. Is religion-building genre specific? Can you ever ignore the big R in your storytelling? If you’re developing a fictional religion, how detailed do you need to get?
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
Why should we talk about world building with religion? Should your characters have a belief system? And how can you use it to create rich depth for your world and your character motivation? How should you present it in your work? And how can you make it natural to your world and your characters?
What we talked about:
Why are we talking about world building religion? Do your characters believe something? (1:00)
Is religion a genre specific topic? (2:18)
Religion as driver! (3:15)
How can you use religion in world building? (4:40)
Why would you invest the time into the religion in your world building? (6:39)
How much work do we need to do to reveal your religious elements to your readers? (9:30)
If you are using religion in your book, do your due diligence! (12:17)
How is Kathryn building her religion? Can you start at ground zero with a religion? (14:18)
Let your religion be natural to your characters. (19:20)
How do you make things original? (23:48)
LINKS
Want more about these topics? Check out:
SWRT 043 Balancing Character and World Building